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Global IndianstoryBritish-Indian politician Alok Sharma knighted in King’s New Year Honours List

British-Indian politician Alok Sharma knighted in King’s New Year Honours List

Written by: Amrita Priya

(January 12, 2023) Indian-origin former UK minister, Alok Sharma has been knighted for his contribution towards combating climate change by King Charles III in his first New Year Honours list. Sharma has been honoured for his ‘incredible public service’ in the United Kingdom and abroad. As the president of the COP26 summit, he took significant steps to tackle the global problem which holds great urgency, most importantly driving a historic agreement – the Glasgow Climate Pact between 200 nations.

Alok Sharma

In his New Year Honours list, King Charles III recognised the exceptional contribution of people who helped strengthen UK’s impact around the world.

As the COP26 chief Sharma handled the challenging role with élan, devoting countless hours to virtual meetings and herculean globetrotting schedules. For the pivotal role, Sharma had stepped down from the cabinet post of secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy in former UK PM Boris Johnson’s cabinet.

Humbled to receive a Knighthood in #NewYearHonours

Delivering @COP26 & #GlasgowClimatePact was a great 🇬🇧 team effort supported by many of our dedicated civil servants and diplomats

But to keep 1.5C alive, all countries must redouble efforts to meet their climate commitments pic.twitter.com/6tMytOog6H

— Alok Sharma (@AlokSharma_RDG) December 31, 2022

Winning hearts

Sharma garnered praise for his balanced leadership and developed a reputation as being a calm and effective leader during his one-year tenure. His affable demeanour has been well recognised since his early days in Britain’s politics.

People sometimes describe me as ‘No Drama Sharma’.

This statement of Alok Sharma became very popular with the media and the people at large.

After nearly three years as president-designate and a year of full-time presidentship, Sharma takes climate change and its solution seriously, often calling himself a ‘green growth climate warrior’ much to the delight of his family. Talking to Financial Times, the 55-year-old had remarked at the beginning of his term last year, its “the only time my children have been vaguely excited about my job.”

Alok Sharma during his Presidentship at COP26

Though Sharma’s tenure got concluded, managing climate change is a governing factor in his future career moves. “This is something I cannot let go off. I am fully invested,” he had told Financial Times.

Sharma in UK’s politics

A chartered accountant by qualification, who is also armed with a BSc degree in Applied Physics with Electronics, Sharma started his political career in 2006. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Reading West in 2010. Having grown up in Reading, a town west of London, the politician calls himself ‘a Reading man.’ He managed support in his home town to get re-elected for the constituency in the 2015 general elections.

A huge thank you to His Majesty the King for his inspiring leadership on #ClimateAction and support throughout the UK’s #COP26 Presidency which has stood on the foundations he has been building for decades https://t.co/TG0B810Efc

— Alok Sharma (@AlokSharma_RDG) November 4, 2022

With a background in STEM, Sharma’s first role in UK’s political landscape was to serve as a member of the Science and Technology Select Committee between 2010 – 2011. Later, serving as the parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Mark Hoban, the then financial secretary to the treasury for a year, he honed his skills as a politician.

Sharma was selected for a tenure as Conservative Party vice-chairman from 2012-2015. The Indian descent politician also served as the co-chairman of Conservative Friends of India in 2014.

Causes close to heart

His campaign for longer prison sentences for those convicted of death due to reckless driving and to reduce the number of first-class carriages on trains running between Reading and London to increase standard class capacity, brought him closer to the masses.

Alok Sharma | Indians in UK | Global Indian

Sharma with school kids

Following the death of two cyclists, Sharma had initiated a parliamentary debate on reckless driving and backed it with a petition, which had managed to gain more than 55,000 signatures. He has been committed to needs of kids in the sphere of education from the beginning of his political career.

The soft-hearted politician was tearful in parliament in 2016, when as housing minister, he described the heart-wrenching experience of meeting the survivors of a devastating fire in London that had killed more than 70 people.

Vital roles

An assignment that brought the politician close to his native country was his appointment as the prime minister David Cameroon’s infrastructure envoy to India. During his tenure he had remarked, “The India story is very compelling to British investors who are all chasing yield.”

Alok Sharma with PM Modi during his India visit as COP26 President

Thereafter, Sharma held some vital roles in the government, serving as minister of state for housing from 2017 to 2018 and as parliamentary under-secretary of state for employment from 2018 to 2019.

In 2019, former UK PM Boris Johnson appointed him as the Secretary of State for International Development. During the 2020 cabinet reshuffle, he was promoted to the post of secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, an office in which he served until 2021 before he was appointed to lead COP26. During his COP tenure, Sharma retained his status as the member of the cabinet.

Inspiration of working for climate from family

The awakening towards managing climate change for a better future had been instilled in him at home, long before he was chosen as president-designate of COP. He considers his wife, two daughters and former US vice president Al Gore as the chief contributors to shaping his thought on global warming and climate policy.

Alok Sharma with his wife

Talking about mitigating effects of climate change he said in a video interview smilingly:

When I was selected as president-designate for COP26, I got a text from my daughter with the BBC link of the announcement and accompanying that was the three-word message, ‘get it done’. I feel the pressure to make sure to collectively get it done.

Stints in Germany and Sweden during his early career in banking and finance also introduced him to adopt lesser harmful ways to live on this planet. At that time, UK was not as mindful as the other two countries, when it came to simple things like segregating garbage, making his Swedish wife cringe. Eventually, she gave him lessons on how to live better. On a flight one day, he watched Al Gore’s famous documentary, ‘An inconvenient Truth’ from start to finish. The film changed the way he saw climate change.

The indelible marks

As the saying goes, behind every successful man is a woman. In Sharma’s case, it was his wife who urged him to consider a career in politics, although he had by then settled into senior roles in banking and finance. His career thrived and Sharma was associated with organisations like Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte, and the Japanese firms, Nikko Securities and Enskilda Securities.

Both his daughters also cared passionately about the healthy environment and that too influenced the doting father’s outlook on things. Upon insistence of one of his vegan daughters, Sharma even gave up meat to cut his own emissions. “Fatherhood in itself had an impact on how I wanted the planet to be for the future generation,” he remarked.

The India connection

Like the newly elected UK PM Rishi Sunak, Sharma took his oath in the House of Commons on the Bhagavad Gita in 2019. Born in the Taj Mahal city Agra, he had moved with his parents to Reading as a five-year-old. He grew up and studied in UK with a Hindu upbringing.

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Published on 12, Jan 2023

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Krithi Karanth: Conservation biologist leading efforts to alleviate human-wildlife conflict in India

(November 10, 2023) Most toddlers watch the big cats in the nearby public zoo, but not Krithi Karanth, who had the privilege of spotting her first tiger as a three-year-old in a jungle with her father. It was a beautiful early evening at Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka when she saw her first big cat, and for years to come, the jungle and national parks became her playground, thanks to her dad, a noted tiger biologist and conservationist and her grandfather, an environmentalist. Growing up, she learnt to track tigers and set camera traps. "In our family, you actually don't have a choice when it comes to going out into the wild," said the conservationist who became the first Indian and Asian woman to receive the WILD Innovator Award. Although she explored the length and breadth of jungles across India, she wasn't too keen to follow in the footsteps of her father as a conservationist, and instead wanted a PhD like her mother, which she did at Duke University. She had a plan, and she moved to the US to earn a BSc degree at the University of Florida, followed by an M.E.Sc from Yale University. It was here that

ty. It was here that she got attracted to the field when she spent four months at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary for an interdisciplinary project. "I was doing ecological and social science research. I love both. I've always been an interdisciplinary person. That trip made me realise I wanted to get into conservation," she added. Despite getting into an accident and fracturing her leg, she was determined to return to the jungle, finish her interviews and line transacts.

Krithi Karanth | Global Indian

Finding her calling

That trip to Western Ghats helped her find her calling, and another trip in 2009 only cemented her passion for her work. Krithi conducted a research project in India, focusing on the growth and impact of wildlife tourism in 10 parks over six months, while also overseeing a team of 75 volunteers. "The actual engagement, spending time on the ground and interacting with people helped me realise how much I love being in the field in India," added the conservation biologist. After spending 12 years in the US, she packed up her bags and moved to India at the age of 31, where she became a Ramanujan Fellow, and joined the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) as a research fellow.

It opened up a door of opportunities for Krithi who connected with the wildlife and the people like never before. Her life underwent a significant transformation in 2011 when she was selected as the 10,000th research grantee by the National Geographic Society. This milestone was followed by another achievement in 2012 when she was named an Emerging Explorer by the same organisation. These experiences had impact on her as they enabled her to extend her focus beyond scientific research. She had the opportunity to connect with the wider public, impart her knowledge, and actively involve people in her work. "It put me on a public platform for the first time and helped me connect with people, globally," she said, adding, "Many scientists don’t like being in the public spotlight and communicating why our work matters. We think if you publish a great paper in a top journal, the world will hear about it. They won't. You have to connect with people in other ways."

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In these years as a wildlife conservationist, Krithi realised that the relationship between animals and people is not always positive, owing to the acute human-wildlife conflict which includes animals attacking people, destroying their crops, or taking away their livestock. "Kids grow up with a negative, traumatic perspective on wildlife and significant economic hardship. They're not going to appreciate the fact that India has the highest number of tigers or Asian elephants in the world, that it's the best place to witness extraordinary animals," she added.

A program to reduce human-wildlife conflict

This led her to the idea of a conservation program that employs education, artistic expression, narrative, and interactive games to spark inspiration among children residing in proximity to India's wildlife. She soon founded Wild Shaale, which translates to ‘wild school’, to help fill in the gap in environment learning. The program also delves into the reasons behind conflicts involving wildlife and imparts strategies for responding in such scenarios. This initiative blends various elements, including games, storytelling, presentations, and videos, and features an adaptable curriculum. Krithi particularly enjoys her work with children in India, as she has found them to exhibit a higher level of empathy compared to their counterparts in Europe or the United States. The program has been implemented in 300 schools in seven languages with a revamped curriculum.

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A post shared by Krithi K. Karanth (@krithi.karanth)

In the program, students engage in creative painting, participate in interactive games, and attend informative presentations focused on Indian wildlife. They closely observe animal behaviours and their natural habitats. "The idea is that you start by making learning fun and if you make learning fun, then they're already and excited about wildlife. I think that's what's really made a difference," said the adjunct associate professor at Duke University.

Krithi, who was awarded the 2020 Eisenhower Fellowship, has also been a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Despite all the accolades and achievements, Krithi is hungry to do more. "What I’ve done is not enough. We can do more and can have a greater impact." In the years to come, she is keen to expand Wild Shaale programmes across India and the world, working with colleagues in Kenya, Sri Lanka, or Brazil. "As long as my mind is working, there is always something I will be able to do."

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

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

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

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

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

The Wani who propagates progress

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

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

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

When BSF called out to him

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ordinary, but extraordinary

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

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

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

Making the most out of BSF

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

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

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

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

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

Understanding Article 370 and Article 35a

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

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

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Nirnith Devireddy’s Ikiminds is transforming Healthcare and Life Sciences globally

(February 27, 2023) Having spent his formative years in the US, Nirnith Devireddy developed some fundamental life skills early in life. Making friends real quick, networking and learning about the world through others experiences and cultures — were the most rewarding experiences during his schooling days. An early headstart Business was always an area of interest for him. In ninth grade, he won the DECA Business Youth Leader award in 9th grade for a Marketing competition in Keller Middle school in Dallas, Texas. “The unique schooling curriculum and skills I picked up there contributed to my development as a global entrepreneur,” smiles Nirnith DeviReddy, Co-founder and Director of Ikiminds, a data-driven Bio-IT services firm, speaking to Global Indian. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Nirnith Devireddy, co-founder, Ikiminds[/caption] How does Ikiminds work? A subsidiary of US-based Adroitent Inc, Ikiminds transforms biological data into impactful insights and solutions in the healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medtech sector. “Solving specific domain-centric industry challenges like the collection and analysis of large volumes of biological data, explainability of outliers and impurities in drug development life cycle, and data security is at the core of our work,” explains the 31 year old, who launched Ikiminds in 2021. The firm’s talent pool of data scientists, computational biologists, PhDs

pecific domain-centric industry challenges like the collection and analysis of large volumes of biological data, explainability of outliers and impurities in drug development life cycle, and data security is at the core of our work,” explains the 31 year old, who launched Ikiminds in 2021.

The firm’s talent pool of data scientists, computational biologists, PhDs and domain experts are spread across their offices in Hyderabad and USA, serving over 50 clients globally.

After the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 was passed by the US government in 2023, paving the way for the industry to transition away from animal testing in clinical trials to other alternative approaches like modelling and simulation and insilico clinical trials, Ikiminds saw tremendous growth.

“We are at the forefront of providing these advanced modeling and simulation solutions and have created a platform for implementing and adopting these services by bringing in the best-in-breed partners,” says Nirnith, pointing to the firm’s strong capabilities in the virtual clinical trial space.

The company has delivered insilico models in multiple therapeutic areas like Oncology, Diabetes, Neurology, Vaccines etc. that can be customized to meet the needs of Pharma customers. Recently, Nirnith gave a presentation on present Modeling & Simulation & AI transformation in Pharma at the BioAsia 2023 conference in Hyderabad.

Early life

Born in Hyderabad in May 1991, Nirnith’s family moved to the US where he studied in different schools including Keller Middle School, Bear Creek Intermediate School, Ellis Elementary School and Shady Grove Elementary School. It gave him a unique school curriculum, which shaped his personality.

The family moved back to India in 2006 and Nirnith graduated high-school from the International School of Hyderabad. His father Srinath Devireddy is an Entrepreneur, Investor, and the current IT Advisor to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, his mother Supriya Reddy is an Interior Designer and Entrepreneur.

While his parents are a huge inspiration for Nirnith, his grandfather, late CC Reddy, who was a Government advisor, film producer, a successful global entrepreneur and Nandi award winner, played a key role in shaping his personality.

Back to America

It was in 2009 that the determined youngster returned to America to pursue BBA at Babson College, the world’s top entrepreneurship school. He graduated with a dual major in Technology, Entrepreneurship and Design (TED) & Environmental Sustainability.

The school’s ground-breaking curriculum allowed students including Nirnith to be a part of a class called Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship to pitch business ideas, have two best voted on, and then split the class into two companies, where the college would provide a seed fund of $3000 dollars and a full semester to set up the business in the real world and conduct sales.

“Our company WriteOn was a peel-and-stick dry erase board material that can be customized as per branding and logos. We had the highest sales out of all the FME companies that year generating revenue of $12,000USD,” says a beaming Nirnith. The profits were given to a charity, as is the norm.

In 2013, after college, Nirnith moved to San Diego, California and worked at Qualcomm as a project analyst for three years. “It was an excellent start to my career as I was introduced to the corporate world and was part of some very interesting projects as I worked in the Customer Engineering team which is responsible for supporting all of Qualcomm’s customers globally,” says the entrepreneur, whose wife Mounica holds a Master’s in Data Science from UC Berkeley.

While work experience was integral for him, his heart was in entrepreneurship. He left the organization to start something on his own even as he continued his Executive Education at Harvard with an online certification in Implementing AI Solutions in Healthcare. “This brought together a cohort of industry leaders who were working on implementing AI in Healthcare and Life Sciences,” says the winner of the IT Serve Alliance Startup Pitch Competition winner in the USA.

First venture

In 2016, he co-founded his first venture ‘Anipanion’ with his roommate from Babson College. “It was the world's leading next-gen, tele-health and pet-care marketplace platform that connects pet parents and veterinarians through virtual visits with the goal of making veterinary care more convenient and accessible for pet parents,” explains the entrepreneur.

His firm was recognised by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) as a leading virtual care platform.

Anipanion helped many veterinary hospitals across the United States overcome operational challenges when the pandemic hit in 2019 and continues to be instrumental in veterinary practice workflows today. “We have integrated with many practice management systems within the veterinary care flow and are one of the top telemedicine providers in the United States,” says Nirnith. While he continues to serve as co-founder and board member, he stepped back from daily operations to give more time to his new venture, Ikiminds.

Challenges

Bringing in the first customer was the biggest challenge, a common problem for entrepreneurs. “The first one is always challenging but once you nail it - it is the leap spring which propels your venture forward,” he says.

Next came a phase of rejections. “Being aware of red flags and learning to pivot towards better things is a good practice. Allow rejections to bog you down is not,” he feels. Another hurdle was understanding the domain. Without an educational background in Biology, it took Nirnith many hours of study and online learning to bring himself up to speed with the scientific elements of the business.

Future plans

Growing his companies into multi-billion dollar organizations that change the world is Nirnith’s relentless goal. “We aim to become technology partners to many more pharma organisations globally to offer end-to-end modelling and simulation services to accelerate the drug development cycle.”

Cinema and politics

Outside of entrepreneurship, Nirnith is a big movie buff who loves acting and dancing. “I was a part of two high school plays as the lead and even took acting lessons in San Diego as a weekend hobby,” he says. He also played a cameo in a Telugu movie. “I also hope one day I can act or produce a feature film. I also am very interested in politics and feel I can be of value to help my home state of Andhra Pradesh through all my learnings and skills,” says Nirnith, who is the Regional Vice President of North American Telugu Association.

If you’re wondering why Nirnith seemed familiar, it’s because his wedding was covered in Netflix’s hit reality docu-series, The Big Day’. “Of course I was not acting in that. It was a series dedicated to unveiling the multi-billion dollar wedding industry,” says the huge Star Wars fan.

The fitness freak loves to spend time with his pet, Pico. When he is not doing anything else, he loves to travel around the globe.

Giving Back

Nirnith also volunteered at Blue Cross and Naandi Community Water Services. “Giving back to the planet provides me with a great sense of peace. In fact, Babson College had coined a philosophy to reshape business leaders of tomorrow called the “Triple P” bottom line, (People, Planet, and Profit) which I believe is how all businesses one day should be thinking about their bottom lines,” he adds.

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Reading Time: 6 mins

Charithra Chandran: Bridgerton actress with big dreams and bigger purpose

(September 8, 2024) Known for her role as Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton Season 2, the British-Indian actress Charithra Chandran has now been cast as Miss Wednesday in Netflix's One Piece Season 2, a move that marks an exciting new phase in her career. Her other significant work includes appearances in Alex Rider, Star Wars: Visions, and How to Date Billy Walsh. Unlike many actors who struggle to break into the industry, Charithra’s path to stardom has been swift. Just two months after deciding to pursue acting, she had secured a role in Amazon’s teen spy series Alex Rider in 2021, and shortly thereafter, landed her breakout role in Bridgerton. Reflecting on this meteoric rise, she had acknowledged in an interview with The Guardian, “I’ve potentially had the biggest success, in my professional life, in the second thing I’ve ever done.” However, the actor dreams of even bigger opportunities. “I’m not saying I’ll never do anything grander than Bridgerton. I hope that’s not the case – and I have big ambitions. It’s just rather bizarre that it was the beginning of my career. I think it has really warped my sense of achievement,” she said. Tamil Nadu connection and Oxford education

ded her breakout role in Bridgerton. Reflecting on this meteoric rise, she had acknowledged in an interview with The Guardian, “I’ve potentially had the biggest success, in my professional life, in the second thing I’ve ever done.” However, the actor dreams of even bigger opportunities. “I’m not saying I’ll never do anything grander than Bridgerton. I hope that’s not the case – and I have big ambitions. It’s just rather bizarre that it was the beginning of my career. I think it has really warped my sense of achievement,” she said.

Indian Actor | Charithra Chandran | Global Indian

Tamil Nadu connection and Oxford education

The only child of two doctors from Tamil Nadu, Charithra Chandran calls her parents a ‘case of classic economic migrants’ who moved to the United Kingdom before her birth. Her endocrinologist mother and surgeon father separated quite early, and the actor has no recollection of their days together. At the age of six, she was sent to a boarding school as her parents were too busy with their careers but Charithra grew up being close to both.

“My parents are polar opposites. I always say I’m in the middle: less hard-working than my dad and less intelligent than my mum. But as a combination, it has enabled me to be high-achieving enough,” she mentioned.

Her education revolved around modern languages, and classical literature. Just like her fluency in English, she is comfortable in Tamil, and has played hockey and netball at county level.

After school Charithra Chandran had joined the prestigious Oxford University where – despite spending most of her time doing drama – she earned a first-class degree in philosophy, politics and economics.

Indian Actor | Charithra Chandran | Global Indian

Transformative experiences

While her education at Oxford University shaped her personality, it was her gap year experiences that she describes as truly 'transformative.' She spent it traveling, working as a waitress, and serving in the constituency office of her local MP. These experiences ignited a passion for social justice, a cause she continues to be deeply committed to.

Upon graduating, Charithra Chandran was ready to start a job with an international consultancy firm, but couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn’t the right fit. So, she chose to take another year off before committing to a demanding 70-hour-a-week job. Then the pandemic struck. As she watched her parents head to work in their hospitals daily, she took action by setting up a food bank.

“This was the time I became introspective about what I wanted to achieve and what I would regret. I was like, ‘I have to give acting a go',” she shared.

Finally identifying where her interests are, she sent emails to acting agencies, and two months later, got signed for Alex Rider. Even before filming ended, she had got the role of a lifetime; in Bridgerton.

While considering herself lucky, Charithra Chandran believes that there is another side to her good fortune. “In getting signed to my agent, I was a beneficiary of the Black Lives Matter movement. Everybody took stock of how diverse their looks were and – whether cynically or beautifully – they were like, ‘Oh, shoot, we need more people of colour,’” she remarked.

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The 27-year-old is aware of the intersectionality of race in her industry. “As a brown actor, my experiences aren’t going to be the same as those of my white peers.” She understands that she would have lesser opportunities, and hence has a plan B ready.

From pleasure to purpose

Charithra harbours ambitions to make a difference in the lives of people in India. If opportunities in acting start diminishing, she plans to shift her focus back to her other passions. The Indian-origin actress has a dream of setting up a micro-community near her grandparents’ home in Tamil Nadu, where she aims to establish solar-powered factories operated by women who will share the profits. Her goal is to demonstrate alternative models for running businesses and communities, proving that profit maximization doesn’t have to be the sole priority.

“I believe life is divided into periods of purpose and periods of pleasure,” she remarked, “and my acting career is a period of pleasure.” However, the actress also views acting as a path that can intersect with purpose, especially when it conveys a positive message to society.

[caption id="attachment_39138" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Indian Actor | Charithra Chandran | Global Indian[/caption]

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Holistic health: Renowned lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho’s journey to personal transformation

Luke Coutinho's remarkable journey from carefree teenager to holistic wellness expert showcases his unique approach to personalized health, focusing on comprehensive wellness, prevention, and integrative healing methods. (May 2, 2023) As a corporate worker, Luke Coutinho observed senior professionals succumbing to lifestyle diseases, despite access to top healthcare resources. Recognising the need for a holistic approach, Coutinho developed his signature program, 'You Care Wellness Program.' Today, he has consulted and treated over 20,000 patients worldwide, authored four bestselling books, and regularly conducts workshops. "If people are mindful and know what their bodies need, it will make living a healthy life more effortless." Emphasising simplicity, he says, "The body is unique, so every day is different, and so are its needs," Luke Coutinho tells Global Indian. Among his accolades, Luke was named one of GQ's 50 Most Influential Young Indians and Times Power Men in 2018. He also received Elle's Best Health Expert of the Year and Vogue's Best in the Industry (Nutritionist) in 2018. His clientele ranges from billionaires to A-listers across Bollywood, Tollywood, television, industrialists, royal families across the Middle East, elite athletes and spiritual leaders. While some illnesses might not have a cure, Luke believes healing is always

milies across the Middle East, elite athletes and spiritual leaders.

While some illnesses might not have a cure, Luke believes healing is always possible, even if it means accepting the condition and finding peace. He asserts that healing is spiritual, involving improvements in physical, emotional, and spiritual health. "It can include improving the quality of your life by empowering yourself with the right lifestyle, food, movement, and tools to enable emotional wellness and the spirit."

[caption id="attachment_37992" align="aligncenter" width="677"] Luke Coutinho[/caption]

From Goa to the world

Born in Mumbai, Luke travelled extensively with his family, growing up around the world before his father decided to settle down in Goa. He has come a long way as well, from the carefree teen who liked to chill with friends, to hotel management to lifestyle coaching. "Goa was very different in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I had my fair share of parties and clubs as a youngster,” Luke recalls.

His interest in nutrition sparked during college days when he was part of Institute of Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition (IHM). After completing his three year course, he worked for several organisations across Mumbai, Qatar, Dubai, London and India and tried his hand at different professions, ranging from operations, sales, hospitality to learning and development.

The program that changed it all

Luke respects all forms of healing, be it allopathy, naturopathy, homeopathy, ayurveda. “We are not against any form of medicine. Instead, we integrate the best forms of medicine that works for an individual, while we coach them on lifestyle,” he informs.

He says the You Care Wellness Program is a holistic, integrative medicine and lifestyle program that revolves around patient's condition, medication, goals, the nutrition they need, integrated with movement, exercise guidance and sleep. "The program empowers you with the tools to build sound emotional health and wellness,” Luke explains.

Moreover, his program revolves around five pillars — deep and intelligent cellular nutrition, adequate movement and exercise, quality sleep, emotional detox and wellness, and the spirit. “These are the foundational platforms for prevention and recovery in integrative and lifestyle medicine. It respects your uniqueness and works with an understanding that no one shoe fits all.”

Every program and journey is personalised according to the person’s past or present lifestyle, health condition, symptoms, and root causes, says Luke, who is an adviser and the head of integrative lifestyle and nutrition at Pure Nutrition, which creates pure plant-based formulations and cold-pressed oils.

Luke says integrative and lifestyle medicine focuses on addressing the root cause of the problem and works to manage the side effects of medications and treatments that may cause secondary problems, issues, and discomfort. “While symptoms are being treated, root causes must be addressed, and rebuilding with a focus on future prevention is important,” he explains.

A team of highly skilled nutritionists, clinical dietitians, allopathic doctors, yoga therapists, life coaches, and certified emotional counselors are assigned according to the condition of the person. “All these experts come together to form an integrative team that will help you find a way on your journey to wellness and a healthier you,” says Luke, who has co-authored The Dry Fasting Miracle with The Green Sheikh.

[caption id="attachment_37994" align="aligncenter" width="682"] Luke Coutinho[/caption]

The hardships along the way

Luke has had his share of challenges along the journey. The toughest challenge, he says, has been changing the wrong attitude of people and working with them on this so they can actually recover. “Sometimes it only takes some correcting to improve health. The ego, pride and wrong attitudes can be so strong that it comes in the way of their healing and becomes an obstacle,” he informs, adding that another challenge he encountered was during the pandemic when he could not meet his patients.

In the line of integrative and lifestyle medicine, he believes in seeing his patients and closely observe their physical aspects that signify health. “I am a huge believer in energies, and physical presence of a doctor or nutritionist allows an exchange of energies which can benefit a patient,” says Luke, who is also the co-founder of GOQii, a digital healthcare platform that provides personalized coaching.

Holistic programs

He believes a wellness program needs to focus on the root-cause, instead of a symptomatic approach. “A program has to look at health from a holistic lens, and not just pushing diets and strict exercise regimes. It has to work on the basic fundamentals of nature and should focus on simplicity instead of complication, because the answer to most diseases in most cases is simple lifestyle corrections,” points out Luke, who also co-wrote the book The Magic Weight Loss Pill - Lifestyle with Anushka Shetty, which includes 62 proven lifestyle changes that help individuals achieve healthy weight loss.

He says complicated solutions might be required for some cases, but not all. “Most programs today may get good results, but they can only be carried out in a controlled environment. The moment an individual travels or moves out of their homes, the program becomes impossible to follow,” points out Luke. He believes it is necessary for any health program to be realistic, simple, individualistic, and driven with true care and passion by the experts.

Luke and his team work with root cause and create an inner and an outer environment for an individual so as to allow their body’s inner intelligence to kick in. “It would be through fasting, circadian rhythm, fixing nutritional deficiencies, creating relaxation in the mind, and so on.”

On mental health

With mental health issues plaguing people across the world, Luke says chronic stress is one of the major reasons for half of the cardiac problems and also cancer. “If your illness is caused by chronic stress, then no amount of medication is going to help unless you learn to manage your stress the right way,” he says.

Luke learns the most about life from his interactions with terminally- ill patients. “I have learnt that time and life are finite, so don’t waste both. Instead build and make memories. Be ambitious in your career but don’t become a slave to your career or to money,” he says.

His piece of advice? “Focus on family, relationships, love, emotions and experiences. Look after your health and enjoy your life. Find a way to give back to society to feel fulfilled in life.”

[caption id="attachment_37995" align="aligncenter" width="668"] Luke Coutinho[/caption]

Luke the speaker

The award winning holistic nutritionist travels the world conducting and speaking at events on holistic wellness, nutrition, disease and emotional wellness. He doesn't believe in preaching instead wants to empower people to use their own mind, common sense, biofeedback and intuition to make decisions for themselves.

Being an expert, he says he can coach people on the guidelines to conform to, but cannot make specific decisions for their health. However, he does emphasise on the three most important fundamentals to success in all areas of life - Discipline, Consistency, Simplicity.

Future plans

Luke says his past, current and future plan has always been to give 100 percent to every patient who comes to him. “My goal is my next patient. That is what built us so far, and I want to continue giving my all to the vision my team and I have.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6Xd5b_I_W4

Learning something new everyday

Luke prioritises personal growth by dedicating at least an hour every day to learning something new through reading and research. “Writing is also a way for me to express myself and reflect on my thoughts. I immensely connect through music, and I find myself listening to my favorite artists and playlists during my downtime, in-between consults, and after work,” says Luke. Since he is constantly on the go, he watches movies during his travels.

“I make it a point to soak in some sunshine while practicing meditation and pranayama,” smiles Luke, who tries to fit in a workout during the day. “Once work is done, I head back home, where I may have a few more consults before winding down for the day," says the nutritionist, for whom evenings are dedicated to dinner, some reading, journaling, and prayers. “I always end the day with a sense of gratitude.”

Key takeaways:

Embrace a holistic approach: Focus on nutrition, movement, sleep, emotional detox, and spirituality for overall wellness.
Personalize your wellness plan: Recognize that everyone's needs are unique and tailor your health journey accordingly.
Listen to your body: Pay attention to your body's signals and adapt your wellness plan to its changing needs and requirements.
Address root causes: Identify and target underlying issues to prevent health problems rather than merely treating symptoms.
Combine healing methods: Utilize integrative techniques, such as allopathy, naturopathy, and ayurveda, to create a well-rounded wellness strategy.

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