Global IndianstoryBollywood magic: Africa’s deep-rooted love affair with Indian cinema

Bollywood magic: Africa’s deep-rooted love affair with Indian cinema

Written by: Charu Thakur

(August 6, 2024) Sitting on a boat in a lake surrounded by water lilies in the picturesque landscape of Morogoro in Tanzania, social media star Kili Paul is lip-syncing to the popular song Suniya Suniya Raatan. His love for Indian music isn’t a secret as the 29-year-old’s social media is full of videos of him performing popular Bollywood songs. Clad in his Masaai attire, he never misses a chance to show his love for Bollywood. So much so that he was honoured by Indian High Commission in Tanzania for promoting Indian music and culture. But he isn’t the only one, hundreds of heartwarming videos of Africans immaculately singing Bollywood numbers are proof that our films have touched millions of hearts in the continent of Africa, even some 6,000 kilometers away.

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Bollywood first made its mark in Africa in the 1950s. With Hollywood film licensing hefty on their pockets, Africans found a perfect alternative in Bollywood films. The themes, plots, and lively song and dance routines of Bollywood films resonated with African audiences. Even without dubbing, Hindi films drew packed houses across the continent.

The love affair that began some 70 years ago is growing stronger with each passing day. From the shores of Tanzania to the inlands of Mali, every country in the continent shares a strong bond with Bollywood.

Arun Ashokan, who moved to Malawi five years ago, vouches for Africans’ love for Bollywood. “I recently spotted this girl in Mponela singing a Hindi film song, who came running to me inquiring about the film. They love Bollywood films, and music and even watch Hindi serials. They have small theatres in villages where they play these movies and serials,” he tells Global Indian.

Mali’s Bollywood-themed radio shows

Bollywood has even enchanted the people of Bamako in Mali. Nestled on the banks of the calm Niger river, Bamako boasts of rich history, diverse linguistic and cultural traditions. But this West African country’s love for Bollywood is an open secret. Even the 8,604 km distance between Mumbai and Bamako is no spoiler for Malians who love Bollywood and Indian culture.

Anjani Kumar, Ambassador of India to the Republic of Mali told Financial Express that there is a significant fan base for Bollywood cinema, song, and dance in Mali. He described his meeting with singer Mofas Khan as truly enriching. “An ardent Indophile who has never been to India but his love for our country and culture is admirable. He is a passionate singer who has learnt Hindi without a teacher. He presents a weekly radio program called India Gaana dedicated to Bollywood where he painstakingly interprets Hindi songs in Bambara, the lingua franca of Mali and West Africa, and also gives information about the film personalities.”

Hailing from a village in Mopti, Mofas Khan expresses his love for India through Bollywood songs. Like many Bamako residents, Khan, too, grew up on a rich diet of Bollywood films and has been in love with the Indian culture ever since. It was Rote Rote Hasna Seekho from Andha Kanoon that Khan crooned for the first time, and since then, there has been no looking back for this Indophile.

But Khan is not the only known Bollywood aficionado in Mali. Seydou Dembele is another resident of the country who wears his love for Bollywood up his sleeve. A school teacher by profession, Dembele was introduced to Hindi cinema by his father who worked at a theatre that screened Bollywood films. For the last 25 years, he has been presenting a radio show – Indian Frequency on Bollywood Songs – every Sunday afternoon.

Such has been his popularity that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned him during Mann Ki Baat in 2020. “His passion for India, affection, and love are indeed a matter of pride for us,” the PM had said.

When Seduji visited #Kumbh and at that time he was part of the delegation that I met, his passion for India, affection and love are indeed a matter of pride for all of us: PM @narendramodi #MannKiBaat #PMonAIR pic.twitter.com/RC2HtjBBQQ

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 27, 2020

The love for Bollywood music extends beyond radio shows, flourishing in cultural groups that promote Indian music and dance. Three prominent cultural groups in the capital, Bamako—Yaarana Hindustani, Bollywood Fans International, and Dostiare—periodically organize cultural events. These events bring together Malian artists, singers, and dancers who have dedicated themselves to various aspects of Indian culture.

Ghana’s romance with Bollywood classics

Some 1,100 kilometers away, Rex Cinema in Ghana’s Kumasi had become a favourite with Bollywood fans during the 1960s. The theatre played Bhagwan Dada and Geeta Bali’s Albela every Friday for a year, selling out its 2,000-seat capacity.

It was the post-colonial period that brought Bollywood films to the shores of Ghana. The recurrent themes of community, honour, morality, and family values resonated with the people of Ghana, kindling their love for Bollywood.

In the capital city of Tamale, old Hindi films like Albela (1951), Love In Tokyo (1966), Noorie (1979), and Andha Kanoon (1983) are still viewed by residents in their homes and neighbourhood video centers. The people of Ghana devour Hindi films, and their love for Bollywood can be seen across innumerable DVD shops.

While the Bollywood classics are a hit with Ghanaians, the older Dagomba (ethnic group of Ghana)viewers outright rejected the Bollywood films of the 90s citing cultural and moral shifts. The video center owners decided not to screen new Bollywood films.

Kannywood’s emergence in Nigeria, courtesy Bollywood

Nigeria’s love affair with Bollywood began in the 1950s. Considered to be a cheaper alternative to the latest Hollywood hits, some Lebanese merchants decided to import Hindi films to Nigeria. Soon attending Bollywood film screenings in open courtyards became commonplace in Nigerian culture. Interestingly, the films screened were neither dubbed nor subtitled in the native language. Mainly because the Nigerian communities saw themselves in the stories portrayed in Hindi cinema, Bollywood was able to cut through the language barrier in Africa.

Be it pulp fiction or devotional songs, Bollywood left an indelible mark on Hausa culture – it acted as a catalyst in the creation of Kannywood, the north Nigerian movie hub based out of Kano. Kannywood Studios often replicate Bollywood movies shot by shot, and they also produce music videos heavily influenced by Indian styles. In 2013, an album inspired by this trend was released in Nigeria, titled Harafinso: Bollywood-Inspired Film Music from Hausa Nigeria.

Even the women of Nigeria have found inspiration in Bollywood which led to the emergence of soyayya – or – love literature in the 80s. The Hausa women, deeply inspired by the innocent romance in Hindi films, started writing soyayya novels to modernise their conservative communities.

Over the years, Bollywood’s grip on Nigeria has become as strong as ever, and now Nollywood (the Nigerian film industry) is collaborating with Bollywood to produce films together. The 2020 Netflix film Namaste Wahala, based on a romantic relationship between an Indian boy and a Nigerian girl, is the perfect example of this collaboration. S Pratibha, who moved with her husband to Abuja two years ago, says that Nigerians grew up on a staple of Bollywood films. “They love everything Bollywood. On the streets, you often find Bollywood music playing. It is a great feeling to see Nigerians embracing Hindi music.”

Kenya’s pop culture boost from Bollywood

In Nigeria, Bollywood served as a source of inspiration, while in Kenya, Hindi films significantly influenced music genres, landscapes, and fashion, offering dreams during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. With a huge population of Asians residing in Kenya from the 60s to the 90s, Bollywood became an integral part of the culture. Globe Cinema in Nairobi was the go-to destination for Bollywood film buffs and the movies it showcased opened doors to Indian culture among East Africa’s Asian community. The film provided a quick lesson in fashion customs and traditions.

From Rajesh Khanna to Shah Rukh Khan, Bollywood stars have left an imprint on the people of Kenya. In 2019, actor Anupam Kher shared a video of a Kenyan couple lip-syncing to Tujhe Dekha Toh Yeh Jaana Sanam from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. The same year, the first-ever Indian Films Festival was held in Kenya.

Presenting #Sharukh and #Kajol from Kenya lip-synching the eternal love song from the eternal #dilwaledulhanialejayenge. Video shared by the man who composed the song, @pandit_lalit. Enjoy.🤓🙏😎😍 #MusicIsUniversal pic.twitter.com/5gwga3kARv

— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) September 12, 2019

Like music, films transcend boundaries, and this is especially true for Bollywood films. If you’re an Indian traveler, chances are you’ve encountered people who recognize your identity because of Bollywood stars. That’s the power of Hindi cinema. Over the last 60 years, Africans have embraced Bollywood films to the extent that they have become a part of their culture. Indian films have left an indelible mark on Africa, and this love affair continues to grow for both regions. However, the challenge remains that many African countries still prefer classic films from the past. The task now is to make contemporary Indian cinema more appealing to a global audience.

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Published on 06, Aug 2024

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Forest farm calling: How Vivek and Brinda Shah quit US job to become environment entrepreneurs

(May 24, 2022) Peering through the window of their train enroute Los Angeles in 2016, Vivek Shah and his wife Brinda saw acres of strawberry farms sprawled all across Salinas. The splendid view of lush, juicy, and red strawberries seemed like something out of a dream. Then, they were pulled from their reverie by the sudden appearance of a man, covered in a protective suit and spraying pesticide on the crops. It sent a chill down their spine. "It didn't seem right. How harmful were the chemicals that he had to wear protective gear? And we were consuming that produce. We knew this wasn't the environment we wanted to live in. It became a defining moment for us," environment entrepreneur Vivek tells Global Indian. In 2016, the San Fransico-based couple left their comfortable lifestyles in the US behind to return to Gujarat and start their forest farm. Now six years later, the 10-acre land which is a "mix of the commercial and experimental farm" has given Vivek and Brinda a purpose in life - to create awareness on environment restoration and put their techniques to use for a larger cause. [caption id="attachment_24809" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Brinda Shah and Vivek Shah at their forest form, Brindavan[/caption] Existential crisis

In 2016, the San Fransico-based couple left their comfortable lifestyles in the US behind to return to Gujarat and start their forest farm. Now six years later, the 10-acre land which is a "mix of the commercial and experimental farm" has given Vivek and Brinda a purpose in life - to create awareness on environment restoration and put their techniques to use for a larger cause.

[caption id="attachment_24809" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Environment Entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah Brinda Shah and Vivek Shah at their forest form, Brindavan[/caption]

Existential crisis led to true calling

Born and raised in Baroda, Vivek was more of a "creative and outdoorsy" person during his growing up years who was in the pursuit to "charter a path" for himself. "We had a CA firm, my dad is a second-generation CA. So, society expected me to follow suit. But my heart wasn't in it. After finishing my school, we received our green card for the US, and the entire family shifted base," says Vivek, who came across an open college that he calls his "golden ticket" as it gave him the chance to learn anything without pressure. From photography to fine arts to economics, Vivek dabbled in everything before settling for a degree in interaction design. "Though nature and environment always intrigued me, it wasn't a career option back then," adds Vivek.

After a year-and-a-half of working as a product designer, Vivek realised it wasn't his calling either. "Sitting behind a computer for 8-10 hours wasn't helping me make any impact. Instead, I was leading people into hyper-consumerism through my job," adds the environment entrepreneur, who was on the cusp of an existential crisis. It was then that he came across a month-long course on organic farming. This set the ball rolling for Vivek and his wife, who decided to study permaculture. "It was the logical starting point to understand environment restoration. After she came to the US, we both realised we wanted to do something in the field of environment, and that's how our journey began," reveals the 33-year-old who met his wife through common friends.

Environment entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah

A forest farm that changed it all

Vivek quit his job and returned to Gujarat with Brinda, who has a master's degree in printmaking, to begin their journey as environment entrepreneurs. Interestingly, they found massive support from their families. So much so that a family friend lent them a piece of their land to start their experiment. "We came with no background in agriculture. But the course did help us in understanding the techniques that we could adopt to make a sustainable farm," adds Vivek. For the next nine months, the couple grew crops and vegetables, understood the agricultural cycle, and tapped into local knowledge. "The initial phase was spent in observation and understanding the workings of the farm," explains Vivek. A year later, they found the perfect land in Nadiad, an hour's drive from Ahmedabad. "That's how Brindavan came into existence. We started just before the monsoon, and it was a fruitful year," reminisces the environment entrepreneur.

Environment entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah

Since then, the couple has been using techniques like green manuring and controlled grazing to ensure soil fertility and harvesting rainwater to utilise the farm resources to their capacity. "When we started, we had no role models to follow. Most of it was trial and error," he says, calling it a learning phase for the couple. "Converting our orchard into a rain-fed model and working on no-till vegetable farming gave us more confidence and faith in ourselves and our techniques," adds Vivek.

Working for the future

Sustainable farming practices are quite a fad in the US, but Vivek and Brinda realised that not much was happening in India in this space. That's the reason they decided to return and give back to their homeland. "It was a now or never for us. I was 25 when I decided to make the switch. I knew if I let this opportunity slip through my hands, I wouldn’t have the courage to pursue it after five years. Though it was like diving into an ocean, there was a sense of urgency. And I am glad we did it," says Vivek who is now providing consultancy services and applying the couple’s farming techniques on client sites.

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"We aim to collaborate with like-minded people who need our services in saving the Earth. However, a lot needs to be done. There is awareness but the lack of action is one of our biggest challenges," says the environment entrepreneur who often finds no public participation, adding that not many are willing to invest in this space. "It's still considered to be an NGO kind of thing and not a legit industry." He believes that the right sources need to be moved in as "opportunities are plenty." Calling climate change a "real problem", Vivek finds the situation "scary because we can’t predict anything more. The changing temperatures are hampering crop growth, and in the near future, we won't be able to afford a single crop." The environment champion believes that branching out would be the solution. "We'll have to add new things to your diet that you never before even considered," says Vivek who thinks it's time to start experimenting with food security.

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Brinda and he are now eyeing bigger projects, along with trying to make inroads with the government on climate change. "We are also planning to bring climate litigation under the larger umbrella and address climate-related challenges," says the environment entrepreneur, who believes patience is the key in this profession. He urges youngsters to "follow their heart and not have a Plan B. If you have something to fall back on, you might not push through enough." Vivek and Brinda had to make lifestyle changes on their arrival in India, but they knew it was worth the effort. "Cutting down on lifestyle expenses can do wonders, only if you are willing. But we knew we wanted to create an impact. That's what drove us both," says the father of a one-and-a-half-year-old who loves spending time with his family.

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Venkat Gaddam: Taking Indian art and design to the world

(May 9, 2023) Back in his school days, Venkat Gaddam would get scolded for doodling through all his classes. It didn’t deter him, though. Instead, he saw it as adding beauty to what he thought of as rather mindless page. He didn’t think of it as right or wrong, to him, it felt liberating, unlike Maths and science, which had only one answer — the right one. He went on to have his first art exhibition at the age of 12, with 100 paintings. Today, the artist-turned-fashion-designer owns his own store in Hyderabad and his label, ‘Whencut Goddamn’ has been worn by a host of celebrities like Nagarjuna, Karan Johar, Armaan Malik, Faria Abdullah and Niharika Konidela, as well as by clients from around the globe. Even today, Gaddam doesn’t plan his artwork. Creativity, for him, is something that can’t be controlled. “It is a volcano of emotions – it beats against the tides to co exist, flows like the ocean. If we are buds, creativity is the bloom,” says Venkat Gaddam, in an exclusive chat with Global Indian. In fact, it comes so naturally to him that he does not need to use a pencil or eraser to plan his artwork.

to him that he does not need to use a pencil or eraser to plan his artwork. “I sit down with an intention to paint or create and let the divine forces work through me as a channel. It’s a very special and spiritual journey,” smiles Gaddam. India’s rich imagery is his biggest muse. “I am inspired by women, their varied emotions, feminism, and inner strength. Each person and object we come across has a story to narrate,” he feels.

[caption id="attachment_38309" align="aligncenter" width="661"] Venkat Gaddam[/caption]

Why ‘Whencut Goddamn’?

“I came up with that name in college as a means to make me and my name sound both easy and cool at the same time. It has a nice ring, chuckle, and meaning to it,” says Venkat of his brand. He did not think twice about the brand name when he made it official. “My brand had always been there within me. WG stands for self love, courage and resilience. I want everyone who owns a piece (art, fashion, poetry, anything) to own it and feel empowered through it, always,” says Venkat.

Through his brand, Venkat creates acrylic paintings on canvas, pen-on-paper illustrations, murals, digital collages and fashion line. He also makes notebooks, gratitude journals, cushions among other items. To go with each of his artwork, the artist pens a poem as well.

Starting early

Born in Ohio, US, Venkat is the youngest of four siblings, raised in a big family with his father and grandfather being bigwigs in the political and business world. Soon after he was born, the family moved back to Hyderabad where he did his schooling from Geetanjali public school, Oakridge international school and then Indus International school. As a child, he was used to asking a lot of questions about almost everything. “I was always day dreaming, feeling nostalgic, imagining beautiful things, getting lost watching movies, drawing, and admiring all things beautiful,” recalls the 29-year-old, who has been creatively inclined since childhood. At 12, Venkat had a collection of 100 paintings ready for his first exhibition, which was inaugurated by the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y S Rajashekar Reddy in 2006. Venkat’s artwork came in for much appreciation.

His parents — Dr. Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy and Gaddam Saroja Vivek — would patiently answer all his questions, without making him feel silly for having asked them, which helped shape his personality and enabled him to have an open mind towards life.

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A New York State of Mind

Come 2012, Venkat left for New York after enrolling in the Parsons School of Design — The New School. The shy, introvert child had no experience of living away from the luxuries his home offered. NY was his home for next four years. “I suddenly had a lot of responsibilities – food, money, making friends, doing well in school and maintain my physical and mental health in a city that doesn’t stop for anyone,” says Venkat, of his initial days in NY.

Art school is very tough and not for the weak-minded, feels Venkat. “When they criticize your work in front of everyone, it can be traumatising. It thickens your skin and makes you take things with a pinch of salt for sure.” Even as he struggled to make a place for himself at school, find belonging in the Big Apple and make friends, he created a tremendous body of work by the time he graduated in 2016. “I was painting, creating murals and writing poetry as well. I even started doing performance art pieces. But I also came back weighing 93kgs,” he says.

A major highlight during his Parsons days was his painting across three walls that gave a unique look to the entire floor. It was part of his final year thesis. “I began painting on a wall and it grew into a jungle. It was something that I made over a semester (six months). It became a room of art you could walk into and get lost in. The strokes, swirls, movement, dance of color, bodies, faces, shapes dipped in a multicolour rainbow — it was very kaleidoscopic and magical,” describes Venkat, who is still remembered for that piece of work.

Venkat, who has done several solo exhibitions, says he always thought of his creative journey as an explosion. It’s a volcano waiting to erupt, waiting to find an escape, find a canvas, to purr and pour it out there,” he says.

Life as an artist

As soon as he returned to Hyderabad after graduation, the artist began working on his own for a year, creating a series of paintings, including the iconic (and his personal favourite) 12 ft x 19 ft huge wall with charcoal. In 2017, Venkat began his journey of working through his family business to start creating entertainment content in Telugu. “Being a creative person, a writer and a deep thinker, I thought this would be perfectly in sync with the job,” informs Venkat, who continued working for the next three years, creating, learning, and streamlining content.

In 2020 he launched his brand WG which became an instant hit. Two years later, he opened his first store. “Through my work, I journal the journey of reclaiming my own power, finding the lost voice within and owning my choices,” says Venkat, who is well known for his vibrant paintings that are deeply rooted in Indian culture, architecture and mythology.

Talking of his work, Venkat says his creations do not down in pain and sorrow but is created with the prowess of reflection. “It is transformative in its narrative, of authorizing power, of recreating your own identity with consciousness,” says the designer, who loves being his own boss.

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What inspires him

He takes his inspiration Venkat says he is obsessed with Anamika Khanna’s embroideries and detailing. “As a businessman, I love what Sabyasachi has done with his brand, Frida Kahlo for her beauty, brains and vulnerability to be herself and MFHussain for inspiring me to be bold with my strokes, paint big, have a signature style and be true to yourself,” says Venkat, who is a big fan of Sufi music.

At the moment, Venkat has his hands full, working on multiple projects. He will be exhibiting his work in an upcoming Queer festival even as he is busy with his creations for an event in Dubai. “I am also creating clothes for a music video for PeekayIndia. There are many more events lined up,” he informs.

When not immersed in art and designing, Venkat likes to sing, dance, paint and write poetry. “All forms of art are therapy to me,” he smiles.

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The immigrant triumph: How Neera Tanden became one of the US’ top policy makers

(August 22, 2024) In 1999, the Columbine High School massacre became the deadliest school shooting in the US history at the time. A young Indian-American, Neera Tanden, fresh out of Yale Law School and an aide to President Bill Clinton helped the then-First Lady Hillary draft a policy on school safety. Hillary was impressed, and it marked the blossoming of a close association that would carry on through the decades. It was also a milestone in Tanden's rise to the topmost ranks of the American political landscape. She currently serves as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council of the United States, and works with Cabinet members and White House officials within the Executive Office of the President of the United States. Earlier, the Global Indian had served as the Domestic Policy Adviser to US President Joe Biden, working closely with him to craft and implement domestic policy and is the first Asian-American to lead any of the three major White House policy councils. With a decades-long career with think tanks, much of it spent in firm alignment with the Democratic Party and the Clintons in particular, Tanden was named among Elle's 10 most powerful women in DC in 2014

ic Party and the Clintons in particular, Tanden was named among Elle's 10 most powerful women in DC in 2014 and to Politico's 50 in 2016.

"I owe my presence here to the love and support of my family and to the grit and resilience of my mother." Back in 2021, Tanden described her immigrant story, soon after she became President Biden’s controversial nominee to lead the all-important OMB (Office of Management and Budget). Her story is one of immigrant triumph, of shrugging off stereotypes and finding potential through struggling alone in a foreign land - the legacy that was handed down to Tanden. Today, the Indian-American is one of the US' best known political consultants, who has served as senior advisor and staff secretary to President Joe Biden since 2021. Tanden has also worked on a number of Democratic campaigns over the last two decades, including that of Bill Clinton in 1992 and Barack Obama in 2008.

[caption id="attachment_38422" align="aligncenter" width="349"] Neera Tanden[/caption]

The immigrant struggle

Tanden was born in Bedford, Massachusetts, to Indian parents who had immigrated to the US. Her parents divorced when she was five and as she explained, her mother was "faced with a harsh choice - to stay in the US and learn to survive as a single mother in a foreign country, or return to India, where she would have social support but have to raise her children under the stigma of divorce. She chose the former. "She had faith in this country and made the decision - I believe the courageous decision - to stay," Tanden said.

Life was tough in those days. Tanden recalled relying "on food stamps to eat, and Section 8 vouchers to pay the rent." In school, she was the "only kid in the cafeteria line who used ten-cent vouchers from the Free Lunch Program. I remember using food stamps at the grocery store," she said. A couple of years later, her mother found a job as a travel agent, and the family's circumstances improved, and was able to put Tanden and her brother, Raj, through school. It still meant she would have to work her way through university, which she did. Along the way, she also learned to appreciate her mother's struggles, saying, "My Indian parents always instilled in me a sense that I could go as far as hard work would take me. Since I realised at a very early stage that I did not belong to a family with many connections, I have worked hard to attain the success I have had."

After graduating from Bedford High School in 1988, Tanden went to study at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1988. There, she met the man she would marry, an artist named Benjamin Edwards. She had already found her Progressive leanings and met Edwards when they both joined Michal Dukakis' (unsuccessful) Presidential bid in 1988. From there, she went to Yale Law School, where she served as submissions editor for the Yale Law & Policy Review and graduated in 1996 with a Juris Doctor.

Bonding with the Clintons

[caption id="attachment_38423" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Neera Tanden with Hillary Clinton[/caption]

Tanden joined former President Bill Clinton’s campaign staff in 1992 gaining such a stronghold with the first family, that Hillary Clinton even threw her a wedding shower in the Yellow Oval Room. In 1999, when Hillary Clinton began exploring the possibility of running for the US Senate, Tanden moved with her to New York, becoming a senior staffer in Hillary's Senate office. By the time she became policy director of Hillary’s 20008 campaign, she had long since become one of Washington DC’s most powerful women, an outspoken Progressive voice and a “Clinton loyalist.”

When Barack Obama defeated Clinton in the Democratic primaries in 2008, Tanden did a surprising pivot, joining Obama’s presidential campaign after his victory. Recalling her move to Obama's campaign, she said, "Almost immediately after David Axelrod reached out to me, I reached out to Hillary. And this was literally just days after her concession speech, Hillary said to me, 'I'm going to do everything I can to get Senator Obama elected and I want you to do everything you can."

Tanden was made part of the Obama administration and appointed as a domestic policy director. During his first administration, she worked as senior advisor to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in the Health and Human Services department. She was also deeply involved in what was arguably one of the administration's biggest schemes, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. In 2010, she also joined the Center for American Progress, where she succeeded another longtime Hillary aide, John Podesta, as the organisation's President and CEO one year later.

Although Clinton and Obama reconciled without too much ill will, Tanden would find herself in a similar dilemma once more in 2016, when Clinton, to whose staff she had returned, stood against Bernie Sanders. At this time, she was heading the liberal thinktank, the Centre for American Progress, and according to GQ, Tanden was "on social media, taking swipes at everyone from Bernie Bros to Shailene Woodley." Political Twitter was on fire that year, in the run-up to the elections and the subsequent victory of Donald Trump. There were a lot of “go back to India” jibes from Trump supporters, although she would admit that the Bernie supporters were much harsher. "It's easier to fight your intellectual and ideological opponents than people you consider intellectual and ideological friends," she remarked. But she participated wholeheartedly in the vitriol - on one occasion, she told Senator Mitch McConnell that he was 'Lord Voldemort'.

The Biden administration

In 2020, Joe Biden, who described Tanden as being "smart as hell," nominated the feisty Indian-American to lead the Office of Management and Budget. It was a controversial nomination, opposed by widely by Republicans. "Yeah, I think they're (Republicans) going to pick a couple of people just to fight (with) no matter what," President Biden told the New York Times in 2021. Although she received the President's staunch support, Tanden requested that her nomination be withdrawn after opposition from Democrat Senator Joe Manchin, who said he would not vote in her favour. One year later, she was appointed as a senior advisor to the president and a few months down the line, in October 2021, was named White House Staff Secretary.

Neera Tanden, with her humble beginnings as the daughter of immigrant parents, has scaled the heights of American political landscape, embodying the resilience and ambition of the Indian diaspora. Her relentless climb up the ranks, from a policy aide to the Domestic Policy Adviser, illustrates the potential that exists within every immigrant's story. Her journey speaks to the resilience of the Indian diaspora in the United States, and her accomplishments solidify her position as a stalwart in the American political arena.

Follow Neera Tanden on Twitter

Reading Time: 6 min

Fragrance files: Meet Sapthagiri S Boggaram, the man bringing exotic sensory delights to India

Sugandh Lok is making the case for incense sticks or agarbattis by making export quality products available to an Indian audience. It is the latest venture by Sapthagiri Boggaram, director of Sarathi International Inc, one of the largest producers of incense sticks that are sold in over 40 countries worldwide. (November 12, 2023) Did you know that there are agarbattis that help you for stress relief or even meditation? At the Sugandh Lok store in Bengaluru, incense is an experience, not a mere product. Soothing spiritual music plays in the background when you enter, and an array of incense sticks are on display, with flavours ranging from the conventional to the unusual, including chocolate, green tea and pineapple. There are rooms where you can understand the process as well as get a feel of how the space feels when you light a specific kind of stick. The brainchild of Sapthagiri S Boggaram, Director, Sarathi International Inc., the store is a sensory delight but the real story lies in the product itself, and the people who make it. Transforming Tales Boggaram’s is a story of transformation, from a shy and reserved individual to a confident business leader. The Global Indian kept

src="https://stage.globalindian.com//wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CARD-scaled.jpg" alt="Sapthagiri Boggaram | Global Indian" width="600" height="900" />

Transforming Tales

Boggaram’s is a story of transformation, from a shy and reserved individual to a confident business leader. The Global Indian kept to himself as a child, studying at The East-West School in South Bengaluru. It was at St Joseph's College that he began to break out of his shell and explore his potential. “The most significant chapter in my transformation unfolded when I decided to pursue a business degree at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. Studying abroad was a game-changer. It exposed me to diverse cultures and perspectives, forcing me to expand my horizons and step out of my comfort zone. Interacting with a global student body broadened my worldview and pushed me beyond my limits,” Boggaram recollects.

Sapthagiri Boggaram | Global Indian After graduating from Monash, he entered the family business and soon found himself managing a sizable workforce. This transition marked the most crucial phase of his transformation from a quiet and introverted persona to an outgoing and confident leader. “I realised that I needed to actively work on my communication skills. To become a proficient communicator and leader, I engaged in various training programs, sought out mentors, and actively practiced public speaking. Over time, I learned how to articulate my ideas, motivate teams, and guide them effectively,” Boggaram says.

Family Business

Sapthagiri Boggaram is a third generation entrepreneur and his family runs Sarathi International, one of the biggest manufacturers of aggarbatis. With a 75-year-old legacy of making high-quality incense sticks, Sarathi’s market is spread out across 43 countries around the globe. Boggaram knew his future lay in the family business – 2024 will mark his 25th year and he says it has been a truly enriching experience. “The family business culture instilled a deep sense of pride and purpose in me. From my childhood, I have vivid memories of witnessing the skills, artistry, the creation of innovative products, and the joy of serving a loyal customer base. What struck me most was the knowledge that we were contributing something truly ethical and divine to society. It is this sense of purpose that motivated me to set clear goals for myself,” says Boggaram.

Sapthagiri Boggaram | Global Indian

Being an entrepreneur allows him to blend tradition with innovation, quality with sustainability, and to share their rich cultural heritage with a broader audience. “It is not just a business for me; it's a calling, a way of life that brings joy and a profound sense of purpose,” he adds. Fortunately, this stems from the fact that his family never put any kind of pressure on Boggaram to join the family business. “In fact, I was encouraged and supported from the very beginning. My father, who has been a pillar of strength in our family business, always gave me a free hand and allowed me to pursue my interests. From the day I entered the business, it was a rather open and collaborative environment. I was the one who sought his advice, and he never imposed his ideas on me or tried to control my decisions. This freedom and trust within the family made it relatively easy for me to convince them about my vision and the direction I wanted to take the business,” he reminisces.

A Ride to Remember

His journey has been a rollercoaster, marked by both exhilarating moments and daunting challenges that mostly started with his decision to initiate a venture within the family business. “Sugandh Lok reflects my values, my vision for the business, and the essence of our products. The experience has been incredibly exciting, and it has also come with its share of stress, primarily due to the steep learning curve and the uncharted territory I have ventured into,” he says. It was a steeper learning curve than he anticipated. The agarbatti industry is a “unique realm,” and Boggaram approach to it is just as distinct. “Nobody has ventured into this industry with this kind of model.” If every day brings new possibilities, there is also the challenge of navigating mostly uncharted territory.

For one, Boggaram’s market is more global than Indian and Sugandh Lok products adhere to European safety norms and meet rigorous quality standards. The parent brand, Sarathi International, comes with a rich legacy of 75 years in producing ethically-made, high quality agarbattis and has an extensive international presence with customers in over 43 countries worldwide.

Leaning Blocks

In the world of business, he has learnt many lessons and the most important, more or less universal truth is that customers expect value above everything else. “While the initial response to our concept has been nothing short of excellent, it is abundantly clear that our customers desire more than just a transaction. They expect a daily interaction, continuous education, and a tangible demonstration of the value we bring to their lives. This expectation has led to a transformative change in our approach to customer engagement, one that necessitates a dynamic and ever-evolving connection,” Boggaram explains.

Sapthagiri Boggaram | Global Indian

Looking Ahead

Boggaram, has ambitious plans for the business as he embarks on an ambitious expansion plan as he hopes to roll out approximately four more stores in Bengaluru and soon extend their reach pan-India. “We have already taken significant steps in this direction by signing up with a franchise in the vibrant Karol Bagh area in Delhi and are in discussions with potential franchise partners in Delhi, Mathura, and Brindavan. Our overarching vision is to establish a network of approximately 100 stores within the next two years,” he says. The e-commerce website is currently in place to ensure a broader audience and seamless shopping experience. “Ultimately, our vision at Sugandh Lok is to revolutionise the way people perceive agarbattis and how they incorporate them into their lives. We aim to introduce a fresh perspective, and in doing so, enrich the way people experience and use agarbattis,” signs off Boggaram.

Reading Time: 7 mins

Flying high: Astronaut Raja Chari is reaching for the stars

(February 1, 2023) I was on a call with NASA's Mission Control, Houston for about an hour before my 10:30 pm interview with SpaceX Crew-3 Commander Raja Jon Vurputoor ‘Grinder’ Chari, which was scheduled to be telecasted live on NASA TV on January 28, 2022. While I had interviewed him once before, it was amazing to converse with the Indian American astronaut this time as he floated in zero gravity, living his childhood dream. [caption id="attachment_34583" align="aligncenter" width="566"] Astronaut Raja Jon Vurputoor ‘Grinder’ Chari[/caption] "It's been a great experience. I think once the second stage cut off on the dragon and we were in orbit, it was just a dream come true. And then actually getting onto the space station and getting to live here has been amazing. I remember the first time we saw the ISS from the Dragon. About 40 km away, as we were coming up the past transition from night to day, the sun hit the station, and it looked golden. It was pretty amazing. It's been a blessing to be up here and getting to do science every day and work for the people on Earth," the astronaut had told me from the International Space

remember the first time we saw the ISS from the Dragon. About 40 km away, as we were coming up the past transition from night to day, the sun hit the station, and it looked golden. It was pretty amazing. It's been a blessing to be up here and getting to do science every day and work for the people on Earth," the astronaut had told me from the International Space Station (ISS).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfs54Af7KHU

Exactly a year after that interview, US President Joe Biden nominated Chari to be appointed as the Air Force Brigadier General. The astronaut, who has roots in Telangana, was docked at the International Space Station for 177 days, between November 2021 and May 2022. Serving as a flight engineer aboard the ISS, he performed two spacewalks and helped in capturing and releasing three SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and two Cygnus cargo vehicles. An alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Global Indian is also the recipient of the prestigious Defense Meritorious Service Medal. As part of the Artemis Team, the astronaut is gearing up to be a part of NASA's next lunar mission.

A dream journey

While NASA's SpaceX Crew-3 mission might have been launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Chari's journey to the International Space Station started when a young man from Hyderabad decided to move to the United States of America in the 70s. His father, Sreenivas Chari, who had an engineering degree from Osmania University, moved to the States with dreams of making a life for himself. "He sacrificed a lot for his family. I have many relatives in the US, and most of them credit my father for helping them build a life in the States. As a child, I couldn’t understand this, but now I believe that had my father not moved here, I wouldn’t be what I am," the astronaut told me, adding that unfortunately, his father passed away in 2010.

[caption id="attachment_34582" align="aligncenter" width="612"] Astronaut | Raja Chari | Global Indian Chari docked at the International Space Station[/caption]

The astronaut visited Hyderabad thrice, where many of his close relatives still live. "I went there as a teenager and remember going to the Tank Bund. That was one of the most memorable summer vacations I ever had — I played a lot with my cousins, ate some delicious food, and even tried to learn some Telugu, which unfortunately I don’t remember now,” he shared.

Growing up in Iowa's Cedar Falls, Chari had just one dream - that of becoming an astronaut. "Every child dreams of becoming an astronaut at some point. As a kid, the more sci-fi movies I watched, the more I wanted to be in space," he shared, adding that while at the time he wasn't sure about becoming an astronaut, he always wanted to be an aircraft pilot. “During my undergraduate years, I made up my mind that I wanted to be a pilot. Through high school, my goal was essentially getting into the Air Force Academy. I joined the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado,” he said during the interview.

[caption id="attachment_34581" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Astronaut | Raja Chari | Global Indian Chari (in the middle) with his SpaceX Crew-3 team members[/caption]

A few years after joining the US Air Force, Chari moved to the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his Master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics. The astronaut has accumulated more than 2,500 hours of flight time on F-35, F-15, F-16, and F-18 including F-15E combat missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployments in support of the Korean peninsula.

Into the space

In 2017, while he was serving as the Commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron and the Director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force, Chari received a letter notifying him of his selection for NASA Astronaut Group 22. He was sent for a two-year-long rigorous training programme and in 2020 was selected to be a part of the Artemis Team. It was around the same time that he was selected for a space mission, SpaceX Crew-3, which he commanded.

[caption id="attachment_34580" align="aligncenter" width="632"] Astronaut | Raja Chari | Global Indian Chari during a spacewalk[/caption]

"There are several very accomplished team members in the SpaceX Crew 3 mission. So, I believe my role will be similar to that of a coach. A coach doesn’t have to teach the player how to play, they already know that. He just has to find the best way to place each player to make sure the team wins. And that’s what I will be doing,” he said, talking about his roles and responsibilities in the Crew 3 mission. Chari is the first NASA rookie to command a spaceflight since Joe Engle, who commanded the STS-2 mission in 1981.

On November 10, 2021, Chari docked at the ISS for his six-month-long stint in the Earth's orbit. Speaking about the view from the ISS, the astronaut said, "We see numerous sunrises and sunsets in a day. The atmosphere is beautifully illuminated and I love watching that the most. Everything we know, understand, and love on Earth is just a razor-thin layer of air."

Astronaut | Raja Chari | Global Indian

While on the ISS, Chari worked on over 300 experiments involving plant science, looking at different methods of watering and irrigating the plants. He also researched the stem cells of cotton plants. Although he enjoyed working at the ISS, living in zero gravity did feel uncomfortable at the beginning of the mission. "Zero gravity affects the body both physically and mentally. But, what I found the most difficult was multitasking. It takes a while for your brain to adapt to this environment. You also have to get used to walking on every surface in the space, including the ceiling and walls. It takes a while but you get used to it," the astronaut shared.

The journey beyond

Chari has been involved in several activities after his return to Earth on May 6, 2022. After resuming duty in Houston, the astronaut has visited several schools and been part of many social events, encouraging young children to 'go find their own path'. "All of our paths are completely different," the astronaut said during a school summit at Iowa, adding, "If you're trying to be an astronaut or trying to go to space, the last thing you should do is look at our bios and try to do that, because we already have that."

[caption id="attachment_34578" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Astronaut | Raja Chari | Global Indian Chari with members of Indian diaspora during India's 75th Independence celebration in the US[/caption]

The astronaut, who is working on the Artemis mission, wishes to associate with ISRO in the future. He shared, "NASA and ISRO have a long history of cooperation, going back to the early days of the space age when the two space agencies worked on sounding rockets. The cooperation continues today as we work on joint space and Earth science missions. I am really looking forward to ISRO's first human spaceflight mission."

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Reading Time: 6 mins