Global IndianstoryIt took a village to change NRI couple Kalawars’ purpose: Today 10 districts, 8 states are the better for it

It took a village to change NRI couple Kalawars’ purpose: Today 10 districts, 8 states are the better for it

Written by: Charu Thakur

(March 6, 2022) Waiting for a train at Bokaro station to Pune two decades ago, a little boy approached a young Ashish Kalawar, offering to polish his shoes. Unhappy, Ashish reprimanded the boy saying he should be studying at his age. The boy replied that he was working to support his education, and to buy books. “That touched me. He asked for Rs 15 but I gave him Rs 50. Helping the child get closer to his education dream filled me with happiness and contentment,” Ashish says in an interview with Global Indian. This incident was the biggest inspiration behind quitting a high-paying job in the UK in 2014, relocating to India to work for the people of Lonewadi village in Maharashtra.

Ashish and his wife Ruta, trustees of Shivprabha Charitable Trust in Pune, work relentlessly for the empowerment of people across five districts including Lonewadi, Pusad, and Chandrapur in Maharashtra through social work and meditation camps. “It’s the joy of giving, and helping people reach their highest potential,” says Ruta.

A moment of clarity

Ashish and Ruta Kalawar with their son in the UK

An electronic engineering gold medallist, Ruta joined ISRO in 2001 as a scientist, and later moved to Wipro (2005) where she met Ashish, an electrical engineer from Pune University. A few months later, December 2006, they got married. A year-and-a-half on, the couple shifted to the UK – Ruta started work at Intel while Ashish was at Broadcom. A foreign land, embracing a new culture and learning aside, when Ruta holidayed in India in 2012, there was an awakening. “I always searched for a purpose in life. During the trip, I visited the Samarpan Meditation Centre in Pune. It was life-changing – for the first time I felt happiness within me,” smiles Ruta, who had an enlightening experience which led her on the path to working for the welfare of the downtrodden. Even as they were set to apply for UK citizenship, they chucked it all and came back. “On my return, I told Ashish that I was quitting my job and moving to India to work for society. He was shocked,” laughs Ruta, who realised Ashish wasn’t ready for the journey yet. So, she waited patiently. Within a year, after Ashish attended a meditation camp in Goa, the move materialised. “Something had shifted in me. I got clarity on how I should live,” reveals Ashish who quit his high-pressure job at 33 for more altruistic pastures.

Finding a village, adopting a community

Back home, they joined hands with Amol Sainwar, at the Shivprabha Charitable Trust to help transform the lives of Lonewadi villagers in Nashik. “During our earlier visits to India, Amol often discussed the problems faced, and the projects his trust was working on. The villager’s difficult lives struck a chord – a drought-affected tribal village with no electricity or drinking water,” says Ashish who was heartbroken to find women and children walking hours to fetch water, often attacked by wild animals. First, he donated Rs 2 lakh for a solar-powered drinking water distribution system, helping solve the biggest problem. Then, after returning to India, the couple slowly became torchbearers for the people of Lonewadi and other villages.

Ruta Kalawar at Lonewadi village

“Ruta and I joined Amol as the trustees, working on many projects – toilet construction (30), digitisation of schools and meditation camps,” says Ashish who also heightened his social responsibility with social work and spirituality. “It was meditation that made me choose my path in life, and now we are spreading it through camps across eight states in India,” says the 42-year-old.

Farmers in Lonewadi were in a terrible state, “Many turned to alcohol burdened with interests from money lenders,” reveals Amol. So, the couple started counselling farmers and holding meditation sessions. “The sessions had a profound effect. Within months, 80 percent left alcohol. We didn’t preach, instead, the self-realisation from meditation helped them stay away from alcohol,” reveals Ashish. “Open defecation was another challenge, and it took us one-and-a-half years to change perspectives,” reveals Amol, whose charity works on crowdfunding and CSR.

Ruta Kalawar at Lonewadi village in Maharashtra

Giving to the have-nots

Having travelled 12 countries, living well, it was the realisation of a bigger purpose that has embellished the Kalawars’ lives immensely.
Working with the future of Lonewadi was important – its children . The installation of a computer in the village (2015), and later tablets were also distributed to village children. “Ruta and Ashish have played a big role, and we have now digitised six village schools across Maharashtra,” adds Amol.

Ashish Kalawar at Zila Parishad school in Lonewadi

Ruta and Ashish have spread their wings to 10 districts in Maharastra, and eight states, and are heartened to see their efforts bring light into village lives. “We are happy to have become instruments of change,” says Ashish whose wants to see people become self-sufficient.
“Meditation changed Ruta and my life, and we are spreading it across the country with our camps. We want people to find true happiness within themselves, and work for a larger cause,” says the visionary who is developing a meditation centre in Lonewadi – built on 4 acre land. Their biggest project yet.

A meditative way of life

The couple’s 14-year-old son has imbibed their values, and is happy living a simple life. “He has been meditating and I have seen a profound effect on him,” says the 42-year-old mother, who adds, “He has his destiny to fulfil, we are just watering this sapling, and seeing him grow.”

Ashish and Ruta Kalawar with their 14-year-old son

“Freedom of time,” she feels is her biggest lesson from this altruistic journey. “Freedom is more expensive than money, and one should hold onto it at all costs,” advises Ruta adding, “Never give up, accept challenges head-on. Everyone takes their own time to reach their destiny. So don’t rush.”

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Published on 06, Mar 2022

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Maya Vivek and Minal Dalmia: Recycling ‘HolyWaste’

(May 10, 2023) Maya Vivek and Minal Dalmia, two Telangana-based social entrepreneurs, tackle India's flower waste pollution with their innovative startup, Oorvi Sustainable Concepts. By recycling flower waste into eco-friendly products, they not only contribute to sustainability but also provide employment for marginalized women. “Every year, approximately eight million tons of waste flowers are dumped in the rivers in India, choking them to death. The pesticides and chemical fertilizers used to grow flowers mix with the river water, making it highly toxic,” states a report published by the International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology (IJRASET). “Various drains and waterways connected to the water bodies also get clogged, creating civic problems of great magnitude. We always tend to blame the industrial waste but never give a thought to flower pollution,” the report mentions. The city of Hyderabad alone generates some 1,000 metric tons of flower waste per day, and Telangana-based social entrepreneurs Maya Vivek and Minal Dalmia decided to do something about it. They founded Oorvi Sustainable Concepts, which recycles flower waste collected from temples and social gatherings, and processes them into eco-friendly products like fertilisers, incense sticks and soaps. The social entrepreneurs are not just

ed to the water bodies also get clogged, creating civic problems of great magnitude. We always tend to blame the industrial waste but never give a thought to flower pollution,” the report mentions.

The city of Hyderabad alone generates some 1,000 metric tons of flower waste per day, and Telangana-based social entrepreneurs Maya Vivek and Minal Dalmia decided to do something about it. They founded Oorvi Sustainable Concepts, which recycles flower waste collected from temples and social gatherings, and processes them into eco-friendly products like fertilisers, incense sticks and soaps. The social entrepreneurs are not just doing their bit for sustainability but also creating livelihoods for marginalised women in their locality. “We work with most beautiful things that nature has ever created – flowers and women,” says Maya, in an interview with Global Indian.

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A post shared by Holy Waste • Products from Upcycled Flower Waste. (@holy.waste)

It all began when…

Maya and Minal, who became friends while picking up their kids from school, had been toying with the idea of doing something for the marginalised women of their area, Gundlapochampally. While Minal was involved with her family business, Maya was thinking of a career switch, after spending two decades as an international logistics and freight forwarding professional. They wanted their next career move to be purposeful and of value to the local women.

As they brainstormed various ideas, they came across a video of Kanpur-based entrepreneurs who were recycling flowers and making a difference. The idea resonated with Maya and Minal, who decided to adopt the cause too. “We started our organisation in 2019. However, we had begun experimenting in 2018. Once we were ready with the prototypes, we went ahead and registered the firm,” tells Maya.

HolyWaste

They named their company ‘Oorvi’, or ‘earth’, and their products are made under the clever brand name, HolyWaste. They infuse new life into floral discards through a process they call ‘FloRejuvenation’.  

“We wanted to get into a business where women and the environment could benefit together. Waste management was a huge area where we could explore possibilities and floral waste seemed niche, full of opportunity.” Mays says. “Any problem in the environment affects a woman’s life first. So, she is best suited to think of solutions too,” she adds.

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A post shared by Holy Waste • Products from Upcycled Flower Waste. (@holy.waste)

Slow and steady growth

Oorvi began operations with just one temple, setting up their first bin to collect used flowers at the Skandagiri temple in Secuderabad. They set up their processing unit in Gundlapochampally village, which is a half-hour drive from Hyderabad. Four years later, the organisation partners with more than 40 temples.

“A friend knew the head of Sri Subrahmanyaswamy Temple in Skandagiri, so the idea clicked," says Maya. The sarpanch of Gundlapochampally was happy with their idea of benefitting local women. He helped them out by giving them access to the village community hall to start their initial operations.

This helped the duo win the trust of the local families and attract local women, who started joining their venture. The local women were trained in how to segregate and make eco-friendly products. Since the workers were mothers too, Maya and Minal made sure work hours were convenient – from 10 am to 4 pm every day. It allowed the women to devote themselves to work without worrying about neglecting their home and kids.

As the enterprise grew, Oorvi’s operations moved to a rented premise in the vicinity. The entrepreneurs have been partnering with places of worship, vendors, event planners, decorators, and just about anybody who generates floral waste.

[caption id="attachment_38339" align="aligncenter" width="603"] Maya Vivek | Minal Dalmia | Indian Social Entrepreneur | Global Indian Maya and Minal with few of the Oorvi workers[/caption]

The extra mile

The entrepreneurs wanted HolyWaste products to be totally sustainable, down to their eco-friendly packaging. To avoid the use of plastic, the products are packed in pouches stitched from old and traditional handloom sarees and dupattas. To add a personal touch to their products, they attach handwritten notes on handmade paper with every package. "More than the products themselves, we found that people were fascinated with our process," Maya smiles.

They made an impact quickly and IDEA, the startup incubator at the ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management, Hyderabad, took Oorvi under its wing, giving them the mentorship they needed. IDEA helped the HolyWaste project with the minutest of details, like getting just the right butter paper to lock the fragrance and freshness of the soaps and incense sticks to make the dream project successful.

Later, Maya and Minal’s startup was incubated by WE Hub (Women Entrepreneurs Hub), which is India’s first and only state-led incubator to promote and foster women entrepreneurship.

With dedication and the right mentorship Maya and Minal managed to find success despite starting operations just before the pandemic hit. They process over 1,000 kilograms of floral waste every week, preventing it from ending up in waterbodies and landfills.

The entrepreneurs were awarded the India Sustainability Award 2022. Their social venture was also honoured with the coveted Best Green Startup award in the Eco Ideas category at the prestigious Green India Awards, 2019. 

“What is holy today is becoming waste tomorrow, so we should try to make it holy again,’ signs off Maya.

[caption id="attachment_38345" align="aligncenter" width="656"] Maya Vivek | Minal Dalmia | Indian Social Entrepreneur | Global Indian Ambar gift box by HolyWaste[/caption]

Takeaways:

Sustainability through innovation: Oorvi Sustainable Concepts demonstrates how identifying a niche environmental issue, like flower waste pollution, can lead to the development of innovative solutions and business opportunities.
Vocal for local: The founders of Oorvi recognized the importance of empowering marginalized women, and their venture exemplifies how social entrepreneurship can create meaningful employment opportunities and improve local communities.
Social empowerment and profitability: Oorvi's commitment to sustainability, demonstrated by their eco-friendly packaging and products, serves as a reminder that businesses can have a positive impact on the environment while still being profitable.
The social entrepreneurship landscape: The recognition and awards received by Oorvi, such as the India Sustainability Award and the Best Green Startup award, highlight the potential for social entrepreneurs to gain support and acknowledgement when addressing pressing environmental and social issues.

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Follow HolyWaste on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

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Ganna Smirnova and Bharatanatyam amidst Russia-Ukraine War

(September 8, 2023) Ukraine’s Ganna Smirnova embodies unwavering resilience and indomitable courage in the face of the Russia-Ukraine war. One of Europe’s well-known Bharatanatyam dancers, Ganna was shaken but bravely chartered a new path. Having moved to Hastings, Ganna has been teaching Bharatanatyam in the UK, and is also contributing to a cultural project that unites the creative worlds of India, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. “Namaskaar, I am living in the UK. I moved here one year ago with my nineteen-year –old twin daughters Catherine and Elizabeth Rajhans because of the war,” Ganna Smirnova says, as she connects with Global Indian. The leading European Bharatanatyam dancer has performed and taught extensively for more than two decades. She has graced prominent stages around the world with captivating performances that have enchanted audiences and critics alike. “Apart from teaching here in the UK, I am also involved in a cross-country cultural project exploring English medieval writing paired with the famous Ukrainian poems through the language of Indian classical dance,” she says. This project is a collaboration with ExploreTheArch, an organisation in Hastings, and Kyiv’s Indian theatre, Nakshatra. [caption id="attachment_44653" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Ganna Smirnova[/caption] Art and the war Ganna founded Nakshatra in

minent stages around the world with captivating performances that have enchanted audiences and critics alike.

“Apart from teaching here in the UK, I am also involved in a cross-country cultural project exploring English medieval writing paired with the famous Ukrainian poems through the language of Indian classical dance,” she says. This project is a collaboration with ExploreTheArch, an organisation in Hastings, and Kyiv’s Indian theatre, Nakshatra.

[caption id="attachment_44653" align="aligncenter" width="510"] Indian Art and Culture | Ganna Smirnova | Global Indian Ganna Smirnova[/caption]

Art and the war

Ganna founded Nakshatra in 2003. Although she has moved to the UK for the time-being, her theatre stands tall amidst the war. It is being looked after by one of her disciples, Victoriya Burenkova. “In 2014, an opportunity to teach at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indian Cultural Centre led me to stay in Moscow for extended periods of time. But I used to visit Kyiv regularly. During that time, I had handed over Nakshatra’s baton to Victoriya so that Nakshatra’s functioning remains unhindered,” Ganna, shares.

It was just after seven months of her relocation to Kyiv from Moscow that the Russia-Ukraine war broke. However, Ganna continues to support and advise Nakshatra and Victoriya online. “Due to the war, some of the Nakshatra students left the country, but those who chose to stay remain actively involved. Their dedication not only keeps them mentally resilient but also prevents them from succumbing to the prevailing sense of despair in Ukraine during these trying times,” she says.

“Victoriya is a graceful dancer, an inspiring teacher, and a dedicated organiser. She deserves special recognition for her unwavering commitment to dance and her role in fostering this resilience despite the numerous challenges,” Ganna says, in praise of her disciple.

Ganna’s journey in flashback

During her time as a student in Ukraine, Ganna immersed herself in Eastern philosophy and actively engaged in the practice of yoga, Tai-zi-chuan, and Shigun. She learned ballet and Ukrainian national dance under the tutelage of the acclaimed dancer Lilya Melnichenok.

After earning an ICCR scholarship to learn Bharatanatyam in India, she came to New Delhi where she spent five years between 1998 and 2003 learning the classical Indian dance form from her Guru Smt Jayalakshmi Eshwar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KknX7JLQkEc

She also received training in Carnatic vocal music from Guru Vasantha Sundaram, studied Chhau, a semi classical dance with martial and folk traditions, under the guidance of Guru Janmey Jai Sai Babu, and gained introductory knowledge in Kuchipudi from Guru Seetha Naagjyothi. She also learned the basics of Sanskrit, Indian mythology and philosophy, the history of South India and yoga.

“Under the influence of my studies, and daily communication with my gurus, new habits formed and gradually changed my lifestyle and even the process of thinking,” she remarks, adding “From my own experience, I realized that the constant practice of Bharatanatyam as Natya Yoga, and especially its spiritual aspect - Abhinaya, based on a deep sense of bhakti, transforms the adherent’s consciousness.”

Taking Indian classical arts forms to Ukraine

“After finishing my study in India, I felt the need to share my expertise with those who had an interest in Indian art forms in my country. When I returned to Kyiv in 2003, I started teaching Bharatanatyam at the Centre of Aesthetic Education of Kyiv State University,” she shares. “Following that, I established the Nakshatra Indian dance theatre group and led numerous performances. In 2010, Nakshatra was honoured with the title of Ukraine's National Amateur Collective, an accolade it continues to uphold.”

Since founding Nakshatra, Ganna has tirelessly devoted herself to fostering a deep appreciation of Indian art and culture. Her unwavering dedication has been centred on creating substantial cultural awareness of India in Ukraine, creating numerous pioneering milestones in this endeavour.

[caption id="attachment_44655" align="aligncenter" width="776"] Ganna Smirnova's students[/caption]

“With the support of the Indian Embassy, we implemented a very interesting and successful project for several years – the annual Nrityaanjali international dance festival. Over the years, it was attended by many famous Indian dancers, and professional performers of Indian classical dances from other countries as well,” she tells. The purpose of the creative and informative project was to show the possibilities of adapting Indian classical dance to the needs of modern society in the global world. “A regular guest of honour at our festivals was the writer and dance critic late Padmashri Sunil Kothari.”

Nakshatra also held the Raganjali music festival, where stars such as Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Ronu Mazumdar, Pt. Debu Chaudhury, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and others performed. “We wanted citizens of Ukraine to see the best of Indian classical art,” Ganna remarks.

Under her guidance, Nakshatra has introduced Indian classical dance and yoga lessons in various cities across Ukraine. She brought renowned gurus to conduct master classes in Indian art forms. It orchestrated festivals showcasing Indian classical dance and music, curated exhibitions featuring the works of Indian and Ukrainian artists, and facilitated students' journeys to study Indian arts in India.

Embarking on a global journey

As time passed Ganna started taking the magic of Bharatanatyam to prestigious venues like Berlin, Moscow, London, Lisbon, Milan, Colombo, Kandy, and Prague. “I also taught Bharatanatyam in dance groups founded by my students in Odessa and Crimea, which were then part of Ukraine".

[caption id="attachment_44662" align="aligncenter" width="796"] Ganna Smirnova's troupe[/caption]

"We organised many interesting performances that took place not only on theatre stages, but also in significant historical places, such as the ruins of the ancient Greek temple of Apollo and the ancient Greek amphitheatre in Chersoneses (Sevastopol, Crimea). There have been occasions when Odessa, Crimea and Kyiv’s artists have collaborated and performed together in big events in Kyiv,” she says.

For the love of India

Despite leaving India after her five-year ICCR-sponsored training, Ganna's heart always yearned to return to the country, this time seeking to deepen her enrichment. She fondly refers to her second sojourn in India from 2007 to 2015 as a pivotal chapter in her creative journey.

“I was travelling across India, from north to south and from west to east. I was fascinated by the cultural diversity of traditions of different regions of this vast country and the warm hospitality of its inhabitants,” she remarks.

From the lively streets of Ahmedabad in the west to the tranquil landscapes of Imphal in the east, and from the bustling city of Chandigarh in the north to the enchanting charm of Pondicherry in the south, the danseuse immersed herself in the captivating beauty and artistic richness of the country.

Her pursuit led her to perform at prestigious cultural gatherings such as the Mahabalipuram dance festival, Modhera dance festival, Taj Mahotsava, Rajgir dance festival, Uday Shankar dance festival, Natyanjali dance festival in Chidambaram and Thanjavur, the Bharath Kalachar Dance Festival, and the Dasyam Festival, to name just a few.

[caption id="attachment_44660" align="aligncenter" width="821"] Indian Art and Culture | Ganna Smirnova | Global Indian Ganna Smirnova[/caption]

Traveling from one district to another, by rail and road, Ganna immersed herself in the living traditions of folk culture. She encountered the soulful street singers of the Bauls in Bengal, listened to the captivating tales of Tamil storytellers, marvelled at the vibrant folk dancers of Rajasthan and Gujarat, delved into the artistic ambience of Shanti Niketan in West Bengal, and had the privilege of meeting the custodians of the exquisite dance styles of Uday Shankar and Rabindra Nritya. These experiences quenched her creative thirst and left an indelible mark on her artistic journey.

She earned recognition from esteemed cultural institutions and Sabhas in Tamil Nadu – the place from where Bharatanatyam originated. “The vivid hues of Rajasthan, the perpetual lushness of rainy Shillong, Kerala's verdant hills and cascading waterfalls, Tamil Nadu's awe-inspiring temples, the serene ambience of Nagar, the Sun God's revered shrines in Odisha and Gujarat, the formidable fortresses of Agra and Delhi, the tranquil ashrams in Rishikesh and Pondicherry, the illuminating lights of Ganga-puja in Varanasi, the peaceful Shanti Niketan groves, the bustling sari emporiums in Chennai, the vibrant celebrations of Durga Puja in Calcutta, the enchanting Mysore fairy-tale palace, and a myriad of other cherished memories form a vivid and sparkling kaleidoscope in my mind,” she says.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyyUlV139fo

India – a part of her identity

Ganna Smirnova has also written a book, ‘Indian Temple Dance – Tradition, Legends and Philosophy’. “It’s the first of its kind in the whole of CIS region which received appreciation from scholars and academicians alike for its depth and quality,” she mentions. “To me, India is a country of sacred ideas, mystical transformations, where the metaphysical and everyday life are inextricably linked. It’s a place where tradition and modernity complement and enrich each other, and where the Platonic ‘world of ideas’ and ‘world of things’ are not yet disconnected and people feel the presence of the divine,” she explains.

Deeply in love with the memories of her late husband, who was an Indian, the Bharatanatyam danseuse has been working and living in Hastings with her twins. “They are studying classical music (harp) in London at Trinity Laban Conservatoire, and are my only family here. I miss my country, Ukraine and would like to go back once the situation gets normal.” Ganna signs off.

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Reading Time: 5 mins

Meet Ahana Gautam, the Harvard grad who is ‘unjunking’ Indian snacks through Open Secret

(August 20, 2024) Ahana Gautam has the perfect CV - an undergrad from IIT-Bombay, followed by a master's from Harvard Business School. Those credentials fetched her a top-tier job at Procter & Gamble in the US, but Ahana, who was born and raised in a small town in Rajasthan, took a one-way flight home instead of climbing the corporate ladder. She is the founder of Open Secret - a company that offers healthy snack options, which achieved a Rs 100 crore turnover in February 2024. Ahana's mission is twofold: To 'unjunk' India's packaged food and beverage industry and to make sure that women have a seat at the table at all rungs of the workforce. The Global Indian grew up in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, where "families had different dreams from their daughters and different dreams for their sons." Ahana's mother, who is her biggest inspiration, was a professor who raised two children "single-handedly," going to work, then coming home to take care of the home and kids. And unlike other families in Bharatpur, she encouraged her daughter to study, as well as her son. "I remember one of her professor friends came home one day and said, 'Why are you encouraging

l as her son. "I remember one of her professor friends came home one day and said, 'Why are you encouraging your daughter to go to IIT? Your son has already gone to IIT Bombay, your 'IIT-sapna pura ho gaya'. That was the kind of environment in which I grew up," Ahana recalls. In fact, although the situation in Rajasthan has improved over the years there is still a stark disparity: male literacy stands at 79.19 percent while female literacy is still straggling at 52.12 percent.

Ahana, however, made it to IIT Bombay, where she completed a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering before heading for an MBA at Harvard Business School. She began her corporate career at Procter & Gamble, then moved on to General Mills and Fox Star Studios. And all through, the idea for Open Secret was growing in the back of her mind. "During my time in Boston, we would go grocery shopping, sometimes to Whole Foods and there were so many options for families to choose from." She recalled her own mother struggling to find brands that were healthy and also tasted good. "At that time, India had zero innovation in the packaged food industry, even though it is the land of innovation. But kids were still eating the same snacks, made with maida, sugar and palm oil."

Being the forerunner

Health-focussed foods and beverages are expected to be a $30 billion by CY 2026, and are projected to capture around 16 percent of the packaged food and beverage market. In 2019, however, when Ahana began working on her new startup, there were hardly any players in the market. At the time, she was also fending off relatives who tried to persuade her to marry. Again, Ahana's mother stepped in, saying, "It's her life. She will decide what she wants to do and what she doesn't." Instead, she gave her daughter Rs 2 lakh as paid-up capital for her new idea, asking to be a director in the startup. Soon after, in early 2020, Ahana Gautam launched Open Secret which is India's first brand of healthy foods and snacks.

The demand gap was massive, especially during the pandemic when a healthy lifestyle became the need of the hour. Unfortunately, Ahana lost her mother, which she calls "the lowest moment of her life." Again, she defied stereotypes, performing her mother's last rites. The next day, however, she returned to work and closed a funding negotiation. "I had two choices. Either I could have paused and grieved or gone back to work," she told Forbes. "Going back to work was a tribute to her." Besides, a lot was at stake, including the livelihoods of her employees, most of whom were women.

Expanding into a platform

After the pandemic, more health-conscious food and beverage brands entered the market. And one consumer, a mother, told Ahana that although she enjoyed the Open Secret snack portfolio she had to look elsewhere to get, say, a good brand of tea or a healthy beverage. "I thought, how can I serve this customer better," Ahana said. "So from a journey that began as a brand, we are now a platform. All those brands out there doing amazing work are now partners. I don't see them as competition, I believe in my mission of unjunking F&B for every Indian family. We are here to serve the customer and take the ecosystem along with us."

All this is only possible with the right team. "The idea is one percent, 99 percent is execution. And for that you need a strong team," says Ahana. "We have the best people, from Harvard, from IIM who are extremely skilled but also, they are all very purpose-driven. They joined Open Secret because they believe in the mission."

Feminism in the workspace

All through her journey, Ahana admits, she has been in a minority. At IIT Bombay, she was one of 28 girls in a class of 600. At her first job in Procter & Gamble, she was the only female on the team building a manufacturing site. "It really taught me how to tackle these situations. So by the time I began building Open Secret, when I entered these rooms, I was prepared."

Still, as an entrepreneur, she became aware of a level of subconscious biases, which even her wealth of experience had not prepared her to face. "It becomes harder at the top because there is so much informal bonding," she says. "I would go to Diwali parties where I would be standing a room full of men playing poker and smoking their cigars. And these informal connections play a huge role in building trust. It's so important to bring in new women, into every discussion, into networks and to events." Today, she stands with confidence, but that didn't come easy. In fact, she advises women to build resilience and have a thick skin.

[caption id="attachment_49176" align="aligncenter" width="489"] Open Secret offers a wide range of healthy Indian snacks[/caption]

The importance of stories

Time has not improved the situation. In 2010, the female workforce participation was 20 percent or more. In 2022, it was less than 10 percent. "It has become less," says Ahana, who is now also a venture capitalist. "When I lost my mum I went back to my hometown and what I saw there broke my heart. In that house where I grew up, there was a small girl sitting outside and kneading dough. A lot hasn't changed. We have to ensure that we are sharing our stories, because they are the most powerful way to change societal norms." Having strong role models can also be a game changer, she adds. "My mother was an example for me, she made me fearless. I had that kind of role model but so many girls don't have one. So let's share our stories."

Ahana believes that leaders, governments and companies need to work together to create an ecosystem where women can thrive. "And as leaders, we need to ask if we are doing our best to bring more women back to the workforce. It should not be a choice, it is a responsibility."

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Ricky Kej, the musician with an activist heart

(November 17, 2021) From the Grammy-winning album Winds of Samsara to My Earth Songs and most recently Divine Tides, composer, musician and humanitarian conservationist Ricky Kej has the propensity to dig deep into ragas and their effervescence. Composing strains that not just stand the tests of time, but also alleviate the angst that humans wreak on nature, Ricky is an activist at heart. If he defines his life on two cornerstones - music and conservation, it is because many of his signature albums have an intrinsic bond with nature. The dentist who turned inwards conjuring up soulful music from ordinary notes has been on a journey of awakenings, be it with music, or through it, to raise environmental consciousness. A degree in dental surgery lies gathering dust, yet Ricky feels that his career was never a transition. "I have always been a musician. From a young age, I wanted music as my hobby, profession, career, bread and butter. I did a degree in dental surgery only because of my parents. I had made a deal with my father that once I completed a dental degree, my life was my own. The minute I got my degree, I handed it over

ee, I handed it over to my parents and became a full-time musician. I did not practice dentistry even for a day,” smiles the idealist believer who might just inspire a world of somewhat clueless folk who want to follow their hearts.

[caption id="attachment_15927" align="aligncenter" width="739"] Ricky Kej[/caption]

His recent album Divine Tides saw Kej associate with Stewart Copeland, founder and drummer of the Police fame. Now, he is working on a follow-up to his 2015 Grammy-winning Winds of Samsara (for which he worked with South African Wouter Kellerman). Back then, both Kej and Kellerman were huge fans of each other, and wanted to work together. A tryst of destiny brought them together.

"It was around 2012 when I met flute player Wouter Kellerman. We met in Los Angeles, and I mentioned that I had just composed a piece of music based on the ideals of peace by Mahatma Gandhi, my father of the nation. It was a huge coincidence that Wouter was working on a piece of music inspired by Nelson Mandela, his father of the nation. Through our discussions, we realised that there was a lot of cross-pollination - Mahatma Gandhi spent his formative years in South Africa, so had a South African-ness while Mandela was heavily inspired by Gandhi so had an Indian-ness. Wouter started to add South African-ness to my music, I started to add Indian-ness to his music. We became the best of friends, travelled the globe and in two-and-a-half years, we had Winds of Samsara (my 16th album!), and it went to the top of the US Billboard charts, and we won the Grammy Award for it," Ricky recalls. For the musician who has won over 100 music awards across 20 countries, the Grammy Award is most cherished as awards are for a greater good, not just for mere vanity, he says.

[caption id="attachment_15928" align="aligncenter" width="518"] Ricky Kej with his Grammy Award[/caption]

The pandemic was the perfect opportunity to kick back in his studio and kickstart Divine Tides with Copeland. "I was thrilled when he said yes. I have always relied on technology for my recordings, and Stewart too is high on technology, and has one of the most amazing home studios. That helped us record seamlessly. We did our portions individually, and it all came together superbly. We are thrilled to have created an album that celebrates life, creates a wave of much-needed positivity,” adds the Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_15925" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Divine Tides by Ricky Kej and Stewart Copeland[/caption]

For a star who idolised Copeland, working with him was like attending "the best masterclass imaginable!" Kej says, "Stewart is not just the founder and drummer of one of the biggest selling bands in history 'The Police', he also regularly composes for operas, orchestras, and for over 50 Hollywood movies. He is constantly evolving and learning by exploring new sounds, traditional instruments, and rhythms," which formed an intrinsic bond with Ricky, as his pattern is similar. The songs imbue strong Indian roots with a fusion of the west as the album celebrates the magnificence of the natural world, and the resilience of our species.

It's easy to picture the wavy-haired lad with dark soulful eyes mesmerised by all forms of music as a child. Listening was more important than seeing, thus Ricky was hooked to his music system. “I would dissect songs, try and figure out instruments used, the musicians, and learn about different cultures and people," Kej reminisces. Music helped him fall in love with nature, and become its custodian. This deep connection can be felt in the gentle stirrings on Winds of Samsara or the unique sounds of Divine Tides.

[caption id="attachment_15929" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Ricky Kej performing at a live concert.[/caption]

Kej's music features in the 2019 documentary Wild Karnataka narrated by Sir David Attenborough which won two awards at the 67th National Film Awards 2021. The US-born, Bangalore-raised Ricky identifies with Karnataka, and Bangalore which became home at age eight when he left North Carolina. Scoring music showcasing the state's ecological diversity with Sir Attenborough's impeccable narration was of course, "an absolute no-brainer" for Kej.

"Music and conservation are the two pillars that define my life. Wild Karnataka brings out the inner child as you watch every stunning frame with awe and wonder. It forces you to realise how amazing Mother Nature is. She has always been the primary source of inspiration for my music," adds Ricky who was honoured to share credits with Sir Attenborough. "Winning the awards furthered the cause of protecting and preserving Mother Nature," he says.

A humanitarian, Kej has always attempted to bridge the widening chasm between human foibles and nature's resilience. As ambassador for the United Nations' UNICEF, UNCCD, UNESCO -MGIEP, Kej works closely with WHO, Earth Day Network, etc. The deeply mindful composer gains an impetus to dedicate his life to conservation. "My music has addressed different aspects of environmental and social issues - climate action, human-animal conflict, sustainable farming, the refugee crisis, etc. I believe that only when people start to acknowledge an issue, start a dialogue to solve it, can a solution appear. I want to inspire this dialogue through music. Music has the power to retain a message deep in the consciousness of a listener,” says the United Nations Global Humanitarian Artist award winner who missed performing during Covid 19 but believes in the "top-down approach" where he performs to inform audiences to create stronger policies to tackle environmental and health issues with a "ground-up approach."

[caption id="attachment_15931" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Ricky Kej addressing the UN General Assembly in 2016.[/caption]

Climate change is the biggest existential crisis humans face, and he urges, "It is up to artists, especially musicians, to advocate for climate action." What concerns him greatly is how the pandemic has hit the entertainment industry. "Performing artists, production companies, event management companies, sound engineers, recording studios and everyone else involved is stuck in limbo in India. It is all about adapting to the times and surroundings as no matter what pandemic hits us, music will never leave our lives," says the Bengalurean who is among the 100 Real Leaders, who has performed multiple virtual concerts during Covid 19 (the last three were watched by an estimated 200 million viewers).

For Ricky's new project, he worked with author and close buddy Vikram Sampath - Women Of The Record which celebrates the brave women in the early 1900s who first adopted recording technology, and became superstars, but were forgotten in history.

[caption id="attachment_15932" align="aligncenter" width="679"] Ricky Kej performing for UNICEF India.[/caption]

Not many know that Kej's grandfather Janaki Das, who he was extremely close to, was an actor, Olympic cyclist, and freedom fighter. "Many remember him as the buffoonish villainous character actor always essaying evil roles. You will remember him as Seth Ghanshyam in the Rishi Kapoor-starrer Khel Khel Mein, or Seth Janki Lal in Karishma Kudrat Kaa or the ticket collector in the Burning Train. He was the only Indian participant in the International Olympic Squad from British Imperial Empire in the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games and in 1934 and 1942, he broke the world record for cycling. In 1942, he broke yet another world record but on finishing the race, he unfurled the Mother India flag which was gifted to him by Mahatma Gandhi (we were still ruled by the British). For this audacious act, he was disqualified. This was the first time an Indian flag was unfurled on foreign soil. He called it quits as a matter of protest for freedom from the British. He was the pioneer who formed the Indian Cycling Federation," Kej enthuses.

His grandfather died at the age of 93 in Mumbai in 2003. Ricky's wife Varsha is also a musician who has been a part of a few compositions and is a core part of his musicology.

[caption id="attachment_15933" align="aligncenter" width="830"] Ricky Kej[/caption]

Advice from the music maestro? "Talent may not always be under your control, but you can be the most hardworking person, like I am! Never use creativity as an excuse for laziness. Never make awards the end goal, be grateful when you earn them, and use them as a platform for doing bigger and better things," says the Bishop Cottons Boy’s High School student who never lacks inspiration as his muse is planet Earth.

Follow Ricky Kej on Instagram and Twitter

Reading Time: 8 min

On the world stage: Super host Nadia Hakani was the energy booster at FIFA

(December 26, 2022) When Nadia Hakani is on the stage, she leaves the world behind. The chaos backstage does not matter to her nor do the technical glitches which may end up snapping the sound, abruptly. Come what may, she remains upbeat. There is no other way to do it. The ace host and anchor have faced stage blackout many times but her experiences — loads of it — ensure she engages with the crowds anyway. Nadia has a knack like no other and she proved it for the umpteenth time at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup. [caption id="attachment_33190" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Nadia Hakani[/caption] “Every moment at FIFA was exhilarating. I was the only anchor hosting the blockbuster event for 30 days non-stop,” smiles Nadia Hakani, the ace host and anchor, in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian, hours after her return from Qatar. She hosted the Al Khor fan zone which caters to fans north of Qatar. “Whatever the event, I can keep the crowds engaged. It is important to read the crowd’s mood before starting any energising activity,” says Nadia, who has hosted 1800 plus shows so far, which include over 100 international shows in nine countries. FIFA

hosted the Al Khor fan zone which caters to fans north of Qatar. “Whatever the event, I can keep the crowds engaged. It is important to read the crowd’s mood before starting any energising activity,” says Nadia, who has hosted 1800 plus shows so far, which include over 100 international shows in nine countries.

FIFA fever

She has been an anchor, emcee, corporate team-building coach, presenter, and conference crowd motivator for the last 12 years. So how did FIFA happen? “Well, there was no way I would have refused the offer (to host a FIFA fan zone) which came my way. The entire staff did a great job and made the mega event a huge success,” says the host, who has a natural ability to keep the crowd engaged for durations of up to two hours, without a moment of break.

Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian

Back from FIFA, she headed straight to host a Corporate Team building Drums Interactive show. Just like she does for all events, Nadia did thorough homework before stepping on the stage at FIFA as well. “I go into a lot of details about the crowd that is attending, their age groups, and the general mood. I mold my events accordingly,” says the host, who did all it takes to keep the crowd, comprising three lakh people, engaged. “Sharing the stage with stars like Jimmy Felix, Abhinanda Sarkar, Tajinder Singh, and Awez Darbar at FIFA was an amazing experience.”

Born to shine

The Hyderabad-born host comes from a big joint family of 13 members. When Nadia was eight, her elder brother, Saleem made a makeshift radio for her from an old compass box and a curling brush. “Both would start hosting fake talk shows for fun. It eventually led to a successful career,” says the host, who did her schooling at Diamond Jubilee High School and completed her MBA from Shadan college, Hyderabad.

She grew up in a conservative family and it took a lot of convincing to allow her to anchor shows. “Now, things are different and my entire family comes to my events and enjoys them,” informs the host, who even used to sneak out of her house to do shows earlier.” While she has made Mumbai her home, the Hakani family resides in Hyderabad.

[caption id="attachment_33192" align="aligncenter" width="658"] Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian Nadia with actress Dia Mirza[/caption]

In her growing-up years, public speaking was a farfetched idea until a sangeet event of an event manager friend changed everything. “I was given the entire stage to get the crowd together and I received a lot of accolades for the job,” says Nadia of how that particular instance triggered a passion for hosting and anchoring events.

Over the years, the ace host has worked with people of all age groups, ethnicity, and gender and makes sure that all her crowd engagement activities are inclusive. “A show is not a single artist’s work it is a teamwork of many components. Once on stage, an anchor is representing the entire team,” says the host, who has perfected the art of being a crowd and game energiser. “I have successfully handled massive crowds. Anchoring runs in my blood now,” smiles Nadia.

She is so much into her job that once when she dozed off on a long flight, she started dreaming about the show she was going to anchor. “I started emceeing the show while asleep and it is only when fellow passengers started giggling, I woke up,” she recalls.

Owning the stage

Over the last 10 years, she has single-handedly conducted on-site and off-site team-building events at Google, TCS, Deloitte, Accenture, Cognizant, Amazon, and Oracle among others. “I love the travelling that comes with each event and the people I meet. It’s a highly rewarding career, which teaches something new every time,” says the Hyderabadi host, who attended Clown workshops by actor-director Rupesh Tillu.

Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian

She has hosted movie launches, product introductions, and team-building events. From the dance reality show ‘Dancing Star’ to Afro T 20 cricket league to hosting IPL “Ek India Happy Wala live” — the host has done it all, including red carpet events. Along her journey, she met several Bollywood A-listers including Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh among others. “I have done 1800 shows so far and looking forward to hitting 2,000 soon,” says the super host, who played a role as a reporter in the film Collar Bomb which was released on Hotstar, an experience she describes as amazing.

She has also participated in life planning courses by Mind valley and All Ulfat (National School of Drama fame). “I am awaiting a World tour with actors which is also in pipeline. My theatre guru has offered the main role in a series to me which will soon be revealed,” the host says. Presently, she is learning Boomwhackers and Drums jamming by Dr. Sham Rock.

[caption id="attachment_33194" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian Hadia with actor Ranveer Singh, during an event[/caption]

Anchoring, she says, lets her wear many hats. “I have performed music jams, been a games jockey, worked on theatre concept, and even danced with the participants and I loved it all,” says Nadia, who has completed certification in World Leadership Training by World Human Development centre and Land Mark Forum Level 1. The host was also honoured with the title of World Peace Ambassador in 2021.

Doing some of the biggest events around the globe, she says there are two things that anchor dreads the most — a stage blackout (when the mic is working but everything else abruptly stops) and a ghost (when even the mic stops). “For one boomwhackers event in Dubai, a ghost happened. I then used my trademark vocals to keep up the crowd's energy,” she recalls. Among the most memorable events of her career is hosting 50 consecutive shows in Dubai, which went on for close to two months. But she is desperate to host more. “My Dream is to work with Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan in an event and be a guest on the Kapil Sharma show,” the host says.

Host | Nadia Hakani | Global Indian

Nadia is looking to do more sports events including Olympics, F1 Racing, and Red carpet events such as IIFA, Filmfare, and Femina. “I am currently in talks with Femina India for a Boomwackers Show,” informs Nadia who is looking forward to continuing with her acting forte. “Stepping up on stage is like entering an unknown territory each time,” Nadia says when asked about the challenges she faced during her journey.

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Reading Time: 5 mins