Global IndianstoryA Tale of Two Cities: Pauline Laravoire builds sustainable impact from Paris to Kolkata

A Tale of Two Cities: Pauline Laravoire builds sustainable impact from Paris to Kolkata

Written by: Bindu Gopal Rao

Pauline Laravoire, Co-Founder & CEO, Y-East, Sustainability Director, Techno India Group and has developed her expertise in strategy consulting, social entrepreneurship, and impact assessment, especially as the co-founder of non-profit organisation, AQWA, which supports social enterprises and NGOs through social impact assessment studies. Pauline Laravoire has made it her mission to drive sustainable impact through Y-East and also through her work with the Techno India Group, by making sustainability education accessible to young people.

(September 21, 2023) Stepping out into the pungent, humid air of Kolkata for the first time, Pauline Laravoire wondered if she had made the right choice. “I used to wonder, am I relevant to do this work in a locality that isn’t mine? Am I the best messenger and ambassador of sustainability considering where I come from?” Kolkata was, after all, a far cry from the wealthy suburb of Paris where Laravoire had spent her childhood. She did manage to shrug off her imposter syndrome and also met the man she would marry, Meghdut Roy Chowdhury. Together, the couple run the Y-East platform, which connects global impact-focussed organisations working in the social and environmental sectors in East and North East India.

Her early life was one of privilege, and she was a passionate gymnast and ‘shower singer’. Looking back, Laravoire says that gymnastics shaped her sense rigour and detail-orientation, while singing remains her preferred outlet to this day. In all this, Laravoire never stopped to observe, or question, the flaws in the education system. That changed when she went to business school, at the prestigious HEC Paris. She realised, only in hindsight, that the education system is deeply flawed, that “education standardisation leads to biased academic and career pathways.” It was only at the age of 20, “very late,” in her opinion, that she was introduced to entrepreneurship. At HEC, she discovered social entrepreneurship, and was blown away by the concept of building businesses that prioritise sustainable impact over profit. “I found it profoundly powerful to be able to use the rules and mechanisms of business to find solutions to the complex social or environmental issues that currently shake our world,” says Laravoire, in an interview with Global Indian.

Pauline Laravoire

Making Education Matter

Once she discovered the world of the Social and Solidarity Economy, social businesses, social innovation, and impact entrepreneurship, there was no looking back. Laravoire was driven by being useful and making an impact, by creating social and environmental benefits that transcend economic value. “As a matter of fact, I am hardly driven by the financial benefits of a career,” she admits. “This impact-focused decision-making compass has guided most of my personal and professional choices.” She made the most of her time at HEC, “taking every opportunity to attend relevant classes, meet professionals from the field and work with impact entrepreneurs and non-profits to better understand how they ensure and thrive on their triple bottom line (People, Planet, Profit).”

Pauline ended up taking a gap year to co-found AQWA, a non-profit organisation supporting social enterprises to assess their social impact, and then went on to graduate from HEC with a Master’s in Sustainability and Social Innovation. By this time, Laravoire had found her purpose in life – she wanted to play a part in reforming the education sector. She joined the Techno India Group, one of the country’s largest educational conglomerates, as a Sustainability Director. That brought her to the shores of Kolkata.

Green Fingers

As Sustainability Director of Techno India Group which covers the whole education spectrum with around 100 campuses and 100,000 students in total. Here, Laravoire works to provide students with what she found lacking in her own education – values related to sustainability.

Adapting to Change

With her background, her journey from France to India came with its own set of challenges. Moving from Paris to Kolkata, starting from scratch and adapting to a whole new environment was challenging she admits. She didn’t know anyone in the early days, and had to adapt to an entirely new culture and ecosystem. It prompted her to co-found Y-East, along with Meghdut Roy Chowdhury. The aggregating platform works to create a network of individuals, professionals and organisations who are working towards the 17 UN SDGs, with a special focus on the East and the North-East of India.

Getting to know the local cultural codes on both the personal and professional front, building a network of like-minded professionals (which she mostly did through Y-East) and friends, learning some of the local language, rebuilding her professional credibility was not easy. “Today, Y-East gathers around 200 organisations whose activities focus on one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” Laravoire explains.

A couple of years later, fascinated by the dynamics and potential systemic impact of networks and alliances towards a common cause, Laravoire joined the Paris-based LearningPlanet Alliance in a part-time, remote capacity. Things came full circle when Pauline Laravoire was offered the position of Acting Executive Director of the same master’s programme that had inspired her so much at HEC. She took the job and relocated to France but plans to be back to Kolkata in a few months with a fresh perspective on the job to be done as far as education for sustainability is concerned.

Lessons learned

“In hindsight, I wish I had been gentler and patient with myself, as adjusting after such a big leap of course takes some time. With patient efforts, I have learnt how to choose my battles, to keep the best of both cultures (French and Bengali), and to retain my core personal values while embracing a whole new world,” she says. Another challenge was for her to learn how to shut down the voice of her own impostor syndrome. “For example, I used to wonder, am I relevant to take this up in a locality that isn’t mine? Am I deserving of the spotlight and resources I have access to locally? Am I the best messenger and ambassador of sustainability considering where I come from?”

Although these questions plagued her, Laravoire learned to move past this imposter syndrome. “I realised that we need as many brains and hands on deck to collectively solve these complex social and environmental challenges, and that I should play my part as best as I can no matter where I am on this earth,” she smiles. Another lesson came with this – learning to distinguish between truly impactful activities and artificial, tokenistic ones. “I realised overtime that one of the most useful superpowers you can develop is to know how to cut noise, to say no to opportunities that aren’t meant for you and focus on the actions you know you’ll be the most relevant and efficient to take up,” she explains.

Balancing Act

When not at work, she tries to build a healthy, consistent daily routine with morning meditation and yoga and reading a book and practicing journaling at night. “There are some periods when I manage to be very consistent with these habits, and some when I fail, especially when it gets too intense at work, in which case I go back to these habits as soon as my schedule allows. I find it essential to be able to set limits to your professional life and be able to switch off at a reasonable time at night and during weekends (and at the same time, respect your colleagues’ time off as well). This also allows you to build a healthy balance between all key dimensions of life, your career yes, but also your family and friends, your physical and mental health, and your spirituality. I also enjoy singing, listening to podcasts, going on walks and occasional dates with myself,” she smiles.

Pauline Laravoire | Global Indian

Forging her Trajectory

Laravoire believes that every person must listen to themselves and follow their own intuitions to build their own, unique path, despite societal and family pressure. “Use tools such as Ikigai to keep making sure that you are building your life instead of letting other people build it for you. And once you’ve found the key message you’re meant to carry, make it consistent, repeat it with endurance, and let your actions be aligned with your vision and values. This will allow you to self-identify, grow expertise you’ll be known for, and deliver on your life mission. And don’t forget to nurture reflexivity, wellbeing, and joy along the way,” she says. Looking ahead she intends to keep growing her expertise and relevance in the space of education for sustainability. She plans to work at HEC Paris for another one or two years before settling back at Kolkata. “My dreams include contributing to India’s leapfrog on sustainability matters at scale, getting involved in public policy and advocacy, and writing a book,” she signs off.

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Published on 21, Sep 2023

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From a gas station to a multi-billion dollar empire: The rise of the Issa brothers

(October 15, 2024) As teenagers, Zuber and Mohsin Issa were helping out at their parents' petrol station, mopping the floors and cleaning the toilet, when they hit upon their billion-dollar idea. Their story begins in a small home in Blackburn, where they lived with their parents Vali and Zubeda, who had migrated to the UK in the 1970s to work in the booming textile industry. Eventually, the family acquired a petrol station. Currently, the EG Group's empire includes around 6,000 stores and petrol stations, spread out across 10 countries. The Issa brothers themselves have a net worth of £5bn, according to the Sunday Times rich list. The boys had a modest upbringing, studying at Witton Park Academy. Neither was very interested in formal education, though and the brothers followed their parents' footsteps and joined the textile industry. Zuber, especially, showed an interest in retail. So, when, at the age of 17 or 18, according to his wife, Asma, an opportunity presented itself for him to buy a newsagent in Preston, he took it. The kiosk, called Euro News, was in Blackburn. Mohsin, on the other hand, teamed up with his older brother Zakir to co-found Europlastics, a plastics packaging company.

s packaging company.

[caption id="attachment_57870" align="aligncenter" width="347"] Issa brothers | Global Indian The Issa brothers[/caption]

In 2001, the Global Indians began their partnership, pooling in their savings to buy their first petrol station in Bury, Greater Manchester, and Euro Garages, which now spans over 10 countries, came into existence. They were backed from the start by private equity firm TDR capital.

"The boys would help out (their father) during their teen years. That is where the passion for petrol stations came in," said Asma, Zuber's wife, in an interview. The two brothers themselves are very private, and stay away from the media as much as possible.

From petrol station to an empire

However, they didn't want to just run a petrol station. Even as teenagers, the boys had recognized that merely selling fuel didn't bring in profits. They had to offer customers something more. And opportunity presented itself - around the same time, oil companies were selling off or closing their petrol stations to focus on production and refining instead. They saw an opening in making the shops on forecourts more appealing to customers who stopped by to refuel, incentivising them to spend on coffee, fast food and even groceries. To Issa, this was a transformation from the norm - "dirty, kiosk style stores offering cokes and smokes." They tied up with private equity firm TDR capital, bought up vacant sites and expanded.

The Issa brothers began acquiring the tired, run-down petrol stations and transformed the semi-derelict sites into bustling hotspots, collaborating with big supermarket chains like Spar and Carrefour, as well as fast food chains like Subway, KFC and Burger King. "Fuel sales were declining. We wanted to create a destination where you could get fuel, food-to-go and shopping. This is the formula and it works," Zuber Issa told Financial Times, in a rare interview in 2018, after he and his brother had been voted entrepreneurs of the year by Ernst & Young.

"I didn't know what they saw in the petrol industry. We had only been married a couple of years. We were actually on our way back from holiday in Malaysia, and he stopped off in Bury to see this site and then in the car he told me, 'I have just bought this,'" Asma added. Every Saturday, Zuber Issa would visit all the sites. And when he could no longer manage on his own, his brother Mohsin entered the picture.

The expansion strategy of Issa Brothers

The empire was built on debt, but in 2021, they expanded to the US by acquiring a controlling stake in the country's largest supermarket chain, ASDA. It was a historic deal, as the formerly British chain had been acquired to Walmart, and was bought back by the British-born Issa brothers for a whopping $8.5 billion.

In 2021, they became the largest outside investors in Castore, the fast-growing British sportswear brand. The Beahan brothers, who founded the brand, commented, "Since the brothers have invested, they have really pushed us to grow the business and have helped enormously to accelerate our strategy."

With Zuber spearheading strategies and acquisitions, in 2022, the Issa brothers diversified into venture investing, after leading an $80 million investment in fintech company Bud. They also made an $8.7 billion bid to buy up Boots, a pharmacy chain owned by Walgreens. They also teamed up with KKR in November 2021 for a majority stake in Jaja Finance, after which the company, which is a credit card lender, signed a deal with Asda to launch a new digital card.

When things go wrong for Issa Brothers

Not every venture has been successful, however. With its backing by TDR capital, the EG Group empire is mainly fuelled by debt, and wrong investments become that much more costly. In 2018, EG bought 540 petrol station sites in Australia for $1.73 billion. However, after having to down-value the business twice, EG is now keen to sell.

Moreover, according to media reports, Zuber is also allegedly planning to step down as the co CEO of EG, leaving entirely in his brother Mohsin's hands. In the meantime, Zuber is working to complete his own deal to buy a number of sites from EG Group, according to a report by Bloomberg. And in December last year, the EG Group also signed a deal to sell all its gas stations in the UK and Ireland to Asda, and also offload all its KFC restaurants in both countries.

Issa brothers | Global Indian

Living the high life

The Issa brothers have never forgotten their humble beginnings and have maintained strong ties to their hometown, Blackburn, where their parents continue to live. However, they have also built five luxury homes in Blackburn for themselves and their relatives, complete with basement swimming pools. They also used funding from the Bank of America to buy two private jets, a Bombardier Global 6000 and a Bombardier Challenger 350. Both planes, which flaunt the EG name, cost the Issas tens of millions of euros to acquire.

However, the Issas have a reputation as generous philanthropists, and set up the Issa Foundation in 2016. They make grants to individuals and organisations across the world, from England to India, as well as Albania, Bangladesh, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco and Sri Lanka, to name a few, in healthcare and education. In 2022, they made a £350K donation to hospitals in East Lancashire, and gifted them 127 defibrillators. They also continue to invest in Blackburn, including donating £5 million for the construction of a mosque. Their philanthropic efforts earned them a CBE in the 2020 Birthday Honours for services to business and charity.

Follow the EG group on their website.

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S.M. Krishna: The architect of Brand Bengaluru, who paved the way for India’s global IT success

(December 11, 2024) "What's the price of tur dal in Gulbarga," S.M. Krishna asked the district collector of Gulbarga, back in 1999 when he was the Chief Minister of Karnataka. That seemingly mundane question actually marked a new era in government administration. On December 1 1999, the Chief Minister had launched video-conference facilities in the state, bringing nine districts into its network. By working with the Indian Telephone Industries and the Department of Telecommunications, S.M. Krishna was able to speak to officials across the state through his computer. This was decades before words like 'e-governance' and 'digitization' had come into vogue, and even mobile phones were largely unheard of by the common man. During his five years as the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna put Bengaluru on the global map as an IT hub, transforming the 'Pensioner's Paradise' into the Silicon Valley of the east. From there, he went on to serve as External Affairs Minister under UPA 2, and in the span of one year, met 89 dignitaries from around the world. In 2010, he facilitated visits to India by the heads of state from all P-5 countries at the time - Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao,

Premier Wen Jiabao, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British PM David Cameron. S.M. Krishna, an icon for Karnataka, the Global Indian who brought about the country's IT revolution and gave India a standing in global politics, passed away at his home in Bengaluru on December 10, 2024.

SM Krishna | Global Indian

Early Life and Education

Somanahalli Mallaiah Krishna was born into an agrarian family on May 1, 1932, in Somanahalli, a small village in Mandya district, Karnataka. Krishna’s formal education began in local schools in Mandya, where he quickly excelled in academics and earned himself admission to Maharaja’s College in Mysore, one of Karnataka’s premier institutions. Here, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, focusing on history and political science, and developed a keen interest in public service.

S.M. Krishna graduated from Maharaja's College, Mysore, and then came to Bengaluru to obtain a law degree from the Government Law College. From there, he moved to the US to study humanities at the Southern Methodit University Dallas, and then went to George Washington University as a Fulbright Scholar. He was politically active even as a student in the US.

In 1960, when Krishna was a 28-year-old student in the US, Democratic leader John F Kennedy was running for President. Krishna wrote to Kennedy, offering to campaign for him in areas dominated by Indian Americans. Kennedy went on to win the election, becoming one of the most popular presidents in US history, but did not forget the efforts of this proactive young law student from Mysore. He wrote to Krishna in a letter dated January 19, 1961, saying, "I hope that these few lines will convey my warm appreciation of your efforts during the campaign. I am most grateful for the splendid enthusiasm of my associates. I am only sorry I have not been able to personally thank you for the excellent work which you performed on behalf of the Democratic ticket."

With the fire for politics already ignited in him, S.M. Krishna returned to India and made his own entry into the political scene. Upon returning to India, Krishna brought with him not only a degree but also a renewed determination to contribute to Karnataka’s development. His early experiences laid the groundwork for his future leadership, combining a rural upbringing with global exposure.

[caption id="attachment_61499" align="aligncenter" width="400"] SM Krishna | Global Indian A young S.M. Krishna riding to the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Photo: The Hindu[/caption]

Political Career and Rise to Leadership

Krishna’s rise in politics began in 1962 when he was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly as a member of the Indian National Congress. Representing Mandya, Krishna focused on rural development and education, two areas close to his heart. His ability to connect with people and his commitment to development quickly earned him recognition within the party.

In 1971, Krishna was elected to the Lok Sabha, representing the Mandya constituency. During his time in Parliament, he was appointed Minister of State for Industry under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. This role gave him firsthand experience in policymaking and industrial growth. Krishna’s tenure in Delhi deepened his understanding of the economic policies that could drive India’s modernization.

Returning to state politics in the 1980s, Krishna held several key portfolios, including Finance and Urban Development. He gained a reputation for being a reformist leader who prioritized results over rhetoric. His work in urban planning, particularly in Bengaluru, set the stage for his future leadership.

The CM who transformed Bengaluru

When S.M. Krishna took office as Chief Minister of Karnataka in 1999, the world was in the middle of the dot-com boom, which had begun in 1995. The internet, digital communication, and globalization were reshaping economies across the world, and investors and stock markets alike were bullish about tech startups in California, which included companies like Amazon. While India was just catching on to internet tech, the country had already seen significant economic reforms post the liberalisation of 1991, which opened up markets and positioned the country as a growing power in the global economy. What’s more, while Bengaluru showed great promise, Andhra Pradesh already had a headstart on the tech bandwagon.

“When I assumed office as CM, there was keen competition from Hyderabad under Chandrababu Naidu. He had made tremendous strides in taking technology to the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. I saw the developments we were making and the growth of the big IT companies, like Infosys and Wipro. So I said why should we not utilise their leadership and their innovative politics,” SM Krishna told The New Indian Express in an interview. Bengaluru had already shown promise as a global IT leader, with two of India’s most successful tech companies, Infosys and Wipro, headquartered here.

[caption id="attachment_61500" align="aligncenter" width="582"] S.M. Krishna | Global Indian | Bill Gates | Narayana Murthy S.M. Krishna with Micosoft founder Bill Gates and Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy[/caption]

Yet, despite this early success, Bengaluru faced immense challenges in terms of infrastructure, traffic congestion, a nd urban planning. These issues posed a real threat to the city's ability to handle the rapid expansion of the IT sector. To address these issues, S.M. Krishna recognized the need for bold leadership and strategic reforms.

Krishna’s first call was to Narayana Murthy. "I approached Murthy of Infosys to be on the CM Commitee on IT-BT," he said. Murthy was more than happy to take up the offer, and wanted to give back to his hometown, Mysuru. After that, Krishna called the founder of Wipro, Azim Premji at his office in Sarjapur, and requested an appointment with him. "He asked where I was calling from and I said I am speaking from Vidhana Soudha. He asked me, “Have you seen the condition of the road in Sarjapur”, and explained I would take half a day to visit his office and come back. Then I asked the chief engineer, Public Works Department, to go to Sarjapur and see that the roads are all set right," Krishna recalled.

The rapid growth of the IT sector strained the city's roads, utilities, and urban planning. Krishna’s measures focused on improving connectivity through projects like the Outer Ring Road and flyovers, addressing traffic, and facilitating IT growth.

Krishna's approach was to bring the captains of the IT industry to the fore in the race to make Bengaluru a global tech hub. He founded the Bangalore Agenda Task Force and appointed Nandan Nilekani as its chairman. "We used to meet every six months. We set targets for Bangalore's growth, and there was accountability, and accountability became very pronounced."

[caption id="attachment_61496" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Former Bengaluru CM | Global Indian S.M. Krishna with his wife, daughter and son-in-law, VG Siddharth, the founder of Coffee Day[/caption]

For the first time in a long time, Karnataka had a political class that did not drag its feet over the smallest things, where accountability and growth were front and centre on the leadership agenda. His administration streamlined business processes, providing a conducive environment for IT companies while modernizing Bengaluru’s infrastructure, setting the stage for its future success. "That was how Bengaluru developed, and Chandrababu Naidu himself said Bangalore was the hub of IT-BT," Krishna said.

Legacy and Continuing Impact

By the time Krishna left office in 2004, Bengaluru had firmly established itself as India’s IT capital. The policies and projects initiated during his tenure laid the foundation for sustained economic growth, transforming the city into a global symbol of India’s technological prowess.

Krishna’s critics have pointed out that rapid urbanization brought challenges such as traffic congestion and uneven development. However, his supporters argue that these are inevitable byproducts of progress and that his vision for Bengaluru created opportunities that outweighed the drawbacks.

After serving as Chief Minister, SM Krishna continued his political journey as India’s External Affairs Minister from 2009 to 2012. In this role, he further championed India’s global engagement, strengthening the country’s ties with other nations. However, his contributions to Bengaluru remain his most enduring legacy.

[caption id="attachment_61501" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Former Bengaluru CM | Barack Obama | Hilary Clinton | Global Indian Photo: Creator: Pete Souza Official White House Photo / Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

After 46 years, S.M. Krishna left the Indian National Congress in 2017 after a long and distinguished career. His decision was driven by growing dissatisfaction with the Congress leadership, especially after the party's declining influence in Karnataka. Krishna expressed disappointment over the party’s internal dynamics and its inability to address the state's concerns effectively. He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017, citing the BJP’s commitment to national development and his belief that the party would be better positioned to address Karnataka’s issues. His move was seen as a significant shift in Karnataka's political landscape.

'Visionary', 'statesman', the 'gentleman politician'—these descriptions became synonymous with S.M. Krishna during his lifetime. They will continue to remain a part of the legacy of the man who reshaped the history of Bengaluru, and India, on the world stage.

Sonal Bhuchar: Indian-American gets a school named after her in Texas

(November 1, 2023) "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." -- is the quote that guided Indian-American volunteer and public servant Sonal Bhuchar for the 58 years that she lived. Now four years after her passing away, her legacy has continued to live on and the biggest proof of it is that an elementary school in the heart of Missouri in Texas has been named after her. A trailblazer in the field of education in Fort Bend County, Buchar served as the Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees for six years and later the Board President for two years. In 2019, she lost the battle to cancer. Expressing his gratitude, Sonal's husband Dr Subodh Bhuchar said, "The current Fort Bend citizens and FBISD board of Trustees recognised Sonal's phenomenal service to the county by unanimously voting for an elementary school in her honour, so that her legacy in education and philanthropy continues for generations to come." "Sonal was a quiet yet effective warrior, who weaved a path for generations of young women and men to follow. She led by example and showed them that their way to succeed in life is to

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"Sonal was a quiet yet effective warrior, who weaved a path for generations of young women and men to follow. She led by example and showed them that their way to succeed in life is to give, without expecting anything in return. She ensured that her actions would lead to changes that would benefit all," he added.

The school, which opened its doors in August 2023, has a Bengal Tiger named Royal as the mascot, thus embodying her Indian roots and heritage. ROYAL stands for Resilient, Optimistic, Youthful, Admirable, Leader. Their website reads, "The purpose of Bhuchar Elementary is connecting the Bengal community through inclusiveness, creativity, and an energised optimal learning experience." Constructed with a capacity to accommodate 1,000 students, the school includes an outdoor classroom that can be utilized by both students and teachers on pleasant weather days.

[caption id="attachment_46418" align="aligncenter" width="736"] Sonal Bhuchar | Global Indian Sonal Bhuchar Elementary[/caption]

Born and brought up in Mumbai, she earned a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy from the University of Mumbai. It was in 1984 that she moved to the US after her marriage, and soon made Houston her home, where after a few years, Sonal turned over a new leaf as a community activist. A firm believer in "making a difference", Sonal didn't leave any stone unturned to bring about a positive change in society and started working in the field of education. A dedicated volunteer with Child Advocates, the Literacy Council, the Cultural Arts Foundation, and the Fort Bend Education Foundation, she did everything possible to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Moreover, she gained recognition for her leadership in various initiatives, such as leading the WATCH program, which focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle education for elementary school students. She was also instrumental in conceiving the idea for the annual International Festival of the Fort Bend Education Foundation, aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the district. Additionally, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Student Leadership Program and the Legislative Advocacy Program.

Sonal Bhuchar | Global Indian

Sonal extended her dedication to community service into the domain of politics, as she pursued the Republican Party's nomination for the State Representative position in 2012. In 2015, Texas Governor Greg Abbott appointed Sonal to the One Star National Service Commission Board, a role dedicated to promoting volunteerism and overseeing the administration of AmeriCorps programs in Texas. When asked about her biggest accomplishment, the Global Indian said in an interview, "I'd say my ability to raise my family and my children in a country that I now call home, but wasn’t where I grew up, and adapt to the social structure here while still maintaining my cultural traditions that I value a lot."

Sonal stands as a testament to the transformative power of dedicated individuals in the field of education. Her influential contributions in Texas, ranging from her advocacy for healthy lifestyles to her political pursuits, have left a lasting impact on countless students and communities. Today, the fact that an elementary school in Missouri bears her name serves as a fitting tribute to her unwavering commitment to the betterment of education. Sonal Bhuchar's legacy is a reminder of the profound influence one person can have on the lives of many, and her name continues to inspire future generations to strive for excellence and inclusive education.

Reading Time: 4 min

Global Indian Neeraj Chopra: The reigning Olympic champion who made India proud with gold

(June 23, 2022) Rewards and accolades have not stopped raining down on Subedar Neeraj Chopra ever since the athlete made India proud by winning Gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a 87.58m throw. The athlete was 23 at the time he created history. On June 19, the Olympian bagged the season's first gold medal at the Kuortane Games in Finland, clinching his biggest win since the Tokyo Olympics. The junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Indian Army was conferred a Padma Shri in January 2022. He also received Arjuna award back in 2018. Neeraj has several eclectic firsts to his credit. He is the first track and field athlete to win a gold medal for India in the Olympics. He is also the first track and field athlete from India to win at the IAAF World U20 Championships in 2016. His world under-20 record throw of 86.48 m made him the first Indian athlete to achieve a world record. [caption id="attachment_26044" align="aligncenter" width="1183"] Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic gold medallist of India[/caption] As of 2022, Neeraj is one of the only two Indians to have won an individual Olympic gold medal (Abhinav Bindra is the other). The talented athlete has set ablaze the Olympic scene as the youngest-ever Indian Olympic gold

p-content/uploads/2022/06/neeraj_amrita_gi1.jpg" alt="Neeraj Chopra | Indian Athletes | Global Indian " width="1183" height="660" /> Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic gold medallist of India[/caption]

As of 2022, Neeraj is one of the only two Indians to have won an individual Olympic gold medal (Abhinav Bindra is the other). The talented athlete has set ablaze the Olympic scene as the youngest-ever Indian Olympic gold medallist in an individual event and the only one to have won gold in his Olympic debut. He represented India in 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and claimed gold in both. Global Indian turns the spotlight on the journey of the super athlete.

After finishing first in Olympics, he tweeted:

“When the desire for success does not let you sleep, when there is nothing better than hard work, when you do not get tired after working continuously, understand that you are going to create a new history of success.” - Neeraj Chopra

Struggles with childhood obesity

Looking at him now, it’s hard to believe that the track and field athlete and reigning Olympic champion in Javelin throw struggled with childhood obesity. This Khandra village boy of Haryana was often teased by children. Addressing his son’s ordeals of getting bullied for weight, Neeraj’s farmer father enrolled him in a gymnasium at Madlauda, a Haryana province.

Neeraj, later enrolled in a gym in Panipat and made physical activity an integral part of his life as he did not want to be an object of fun for the village boys anymore. While playing at Shivaji stadium at Panipat, Neeraj came across javelin throwers and began participating in the game The rest is history!

Learning ancient art from modern platform

There is archaeological evidence that javelins were already in use by the last phase of the lower Paleolithic age that dates back to about 300,000 years ago. Indian Mythology talks about extensive use of this great weapon. This powerful weapon is known to be the favourite of Kartikeya (son of Shiva and Parvati and elder brother of Ganesh), known as the Hindu God of war. History is also replete with use of javelin as a powerful weapon in warfare spanning centuries. Interestingly javelin started trending in India only after Neeraj Chopra created history with it in the Olympics.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4wUBsLkgW0

As part of its promotional campaigns YouTube has been flashing Neeraj Chopra’s tryst with Javelin stressing on the fact that it was the platform that helped the village athlete in picking up tips and tricks of the game. Neeraj has affirmed that he attempted to copy the style of Czech javelin champion Jan Zelezny while watching the YouTube videos of his performances.

Parent’s and Panipat’s role in preparing the Olympian

He mentioned in an interview:

“In the village that I grew up; no one did athletics. For a lot of my life, I didn’t even know what a javelin was.”

Having discovered the game by chance, Chopra had started visiting Panipat Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre where his talent was recognised by the local coach. He helped him hone his skills and win some local competitions as well. Motivated by winning a bronze in a district championship, Neeraj persuaded his parents to allow him to shift to Panipat from the village to pursue the techniques of the game. That move was quite unconventional for the place that he hailed from and considering the fact that Neeraj was just 13 at that time.

[caption id="attachment_26049" align="aligncenter" width="765"] Neeraj Chopra | Indian Athletes | Global Indian Neeraj Chopra with his parents on their first flight[/caption]

However, adding wings to the young athlete’s dreams was the best decision of his parents. Life unfolded beautifully, later. For starter, the youngster participated in National Junior Athletics Championships in Lucknow after rigorous training in Panipat and won gold there.

“My village still does not have a playground. Whenever I stay there, I need to practice on the road,” he informed. His flight from such humble backgrounds to reaching the sky in international sporting events is inspiring for millions of Indians and similar to living in a dream for his parents who hardly have exposure to the world outside their province.

Sharing one of the most fulfilling moments of his life, Neeraj Chopra tweeted:

"A small dream of mine came true today as I was able to take my parents on their first flight.”

International beginnings and army induction

Neeraj’s first international competition was in 2013 in Ukraine. He went on to win his first international medal in 2014 at the Youth Olympics Qualification games in Bangkok. By 2016 he started training under the Australian Coach, late Gary Calvert. Neeraj’s performances started improving in international games thereafter.

[caption id="attachment_26051" align="aligncenter" width="786"] Neeraj Chopra | Indian Athletes | Global Indian Neeraj Chopra with late Bipin Rawat, former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army[/caption]

Impressed with his performance at the South Asian Games and looking at his future potential, the Indian Army offered him a direct appointment as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles in 2016. He was inducted as Naib Subedar, a rank that is usually not granted immediately to athletes recruited as non-commissioned officers (NCO).

Continuing with high voltage performances

June 14, 2022 marked the high voltage return of Neeraj Chopra in the javelin turf after 311 days of the historic Olympics gold achievement. He finished a close second (winning silver) at Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, competing with world and Olympic champions like Oliver Helander, Johannes Vetter, Anderson Peters, and Julian Weber.

What was glorious about his second-placed finish is that the athlete had participated in a competition after close to a year since his Olympics win. Also, Neeraj unleashed 89.30m while the first-placed Oliver Helander of Finland with his personal best was not too far at 89.93m. Cherry on top was that Neeraj marked a new national record to his name with the 89.30 m throw which turned out to be his personal best. However, Neeraj was prowling for more. Just five days after this achievement his tiger moves crowned India with gold at the Kuortane Games in Finland.

Talking about the sudden interest of youngsters in the game, he mentioned:

“I see so much potential for Indians with the javelin. To succeed you need strength and speed, and Indian kids have that. I think, more and more, they'll see what we’re achieving and will become inspired to pick up a javelin themselves.” - Neeraj Chopra

There is more to come from the Olympian in the coming months with events like World Championship and Commonwealth Games. India is looking forward to celebrate all his victories!

Follow Neeraj Chopra on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Reading Time: 5 mins

Millet Mission 2023: The diaspora’s push for the cereal crop

(March 5, 2023) Millets are in vogue around the world, with India doubling down to promote the nutrient-rich grain. People are using it more often in their kitchens, and Indian restaurants across the globe have been offering millet specific menus. The enthusiasm has only heightened with 2023 being declared the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations, upon India’s proposal. [caption id="attachment_35778" align="aligncenter" width="883"] Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Bulgaria[/caption] India wants to establish itself as a global hub for millets – knowing that the cereal crop can help the world confront some of the challenges like the increased demand of food due to the growing population, and the impact of climate change on agriculture. Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a global think tank, pointed out, “millets are climate friendly because it uses seventy percent less water than paddy, grows in half the time taken by wheat, and needs forty percent less energy in processing. It's a hardy crop that can withstand extreme heat condition." The cereals help increase nutritional levels across the world. According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation: As the global agrifood systems face challenges to feed an ever-growing global population, resilient cereals like millets

h Foundation (ORF), a global think tank, pointed out, “millets are climate friendly because it uses seventy percent less water than paddy, grows in half the time taken by wheat, and needs forty percent less energy in processing. It's a hardy crop that can withstand extreme heat condition." The cereals help increase nutritional levels across the world.

According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation:

As the global agrifood systems face challenges to feed an ever-growing global population, resilient cereals like millets provide an affordable and nutritious option, and efforts need to be scaled up to promote their cultivation.

The largest producer of millets in the world, India is right on spot to work on the global need of the hour and increase its millet exports.

[caption id="attachment_35779" align="aligncenter" width="866"] Millet Mission | Global Indian Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Vancouver[/caption]

The Indian diaspora has responded well to the Indian government’s international outreach efforts and its concerted push to boost the consumption of millets around the globe, among Indian and non-Indian communities. Global Indian turns the spotlight onto how the Indian diaspora is celebrating the International Year of Millets and lending a helping hand in making India’s ‘Millet Mission’ popular.

Millet Mission in Vancouver, Canada

The Consulate General of India in Vancouver organised a presentation on Indian millets to a gathering of distinguished stakeholders, including the business community, diplomatic corps, investors, bankers and the media. Consul General, S. Manish, made a detailed presentation outlining the significance of India’s leadership role in the IYM 2023, the country’s multifarious connect with millets, its health benefits, and how the International Year of Millets fulfils the sustainable development goals, positioning India as the global hub for millets.

[caption id="attachment_35781" align="aligncenter" width="899"] Millet Mission | Global Indian Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Vancouver[/caption]

They discussed investment opportunities in the millet ecosystem with the Vancouver community, with presentations on the agricultural, nutritional and commercial aspects of millet consumption. PM Modi’s video message on IYM2023 was also screened. Guests were treated with a millet-based meal.

Millet Mission in Tokyo, Japan

Ambassador Sibi George, state minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries of Japan, Takaaki Katsumata, and Eriko Hibi, director, FAO liaison office in Tokyo inaugurated the millet exhibition and seminar on ‘Harvesting the Potential: A Millet Celebration’ to celebrate the International Year of Millets 2023.

[caption id="attachment_35783" align="aligncenter" width="797"] Millet Mission | Global Indian Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Tokyo[/caption]

The event showcased health benefits and role of millets in ensuring food security along with its culinary potential. The exhibition was organized with support from Indian Restaurant Association in Japan, and featured both Indian and Japanese dishes prepared from millets.

Millet Mission in Guangzhou, China

Consulate General of India, Guangzhou organized an event during its ‘Special Focus Week’ on International Year of Millets 2023 at India House. The event was attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps and Friends of India. Consul General, Shambhu L Hakki, shared Government of India’s initiatives. His speech was followed by a talk on the health benefits of millets by Christina Gui, a renowned Chinese dietician.

[caption id="attachment_35785" align="aligncenter" width="901"] Millet Mission | Global Indian Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Guangzhou[/caption]

An Indian chef from a local restaurant did a live cooking demonstration of Indian dishes. The demonstration was streamed live on the Consulate’s social media channels. Samples of millets grown in India were also exhibited along with their nutritional properties and health benefits. The event concluded with a lunch of Indian delicacies made from millets.

Millet Mission in Suriname, South America

An Indian booth to boost consumption of millets was set up at the Agro-Fest 2023 held at Queen's Park, Barbados, with prime minister Mia Amor Mottley in attendance, along with the ministers of finance, economic Affairs and investment, national security and public service. Indian booth volunteers discussed benefits of millets with the dignitaries who showed interest in cultivating them in Barbados.

[caption id="attachment_35789" align="aligncenter" width="815"] Millet Mission | Global Indian Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Paramaribo[/caption]

Nicolla Simone Rudder, permanent secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs and foreign trade of Barbados, and Barbados Agriculture Society supported the Indian diaspora’s initiatives. Hundreds of visitors visited the booth.

Millet Mission in Togo, Africa

The Embassy of India in Lomé, in partnership with AISECT and Lomé University celebrated the International Year of Millets at Lomé University campus. A stall was set up and various millet products were displayed. Several university students and faculty members visited the stall.

[caption id="attachment_35790" align="aligncenter" width="831"] Millet Mission is in vogue with 2023 being declared the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations, upon India’s proposal. Photo Credit: Embassy of India, Lome[/caption]

A quiz on millet products was held for university students. The event helped raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of the use of millet products. Informative standees about the International Year of Millets were displayed to create more awareness about the millet mission.

Millet Mission in Birmingham, United Kingdom

Consulate General of India, Birmingham celebrated the Year of Millets 2023 at the Consulate with a delectable three-day food show exhibiting the nutritious benefits for Bajra, Jowar and other millet grains. Members of the diaspora, and investors in the Midlands participated in the event and savoured the delicacies. Discussions were held around millets - the future of food and farming.

[caption id="attachment_35791" align="aligncenter" width="694"] Millet Mission | Global Indian Photo Credit: Consulate General of India, Birmingham[/caption]

Did you know?

There are many varieties of millets. Some of them are - pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), buckwheat millet (kuttu), and barnyayard millet (sanwa).
According to Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India exported $64.28 million worth of millets in the year 2021-22.
As part of its 'Millet Mission' the Government of India has funded 66 millet focused startups with investment exceeding ₹6 crore.
Millets are gluten-free, non-allergenic, great source of nutrition, high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and proteins, and nutritionally superior to major cereals leading to boost in immunity. It also contains anti diabetic properties.
Millets can be cooked whole as porridge or ground into flour to make breads, cakes, pasta, and other flour based delicacies.

Reading Time: 5 mins