Travel | Amanda Sodhi | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur

Global Indianstory10-tastic travels in 12 months – How startup founder Amanda Sodhi juggles music, film & travel

10-tastic travels in 12 months – How startup founder Amanda Sodhi juggles music, film & travel

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(December 29, 2021) In 2021, Amanda Sodhi was on the move, non-stop. Around Christmas last year, she sold her furniture in Kolkata, downsized to a suitcase and embarked on a journey in search of “home” and “belonging.” Living life out of a suitcase, Amanda’s search took her to 10 cities in the past 12 months. Friendships were born, memories cherished as this juggler of many talents moved forward. Her 12StepsToHome Instagram project across 12 cities in India went viral. The singer who has written lyrics for two songs in Amazon’s Made in Heaven and directed films in diverse genres, is looking at 2022 to become an author now!

A digital nomad, Amanda’s startup — Pen Paper Dreams promotes creative self-expression. The former Washington DC native wears multiple hats — entrepreneur- singer-songwriter-poet-screenwriter, filmmaker now travelling philosopher.

“We’ve conducted sessions at bookstores, cafes, schools, co-working spaces, lit fests, etc. We’ve been hosted by Juggernaut Books, Rupa Publications, LBB, WeWork, YLAC, Hyderabad Trails and Haptik,” informs Amanda, a self-confessed book worm to whom poetry, songs and stories come naturally.

Amanda Sodhi

While Pen Paper Dreams began as a poem-a-day Instagram project, it evolved into a brand that helps people bust stress through creative self-expression.

A city to city trail

While enjoying a shikara ride on the pristine Dal Lake in Srinagar on Diwali 2020, a realisation dawned upon Amanda. “Rather than staying in one place and feeling sorry, why not consciously uproot each month and live in different cities and see if I find a place that has the potential to feel like home or, if I find my tribe,” informs Amanda, who like many others was feeling isolated towards 2020 end.

A chance meeting with filmmaker Amit Madheshiya (Cannes-winning director) in Srinagar who himself shuttles between Delhi, Mumbai and Srinagar led to 12StepsToHome. “Witnessing him pull that off inspired me to take it up a notch and live out of a suitcase for 12 months, a different city each month,” says Sodhi in an exclusive with Global Indian.

Amanda Sodhi in Coonoor

Born and brought up in Washington DC, Amanda moved to Los Angeles in 2011. She was 25 when she moved to Mumbai (2012) and later to Kolkata (2017). The same year, the Indian-American launched Pen Paper Dreams — which works towards cultivating inclusive virtual safe spaces which are creative communities.

But first, the travel

Amanda’s journey took her through India’s hinterland. Her experiences in Andamans were most cherished. “In Andaman, I was fortunate to meet very kind locals who were a wonderful support system. The beaches were stunning too,” she says.

The beauty of Kashmir captivated this itinerant traveller though it was challenging at times. Her time in Hyderabad was great. “It has all the facilities of a tier-one city with the added bonus of a more leisurely pace,” quips Amanda, who went to Marymount University in Virginia, where she double majored in communications and English, and minored in business. She graduated the four-year programme in three years.

Living out of a suitcase is quite affordable, insists Amanda matter-of-factly. Her monthly spend is ₹7,000 to ₹15,000 on rentals, meals or shared kitchen access, Wi-Fi, electricity, room cleaning etc, though in metros like Mumbai, it was more. Amanda, whose father passed away in December 2015, has her mother and elder sister in the US.

Amanda Sodhi in Hyderabad

Work defines her, through her 12 steps. To budget, the 34-year-old relies on auto-rickshaws and buses to sightsee. The startup founder is presently in God’s own country – Kerala – the 12^th and final month of #12StepsToHome.

While her 12-month journey ends on December 31, 2021, the search for home and belonging has come full circle. “I would like to divide my time between Hyderabad and Srinagar next year,” informs Amanda, who just finished reading The Cat Who Saved Books and now switches between The Startup Wife, Destination Wedding and Tokyo Ever After.

A solo woman traveller

As a woman travelling alone, she has had some bad experiences too, one homestay billed her falsely, and after she wrote a bad review, she had to face the police. “In Srinagar, someone followed me to my homestay, and later even followed me to the police station. The homestay was semi-starving (us) tenants – though we were billed for a meal plan – as the landlady was sadistic. The second wave was in full swing, so most shops were shut and sourcing food became a huge issue,” says Amanda, who agrees with Indian comedian and actor Vir Das about “two Indias.”

Amanda Sodhi in Andamans.

Of course, Sodhi always has her guard up while travelling. “I have never felt that my life is in danger but eve-teasing saddens me. In Puri, I was uneasy when older men stared and cat-called at a beach. This, I would only go for walks when friends were on a a call with me,” informs Amanda, who grew up watching Hindi films and listening to Indian music.

The entrepreneurial bug

Travel aside, she is a hands-on entrepreneur. “I’m a digital nomad and I have great discipline. I meet client deadlines, irrespective of whether I am traveling or not. I’m simply living in different cities each month, not on a 365-day vacation,” says Sodhi. Interestingly, she had previously enrolled in a few kirtan classes at a local gurudwara, briefly.

Her startup conducted online sessions during the pandemic too. “Writing is therapeutic. We conducted many free creative writing workshops online to help people destress, in addition to our paid programmes. We created a virtual interactive reading and writing group. It is rewarding when people share how these sessions have helped them,” says Amanda. Her company works with interns and freelancers but Amanda does most of the work on her own. “We are a tiny startup, and don’t have the budget to recruit a full-time team,” she smiles.

The future is bright

Next on agenda is a book about her 12StepsToHome. “I hope to release it in 2022, and will also release a new single then. I hope to continue to grow Pen Paper Dreams.” She is hoping that the book about #12StepsToHome gets picked up for an OTT project.

Amanda Sodhi in Spiti

Earlier in her career, the Indian-American recorded the background score of an Indie film called 5 Souls in 2011, and wrote music reviews for Planet Bollywood which caught the attention of renowned lyricist, screenwriter and poet Prasoon Joshi. He asked her to translate his lyrics into English for his anthology, Sunshine Lanes.

She has penned the lyrics of two songs for Netflix series Made in Heaven, and for the hugely popular — Puppet Life, I Don’t Write Sad Songs Anymore, Takiye Pe Sar she composed and sang too.

A tweet by AR Rahman and Kalki Koechlin for her lyrics in the two songs in Made In Heaven thrilled her to bits. She also released three singles earlier — Jigsaw Puzzle, Behind My Sunglasses and MainKhaali that were received well.

Filmi gupshup

As she juggles diverse talents, one must mention her co-written feature film Life! Camera, Action…. with Rohit Gupta. Amanda shared a nomination with him for Best Screenplay at the World Music and Independent Film Festival 2011. Apart from the lyrics of Hai Yeh Kaisa Safar, she wrote and directed two short films — The Dance of Death and Through Bloodshot Eyes.

“The fact that I’ve survived the curveballs life has thrown at me, and haven’t given up on my dreams yet is what gives me maximum joy,” says Amanda, for whom Mindy Kaling, Hasan Minhaj and Lilly Singh are her favourite global Indians.

How Amanda went around India in 12 months
January – Hyderabad
February – Andamans
March – Ooty
April and May – Kashmir
June – Hyderabad / Hampi
July – Manali / Spiti
August – Imphal
September – Puri
October – Chandigarh
November – Delhi
December – Kerala (Wayanad, Alleppey, Varkala)

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Theatre director Dipankar Mukherjee is amplifying the voices of the marginalised

(September 14, 2023) In a dazzling debut on the U.S. stage, "Returning to Haifa," a play adapted from the 1969 novella by the late Palestinian author and activist Ghassan Kanafani, took the audience by storm, earning thunderous standing ovations and critical acclaim. At the helm of this theatrical triumph stands Dipankar Mukherjee, the visionary Indian American director. As the co-founder and artistic director of the renowned Pangea World Theater, a Minneapolis-based international hub for art and dialogue, Dipankar's creative journey is deeply intertwined with his unwavering commitment to social justice, equity, and profound spirituality. These pillars, together with his keen political insights, serve as the cornerstone of his artistic endeavors. With an impressive directorial portfolio spanning across India, England, Canada, and the United States, Dipankar Mukherjee is not only a luminary in the world of theater but also a recipient of the esteemed Humphrey Institute Fellowship to Salzburg, solidifying his impact on the global stage. "I am truly committed to telling stories from multiple perspectives and highlighting those voices who have been unjustly vilified, marginalised, displaced, erased, or ignored," said the director, who is also a Ford Foundation delegate to India and Lebanon. Artistic brilliance Born in Kolkata (Calcutta) the

tage. "I am truly committed to telling stories from multiple perspectives and highlighting those voices who have been unjustly vilified, marginalised, displaced, erased, or ignored," said the director, who is also a Ford Foundation delegate to India and Lebanon.

Artistic brilliance

Born in Kolkata (Calcutta) the director has a deep connection to his historic dramaturgical roots that extend thousands of years back. After finishing his education, Dipankar started working with various dancers and choreographers in India, the director expanded his wings to work in USA, Canada, and England.

"I've had the privilege of collaborating with talented dancers to craft cross-cultural performances, drawing upon my expertise in Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial arts discipline. Throughout my journey, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with skilled choreographers/dancers hailing from India, the United States, and Canada, assuming the role of a director in these creative partnerships. My artistic vision has evolved organically, shaped by a steadfast dedication to principles of social justice, equity, and profound spirituality. These foundational values, intertwined with a keen sensitivity to contemporary political currents, serve as the guiding pillars of my creative work," the director said in an interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWhkT_l-7uk

Quite early in his career, the Global Indian won the prestigious Twin Cities International Citizens Award from the Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul for contributions in the area of human rights and international cooperation. It was around this time in 1995 that he was also involved in establishing the Pangea World Theater, along with his wife Meena Natarajan, who is also quite a well-known artist. "Our theater is shaped by the stories forged by artists who dared to speak their truth and blessed by our elders from multiple communities. We renew our commitment to the artists who are architects of our collective imagination and whose courage has been a part of the skein that created Pangea," the director said during an interview, adding, "We commit to a world of equity for the next 25 years and beyond."

The world's a stage

Eventually, Pangea evolved to become not just another theatre in America, but a platform for suppressed and unheard voices. "I always wonder why The Ordway, The Guthrie, and other famous Drama centers all over America would invite artists the world over including England, but they would never reach out to provide a helping hand to the struggling Native American artists, the Latina, the LGBTQ artists who are trying to change this world one street theater at a time, one play in the park at a time,” the director shared.

[caption id="attachment_44914" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Director | Dipankar Mukherjee | Global Indian A scene from the play Returning to Haifa[/caption]

And this is precisely what inspired their commitment to offering a nurturing artistic haven for those who needed it most. Pangea's extensive repertoire brims with creative expressions from artists of diverse backgrounds: people of color, Native Americans, African Americans, immigrant artists, and members of the LGBTQ community, all working towards positive change. In a recent conversation, the director emphasized the significance of this choice, both in dismantling systemic racism and in fostering more compassionate interactions among us all.

Giving back to the community

Amidst the endeavour of creating a globally renowned drama company, the theatre director remained deeply connected to his Indian roots. Pangea collaborates closely with local Indian organisations, including the India Association of Minnesota and the Hindu Temple. These partnerships have given rise to intriguing dynamics and interactions within the community. "To leave a different world for the next generation and be able to face them with integrity, we must take accountability. We must know our own history and acknowledge the debt we, as immigrants from India, owe to the Civil Rights movement as it’s because of this that we have the privilege of being on this land," shared the director.

Throughout the years, the director has partnered with various organisations, including SEWA, to shed light on pressing issues within the community, particularly domestic violence awareness. In 2017, the theatre produced a powerful play titled '5 Weeks,' a collaborative effort involving individuals from the local South Asian community. This production delved into the multifaceted narratives that constitute the often-overlooked history of the Partition of India in 1947. It eloquently portrayed stories of heartbreak, shattered identities, yearning, and memories of home during the turbulent period following the establishment of India and Pakistan's borders.

[caption id="attachment_44915" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Director | Dipankar Mukherjee | Global Indian Dipankar Mukherjee and Meena Natarajan of Pangea World Theater[/caption]

"We have also organised gatherings to raise our voice and take strong action against islamophobia, homophobia, racist attitudes, colorism, patriarchy, and domestic violence within our communities. Reaching out and standing in solidarity with the Black community and indigenous community is our duty and understanding that we are a part of this ecosystem called America," the director said.

Follow Dipankar Mukherjee on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Comic belief, period! Menstrupedia entrepreneur Aditi Gupta busts taboos

(March 2, 2022) Not many individuals are comfortable discussing periods or even menstruation freely. The subject is often relegated to hushed tones. Sanitary napkins hidden in brown paper bags, menstruating women banned from kitchens, places of worship and festivities, or just isolated. Even today, several girls in small towns and villages drop out of school due to lack of proper hygiene once they start their periods. To shatter these myths and taboos surrounding menstruation Indian entrepreneur Aditi Gupta launched Menstrupedia with her husband Tuhin Paul. Launched as a comic book aimed at educating and creating awareness about menstruation, the comic demystifies the biological process and makes information accessible for young kids in the throes of puberty. Today, Menstrupedia works with over 11,000 schools and 10 government organisations, and the comic itself is published in 19 different languages with a presence in six countries. In fact, Aditi’s work has been so appreciated that she has been featured in international magazines like TIME and is also on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. A magical childhood Raised in Garhwa, Jharkhand, Aditi is the eldest of three siblings who led a magical childhood. “Our house was by a river. My brother and

811_860543372175_4077299360980018741_o-1.jpg" alt="Indian Entrepreneur | Aditi Gupta | Founder of Menstrupedia" width="632" height="421" />

A magical childhood

Raised in Garhwa, Jharkhand, Aditi is the eldest of three siblings who led a magical childhood. “Our house was by a river. My brother and I spent hours trying to fish there. During Chhat, I’ve seen beautiful ceremonies right outside our home. A little mountain just beyond the river provided a beautiful backdrop as it changed colours every passing season,” she recalls, adding that summer evenings were spent under the glow of a thousand fireflies. “It really was magical,” smiles the Indian entrepreneur, who shares a close rapport with her parents who always instilled a sense of confidence in her.

In small towns like hers, girls are married off after class 10. “But my parents were well educated and went to great lengths to ensure that we were too,” she tells Global Indian.

Indian Entrepreneur | Aditi Gupta | Founder of Menstrupedia

After doing her engineering from Hindustan College of Science and Technology, Agra, Aditi did a Masters in new media design from National Institute of Design. “Growing up in a small town meant that one either studied medicine or engineering. Although, I had a creative bent of mind, I too first pursued engineering,” says the Indian entrepreneur in an interview with Global Indian.

Despite an idyllic childhood, Aditi was asked to keep her period a secret, even from family. “I got mine at 12. It was treated like an unspeakable sin. I was not allowed to touch or eat pickles, attend social activities or festivities, sit on the sofa or on the beds of family members. I had to wash my sheets after each period, stained or not,” shares the entrepreneur, who would use rags to manage her cycle, often dried in damp, dark places.

The onus to design for progress

[caption id="attachment_20577" align="aligncenter" width="544"] Indian Entrepreneur | Aditi Gupta | Founder of Menstrupedia Aditi Gupta and Tuhin Paul[/caption]

It was during her time at NID that she met and fell in love with Tuhin, who learnt about the inconvenience she often faced. He pulled up a wealth of information for her. “It struck me that there were millions of girls who were ill-informed about menstruation. This left them vulnerable to unhygienic practices, and also lowered self-esteem,” says Aditi, who undertook a year-long research project with Tuhin to understand the level of menstrual awareness in young school-going girls in urban and semi-urban areas.

[embed]https://twitter.com/menstrupedia/status/1481498655396102147?s=20&t=dZYYeqjWoRZo2A_OtVtKJA[/embed]

Most kids were ill informed, and most girls didn’t know about menstruation before their first period. “In fact, in Rajasthan 90 percent girls were unaware,” says Aditi, adding that even today 88 percent of girls and women in India follow unhygienic practices. “This is largely due to the culture of silence and the inherent shame surrounding it,” she adds.

After NID, both Tuhin and Aditi worked for a couple of years before they got married, and quit to launch their dream project. The idea for Menstrupedia received a great response. “There were a few naysayers who questioned it. We applied for Power of Idea, and were pitching it to investors who didn’t seem entirely convinced. However, we crowdfunded our book, raised ₹5.15 lakh (our target was ₹4 lakh) - the public loved the idea,” says the Indian entrepreneur.

[embed]https://www.ted.com/talks/aditi_gupta_a_taboo_free_way_to_talk_about_periods?language=en[/embed]

A comic on awareness

Menstrupedia was launched in 2014. The comic aimed at creating two-pronged awareness- do away with the associated shame by portraying menstruation in a positive light, and to help young girls learn about the subject in a fun way. It is also a great tool for parents and teachers to broach the topic.

Indian Entrepreneur | Aditi Gupta | Founder of Menstrupedia

Today, Menstrupedia has four offerings: the Menstrupedia comic, Gulu, a book for pubescent boys, workshops for teen girls and parents, and a masterclass to enable menstrual educators. The team also works with government organisations; just last week, they shipped over 20,000 comics to Punjab. Their comics are also printed locally in US, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Uruguay, Hungary and China. “Currently, we’re working on a huge project in Jharkhand with an aim to reach 50,000 girls through workshops. And focus on enabling menstrual educators to spread the word,” says the entrepreneur, who loves to read and paint.

As the team gears up to take the business online, and build a one-stop platform, Aditi says they couldn’t have done it without mentors Ketan Rawal, Uday Akkaraju, and Sunil Handa. “From pointing us in the right direction, helping us transform as human beings, instilling a sense of discipline, pushing us to win, and working towards our aim of achieving global domination as period educators, they’ve been with us right through,” says Aditi, who also won big on Shark Tank India recently.

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Reading Time: 8 mins

Mausam Narang: The girl who mastered artisanal Norwegian cheese and got a “silver”

(December 1, 2021) Brunost cheese may be of Norwegian origin, but a Mumbai-based artisan cheesemaker knows how to make it better In the heart of Mumbai is a UK-studied and Italy-trained artisan cheese maker making Norwegian cheese. Mausam Jotwani Narang, from Mumbai, entered an elite club of cheese connoisseurs and makers with her carefully handcrafted brunost, a Norwegian-style whey cheese that is standing shoulder to shoulder with cheese royalty. The cheese maker became the first Indian to win a silver in the brown cheese category at the prestigious World Cheese Awards 2021 in Oviedo, Spain. She stole their cheese Narang did an MBA in human resources at the University of Birmingham, studied German for four years, and has a B.Com from RA Podar College in Mumbai. She worked at Cape Gemini in HR for a while and then cheese mongering became her calling. [caption id="attachment_17117" align="aligncenter" width="574"] Mausam Narang at Eleftheria[/caption] It is widely believed that cheese travelled to India from the West, even though the local favourite cottage cheese (paneer) finds pride of place in most households. The more gourmet varieties are a tad exclusive. As a cheese artisan who has put India on the world cheese map, Narang,

from the West, even though the local favourite cottage cheese (paneer) finds pride of place in most households. The more gourmet varieties are a tad exclusive. As a cheese artisan who has put India on the world cheese map, Narang, has been dedicated in learning the craft for a few years. She began her initial training at informal workshops in Italy where she heard about the World Cheese Awards for the first time in 2019. Learning and fine-tuning her skills at two Italian creameries, she was on song. “I thought, ‘Why can’t any Indian cheese maker participate?’” she tells Global Indian. The self-taught cheese maker who has no formal course in cheesemaking, was helped with the insights she got in Italy. Today, Mausam is enthused and proud of her handcrafted brunost.

When the world slowly started opening up in 2020 after the first wave of Covid-19, Mausam got her hands wet in the whey, literally, with the awards on her mind.
The World Cheese Awards are a platform to identify varieties of cheese from across the world, that are then judged by technical experts, buyers, retailers and food writers. This year, India-crafted cheese sat pretty confident with the other 4,000 entries from 45 countries. Then it was down to business – as 230 judges went on their tasting and observation medley and chanced upon this Indian-made brunost. That Narang was among the winners was monumental, and she inadvertently opened the doors for other Indian cheese makers with her delicious brown cheese. “I was ecstatic when I heard the news. It was a huge moment for all Indian cheese artisans,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_17109" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Cheese Cheese by Eleftheria[/caption]

As for the coveted brunost, it has a unique taste, “That’s quite like a fusion of khoya (milk cake), the traditional Indian milk solid and whey,” she explains.

Prepared from discarded whey, brunost was already a well-known cheese when Narang experimented with it. It took her a few weeks to perfect the texture and flavour of the brown cheese. “It was exciting to do that. The cheese is also unique to the Indian market. It tastes almost like salted caramel milk fudge. Brunost goes well with your morning breakfast of toast and pancakes too,” she suggests.

How the “umami” came together

Narang's interest in fromage began nine years ago. Working at Capgemini, she missed her comfort food of bread and cheese from her years at Birmingham, which is also where she first fell in love with a wide variety of cheese. “Back then, my fridge had a huge collection,” she smiles.

When she came back to Mumbai, Mausam baked bread and crafted homemade cheese to complement her loaves. An idea that began with an inherent urge to taste good cheese, her passion saw her parents wondering where to store the cheese she was churning out. “My parents are very supportive, but they were worried about the amount of cheese I was making during weekends. We Indians don't learn about cheese-making from our forefathers. Similarly, my parents were clueless,” she laughs. After a great response for her milk-laden bites from loved ones, she decided to quit corporate life to pursue cheese and became a true turophile and cheesemonger.

[caption id="attachment_17113" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Mausam Narang[/caption]

The freedom to “cheese”

Eleftheria, her brand was born in 2015, which is the Greek word for “freedom.” She tackled it with the same spirit. Three years of R&D on cheese making, creating new varieties, attending workshops and meeting fromagers - she was ready with the artisanal Eleftheria. The micro creamery in Mumbai’s north-east suburbs supplies artisanal cheese to over 50 restaurants across Mumbai, Pune, Calcutta, Bengaluru, Delhi, etc. It is also available at Foodhall. “We plan to expand to Chennai soon,” she adds. What started as a venture with two people, is now 25 staff strong. A 150 gm brunost costs Rs 350, 200 gm burrata Rs 400 and 200 gm mozzarella is Rs 350.

The resourceful fromagere is at the creamery every morning when the first milk arrives. “I don't like getting up early, but the milk forces me,” she laughs. She personally monitors the quality and processes.

One thing that cheese has taught Narang is patience. “The craft teaches you to be patient. Milk is the main ingredient and it's so tricky, especially when preparing a fermented product. You have to be very careful, and never give up. With lots of patience, you can achieve great results,” she says. Her personal favourite cheese is a well-aged cloth bound traditional cheddar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSDaKp0uX0o

Chuffed about flying the Indian flag high, she is hopeful, “India is not that big for cheese artisans, but the number is increasing steadily. People are travelling and have developed a palate and now know about different food combinations. I feel a lot of cheese makers will come up from India in the next five to six years,” says cheese story teller.

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Reading Time: 6 min

BSF officer Nabeel Ahmed Wani – The Wani who is the bridge between Kashmir’s youth and peace

(January 6, 2021) Back in the summer of 2016, Kashmir was on the boil. Violent clashes erupted across the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani, commander of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, who was gunned down by the security forces. Close to a 100 people died and thousands were injured in an endless cycle of violence. Then aged 22, Burhan moulded insurgency in J&K through his strong presence on social media. Around the same time, BSF officer Nabeel Ahmed Wani, another youngster from the valley, had just topped the all-India examination for assistant commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF), a para-military force tasked with securing the country’s borders. He was the first one from the state to have topped the exam. As TV channels went on an overdrive, juxtaposing the stories of the two Wani's, Nabeel became a hero overnight and the new face of Kashmir unlike the other Wani, who chose to join the militant ranks and eventually met his violent end. Five years down the line, Nabeel has become the bridge between the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and the security forces. With his strong social media presence, Nabeel -- who braved all odds including multiple threats

luding multiple threats to his life -- has influenced thousands of youngsters in the valley, who have either joined the forces or have expressed a willingness to join. In fact, some were on the verge of joining the militant ranks but a quick conversation with Nabeel, led them to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

[caption id="attachment_18543" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

“I interact with thousands of Kashmiri youth almost on a daily basis. I tell them about my life in the BSF, and give them the real picture. Many respond positively and have joined the forces,” smiles Nabeel Ahmed Wani, in an exclusive conversation with Global Indian. For any Kashmiri, joining the forces comes with serious threats to life but Nabeel, who is serving as assistant commandant (works) with the para-military force, has shown a beacon.

The Wani who propagates progress

Born and brought up in Udhampur district of J&K in November 1991, Nabeel’s father Rafiq Ahmed was a teacher, and mother Hanifa Begum a home maker. His forefathers had moved from Anantnag in the valley, considered a hotbed for terrorists, to Jammu long ago.

“I just wanted to don the uniform and serve my nation. I wanted to be the bridge of peace,” says Nabeel when asked what made him join BSF. “There was no plan and pattern, I was just preparing to get into the forces. I was trying hard for the Army, Navy or BSF. Turns out, my destiny was in the BSF and so here I am,” smiles the BSF officer. Nabeel is known not to mince his words while taking on the anti-national elements, both on the field as well as on social media. On the other hand, terror outfits are known to use social media to their advantage and propagate their ideology and Nabeel is leaving no stone unturned in motivating the people of the union territory through his posts every day.

“While in school, my father made sure we learn and respect all religions, and we used to celebrate all festivals,” informs Nabeel, who describes his younger sister Nida Rafiq as a warrior. Having completed engineering, Nida is looking forward to getting into Army Public School as a teacher.

When BSF called out to him

“When I joined BSF, people appreciated my move because they chose a Wani who wanted to fight for the nation and rejected the other Wani (Burhan) who was against the nation. I have been boycotted by a section of extremists and they still hate me. I am aware of the threats but I won’t stop. I am not scared of death,” says the 30-year-old, who is presently posted in J&K.

[caption id="attachment_18544" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

So how is life on the border with Pakistan? “Tough and challenging. But we are way ahead of Pakistan in every aspect. We ensure the borders are completely sealed which has made it impossible for terrorists to enter the country. That is exactly why Pakistan is now resorting to sending drones instead of men. But even the drones are being shot down. Pakistan is a weak nation now,” says the BSF exam topper.

While Nabeel has faced threats to his life, his sister too has faced abuse of the worst kind - threatened with rape and acid. “She is my hero and a very strong-willed person who is as fearless as I am. We are a family for whom the nation comes first,” he says.

A determined Nabeel is doing everything he can to portray J&K as a peaceful and prosperous state. “There is a significant decrease in militancy in the valley over the past few years. There are just a few people left who are feeding innocent youth the venom of hatred and brainwashing them,” says Nabeel, who has guided many youths with lengthy conversations. “Some youths are misunderstood and misguided, but they are back on track,” smiles Nabeel.

Since topping the BSF exams, Nabeel’s status is no less than a celebrity. Wherever he goes, people take selfies, want to know about his success story. Even within the force, he is loved and respected. “I think in five years, I have attained respect and love with my work in BSF, and not by fame. And yes, I took a tough decision of joining the forces and it’s the best decision of my life,” he says, pointing to the fact that locals in Kashmir have now taken to the streets protesting for more vacancies in BSF.

[caption id="attachment_18545" align="alignnone" width="1080"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

Ordinary, but extraordinary

His typical day starts at the crack of dawn after which all BSF officials undergo PT training for an hour. Nabeel looks after the infrastructure in the BSF besides coordination and information from sister agencies. “I am also entrusted with the task of liasioning between different government departments,” he says, stopping short of disclosing further for security reasons.

Nabeel was perhaps the first Kashmiri in uniformed services to openly laud the Narendra Modi government’s move of abrogating Article 370, and bifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories, and even wrote a letter appreciating the move. “People in J&K have been exploited by local leaders for years. Scraping of 370 has definitely boosted the morale of the youth, and has opened all doors of opportunities for better careers. The decision was historic and brave and made all Indians equal,” says Nabeel, who wrote to the PM at a time when Kashmiris serving in the armed and paramilitary forces and J&K police were under tremendous pressure from some of their own to quit the services in the wake of Centre’s move. The Prime Minister wrote back saying the move was “historic.”

However, revoking the state’s special status is contentious among many in Kashmir, even today.

Making the most out of BSF

Soon after Nabeel was inducted into BSF, he was posted in Shillong and Guwahati. His first days were tough but having mentors helped Nabeel, who has been posted in J&K since July 2018.

Since he joined BSF, there have been instances when Kashmiri men, who joined the security forces, were killed by terrorists. “Every time such incidents take place, I feel the pain and sorrow of the family members. But I also feel a lot of anger. We are not here to kill anyone; we are just protecting our nation. We will not stop protecting our nation due to such mindless killings and every ounce of blood will be avenged,” says the BSF officer, who married Dr Tanveer Ul Nisa, a government ayurvedic doctor in March 2021. On their wedding, the Prime Minister congratulated the couple over phone, and sent a gift too.

[caption id="attachment_18546" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Indian Heros | BSF Officer | Nabeel Ahmed Wani | Global Indian Nabeel Ahmed Wani[/caption]

The BSF official’s free time goes into helping the locals. “I help them get jobs in showrooms, petrol bunks, schools etc. People in J&K never say ‘no’ to me as they respect me,” informs Nabeel, who is a fitness freak and hits the gym regularly besides following a strict diet plan.

“I would like to see Kashmiri youth get into top positions in the army, police, navy, administration and all other fields. Seeing Kashmir prosper and develop on all fronts is my dream and we will accomplish it,” adds Nabeel.

Understanding Article 370 and Article 35a

The state of Jammu & Kashmir’s temporary special status (given on 17, October 1949) allowed the state to have its own constitution, flag and take decisions except for matter related to defense and foreign affairs. It dates back to 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh of the then colonised Jammu & Kashmir signed a Treaty of Accession for the state of J&K to join the Indian side.

Article 35a was added to the constitution in 1954 under Article 370, giving the state the right to decide who its permanent residents are, apart from giving special rights to residents in government jobs, property and education. This abrogation and the manner in which it was done has come under severe scrutiny.

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Reading Time: 8 min

Shooter Kynan Chenai: Asian Games medallist has his targets in sight

(October 16, 2023) When Kynan Darius Chenai aims and shoots, he hits the target with precision, almost effortlessly. His Perazzi shotgun, a top-tier Italian-made gun, known for its high-quality craftsmanship, only ensures victory for its proud owner. So when the sharp shooter showcased his skills at the Asian Games 2023 and went on to win the bronze medal in the Men’s Trap shooting event — fellow Indians back home, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, were left thrilled. "I perform better under pressure. I wanted to win but did not expect to," smiles Kynan Darius Chenai, the Indian shooter in the Trap discipline as he speaks exclusively to Global Indian. Medals galore at Asian Games The Indian men's team comprising Kynan, Zoravar Singh Sandhu and Prithviraj Tondaiman won the gold medal with an Asian games record of 361 in the qualification. "Once I landed at the venue (Hangzhou, China), the most important aspect was to keep my focus on the game intact. I had enough time to get used to the climate, sunlight and even food. So my focus remained on my game and practise throughout,” informs the 32-year-old, who topped the qualification and helped the team win gold medal. Kynan

"Once I landed at the venue (Hangzhou, China), the most important aspect was to keep my focus on the game intact. I had enough time to get used to the climate, sunlight and even food. So my focus remained on my game and practise throughout,” informs the 32-year-old, who topped the qualification and helped the team win gold medal.

Kynan and Zoravar also qualified for the six-shooter finals for individual glory and were placed first and second respectively, which raised hopes of a gold-silver finish. Kynan was lucky to have won a bronze while his teammate finished a distant fifth. “The other two boys also shot well,” he says of his team.

At one point, Kynan was in the second spot, making 18 out of his 20 shots. "There is a very small margin in the finals which makes the competition really tough. I am glad to have returned with a medal,” says the sharp shooter, who believes it was a team work which led them to gold.

Kynan Chenai | Global Indian

When under pressure, Kynan performs better. “Competitions like Asian games come with its own set of pressures. My performance only gets better in such situations.”

Soon after the win, congratulatory messages began pouring in from Kynan’s friends and family from across the world. “We celebrated our win with a team dinner. Hours later, I was on a flight back home after which the real celebrations began,” smiles Kynan. For him, celebrations are about having a nice meal with family. "That's exactly what I did upon return."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed delight at his success. “Kynan has shown outstanding skill and determination. Due to his success, many upcoming shooters will be motivated,” Modi said.

Taking the legacy forward

Born in a reputed Parsi family in Hyderabad in January 1991, Kynan was introduced to the sport by his father Darius Chenai, who is a former national shooting champion too. "I was 12 when my father introduced me to the sport. The first time I held the gun, I felt an instant connect with it. Seeing my father shoot often thrilled me,” says Kynan.

What initially started off as fun, soon became a passion. "Shooting turned into an obsession by the time I turned 16. I felt incomplete without it,” he says. He went to Hebron, a boarding school in Ooty where he spent the next 10 years.

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In school, Kynan was part of the football and hockey team. Swimming is what he loved the most. “Back then, I played every sport. But shooting fascinated me,” says Kynan, who studied at the Brunel University, London.

While Kynan often trains in shooting ranges in Hyderabad, he has mostly been in Delhi prior to the Asian games. He was training at the national camp in the capital. "Simultaneously, I was also in constant touch with my international coach David Kostelecki, a two-time Olympic Games medalist who lives in Czech Republic. I have been regularly training with him for last few years. I travel all the way just to train with him.”

What's next?

Post his big win in Asian Games, Kynan wasted no time getting back to the shooting range. “My next target is the Paris Olympics, 2024. I have begun practising to qualify for it,” informs the shooter, who competed in the 2016 summer Olympics held in Rio and was placed 19 in the men’s Trap event.

Kynan Chenai | Global Indian

The globe trotter’s first love was video games. Back in the day, he used to spend hours indulging in it. “But I realised how video games can badly affect my eyes and impact my shooting skills. So I have cut it down drastically now and indulge once a week” he says.

Kynan says he is completely focused on his shooting. “My performance in Asian Games has given me even more confidence to perform better. I am spending more time in the shooting range and doing everything to keep fit,” says Kynan, who regularly plays football with friends.

Fitness has always been a top priority for Kynan. He has specifically roped in renowned fitness coach Dr Matthew Zane for the purpose. “He designs my workouts and monitors them on a daily basis. It involves weights and cardio. Only a fit mind and body can help me in my sport,” says the shooter.

The Chenai family loves adventure. “Me and my father go camping quite often. Spending time outdoors has a calming soothing effect.”

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Reading Time: 4 min