Public speaker | Anil Srivastsa | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryGlobetrotting with a purpose: Anil Srivatsa is raising awareness on organ donation

Globetrotting with a purpose: Anil Srivatsa is raising awareness on organ donation

Written by: Namrata Srivastava

(September 12, 2022) “My biggest challenge in the journey has been people,” says Anil Srivastsa, “Most people are ready to donate money to an organisation such as Akshaya Patra because they feed people. But, when I tell them that they should donate their organ to others, they are hesitant as they do not have enough knowledge about it.” Having dedicated his life to the cause of organ donation, public speaker Anil’s biggest challenge has been to raise awareness about a subject he says “is more of a social issue than medical.”

Anil Srivastsa, public speaker, life coach and entrepreneur

The Mumbai-born life coach and entrepreneur embarked on this journey about seven years ago, after a fateful incident. “In 2014, my brother, Dr. Arjun Srivatsa was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. During his treatment, we got to know that he will require a transplant. When the doctor consulted us, I was more than happy to donate one of my kidneys. However, the more I researched organ donation in India, the more I found how people were not only hesitant but also ignorant about how transplant works. Many didn’t know that donors can lead a healthy, normal life after they donated their kidney or part of their liver. Also, many people shy away from donating organs of their relatives who have passed away. I am working towards dispelling the myths around the matter,” he shares, as Anil connects with Global Indian from the USA.

In the last seven years, Anil has undertaken several overland expeditions to raise awareness about the matter. Covering thousands of kilometres, the entrepreneur has driven across 44 countries by road, including Denmark, Central Asia, Myanmar, USA , sharing his story with over 1,50,000 people and encouraging them to donate organs. A gold medalist at the World Transplant Games, Anil is also the founder of the NGO Gift of Life Adventure.

Inspired by a fateful event

Growing up in a fauji household, Anil shares that he was brought up in a disciplined environment. “I had a very normal upbringing. My father was in the Indian Navy and my mother was a journalist. She would take me and my brother along for the interviews she took, so I was well-exposed to the world and that allowed me to learn about several things that kids my age didn’t get to learn at school.”

After finishing his bachelor’s in criminology from Mysuru, Anil left for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, where he pursued a master’s in telecommunication management in 1993. His first job was at Medstar Television Inc as the head of production and research for the first-ever reality-based forensic series on television which used a ‘murder mystery approach’ to documentary storytelling. He later produced and hosted a radio show, Anil ki Awaaz, which was aired in North America. “I have a career spanning over 35 to 40 years. And in those years, I have worked in various companies and held many senior positions,” shares the public speaker, who was also the CEO of the Indian Premier League team, Kings XI Punjab.

Anil at the WPRB studios. 1999

Anil’s life turned around when his brother was diagnosed with a kidney disorder. Speaking about his first introduction to organ donation, he says, “In 2001, when I was living in the United States, my neighbour donated her kidney to her sister-in-law. While I had heard about organ donation, it was the first time that I witnessed it. However, I didn’t delve deep into the subject back then. It was only when the doctors informed us that they will have to transplant Arjun’s kidney is when I started researching the subject.”

Impacting lives

Soon after his brother’s successful surgery, Anil started spreading the word about organ donation and how it can save several lives across the globe. However, it was an uphill task initially as people not just lacked basic knowledge on the subject but many were hesitant due to several social stigmas. “The religious and spiritual leaders have a great role to play in encouraging people to come forward and donate vital organs.” Narrating an incident, the public speaker, shares, “I once met a couple of a particular community, which doesn’t even allow blood donations. When I asked them what would they do if their child needed a blood transfusion, they said that they would let them die if that is what the god wished.”

Anil, during his expedition in Antarctica

Several such conversations with people from different regions and communities motivated Anil to embark on this extraordinary journey. And up till now, he has impacted over one lakh people by encouraging them to donate their organs. Speaking about one such incident, he says, “My car is decorated with various slogans and messages about organ donation. So, once while I was in Gujarat, I was spotted and stopped by a couple whose daughter was diagnosed with a liver disorder and needed a transplant. Despite several attempts, they weren’t able to find a donor. When I got to know about the case and met the medical team handling the case, I spoke to the family about how a live person can also donate a part of their life – something they didn’t know about. The mother agreed to donate her liver, and today that girl is studying to become a lawyer.”

Donning many hats

The public speaker, who is currently on a 56,000 km drive, is on his way to take part in the ‘World Transplant Games’ that will be held in Australia in 2023. “I have been representing India at the World Transplant Games – which is held for either donors or recipients of an organ. In 2019, I won gold for India in ball throwing. My brother, Arjun, also won gold in golf. In a lighter vein, it was my own kidney winning the gold because he has one of mine.” laughs Anil.

Anil is also the founder of Sochcast, which is a content creation and distribution platform, especially for women. “I also started Radiowalla Network, which is the most scalable, dynamic, and valuable internet audio distribution and content platform,” he shares before signing off.

Follow Anil Srivatsa in Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and his website

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U.Narmada

December 21, 2023 11:01 pm

Proud of him. Today I got a great opportunity from my school {KV Meg & Center } to him and have a talk.

Published on 12, Sep 2022

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Indian-origin Rita Kakati-Shah is empowering people in second innings of their career through Uma

(May 6, 2023) After passing out of King’s College London, when UK-born Rita Kakati-Shah joined investment bank Goldman Sachs’ sales training desk in 2001, she discovered that there were very few women at the training floor of the London headquarter. This perturbed her, and over the next ten years that she worked with the firm, she made some changes while climbing up the hierarchical ladder. "I got involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives along the way. Those were the times when the terms 'diversity, inclusion and equity' were not really used, and I just went ahead with the purpose of building community and bringing people together,” she tells Global Indian. Fifteen years later in 2016, Rita turned an entrepreneur with her business focusing on diversity and inclusion in a powerful way. [caption id="attachment_38175" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO, Uma[/caption] Now a resident of New York in the United States, Rita Kakati-Shah is the founder and CEO of Uma that works to empower women and minorities to re-enter the workforce. The name of her business venture resonates with the idea with which she forayed into entrepreneurship. “Uma is the Hindu Goddess who is an epitome of a daughter, a

t="Indian Diaspora | Rita Kakati-Shah | Global Indian " width="599" height="860" /> Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO, Uma[/caption]

Now a resident of New York in the United States, Rita Kakati-Shah is the founder and CEO of Uma that works to empower women and minorities to re-enter the workforce. The name of her business venture resonates with the idea with which she forayed into entrepreneurship. “Uma is the Hindu Goddess who is an epitome of a daughter, a mother, a sibling and a wife, and represents strength, courage and confidence. She is the Goddess of go-getting,” smiles the award-winning gender, diversity, inclusion and career strategist, who is also a speaker, author and advisor to Fortune 500 companies.

Uma is an international platform that partners with organisations across the globe to attract, retain and develop women and minorities in the workforce by boosting their confidence levels, and building leadership and resilience in them to succeed. Headquartered in New York, with presence in London, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Toronto, Rita’s entrepreneurial venture empowers women to: ‘Be Bold. Be You. Be Uma’.

Rita also hosts the popular South Asian television show, The Uma Show, on Mana TV International, and has written a book The Goddess of Go-Getting: Your Guide to Confidence, Leadership, and Workplace Success, that was launched by the Consulate General of India in New York last year. She has co-authored three books on leadership, has written multiple research papers and is actively involved in volunteerism and advocacy.

[caption id="attachment_38177" align="aligncenter" width="691"] Indian Diaspora | Global Indian | Rita Kakati-Shah Rita Kakati-Shah with her book[/caption]

The empowerment journey

After a decade of experience in finance, Rita’s career saw a transition into the pharmaceutical industry, which led her to move to the US. After working for a few years there, she got married and took close to four years of break to raise her two kids. "Out of all the jobs I had done, by far the most challenging and rewarding was the new journey of motherhood and fulltime parenthood. Without getting a day off as parents we make an impact on our future generation,” she remarks.

"During my motherhood journey I became a pro at certain skills like negotiation and communications, and really learning to listen and have empathy with my toddlers, which I realised were completely translatable into the corporate and paid salaried world," she adds.

It was her journey into motherhood that played a catalyst in helping her identify a new direction in life. Like many mothers when Rita took a career break, returning to work - she discovered - required self-motivation and the skill to market one’s capabilities in such a way that they are perceived as indispensable for the workforce as they are for their families.

This idea gave birth to Uma. “Founding Uma has been an empowering journey to address the issues companies were missing,” tells Rita.

[caption id="attachment_38173" align="aligncenter" width="698"] Indian Diaspora | Rita-Kakati Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah addressing students at the USC Marshall School of Business[/caption]

“Too many smart, talented women or even men who left the workforce to raise children or for any other reason are unable to find jobs that match their credentials and lifestyle commitments when they try to return,” she says, adding, “Not enough is being done to retain, retrain or re-engage this talent pool. Companies that once hired and trained these incredible people now suffer an intense loss of headcount and huge drain of hiring and training resources, too.” This is the gap that UMA addresses.

Rita Kakati-Shah and her team try to change the status quo of people for the better, and work with like-minded employers to create opportunities that match the credentials and lifestyle goals of people planning the second inning of their careers.

Giving back and getting recognition

Apart from her business, advocacy and volunteerism is an integral part of Rita’s life. She is actively involved with her alma mater King’s Leadership, Diversity and Entrepreneurial Institute mentoring programs, and is also a member of the New York and Los Angeles Alumni Committees. She coaches and mentors survivors of domestic violence, schoolgirls and students, and serves as an advisor, ambassador, and diversity and inclusion expert to multiple boards and global organizations like the JCC of Manhattan, ACP Women Veterans’ Founding Circle, New York City Bar Association, Democracy Without Borders India, and the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

At Goldman Sachs in London, Rita was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Citizenship and Diversity Award and since then has received several international recognitions for her contributions.

[caption id="attachment_38196" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Indian Diaspora | Rita Kakati-Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah with her family at King's Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony[/caption]

Involved in advocacy since the time she was a teenager in London, Rita remarks, “My parents brought up my brother and I to always give to others rather than expect to get, and to always remember our roots,” she says, adding, “But I hadn't realised what giving back actually meant till I was in my late teens during a brief encounter with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who congratulated me and other recipients of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for community work.” He had said that it was wonderful that all winners had shown endurance, leadership and community service, but our duties as award recipients had only just begun. ‘And that duty was to serve’.

More than two decades later, those words still resonate with Rita. This year, she won the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through voluntary service by the executive office of the president of the United States, and the AmeriCorps. Last year she received the Mahatma Gandhi Samman medal in London for her advocacy and community work.

The entrepreneur is a regularly invited speaker and guest lecturer at various academic institutions, multinational corporations and global policy forums such as UNESCO in Paris, European Parliament in Brussels and many more spanning Assam, Meghalaya, Delhi, London, Madrid, New York, San Francisco, Sochi, Toronto and Zambia.

She has been featured as an expert on multiple international television and news shows, interviewed and quoted in various podcasts and publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Thrive Global, Dell Technology, CBS News, Fox News, Yahoo Finance and iHeartRadio.

[caption id="attachment_38174" align="aligncenter" width="801"] Indian Diaspora | Rita-Kakati Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah receiving Mahatma Gandhi Samman medal at the Palace of Westminster, House of Parliament in London[/caption]

Love for India

Whether it’s being part of the London Bihu Committee or adorning the traditional Assamese mekhela chador woven affectionately on the handloom in her ancestral home in Sualkuchi, Assam, Rita embraces all with elan. “Growing up in the UK, I was brought up to read and write Assamese with other second-generation Assamese kids. Being an Assamese means a lot to me and I want my kids to pick the heritage, the roots, the culture of Assam. I try to cook the food that my mum taught me as best as I can,” she signs off with a smile.

Follow Rita Kakati-Shah on LinkedIn and Instagram
Follow Uma on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and its website

Reading Time: 5 mins

How Ajay Jain’s Kunzum bookstores are creating community and culture in New Delhi

During a book launch a few months ago, Ajay Jain ran into a senior citizen who loves books but could no longer read due to eyesight issues. His bookstore also had a college student visiting who loved reading but could not afford to buy them. “The two got talking. Before the evening was out, the former purchased a book for her newly-acquainted reader, ensuring that someone would go to sleep reading a book,” Ajay tells Global Indian. The 54-year-old is an author, photographer, traveler, and founder of Kunzum, a chain of boutique bookstores. An engineer and a management student who graduated from Cardiff University, the entrepreneur set up his chain of bookstores in 2022 and currently operates six outlets in New Delhi. At a time when everyone bemoans the lack of physical bookstores, this enterprising reader has actually walked the talk, creating an atmosphere of reading and a space where people can meet, engage, and build relationships. [caption id="attachment_48094" align="aligncenter" width="537"] Ajay Jain with Javed Akhtar[/caption] The wealth of words An avid reader since childhood, Ajay took to writing books in 2007 (he has eleven published works so far), and while his initial focus was on travel, he expanded his

2-913x1024.jpg" alt="" width="537" height="602" /> Ajay Jain with Javed Akhtar[/caption]

The wealth of words

An avid reader since childhood, Ajay took to writing books in 2007 (he has eleven published works so far), and while his initial focus was on travel, he expanded his oeuvre to write on personal development, marketing, and fiction too. And this is how Kunzum was born. He shares, “It was the name of my travel blog (Kunzum is a high altitude pass in the Indian Himalayas) and publishing imprint. I set up the Kunzum Travel Café in 2010 to serve as a gallery for my photography and books. We built a community there around events and coffee.”

It was in the aftermath of the pandemic that Kunzum Travel Café was rebranded as Kunzum Books. When the pandemic forced a shutdown, the entrepreneur took it as an opportunity to reflect and recalibrate the bookstore.

Building a community

Since Ajay has been focused on writing books, he understands their importance to society and adds, “I have been disappointed at the dearth of bookshops in India. Especially the ones that make browsing a pleasing experience. And it also made things difficult for authors—how do they promote their books if distribution is scarce? Online platforms like Amazon have their value, but most authors need to face their customers to be able to make an impression.”

Thus, he took the decision to invest in bookshops, despite the uncertainty of the pandemic still hanging heavy. The entrepreneur realized that retail had to focus on one differentiator: experience. He went about building that with a community of authors, readers, editors, designers, and publishers who can come together for the love of books. And with the help of curated lists, book clubs, events, and activities, he created a cerebral space for bookworms.

Breaking barriers in more ways than one, Kunzum Travel Café followed the ‘pay-what-you-like’ model; the idea was to eliminate any entry and exit barriers to the place and give a sense of ownership to guests.

[caption id="attachment_48095" align="aligncenter" width="719"] Kunzum, Delhi[/caption]

At Kunzum Books, Ajay tweaked the model a bit: coffee and tea, along with their secret brownie cookies, are complimentary, but only if people buy a book. He smiles and says, “We still do not sell the coffee. If you want a cuppa at Kunzum, you have to buy a book. It’s become a talking point and another idea that is shaping the culture called Kunzum.”

Going against the tide

While bookstores are closing in India, one wonders what pushed Ajay to start not one but six stores! “Because someone had to,” he deadpans and answers, “not as charity, but as a venture for profit. So it sustains. A good and useful idea cannot be allowed to fail. But it’s a business with a cause. Bookstores are repositories of our culture, our values, our ideas, our stories, and our literature. They shape the character of who we are as individuals and as a society.”

The road to success is challenging, especially in the business of bookstores. Ajay nods and adds, “People. That is the single biggest challenge for any business, but more so for small and medium enterprises. Since capital is always limited, one cannot burn cash, and finding the right personnel is also not easy.”

One of the biggest problems with physical bookstores is the heavy discounting online players offer. Physical bookstores cannot compete with price cuts on Amazon, the only book e-commerce player of note. The entrepreneur is cognizant of this discrepancy and adds, “Publishers can plug this—they can impress upon Amazon to eliminate discounts and hold back supplies to offending vendors on the site. If they have the will, they can do it. With a level playing field, customers would any day prefer to pick up their books from a physical store.”

Facing all of these challenges is not easy. But Ajay is not one to give up easily. Kunzum bookstores are a haven for those who want a respite from the endless materialism of modern-day life. Their pre-loved book selection, the lovingly curated store, and the passion of the founder make it a cozy and welcoming space.

Ajay recounts a meeting with an elderly woman who visited the store with her daughter and two granddaughters. "Even at 90, she cannot sleep unless there are at least 3–4 books on her bed," Ajay smiles. Experiences like these motivate the founder to put more energy into his belief that bookshops are vital to shaping the culture and character of societies and individuals. He adds, “This belief has driven us to invest in such community spaces and thus do our bit to make ours a better world to live in.”

The next evolution for Kunzum is to be a community of communities. They are seeding chapters of the Kunzum Book Club in schools, corporates, residential neighborhoods, and any other groupings of like-minded people.

[caption id="attachment_48096" align="aligncenter" width="654"] Kabir Bedi at Kunzum[/caption]

Ajay signs off, saying, “We will engage people in book discussions, author interactions, competitions, workshops, and more. As more people come into the fold, we will expand the culture of reading, leading to individual and societal development.”

Follow Ajay and Kunzum on Instagram.

Lila Lakshmanan: The Bombay-bred editor who paved her way to French New Wave cinema

(September 27, 2024) A group of trailblazing French directors exploded onto the film scene in the 1950s seeking to revolutionise cinematic conventions with artistic liberty and creative control. Steering away from the linear tropes of storytelling, these filmmakers were keen to create a new language, and this revolution gave birth to French New Wave Cinema. With pioneers like Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut at the center of the movement, it became a defining moment for world cinema. And amidst this path-breaking current was an Indian editor — Lila Lakshmanan. The India-born and Sorbonne-educated Lakshmanan found herself cutting her way through the French New Wave in the 60s by working with stalwarts like Godard and Truffaut. She was among the first Indian women to find a place in world cinema. From Bombay to film school in Paris It was in 1935 that her story began in Jabalpur where she was born to a French mother and an Indian father, who was the director of All India Radio. Owing to her dad's transferable job, Lila shifted base from Lucknow to Delhi to later Bombay, where she spent the initial years of her life. However, after her parents' separation, a 12-year-old Lila packed

r parents' separation, a 12-year-old Lila packed her bags and left for a boarding school in England. With Indian-French roots, Lila had a hard time adjusting to her new life at the boarding school that was too strict in its discipline. However, in her own words, it was this strictness that forced her to evaluate life from many corners.

Two years later, Lila found herself at a student's ball in Paris where she met a 24-year-old actor who wrote and made films. The meeting sparked a connection, however, things soon fizzled out after an exchange of a handful of letters. But this brush with someone from the world of cinema piqued her interest in films, and she vowed to either marry a filmmaker or become one herself.

[caption id="attachment_7390" align="aligncenter" width="567"] Lila Lakshmanan in a still from Breathless[/caption]

At 17, she enrolled herself in the Sorbonne to study English Literature. But her English way of thinking didn't find a perfect landing in the French world, and she had to unlearn and learn a lot to graduate from the University of Paris.

"But I failed with bad marks (two on 20). My teacher said, 'poor thing she doesn't know how to think'. I was not dismayed. I managed to learn how to think. The French way of thinking is based on logic and construction and the thought must be synthesised. The English prefer you to know your subject well and then allow you to present your thoughts in your own rendition coherently," the Global Indian told a daily.

Lakshmanan still had the desire of being a part of cinema, and this dream led her to a French film school IDHEC (Institut des hautes etudes cinematographiques) where she studied editing as opposed to filmmaking because she didn't consider herself creative enough. It was here that she met Jean Vautrin, a French writer and filmmaker. The two got married in 1953 and after the birth of their first child in 1955, the couple moved to Bombay.

While Vautrin found a job as a French Literature professor at the Wilson College, Lila taught French at the Alliance Francaise. It was around the same time that Vautrin assisted Italian director Roberto Rossellini on his documentary on India titled Inde, Terre Mere.

The beginning of French New Wave

While Rossellini was working his magic with Italian neo-realist cinema, in France, French New Wave cinema had started to spread its wings. Steering away from the traditional studio-bound filmmaking style, the avant-garde French filmmakers were exploring new narratives and visual styles. They often used handheld cameras, natural lighting, improvised dialogue, and non-linear storytelling to create a sense of immediacy and realism. Rejecting the polished, studio-bound films of the time, the French New Wave favored on-location shooting, low budgets, and unconventional editing, such as jump cuts. This movement celebrated the director as the "auteur," or creative force, and explored themes of existentialism, love, and rebellion. And this new art movement found Godard and Truffaut at the center of its rising.

Lila Lakshmanan ended up working with two of the biggest French filmmakers of all time as an editor. It all began when she moved to France by the end of the 50s with her husband. And one balmy afternoon while walking down the Champs Elysees, she met Godard. "My husband asked him if he could employ me as an intern and Godard agreed, that's how it started and I became his assistant editor. I first film I worked with him was Breathless. It was a weird experience because he didn't know what he was doing. He sort of imposed me onto editor Cecile Decugis, who was in the Algerian Resistance," she added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAuqDI4EAl4

Learning the ropes from Godard

Working with a legend like Godard wasn't an easy experience for Lila Lakshmanan. For someone who was keen to revolutionise cinema, he came across as a complex person. "Godard was a sadist really, and he liked to see how far he could go with somebody and that didn't show immediately. He would test and see if you yielded," said Lila.

But she found her footing in the world of Godard and the new wave cinema as she went on to edit A Woman Is A Woman. The 1961 film was a musical comedy starring Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo that went on to win big at the 11th Berlin International Film Festival.

The next film that came on Lila's table to edit was Virve Sa Vie. Deeply influenced by Bertolt Brecht's theory of epic theatre, Godard borrowed a new aesthetic for the film. The jump cuts that disrupted the flow of editing made Virve Sa Vie a masterpiece in itself. The film turned out to be the fourth most popular film at the French box office in 1962 and also won the Grand Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival.

[caption id="attachment_7391" align="aligncenter" width="535"] Anna Karina in a still from Jean-Luc Godard's Virve Sa Vie[/caption]

Lila Lakshmanan was working with a taskmaster like Godard, but every time she surprised him with the efficacy of her work. "Godard never took anyone's advice; he had always made up his mind. We used to scratch the films and stick them together. If you missed a frame, it was considered bad luck. Godard used to stand over the editor to see if she did not make a mistake. I wasn't intimidated by him because he tested me and he knew I could step over his toes," added Lakshmanan.

In 1963, she worked with Godard on two films - Les Carabiniers and Contempt. While the former enjoyed a good reception at box office, it was the latter that has been a point of influence in cinema till now. Touted to be the greatest work of art produced in postwar Europe, Contempt is ranked 60th on the BBC's list of 100 greatest foreign-language films.

Lila's skill of editing was also explored by another maverick director of the French Wave cinema, Francois Truffaut. The editor collaborated with Truffaut on his 1962 romantic drama Jules and Jim. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film is a tragic love triangle that has made it to Empire magazine's The 100 Best Films of World Cinema.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEtiba8_gsk

"Truffaut was independent-minded like Godard. He often put his mind to work and was more organised than Godard. He had a clear plan; he wrote his own scripts. There were men that would control directorship, editing and scripting of the film," she added.

It was during this time that Lila Lakshmanan separated from Jean Vautrin, and married Atilla Biro, a Hungarian architect-turned-surrealist painter. After working with the French filmmakers for a few years, Lila bid adieu to her career as an editor and focused on her married life.

Though Lila's stint was short-lived, she was among the first Indian women to cut her way through French Wave Cinema in the 60s. Working with stalwarts like Godard and Truffaut is an achievement in itself, and she stood like a pro editing film after film and contributing to these masterpieces of work. At a time when not many women thought of crossing over to other continent for work, Lila was brushing shoulders with the bigwigs of French Wave Cinema, making her presence count in the sphere of world cinema.

The serial entrepreneur from Varanasi: Neena Pandey is painting her canvas with transformative strokes

(September 12, 2023) Neena Pandey’s infatuation with colours, designs, textures, and silhouettes goes back a long way. Growing up in the enchanting city of Varanasi, she experienced firsthand, how skilled weavers and artisans weaved magic on silks with their age-old techniques. She aspired to become an entrepreneur but her highly successful stints in the Silicon Valley wouldn’t let her go. Until one day, when she changed the trajectory of her life and gave up the corporate world to launch her own fashion brand. “My creations are a tribute to the intricate artistry that defines Indian fashion, combined with the contemporary sensibilities I have embraced abroad,” smiles serial entrepreneur Neena Pandey, speaking to Global Indian. A member of the Forbes Business Council, the US-based Neena Pandey is the founder and CEO of The String Code, a luxury fashion brand. She also founded IndieRoots, a lifestyle brand of products, and is the President of Club Z Tutoring, the fastest-growing franchise in the US. The list of top companies she has worked with in Silicon Valley is really long. “I am all about this cool concept called a portfolio career. It's this approach where you don't put all your eggs in one professional basket. You

l about this cool concept called a portfolio career. It's this approach where you don't put all your eggs in one professional basket. You diversify, dabble in different ventures, and keep that professional life vibrant and the entrepreneur says.

[caption id="attachment_44809" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian Entrepreneur Neena Pandey[/caption]

Clothes have this incredible ability to work wonders for women, she feels. “They can boost confidence, make a lady feel beautiful, spread genuine happiness, and help her truly appreciate herself,” points out Neena, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband Sachin, an engineer, and their two children, Aditya and Anya. “I have lost count of instances where I noticed that when I am dressed to impress, I walk into meetings with my head held high and crush my presentations,” says Neena. The entrepreneur describes her fashion brand as a canvas where the colors of her Indian upbringing merge with the strokes of contemporary international influences.

A Varanasi girl

Growing up in a middle-class Indian family in Varanasi, Neena and her two elder sisters were consistently reminded by their parents that being unable to support themselves was not an option. “I grew up with limited resources, and always thought that I would ultimately find myself working for someone else as an adult – a path that I did follow,” recalls Neena, who in her younger days, took on the role of the family's designer, creating clothing for everyone at home.

[caption id="attachment_44817" align="aligncenter" width="683"] Neena Pandey | Global Indian IndieRoots artisans at work[/caption]

She did her schooling at St John's School, Varanasi, and an undergraduate degree in Chemistry with Honours from the Banaras Hindu University. During her academic years, Neena aimed to become a doctor due to the limited options typically presented in Indian households at that time – either medical or engineering. “However, I couldn't clear the pre-medical test, which turned out to be a fortunate turn of events in retrospect. I swiftly redirected my focus towards something I was passionate about – fashion and apparel,” informs the entrepreneur, whose professional journey began with India’s largest retail chain, Weekender.

Moving to the Silicon Valley

Before she kicked off her brands, Neena was crushing it as a fierce and outspoken marketing executive in Silicon Valley. While doing an MBA programme with a marketing major at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business, she got an internship at Adobe Systems during her first summer break in 2007.

Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey

“Adobe asked me to stick around part-time while I finished my programme. I took it up,” informs Neena, who later got an offer from Sun Microsystems, a big player back then and the brain behind Java. They offered her the chance to be the first product marketing manager for Open Solaris, their open-source operating system. Neena had a blast wearing her creative marketing hat– instituting innovative GTM plans to target students and the developer community worldwide. “We ended up exceeding targets by 106%, a full year sooner than projected,” says the former corporate honcho. Later, when Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems, she moved there and worked for two years. She was the ambassador for their cohesive hardware-software messaging. “I also proposed a product idea that became a star product offering later.”

From there, Zyme Solutions came knocking and the entrepreneur was leading the marketing squad for something groundbreaking — channel data management, which was all about giving retailers the tech tools to conquer the retail scene. “We ended up launching the product internationally, making a difference in the lives of retailers, says Neena, who earlier did her Masters in Garment manufacturing technology from NIFT, Delhi.

A leader at heart

She had her fair share of victories at the Silicon Valley but deep down, she had this constant itch to venture into entrepreneurship. Eventually, Neena recognised that entrepreneurship was her calling. “I am the first person in my family to go on an entrepreneurship route. Obviously, my family members were scared when I left my promising career in corporate,” the entrepreneur says. Despite the uncertainty, she ventured into this new journey, acknowledging that success wouldn't be immediate.

[caption id="attachment_44810" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey Entrepreneur Neena Pandey[/caption]

With technology revolutionising fashion retail by reshaping e-commerce and marketing becoming hyper-personalised through data-driven insights and augmented reality, Neena says her tech wins combined with her deep dive into the fashion-retail world have her primed to shape a future all about connections and doing right by the planet.

Neena is also a featured author and contributor for Forbes. “Forbes values my opinion in various polls and publications. Being a part of this, I also get to tap into the vast knowledge pool of accomplished business leaders from all corners of the globe,” the entrepreneur says. As a proud member of the Council, Neena is unlocking a bunch of exclusive opportunities that are tailored to elevate her professional influence to new heights. “I'm connecting and collaborating with other esteemed local leaders in our own private space and at members-only events.”

[caption id="attachment_44821" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian Neena during the photoshoot for The String Code[/caption]

In the midst of this whirlwind, she carves out time for her own well-being. “I hit the gym at 5 in the morning or squeeze in a late-night swim at 10 p.m. Her workout routine covers a wide spectrum – from weightlifting and intense body combat sessions (a fusion of martial arts and kickboxing) to Pilates, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and swimming. “I have incorporated meditation into my daily routine.”

The String Code

The String Code is not just a brand – it's a movement rooted in women's empowerment and manifestation of inspiring ideas and concepts, says Neena. “Our designs cater to diverse sizes and silhouettes, making sure every body type feels confident and comfortable in String Code outfits,” informs the serial entrepreneur, who is the start-up mentor at The Centre for Global Enterprise, New York.

[caption id="attachment_44819" align="aligncenter" width="669"] Entrepreneur | Neena Pandey | Global Indian A collection from The String Code[/caption]

Launched in July 2021, The String Code is her way of connecting with women across the spectrum. “I have woven my enduring confidence and passion into every string, every thread, and every distinct look meticulously designed for String Code,” says the entrepreneur, whose clothing brand adheres to the United Nations development goals. “The clothing is made in small batches using natural fibers, upcycled fabric, and environmentally conscious business practices when possible.”

Each piece she designs meticulously balances traditional elegance with modern sophistication. “My fashion brand is a canvas where the colors of my Indian upbringing merge with the strokes of contemporary international influences. I offer a collection that resonates with individuals regardless of their cultural background.”

IndieRoots

Collaborating with 60 artisan collectives across India and Southeast Asia, Indieroots is a lifestyle brand offering a range of products. “Its essence lies in bridging the gap between artisans and the global community by establishing a sustainable international market for talented creators. It fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship.”

[caption id="attachment_44816" align="aligncenter" width="701"] Neena Pandey | Global Indian Neena with some of the artisans of IndieRoots[/caption]

Describing IndieRoots - which was established in 2018 - as a profound calling that resonates with her passion for handicraft and home decor, Neena says every piece that finds its way into the homes of her customers narrates a story of artisan traditions kept alive by craftsmen from various corners of the world. She partners with over 60 artisan groups across India. “We've expanded our horizons to include collaboration with other Southeast Asian countries as well,” informs the entrepreneur, who is the executive member of the International LEAP network.

A book worm

Books are Neena’s getaway. The eclectic reader dives into Historical fiction, fiction, and mystery. “Lately, though, I have been drawn to non-fiction. There's something about inspirational, self-help, and spiritual books that just resonates with me,” says the entrepreneur. When it comes to music, she says it's woven into her family's fabric. “My children are passionate singers. Karaoke evenings and backyard jam sessions are pretty much standard fare at our house.”

TV shows? “I've had those nights where I've binged-watch till the wee hours, even when there's a business meeting waiting for me in the morning!” says the entrepreneur, whose favourites span a range of genres, from gripping thrillers and suspenseful espionage tales to comedy. And, when it's time to unwind, Neena finds solace in a good glass of wine.

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Reading Time: 6 mins

Ayo Shanti: The native American in love with the Ganges and the indigenous Indians

(Jun 7, 2023)“I don’t usually talk about this but I think I can talk more freely about it with Indians – I am sure I had many lifetimes in India,” smiles Ayo Oum Shanti,” as she connects with Global Indian from New York City. The founder of the nonprofit World Water Hub (WWH), Ayo was born Roberta Weiri and changed her name later, to be in tune with her spiritual side. WWH began with Ayo’s passion project, The River Project–Ma Ganga (RPMG), which is a convergence of her experiences and fascination with the Ganges, her partner's love for his native country, and her acumen to bring people together to find solutions. “I was raised to be a citizen of the world,” says the eighty-year-old, who is working to build meaningful communications around water and raise funds for the Ma Ganga project in India. Her nonprofit was created to give local communities from around the world a voice, and the chance to participate and collaborate in developing viable solutions to problems involving rivers and other water related issues. [caption id="attachment_39678" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Ayo Oum Shanti[/caption] “We have just officially become part of the Pennsylvania based HSI (Humanitarian Social Innovations) fiscal

“I was raised to be a citizen of the world,” says the eighty-year-old, who is working to build meaningful communications around water and raise funds for the Ma Ganga project in India. Her nonprofit was created to give local communities from around the world a voice, and the chance to participate and collaborate in developing viable solutions to problems involving rivers and other water related issues.

[caption id="attachment_39678" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Ayo Oum Shanti | Philanthropist | Global Indian Ayo Oum Shanti[/caption]

“We have just officially become part of the Pennsylvania based HSI (Humanitarian Social Innovations) fiscal sponsorship, and are addressing ourselves as HSI-WWF,” she says.

Passion to make a difference

Before her retirement, Ayo worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – one of the top cancer hospitals in the world. It was a setting where shared information and collaboration were at the heart of research to find cures. As a coordinator, Ayo helmed various collaborative and outreach efforts like conferences, seminars, symposiums and PRSS.

Using this experience, Ayo aimed to create a similar model with HSI-WWH, to solve global water-related problems like floods, drought, pollution and sewage. “I truly believe that there is a solution to all these problems. Education is important. We need to just open our minds to change the situation. Once humanity has the will to make changes, it will happen. Lots can be done with the change of mindsets,” she remarks.

HSI-WWF works as an open access educational resource. “In essence we are creating a global hub around river restoration and water management for education, sharing information and solutions, and for creating a platform for collaborations,” she says.

How did it start…

During her visits to India, Ayo would spend many afternoons at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi. “I love rivers in general but there was something really magical about the Ganges,” she says. This was when the seed of starting a non-profit around water and river restoration germinated in her mind.

[caption id="attachment_39681" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Ayo Oum Shanti | Philanthropist | Global Indian One of the ghats of the Ganges in Varanasi[/caption]

“There can be thousands of river restoration projects in the world and there could in hundreds in India alone, but there are hardly any platforms to bring all of them together,” says Ayo. “We are creating a space where people (those involved in river restoration and water management) can collaborate and share their experiences of what’s working for them and how others can benefit from those strategies.

The significance of indigenous communities

In addition to her NGO, Ayo has plans to establish a think-tank which would focus on the Ganges and other significant water bodies, supporting geo-hydrologic eco-systems worldwide.

In her last visit to India, she spent a lot of time with the rural communities of Rajasthan. I felt an instant connection with them. “I am grateful to the Gravis (Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti) for connecting me to their communities at Gagadi and Bap. I am thankful for the organisation’s generosity to teach me their amazing water management systems and to the community support on so many levels,” she says.

With first-hand experience interacting with indigenous people in Rajasthan Ayo has learned a lot. She strongly believes that they have the knowledge that we need. “I would like to group these indigenous knowledge-keepers with scientists in the envisioned think tank to come up with sustainable solutions” she says. “We should not be arrogant about our knowledge because indigenous communities have more knowledge than us. Their language is not that much of a barrier - if you want to communicate, you will be able to communicate with them.”

[caption id="attachment_39682" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Ayo with a person from rural Rajasthan, India[/caption]

World Water Quilt

To spread awareness on pressing issues, Ayo and her team have big plans for World Water Day 2024. The team is inviting, artists, photographers and poets to share their creations with them. All their creations will then be collated on fabric, in the form of a quilt and presented to the UN on World Water Day 2024 which falls on March 22. “We are hoping participation of creative minds from all over the world. Later, a book featuring the contributors of the project is also being planned,” she informs.

How Roberta Weiri became Ayo Oum Shanti

Like some Americans, Ayo follows the shamanic tradition. It revolves around the principle of being devoted to the knowledge and care of other souls and, on nurturing the ecstasy of one’s own soul.

“20 years ago, when I got divorced, my entire life changed except my name.’ Fellow followers of Shamanism said - “In our tradition when you are starting a new phase of life, you give yourself a new name that’s in harmony with what your intention is for the new phase of life. Why don’t you do the same."

Ayo liked the idea and chose a name which is in tune with her utmost intentions. – “Ayo is an African name that means ‘joy.’ I look at my middle name ‘Oum’ as the music of the spheres and ‘Shanti’ is peace – so these are my intentions,” she says. “Spirituality is my top priority,” she smiles.

Connection with India

The spiritual soul nurtures a deep bond with India in her heart. “I grew up in what is called the Unitarian church. Under its umbrella, in Sunday school you spend the first three years learning about other religions before you learn about your own,” she mentions.

“So, the church used to bring people from other religions to talk about their beliefs,” Ayo says narrating a childhood incident. “I still remember, when I was six, an Indian woman came to give a lecture in a gorgeous red sari. I was extremely shy to speak but very clearly, I remember thinking, I come from where she comes from, although I had no idea where she came from,’ she smiles. That was the first time that Ayo had met an Indian but she felt as if she belonged to her culture.

[caption id="attachment_39683" align="aligncenter" width="378"] Ayo in Rajasthani attire[/caption]

By the time she turned a teenager she had made lots of Indian friends, and all her friends would wonder, “Why are you so comfortable with Indians?” Perhaps as Ayo believes, she has lived many past lives as an Indian. Later, when it was time to choose a partner, she chose an Indian.

Impact of early years

Growing up Ayo was profoundly influenced by her father, a first generation American, an artist, a machinist engineer, and a Spanish Civil War and WWII veteran. “He had a big heart and a deep respect for life, nature, and all humans. It was through him that I learned what it means to have unconditional love,” she shares. Her mother has had an equally powerful influence on her life.
 
“My mother was referred to as a ‘crusader for lost causes’ as she was always searching for common ground in all that she did. She was involved in UN-NGOs and was an organizer for the Gray Panthers - a series of multi-generational local advocacy networks in the United States which confronts many social justice issues,” she tells.

Her parents’ influences are evident in Ayo’s passion for putting community first. “We (WWF) are functioning out my retirement fund,” tells the change maker for whom ‘future of humanity’ matters more than her own ‘future’.

Impressive zeal at eighty

After the birth of her first child, education had taken a backseat for Ayo. “I returned to my college (Hunter College, NYC) after 45 years to get my bachelor's degree," she says excitedly. Ten years later in 2019, she did her master's in EDM (Emergency and Disaster Management).

[caption id="attachment_39684" align="aligncenter" width="488"] Ayo in Kochi[/caption]

 
A published poet and writer, a dancer, choreographer, world traveller, and astrologer, Ayo has held managerial positions in many industries. “If you look at my resume you would say, whoa! What exactly was she trying to do,” she laughs. “All that I have done gives me a broader perspective of different domains of the society,” she signs off.

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Reading Time: 5 mins