Global Indianstory‘Belting’ out sustainability: How social entrepreneur Gautam Malik’s eco-friendly bags are the rage

‘Belting’ out sustainability: How social entrepreneur Gautam Malik’s eco-friendly bags are the rage

Written by: Global Indian

(February 14, 2022) The visual language of accessories on the buzzing streets of New York in the 2000s left a lasting impression on Gautam Malik. Seeing them as an extension of one’s personal style, he understood the huge market for it. Cut to 2015, the 44-year-old took a leaf out of that book, and turned into a social entrepreneur to start Jaggery Bags, with a twist. Helping the environment breathe, the social entrepreneur decided to turn old car seat belts into eco-friendly bags. “People were recycling plastic waste, but when I stumbled upon old and discarded car seat belts, I realised the potential because of their sturdiness,” Gautam shares with Global Indian in an exclusive. His startup has today recycled 9,546 metres of car seat belts, and 5,986 meters of cargo belts from landfills in Delhi/NCR.

The passion project has now taken on a global entity with customers in India, US, Australia, Japan, Italy, France and Switzerland. “When we started, sustainability wasn’t the buzzword but soon the idea started resonating with the environment-friendly. We are creating products that help change the perception of waste,” adds the TedTalk speaker. The Gurugram-based startup is a change-maker, and has already been accepted to the World Economic Forum’s Catalyst 2030 for being a prominent part of the modern-day online community of impact makers.

Gautam Malik with his eco-friendly bags

Dreaming big for the planet

Born in 1977 to professor parents, Gautam was drawn to the idea of the American dream as a young lad. However, before the fructification of his dream, he found his calling in architecture and enrolled at the University of Pune (architecture and planning) to learn the tricks of the trade. But things took a turn when the social entrepreneur stumbled upon sustainable living during a short internship at Auroville. “I attribute much of what I am doing now to that experience. For the first time, I came across a new system of existence,” recalls Gautam. Calling it a “eureka” moment, he was fascinated by the concept of co-creating a common green philosophy that was sustainable.

Thinking sustainability

His first tryst with sustainability left him contemplating, but he dropped the idea after realising it wasn’t the modus operandi for Indians in the 90s. Instead, he turned his energy to his American dream. He enrolled at Memphis College of Art (communication design). He then discovered a passion for film and video, and in 2005, he joined University at Buffalo in media studies. “Those years were very liberating and enterprising. However, I often found myself asking, ‘What’s my purpose in life?’ I wasn’t satisfied with where I was,” adds the social entrepreneur.

Products by Jaggery Bags

While a sense of purpose kept gnawing at him, he worked as an interface designer, and creative director in New York for several years before returning to India in 2010. “The American dream was old and passe, and NRIs were returning to India,” explains the social entrepreneur who started Suitcase 27, and later joined Jabong where he stumbled upon sustainability reports which helped him identify the huge gap in the market. “I started researching millennials’ buying habits and the green audience. It took me back to my NYC days where accessories were an extension of a personal style. A Swiss brand, Freitag, caught my eye,” recalls the social entrepreneur whose interest in upcycling grew after seeing Freitag reuse tarpaulin waste for bags.

“The strong need for a company that worked on the same ethos but in an Indian context,” was what he set out to do. Jaggery Bags was born in 2015 after quitting Jabong. “My family was shocked with my decision. It took me three to six months to convince them,” says Gautam, who co-founded the company with his wife Bhawna Dandona, whom he met in Pune during college. They married in 2004. His mother Usha Malik is a former professor at Delhi University.

Gautam Malik with his wife Bhawna Dandona

Researching the dream

The social entrepreneur’s recce across Delhi led him to Mayapuri where he found old sturdy seat belts. “If a car seat belt can hold the weight of a person, it is a strong raw material for a bag. Also, it wasn’t a material explored before,” says Gautam. The first batch of Jaggery Bags was circulated among friends and family. Garnering interest, and a market for eco-friendly bags, Gautam pushed the pedal on production.

The early days were “tough,” and it took them two to three years to find a footing in India. “It was after my TedTalk in 2019 that the floodgates opened, and we garnered international interest,” says Gautam, who also added cargo belts in 2018. Currently, Jaggery Bags works with canvas tents, parachutes, automobile seat belts, and inflatable castles. They make pouches, laptop bags, satchel bags and bagpacks which are priced between Rs 1500 and Rs 8000. “Raw materials are sorted, washed, and sun-dried before turning them into products,” adds Gautam.

Sourcing car belts from Mayapuri

On its quirky name, he adds, “Like jaggery is a healthy substitute for sugar, we want to provide a healthy substitute for bags. A brand that’s synonymous with organic, healthy, and environment friendly.” The sustainable startup has now spread its wings in Italy, Japan, Switzerland and France with exporting. “We soon realised that the startup had the masala for a global entity, and the grit to create jobs for the marginalised,” says the social entrepreneur.

Gautam Malik at Sankalp Forum

The future is sustainable, thanks to Malik’s idea. “We are scaling up with a focus on marketing and social media as a business. As a social entrepreneur, I want to collaborate with like-minded people,” adds Gautam, a film and music aficionado. When not thinking ecologically, his two daughters are his go-to – reading Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls or just absorbing their positivity. “I want them grow up with a sense of freedom and stand up for themselves,” Gautam concludes.

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Published on 14, Feb 2022

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US-based Chef Aarthi Sampath is smashing the glass ceiling in the culinary world

(June 21, 2022) Until a few years ago, Indian chefs were belting out stunning plates of modern Indian food in some of the most popular restaurants in the West, but for US-based chef Aarthi Sampath that term "means nothing" as she says the focus has now shifted to regional cuisines. "You can now find vada pav on the menus in the US. I'm happy that Indian food is finally having its moment in America." Though it took years to change the narrative of Indian food in the West, the shift is attracting more food lovers to authentic Indian food. Being a Tamilian raised in Mumbai, Aarthi grew up in a family that would eagerly wait to devour food at the dinner table each day. That's how she fell in love with food, and decades later, that passion translated into work at Michelin star restaurants like Junoon and Breslin Bar in the US, made her the first Indian to win the American reality show Chopped and got her a nomination as the Culinary Icon of India in the US. But it wasn't always rainbows and sunshine. From facing racism in the kitchen in the US to finding her feet in a

e US to finding her feet in a male-dominated industry, Aarthi fought hard to find her ground. And now this Indian chef is dominating the food scene in the West with her culinary prowess. "It wasn't an easy journey but quite a learning curve for me. The perseverance and love for food helped me push through every hurdle to make a name for myself," Aarthi tells Global Indian in a video call from New York.

[caption id="attachment_25969" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Chef | Aarthi Sampath | Global Indian Chef Aarthi Sampath cooking up a storm in the kitchen[/caption]

A childhood passion translates into a profession

The Chennai-born was in love with theatre as a kid, and acting was what she wanted to pursue as a career. But her family burst the bubble by telling her that "television is for the fair-skinned and it's a life of struggle." This was enough to dissuade the young talent from following a childhood dream but little did she know that life had something exciting in store for the girl who always loved food. Like every Indian household, her family, too, would happily devour food at the dinner table each day. Though her love for food was palpable, things started building up only after she saw her first cake rise in the oven.

"At age of 13, I was left mesmerised seeing how four different ingredients could end up making a delectable cake," says the chef for whom the ball was set rolling after watching Chef Ananda Solomon cook up a storm on television. "That's when I first thought that I also want to cook on TV," adds Aarthi who decided to enroll in the Institute of Hotel Management in Jaipur. "My parents were not thrilled with my decision," laughs the chef who describes her first tryst with professional cooking at The Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur as an intern as "shocking and hard".

"It was difficult adjusting to the long hours at work. The very first day I worked for over 12 hours, and I instantly started regretting my decision," laughs Aarthi who decided to power through it after finding the right inspiration in chef Mir Zafar Ali. "He is so versatile. Seeing him flip pizzas and make Italian and Indian food with such finesses, I knew I wanted to be like him," adds Aarthi about her mentor.

The world is her oyster

Gaining some experience, she moved to the Taj Hotels in 2007 and worked with them for four and a half years before applying for a culinary program at Johnson & Wales University in the US. "Back then, TV was becoming a big thing with chefs like Gordon Ramsay taking over. I understood that New York was the epitome of the culinary world. I wanted to see what that world had to offer," says Aarthi who was keen to smash the glass ceiling. "Most of my colleagues were quitting their jobs and I was scared that I'd be next. I wanted to explore the western style of working, and it led me to the US."

[caption id="attachment_25970" align="aligncenter" width="547"] Chef | Aarthi Sampath | Global Indian Chef Aarthi Sampath with Chef Vikas Khanna[/caption]

The course led her to chef Vikas Khanna’s Michelin-starred restaurant Junoon in New York, where she worked her way up to become the executive chef before moving to the Orlando branch in Florida. However, moving to the US was "an eye-opening experience" for the 36-year-old who found a stark contrast in the workings of the two nations. "We understand and build flavours in India but here it's more technique-driven. They believe in efficiency and speed. It changed my perspective on how to cook," says Aarthi who was comparing everything in the beginning. "In India, I was working more with Asian food but after coming to the US, I learnt more about Indian food," says the chef who is thankful to Junoon for giving her such expansive exposure.

Keeping her head high amid hurdles

This discovery led her to another Michelin star restaurant Breslin Bar in New York by Chef April Bloomfield. But making a mark in an otherwise male-dominated industry wasn't an easy feat. If she had to "fight through male chauvinism in India", she became the victim of racism in America. "There have been times when I was asked 'why are you even cooking in the kitchen'. But I was unfazed because in my mind I would say 'one day you will tell people that you worked with me’," says Aarthi.

The years of training in India and the US gave this chef the confidence to participate in the American cooking reality show Chopped in 2016, which she became the first Indian to win. Years ago, she had pinned it on her vision board, and seeing it come true was surreal.

[caption id="attachment_25971" align="aligncenter" width="793"] Chef | Aarthi Sampath | Global Indian Chef Aarthi Sampath in Tournament of Champions[/caption]

Giving Indian food an identity

From preparing a lavish dinner for the Billionaire's Club Dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in NYC to starting her food truck to being a restaurant consultant, a lot has happened in the last six years. She was recently nominated as a Culinary Icon of India in the US, however, a modest Aarthi believes that "there are many other talented people in the industry who deserve to be on the list,” calling herself plain lucky.

The renowned chef, who returned to her roots in 2021 as a judge on MasterChef Tamil, is busy conceptualising her new restaurant that "will come alive by the beginning of the next year."

[caption id="attachment_25974" align="aligncenter" width="418"] Chef | Aarthi Sampath | Global Indian Chef Aarthi Sampath is the Culinary Icon of India in US.[/caption]

Working with biggies like Breslin Bar, Rainbow Room, Chinese Tuxedo, and Baazi NYC, Chef Aarthi has seen the narrative of Indian food changing in the US in the last decade. "For the longest time, terms like ‘modern Indian food’ were catching on in the US. But now it doesn't make sense as now people are moving to regional cuisines. The Indian chefs in the US are doing a little bit of tinkering like using less oil or adapting to the modern lifestyles, but they are proud of showcasing their food in an authentic way. A lot of chefs are using different techniques they learnt from other places and using them to create old flavours," says Aarthi who is happy that Indian food is having its moment in America.

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Reading Time: 6 min

Take a bow: Victory loves preparation, says ace Indian archer Abhishek Verma

(May 18, 2023) From a humble classroom in New Delhi to the prestigious podiums of international archery, Abhishek Verma's journey is an inspiring saga of relentless dedication and stellar achievements. A towering figure in Indian compound archery, the Arjuna awardee’s legacy includes over 150 national and international medals, including multiple World Cup golds. Get a glimpse into the determined, driven life of the ace Indian archer, who ranks 10th in the world and 1 in Asia and India. Abhishek Verma's day begins at the crack of dawn. Even after two decades of being a professional archer, Abhishek lives by one rule: Victory loves preparation. "Practice is the key in any tournament, I practice eight to ten hours every day without fail," the ace archer says, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. "I do some physical activity between 6 am and 7 am and then have a practice session till 11 am," he explains. At 3 pm, he begins his second session - that continues till 7 pm, after which he usually heads to the gym.These intense practice sessions have always been a way of life. "I followed the same routine in my early days and stick to it even now, even

essions have always been a way of life. "I followed the same routine in my early days and stick to it even now, even after becoming the father of two children," smiles the compound archer.

[caption id="attachment_38810" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Indian archer Abhishek Verma[/caption]

Victory loves preparation

That dedication has always stood him in good stead. At the 2014 Asian Games held in South Korea, just as Abhishek was all set to aim and shoot, strong winds began to play a spoilsport. He stayed calm maintained his focus and leaned into his training, recalling everything that he had learned about encountering harsh weather conditions. Abhishek brought home the gold in the men’s compound archery team and silver in the men’s individual compound event.

“All professional archers encounter strong winds and rainfall during tournaments. Don’t bother about winning a medal, just go out there and perform well. The medals will follow,”Abhishek smiles. Also in 2014, Later that year, he won the Arjuna Award, becoming the first archer in the compound category to receive the top sporting honour. "Arjuna is a dream for any sportsman. It was a huge moment in my career," he says.

At the time of this interview, the World Cup gold medallist had just returned from Tashkent, where he led a 16-member contingent of archers for the Asia Cup 2023. The team returned home in triumph, with a total of 14 medals in the compound and recurve events. His current world ranking is No. 10 while his Asia rank and India rank stand at No 1. “Archery demands focus and consistency, which comes with a lot of dedication.

Transformed by his game

Archery, Abhishek believes, changes one’s personality for the better. “It makes you calm and focussed,” he says. For him, he is his own competition. “I don’t see other people as my competitors. I am my own competitor,” remarks Abhishek, who is also an Income Tax officer in Delhi. Hundreds come to play a tournament but only three win medals,” says the archer, who is presently training for the Asian Games to be held in China in October this year.

In August 2015, he won a gold medal in the compound men's individual section at the Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Wroclaw, Poland. In October the same year, he won the silver medal in the compound men's individual section at the Archery World Cup Final in Mexico City.

Last year, Abhishek teamed with fellow archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam and won gold medal in compound mixed team event in Archery World Cup held at Paris, France. Similarly, in November 2021, he won the bronze medal in the men's compound archery team at the 22nd Asian Archery Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Early life

Born in New Delhi in June 1989, Abhishek was in class eight, a student of Government School in Model Town, when he decided to take up some sporting activity. So, one morning, he walked up to his PT teacher and sought his advice on which sport he should take up. “Join archery,” his teacher casually told Abhishek.

Some days later, when he held a simple wooden bow and shot an arrow for the first time in his life, Abhishek felt an instant connection with the sport. So much so that he gave his 100 per cent to archery and it gave him everything one can aspire for in life.

In those initial years, Abhishek would practice at the Delhi university ground, from where he started playing sub-juniors and nationals. By 2005, he became a national champion. “I was an average student academically, so my parents were happy that I was doing so well in archery,” he recalls.

Going pro and paying it forward

By 2006, he started practicing at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadium and went on to play several national tournaments. “My real journey started from the year 2011 as I began participating in world championships. I worked very hard for the compound model, which was new in India. I took the help of some of my coaches and the internet to get it right. I pushed myself harder,” says Abhishek, who represented India in five Asian championships held across the globe and won 12 medals.

Presently, he practices at National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Sonepat or at Yamuna Sports Complex, Delhi. Archery is an expensive and technical game, he says. “To participate in the international events, we need imported bows which cost 3 lakh upwards, which not everyone can afford,” he says, adding that the government, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in particular, is doing its bit to help out the talented sportspersons.

Abhishek also plans to do his bit for archery. “I want to open an academy and train young players to become successful archers. I have the capability and knowledge about the sport which I want to pass on to my juniors and help them in every possible way,” says Abhishek, who has travelled the world for his tournaments.

Leisure time

Ten hours of archery practice daily and taking care of his family don’t leave Abhishek with much time to pursue a hobby. “Whatever time I get after or in between my practice, I make it a point to spend it with family. This leaves me no time for anything else,” says the ace Indian archer.

He however likes to watch OTT and indulges in it in between long flights. “There is so much of travelling to do for world tournaments and that gives me some time for myself,” he smiles.

Follow Abhishek Verma on Instagram.

SKOG: Eco luxury beauty entrepreneur Gautami Dahiya’s skincare brand is inspired by the forests of Sweden

(September 3, 2024) Landing in Stockholm for the first time, entrepreneur Gautami Dahiya felt inexplicably at home. She found herself captivated by the Swedish way of life, its festivals and how in tune with nature they were. She founded the eco-luxury beauty brand SKÖG, which means “forest” in Swedish, a vegan luxury skincare brand inspired by their way of life. This resonated with her own philosophy. Today, the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur uses exotic ingredients like birch sap, cloudberry, bjork, elderflower and petitgrain for its organic products. Available as a niche beauty product across India and other countries, with a focus on Singapore and Hong Kong, plans are afoot to open retail stores as well. [caption id="attachment_20737" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Gautami Dahiya[/caption] Growing up with sensitive skin, Gautami learned from her mother to stay away from commercial products. Instead, she became accustomed to natural ingredients - honey, yogurt and almond flour. “After I went abroad, my skincare routine involved going to grocery stores and picking up different ingredients,” she says. “Even if I could find nothing, I would buy an avocado, mash it up and put it in my hair,” the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur told Global Indian. Catwalks in the Eiffel tower

en if I could find nothing, I would buy an avocado, mash it up and put it in my hair,” the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur told Global Indian.

Catwalks in the Eiffel tower to high-end art

Gautami left Delhi when she was 18 to study fashion business at the Manchester Metropolitan University, and then to the Istituto Marangoni in Paris. After that, she studied strategic entrepreneurship and innovation at King’s College in London. Although starting her own business had always been at the back of her mind, the organic beauty entrepreneur went on to intern with various fashion brands, and was even part of the first catwalk on the Eiffel Tower. “I tried a lot of things and realised I like business development, and expanding creative businesses,” she says. In Sweden, she began working with Humans Since 1982, a Stockholm-based art studio that creates high-end kinetic art. “When I joined it was a very small team. When I left, it was the largest, most commercially successful artist studio in Europe,” she says.

Selling luxury art, Gautami continued doing what she always did - searching for natural ingredients. She found, to her delight, that Sweden had a wealth to offer. “People there are so in sync with nature, it blew me away,’ says the organic beauty entrepreneur who loved that at the start of spring, the Swedes visit forests to tap the birch trees for sap. The slightly sweet, silky sap has been consumed for centuries and is used in cosmetics and other skincare products. To Gautami, it was a revelation. “I had no idea birch sap was such an ancient ingredient,” she laughs, adding, “I thought I was the first to discover it! I only learned later that the Vikings used it!” She was also fascinated by cloudberry, grown in temperatures as low as -40, and full of vitamins. “Not only does it grow in such extreme conditions but it’s also full of nutrients,” says the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur.

Barking up the right sap!

Birch sap and cloudberries are the star ingredients in her products - In 2018, Gautami began whipping up recipes from her home kitchen. “I would put the ingredients together and blend them with a hand mixer,” says the organic seeker who began collaborating with a manufacturer, to meet the exacting standards of sanitation and hygiene. The idea was to create a product that truly was all-natural and toxin-free. “I even hand-printed the labels,” recalls the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur.

Finding the right blends, creating the perfect fragrances – these details took months to perfect. “Imagine you wake up at 5 am in a forest or on a mountain top, the coolness you feel, the fragrances that greet you. That’s the sort of essence we’re looking to recreate,” she explains. The products are priced between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500, available on e-commerce platforms as well as on the SKOG website.

Rediscovering her roots

The company was eventually registered in India, where Gautami spent the pandemic with family, unable to return to Sweden. The eco luxury beauty entrepreneur who loved growing up in Delhi, remembers telling her sister as a young girl that she wanted to be a businesswoman. “I would dream of seeing my name in the Forbes Under 30 list,” she smiles. With SKÖG, she had a high-end line of products completely natural and certified by PETA. Transparency is also key. The eco luxury beauty entrepreneur believes that this is the future of the beauty industry.

A sustainable future?

“I would also like to collaborate more with the art world because I love art People don’t just want to buy a product, they’re investing in an experience,” explains the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur, adding, “We want the person to open the box and have an experience.”

Finding balance

Not one to shy away from hard work and long hours, balance is key. Gautami grew up watching her parents meditate and learned the importance of it. Today, it’s a non-negotiable part of her day. “I’m not proud of this but I’m a bit of a workaholic. For the past 10 years, I have been meditating 15 minutes a day – it has done wonders to keep my head and emotions in place. I think there is no amount of medicine or any remedy that can do what a few moments of meditation achieve. It keeps my energy levels high and my brain active,” says the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur. Her father and sister are architects and interior designers while her mother teaches meditation and also runs the Spiritual Self Foundation. "I get all my calm, peace and meditation skills from her, really," Gautami explains. She is married to Harsh Dahiya, an award-winning entrepreneur who founded the Harvesto Group.

Besides, Gautami’s penchant for whipping things up in the kitchen makes her a talented cook. “I love to explore new food. I try to spend as much time as I can with my family. Now, I’m looking at perhaps having two bases, one in India and another in Europe,” the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur concludes.

Follow Gautami on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 8 mins

Dr Nikhila Juvvadi: 32-year-old chief clinical officer who gave Chicago its first Covid-19 jab

Dr Nikhila Juvvadi and her team at the 122-bed Loretto Hospital in Chicago had their task cut out when Covid-19 engulfed the US last year. At one stage, Chicago's 60623 zip code had the highest number of people dying in the pandemic. 32-year-old Juvvadi – also Chicago’s youngest Chief Clinical Officer and head of Loretto’s Covid task force – worked round the clock to tackle the pandemic head-on and save lives. Dr Nikhila Juvvadi became the face of the city’s pandemic management efforts. In December 2020, the self-confessed “in-betweener” also became the first to give Covid-19 jabs to frontline health workers. "As an Indian American, administering the first vaccine was the most amazing moment. The entire experience was surreal. To see a light at the end of the tunnel was wonderful," Hyderabad-origin Dr Juvvadi told Global Indian in an exclusive interview. The historic moment was celebrated both in the United States and back home in India. African Americans, Asian Americans and Latin Americans from the city community were the first recipients of the vaccine. The reason: Loretto wanted to send out a message that every section will be catered to equitably through the vaccine roll-out process, says Dr Juvvadi, also the hospital’s internal medicine physician and vice president of operations. But convincing people (especially from disadvantaged communities) to get their first jab wasn’t easy in the early days. "Listening and answering queries helps,” she says. [caption id="attachment_3858" align="alignnone" width="750"] Dr

derful," Hyderabad-origin Dr Juvvadi told Global Indian in an exclusive interview. The historic moment was celebrated both in the United States and back home in India. African Americans, Asian Americans and Latin Americans from the city community were the first recipients of the vaccine. The reason: Loretto wanted to send out a message that every section will be catered to equitably through the vaccine roll-out process, says Dr Juvvadi, also the hospital’s internal medicine physician and vice president of operations. But convincing people (especially from disadvantaged communities) to get their first jab wasn’t easy in the early days.

"Listening and answering queries helps,” she says.

[caption id="attachment_3858" align="alignnone" width="750"] Dr Marina Del Rios reacts as she receives Chicago's first COVID-19 vaccination from Dr Nikhila Juvvadi on Dec 15, 2020.[/caption]

Journey of an “in-betweener”

Dr Juvvadi has had a unique journey: She was born in Chicago but her family moved back to Hyderabad when she was 11. She went on to study at Nasr Girls School, Kakatiya Junior College and Bhaskar Medical College. In order to fit into her new surroundings in Hyderabad, she learned both Hindi and Telugu.

“I was made fun of for my accent. People at that time could not relate to my experiences or perspectives. I then moved back to the US after college and did the same thing in reverse. For a long time, I was an in-betweener,” she says.

But those experiences helped shape her as a person who now integrates both her American and Indian side in every walk of life. And that makes her a Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_3861" align="alignnone" width="1400"] Loretto Hospital | Dr Nikhila Juvvadi Loretto Hospital: Where Dr Juvvadi practices.[/caption]

"I would not be who I am today if my journey was not complicated and unique. I can relate to people wherever in the world they are from. Importantly, I am more confident, outgoing and have a belief that I can achieve anything," she says. A piece of advice she has for those embarking on a journey: Expect the unexpected and keep one’s eyes and ears open for new learnings from unexpected quarters. "Anyone can teach you things that will be of use to you on your journey, so always engage them and be kind," she says. One thing that Dr Juvvadi always carries with her is books. "My books stayed with me throughout which made me escape to a make-believe world, especially in those such as The Lord of the Rings."

[caption id="attachment_3870" align="alignnone" width="365"] Dr Nikhila Juvvadi With her proud parents.[/caption]

Indian-ness

Ask her to name one Indian-ness that remained throughout, pat comes the reply:

"My Indian-ness is who I refer to as my family. I am very close to all of my extended family, and they are my support structure."

Engaging with her folks in Chicago and Hyderabad gives her maximum joy as she can connect with them through shared memories.

Indian Americans who inspire

Dr Juvvadi counts Vivek Murthy, the US Surgeon General, as her favorite Global Indian. Murthy had also co-chaired US President Joe Biden's Covid-19 advisory board from November 2020 to January 2021. She believes that Global Indians are breaking every glass ceiling and there is no limit. "Brand India has evolved dramatically," she signs out.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Aquin Mathews bejewels the Pearl City with India’s longest running international photography festival and ‘Hyderabad on Wheels’

(January 17, 2023) In the last month of 2022, Aquin Mathews was thrilled to see his idea turn into reality when ‘Hyderabad on Wheels’ – India’s first photo exhibition on wheels was flagged off. By collaborating on this unique idea, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) became the first state transport department in the country to promote the concept. While ‘Hyderabad on Wheels’ is the latest feather on the ace photographer’s cap, Mathews has garnered immense praise for founding India's longest running international photography festival - the Indian Photo Festival (IPF), which successfully completed its eighth edition in 2022. [caption id="attachment_34106" align="aligncenter" width="548"] Aquin Mathews[/caption] "As the artistic director, every edition is special to me. However, a notable high point was having National Geographic come on board as a partner and the fact that the festival has been able to facilitate photography grants up to ₹10M (roughly £100,000) so far," Aquin says, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Born and raised in Kerala, Aquin is a globetrotter. Apart from India, he has curated several photography exhibitions in France, Australia, New Zealand and Georgia, and is currently the advisor to the Auckland Festival of Photography, in New Zealand. [caption id="attachment_33921" align="aligncenter" width="726"]

rd as a partner and the fact that the festival has been able to facilitate photography grants up to ₹10M (roughly £100,000) so far," Aquin says, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

Born and raised in Kerala, Aquin is a globetrotter. Apart from India, he has curated several photography exhibitions in France, Australia, New Zealand and Georgia, and is currently the advisor to the Auckland Festival of Photography, in New Zealand.

[caption id="attachment_33921" align="aligncenter" width="726"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Aquin Mathews during inauguration of 'Hyderabad on Wheels' with TSRTC vice chairman and MD, VC Sajjanar[/caption]

He has also been a judge for several photography competitions including, Portrait of Humanity by the British Journal of Photography, the Print Swap by Feature Shoot Magazine, and has addressed various art and literary festivals in the last few years.

The Indian Photo Festival

Over the years, the Indian Photo Festival has successfully built an ecosystem for the Indian photographers, with a wide-ranging bouquet of offerings in the form of exhibition opportunities, photography grants, portfolio reviews, free mentorships from world-class mentors and more.

[caption id="attachment_33924" align="aligncenter" width="761"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Indian Photo Festival[/caption]

"Today IPF has become a great networking platform for photographers in the country. They get to meet editors, collectors, curators, gallerists, and many other experts from around the world. It’s now one of the most highly-awaited events on the Indian art calendar," he mentions.

IPF is not just a platform for professional and aspiring photographers, but also for the photography lovers and the public, offering a wide range of photography from India and around the globe. Through talks, discussions, exhibitions, screenings, book launch and workshops, people upskill their understanding of the art.

[caption id="attachment_33925" align="aligncenter" width="751"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Indian Photo Festival[/caption]

The festival doesn’t just promote the art of photography but also touches upon social issues through the medium. One cause is the lack of support for the Indian photography community, which led Aquin to establish the festival back in 2015. Through years’ worth of passion and dedication, the festival has come a long way, although fundraising, Aquin admits, remains a challenge.

It’s all for a purpose…

“There is a lot of interest in photography in India but not enough avenues for people to discuss, appreciate, and examine the medium,” remarks Aquin. “It’s essential to have platforms to support photography and photographers, but these spaces are dwindling fast due to a lack of institutional and governmental support,” he adds. The pandemic, he reasons, has only contributed to the problem.

[caption id="attachment_33926" align="aligncenter" width="789"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Kids at Indian Photo Festival[/caption]

“Even now, there are only a handful of galleries which show photography year-round,” he remarks. The Hyderabad Centre for Photography (HCP) is one example. "HCP is a dedicated space that presents and develops contemporary idiom in the art, showcasing photography year-round," tells Aquin who is the director of HPC.

Advocate of clicking photos with mobile phone cameras

Surprisingly, Aquin strongly advocates taking photos with mobile phone cameras and calls it ‘one more medium for creating images.’ “In fact, the mobile phone made photography more accessible and so popular that today we can't imagine a world without images,” he remarks.

"The main reason I advocate clicking pictures with mobile phones is because there is a notion that you need costly camera gear to capture beautiful images, and I want to break that."

[caption id="attachment_33938" align="aligncenter" width="778"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Picture clicked by Aquin with his mobile phone[/caption]

To emphasize how beautifully images can be captured with mobile phones, Aquin has even published a photo book with images shot only on mobile. “More than the medium, how you photograph and why you photograph is really what matters at the end of the process,” remarks the photographer.

The man behind the unique drone project

Always looking forward to do something new, Aquin has worked on a distinctive drone project – a series of images shot using drone camera exploring the landscape of Hyderabad and surrounding areas fresh after a few spells of rain.

[caption id="attachment_33941" align="aligncenter" width="747"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian The aerial view of the winding roads in the Ananthgiri Hills | Picture clicked in the drone project of IPF[/caption]

“Monsoon is the most awaited season of the year especially in a place like Hyderabad. The effect of the monsoon in the landscape is pretty interesting. A complete series has been shot using a drone camera, primarily in the Hyderabad countryside,” he says. "The drone shots offer a completely different perspective which many of us might have never seen before."

The primary idea, in Aquin’s mind, was to play with colours and contrasts and also to explore the patterns and shapes that appear from an aerial angle. "I wanted to create a great experience for the viewers and transport them to a different world through the drone project," he tells.

[caption id="attachment_33942" align="aligncenter" width="749"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian An aerial view of the kayak's at the Kottapalle Lake | Picture clicked in the drone project of IPF[/caption]

Away from the run-of-the-milieu

Not many leave a corporate profession behind to follow one’s heart to an artistic career. Still, Aquin Mathews chose to be different from the milieu. After graduating with a Bachelors degree in computer science from the University of Kerala, and an MBA from the National Institute of Business and Management, he worked in the corporate world before quitting to pursue photography fulltime.

He has since gone on to become the founder of India's longest running international photography festival and is the brain behind unique ideas in the world of images.

[caption id="attachment_33944" align="aligncenter" width="797"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Aquin during the inauguration of 'Hyderabad on Wheels'[/caption]

"My interest for photography started in my childhood, when I would play around with my dad's camera and handycam," tells the ace photographer.

The childhood passion remained a hobby all through college and the eight-years he spent in the corporate world. But he wanted to be different, and make a difference too, and finally, took the plunge into full-time photography, embarking on a journey filled with one milestone after the next.

[caption id="attachment_33951" align="aligncenter" width="689"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Aquins's photography | Lone tree in Vikarabad, Telangana[/caption]

The globetrotter

As his family lives in the US, Aquin frequently flies to the country, although he has been living in Australia for the last twelve years. Primarily there for work, he is immersed in commercial photography projects. “I live and work between Australia, US and India,” says the photographer and curator.

When he’s not busy taking photographs, Aquin explores nature in every way he can. “You can find me off-roading, exploring unchartered territories and taking the road less travelled,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_33946" align="aligncenter" width="651"] Indian Photographer | Aquin Mathews | Global Indian Aquin's photography | Flight on a cloudy day[/caption]

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