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Global IndianstoryFrom 1963 to 2023: The 60th anniversary of London’s oldest Durga Puja

From 1963 to 2023: The 60th anniversary of London’s oldest Durga Puja

Written by: Amrita Priya

(October 24, 2023) The festive fervour was in air much in advance this year for the organisers of Hamstead Durga Puja organised by the London Durga Puja Dusserah Association. This year marks a momentous occasion as the oldest Durga Puja celebration in the UK, has commemorated its 60th year. As the countdown began, the anticipation grew. To make this milestone even more meaningful and nostalgic, they have been sharing photographs from years gone by on their social media handles. These pictures have been taking members of the Bengali diaspora on a trip down memory lane, with people enthusiastically reminiscing about the past and how strong the camaderie have remained through their most significant annual celebration – the Durga Puja. For them Durga Puja is not merely a celebration, but an integral part of their culture, identity, and an opportunity to strengthen their bonds in a land distant from India.

It all started in 1963 when a group of students in London began this tradition, and now it’s been going strong for 60 years. The rich legacy of the Hampstead Durga Puja has passed through the generations, with British Indians of the second and third generation warmly embracing it, and understanding their culture and community through it.

The story of the oldest Durga Puja in the UK

Durga Puja | Art and Culture | Global Indian

Durga idol of Hampstead Durga Puja that is organised by London Durga Puja Dusserah Association

In the autumn of 1963, Durga Puja got organised for the first time in Maryward Centre, Russell Square, by a group of young Bengali students who formed the London Durga Puja Dusserah Association. Tushar Kanti Ghosh, the editor of the reputed newspaper Jugantar and publishing house Amrita Bazar Patrika was in London during that time. He was approached by the organising students to donate the Durga Pratima (idol of the goddess), which he gladly did. The enthusiastic students distributed leaflets at Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Street and raised funds from prominent members of the Asian community.

Devotees at Hampstead Durga Puja, London

The celebration of the first year was super successful and attracted communities from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and even from Germany. Gradually the community grew in size. The young student organisers were now married and had children, and the festivities started getting bigger and bigger. It started being popularly known as the Hampstead Durga Puja.

Prominent members of the diaspora have given their support and presence over the years to it. Lord Swaraj Paul (Indian-born British business magnate and philanthropist), Lord Raj Kumar Bagri (Indian-born British businessman and a Conservative member of the House of Lords), Nirmal Sethia (Chairman and Managing Director of N Sethia Group), and Satya Narayan Gaurisaria (Indian born British company secretary) have been some of the renowned patrons.

A rare treasure – the brochure published by London Durga Puja Dusserah Association, back in 1979

Connecting from UK, Chandana Sanyal, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Middlesex University, London tells Global Indian, “The celebrations moved to its current venue, (Hampstead Town Hall, Belsize Park, London NW3 4QP) in 1966. This is the oldest Durga Puja in London and we try to involve the younger generation as much as possible so that they stay connected and take the tradition forward.” She is the current secretary of the London Durga Puja Dusserah Association which is a registered UK charity.

The legacy is fondly carried forward…

“Kids have been making a significant contribution to the annual puja brochure through their written reflections, sketches, and artwork which mirror their perceptions of Durga puja. We involve them in activities like garland making etc. so that they learn to take responsibilities related to the festivities.” Away from India, the adults of the diaspora have been successful in engaging the younger generation to continue the celebrations for the last six decades.

Kids taking the legacy forward

“There is an emphasis on the rituals, starting from bodhan, puja, anjali, and arati both in the morning and evening each day, and kumari puja, pratima baran, sindoor khela, and finally bisarjan.There are also lots of cultural programmes and children’s activities such as art competitions and quizzes, to teach the younger generation the nuances of the culture in a fun way,” tells Chandana.

London Durga Puja Dusserah Association has been promoting local talents, creating a platform for them to showcase their skills and become confident performers. Culturally inclined seniors lead the way for the juniors to immerse in the culture. The association’s men’s band ‘Boyesh’ have always enthralled the attendees with their performances over the years.

The resident boy band, Boyesh

“We are a registered UK charity and our aim is community engagement, promotion, and celebration of the rich legacy of the Asian culture in the UK.” says Chandana who sets aside five days of her annual leave to organise the puja seamlessly.

Though there is no holiday in the UK for the festivities the members of the diaspora make a point to attend almost a week-long festivity without fail. Footfall on the premises is higher during evening time, even though the rituals and festivities are day-long. All get together to enjoy the cultural programmes that are practiced since days in advance. Both elders and youngsters enjoy bonhomie amidst performances.

Women during celebrations

Contribution of Durga Puja, the significant soft power, to the Indian economy

In 2019 British Council carried out mapping of the creative economy around Durga Puja on behalf of the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, and in association with the Queen Mary University of London, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and Smart Cube, Bangalore. The sectors that the researchers focussed on were installation of art & decoration, idol-making, illumination, literature & publishing, advertising & sponsorship, films & entertainment, and crafts & design. Key takeaways of the report:

The total estimated economic worth of the creative industries around Durga Puja is ₹ 32,377 crore.
92 percent of Puja organisers spend over 20 percent of their budget paying artists.
Many artists from rural Bengal, earn a substantial portion of their yearly income during the festival. Even established artists find this time of the year to be monetarily the best with bookings of their dates much in advance both in India and abroad.
Most of the artisan families who have been involved in idol-making both for India and across the borders are doing so over generations. Several businesses are more than 200 years old.
Special puja edition magazines revenues amount to ₹15 crores.

Follow London Durga Puja Dusserah Association (Hampstead Durga Puja, Belsize Park) on its Website, Instagram and Facebook

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Published on 24, Oct 2023

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A machine in time saves nine: British-Sikh engineer Navjot Sawhney’s prototype aids refugees, underprivileged

(February 8, 2022) “Divya” gave Navjot Sawhney purpose. In Kuilapalayam in Tamil Nadu, a British-Sikh engineer met an effervescent neighbour, Divya. Little did Navjot know that this 30-something woman was to change the course of his life, and add meaning with the launch of The Washing Machine Project. “During my stay, I met Divya, who spent her day doing unpaid labour. Washing clothes took the most time, leading to backache and skin irritation. I knew I had to do something to help women like Divya,” Navjot tells Global Indian. That watershed moment gave way to The Washing Machine Project that’s now supplying over 7,000 low-cost manual washing machines, helping women across 10 countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Uganda. “By providing accessible and off-grid washing solutions, we aim to empower women with the time to take charge of their lives,” smiles Navjot. The British-Sikh engineer's project has won the Campaign of the Year at Elektra Awards, and was selected as a Top 10 finalist at the SantanderX Global Awards. A London boy with a giving heart Born in West London in 1990 to an aerospace engineer father and an assistant mother, Navjot was a curious child. “My father would often take

Global Awards.

British Sikh Engineer | Navjot Sawhney

A London boy with a giving heart

Born in West London in 1990 to an aerospace engineer father and an assistant mother, Navjot was a curious child. “My father would often take me to air shows. I’d be fascinated by the big objects in the sky. I’d come home, take my toolbox and dismantle appliances. I was keen to know what’s inside. That curiosity helped me broaden my imagination, and took me into the direction of engineering,” says Sawhney. Joining the scouts as a child grew this British-Sikh engineer’s sense of community. “It was then that I learnt the importance of community and giving back - those important lessons inspire me,” he adds.

It's that same sense of purpose which made Navjot quit his high-paying job at Dyson (research engineer) to help the marginalised. After graduation at Queen Mary University of London (aerospace, aeronautical, and astronautical engineering), Navjot has his dream job - making products. Three years later, it dawned upon him that “every good bit of engineering is giving a product to the middle class or rich who already has it.” That “epiphany” made him introspect. “I knew I had the skillset and wanted to dedicate my engineering to helping people,” adds Navjot, who began working with Engineers Without Borders UK despite resistance from his mother. “It was one of my most difficult decisions as almost everyone was against it, including my mom. I asked her to give me a year,” recalls the British-Sikh engineer-innovator, who went to Kuilapalayam to help install fuel-efficient stoves with Prakti.

British Sikh Engineer | Navjot Sawhney

Nervous, he was ready to give up and return to the UK in the first few days due to frequent power cuts. “It was a culture shock and adjusting was taking a toll. I wanted to get back to my comfort zone. I am glad that I got over that phase quickly,” adds the Londoner, who witnessed India’s problems - sanitation, abject poverty, systemic issues in education, etc.

Prototypes from a British-Sikh engineer save time

For the next year, the British-Sikh engineer threw himself into making stove prototypes, with innovation. When he befriended Divya, an idea germinated. “She married early, had two children, and spent three hours washing clothes that led to skin irritation and backache. Despite being educated, she missed the earning opportunities due to the time-consuming activity. At times, even her daughter missed school to wash clothes,” reveals Navjot, who wanted to help women like Divya. “Handwashing clothes is crippling and back-breaking in rural areas as women carry water from ponds. I spoke to women, they felt they couldn’t afford electric washing machines. That’s when the penny dropped,” says the 31-year-old.

[caption id="attachment_19612" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Navjot Sawhney with neighbour Divya[/caption]

He promised to make a manual washing machine but his time in India had come to an end. Back in the UK, he started work at Jaguar Land Rover (senior cost engineer). “A few months into the job, I started The Washing Machine Project in 2018 with a handful of engineer friends,” states Navjot, who had researched and identified the problem of washing clothes in 13 countries including Jordan, Uganda and the Philippines where they spent up to 20 hours a week on washing. The British-Sikh engineer was inspired.

Creating a foundation

At the same time, he enrolled at University of Bath (M.Sc in humanitarianism) to unlock a social network and capital to the industry. “A classmate knew about The Washing Machine Project, and invited us to Iraq to show our prototype. Based on a salad spinner model, I built the prototype in two days. We interviewed 70 families at the Mamrashan Refugee Camp in Iraq, realised that 88 percent wanted and needed a machine. We published a report on our website - Oxfam read it, contacted us to pilot 50 machines. They funded us, and that is how we made our first manual machine in 2019 which we named Divya 1.5,” reveals Navjot.

[caption id="attachment_19613" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] British Sikh Engineer | Navjot Sawhney Navjot Sawhney in Iraq for a research trip[/caption]

The hand-operated machine has a 5 kg drum capacity, and comes with a washer and a spin dryer that is 75 percent faster than the hand washing. “You put all the clothes inside the drum, and turn the wheel manually. It saves time and water, and is not dependent on electricity,” adds Navjot, who has already sent 7,000 machines to 10 countries with plans to expand.

In terms of funding, a few agencies buy, or the machines are given free of cost to the needy. “We also have corporate partners. The machine is also commercially available on our website,” says the British-Sikh engineer, who has priced the machine at £50 (₹5,000).

While his friend Divya is yet to receive the machine due to technical challenges owing to the pandemic, Navjot has spread his wings to refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Uganda. “Displacement is an issue close to my heart. My grandparents struggled during the partition, and my father was a refugee. So, I understand the struggles of uprooting yourself and making a new place home,” explains Navjot, who is currently in Lebanon on research.

[caption id="attachment_19614" align="aligncenter" width="1080"] A woman with Divya 1.5[/caption]

British-Sikh engineer's idea that can save time

What began as a mission to design, develop and manufacture an affordable machine has now translated into something bigger. Navjot wants The Washing Machine Project to become the Dyson of the humanitarian world by creating cost-efficient products that help the needy. “As a board trustee of Engineers Without Borders UK, it’s my mission to make the next generation of engineers create an impact, and understand the importance of innovation for women like Divya,” says the British-Sikh engineer, who interacts with 3,000 students.

“To have the credibility and confidence in people to believe in what you are doing was one of the biggest challenges. Slowly, our work started getting recognised. For me, the happy moments have been the smiles on faces when they get the machine and experience the solution,” adds the British-Sikh engineer. Navjot plans to expand the project to 24 countries. Currently manufacturing in the UK, the plan is to shift manufacturing to India to ramp up production and save time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Xk9_WzhnA

Navjot unwinds by spending time with family. The stark reality of refugee camps has made him appreciate family time, especially with his two elder sisters. “I was seven when I lost my father and it was a difficult time. I was surrounded by women who nurtured and supported me. The power of the women in the house is phenomenal,” says Navjot, who is proud to be brought up by the women brigade, thus more empathetic.

Follow Navjot Sawhney on Linkedin

Reading Time: 8 min

Rooted in Legacy, Driven by Vision: Dhruva Jaishankar and Vishwa Shastra

(November 28, 2024) With striking similarities to his father, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Dhruva Jaishankar carries a familial resemblance that’s hard to miss. Yet, when it comes to influences, Dhruva candidly admits that his grandfather, late Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam—a renowned strategic affairs analyst, journalist, and former Indian civil servant—had a more profound impact on his worldview. "My grandfather was more of a thinker and analyst, whereas my father is more of a doer in active diplomacy," he reflects, speaking to Global Indian from Washington, D.C., and crediting deep conversations with his grandfather for shaping his perspectives on international relations. Today, as a foreign policy expert and the founding Executive Director of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America, a subsidiary of India’s ORF, he is working to build bridges between the U.S., India, and the developing world. [caption id="attachment_60724" align="aligncenter" width="604"] Dhruva Jaishankar[/caption] Dhruva is now gearing up for the release of his first book, Vishwa Shastra, published by Penguin Random House India. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of India’s interactions with the world, blending historical insights with forward-looking strategies. Dhruva’s research on foreign policy, defence, security, and globalization, has appeared in several books, policy reports, and prominent publications,

r.webp" alt="Indians in USA | Dhruva Jaishankar " width="604" height="404" /> Dhruva Jaishankar[/caption]

Dhruva is now gearing up for the release of his first book, Vishwa Shastra, published by Penguin Random House India. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of India’s interactions with the world, blending historical insights with forward-looking strategies. Dhruva’s research on foreign policy, defence, security, and globalization, has appeared in several books, policy reports, and prominent publications, cementing his reputation as a thought leader.

Influenced by a thinker

During his formative years, Dhruva Jaishankar lived a truly global life, moving across continents with his diplomat father—experiences that profoundly enriched his worldview. While Dhruva Jaishankar acknowledges the global exposure his father’s diplomatic career provided, he emphasizes the intellectual influence of his grandfather, Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam. "My grandfather was opinionated analyst and eventually joined the defence think tank IDSA, where he became its second director until the mid-1980s. Later, he transitioned to a career in media, writing about strategic affairs. He passed away in 2011, but I was fortunate that our careers overlapped for a few years," Dhruva recalls.

During this time, he engaged in deep conversations with his grandfather that shaped his analytical approach to international relations. " My grandfather’s career in strategic affairs and his deep thinking on India’s role in the world had a lasting impact on me," Dhruva reflects. These insights, paired with the global exposure his father’s career afforded him, helped Dhruva develop his own unique perspective on global affairs.

[caption id="attachment_60732" align="aligncenter" width="465"] Indians in USA | Dhruva Jaishankar | Global Indian Dhruva Jaishankar[/caption]

A global upbringing

Born in Delhi, Dhruva Jaishankar spent his childhood moving across several countries, including the U.S. (where he lived briefly at a very young age), Sri Lanka, Hungary, India, Japan, and the Czech Republic. He began his schooling in Sri Lanka and continued his education across these nations before eventually moving to the U.S. for college.

This global upbringing instilled in him a deep understanding and appreciation for different cultures—an experience that would later become the bedrock of his professional life.

The spark of a career

Dhruva Jaishankar’s interest in foreign policy deepened with a significant moment during his freshman year at Macalester College in the U.S., where he was pursuing his bachelor’s degree in history. "9/11 stirred a deep interest in security studies," he recalls, "and laid the foundation for what would become my lifelong career in foreign policy and international relations."

[caption id="attachment_60729" align="aligncenter" width="710"] Indians in USA | Dhruva Jaishankar | Global Indian Dhruva Jaishankar during the early days of his career[/caption]

After graduating in 2005, he moved to Washington, D.C., where an internship at the Aspen Institute proved to be a turning point. "After finishing college, I moved to Washington, DC, without a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I ended up getting an internship at a think tank, which plunged me into the heart of U.S.-India relations at a pivotal time, just as the two countries announced a civil nuclear agreement," he explains.

Despite his grandfather’s legacy as a prominent Indian think tank leader, Dhruva admits he initially knew little about the field. "Although my grandfather had run a think tank in India, I didn’t know much about what the work entailed," he smiles. "That internship turned out to be a huge learning experience for me. That was my introduction to this world."

Choosing international relations over journalism

Early in his career, Dhruva faced a crossroads: should he pursue journalism or follow his growing interest in international relations? He briefly explored journalism, working as a news writer and reporter for CNN-IBN in New Delhi.

Ultimately, his passion for security and foreign policy won out. He pursued an M.A. in security studies from Georgetown University, where he was surrounded by military and security professionals. Initially feeling like an outsider, Dhruva Jaishankar credits this environment with building his confidence to engage in high-level discussions on global security, a skill that would become invaluable in his career.

[caption id="attachment_60731" align="aligncenter" width="413"] Indians in USA | Observer Research Foundation | Global Indian Dhruva Jaishankar during the early days of his career in India[/caption]

Being Global Indian: Bridging local and international realities

Working for prestigious organizations including Stephen Cohen as research assistant, and German Marshall Fund (GMF) in Washington, D.C., where he managed the India Trilateral Forum, a policy dialogue involving participants from India, Europe, and the United States, deepened his understanding of security and foreign policy. He also worked as a program officer with GMF’s Asia Program for the initial three years in the organization.

Dhruva returned to India in 2016 to work as a Fellow for Brookings India. This role marked a deep dive into India’s foreign affairs, counterterrorism, and nuclear non-proliferation. “At Brookings India I managed a lot of the new institution’s foreign policy and security activity. It enabled me to travel the length and breadth of India, around South Asia (Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) and Southeast Asia, and I produced reports on defence technology, U.S.-India relations, and India’s Act East policy,” he shares. Later, he also served as a visiting fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

[caption id="attachment_60725" align="aligncenter" width="512"] Indians in USA | Dhruva Jaishankar | Global Indian Dhruva Jaishankar[/caption]

Building ORF America

"Over the course of my 15-year career, I worked in diverse roles across various institutions in India, the U.S., and briefly in Singapore. This experience exposed me to a wide range of issues, regions, and the practical aspects of running a think tank," he shares. In 2020, Dhruva embarked on a new journey as the founding Executive Director of ORF America, the Washington, D.C.-based arm of India’s Observer Research Foundation, which began its journey in 1990.

In 2020, ORF was planning to establish its first affiliate outside India in the U.S. "Our paths crossed," Dhruva explains, and his experience in think tanks made him a natural fit for the role. This led to him becoming the founding Executive Director of ORF America, marking a significant milestone in his career.

He and his team at ORF America has focused on fostering cooperation between the U.S., India, and other global partners on pressing issues like technology policy, energy, climate, and international security.

[caption id="attachment_60790" align="aligncenter" width="668"] Indians in USA | Observer Research Foundation | Global Indian Dhruva Jaishankar[/caption]

Bridging the developed and developing worlds

"What differentiates ORF America from a lot of other think tanks in Washington is the focus on bridging the developed and developing worlds on various global issues," Dhruva explains. Under his leadership, the organization has launched several ambitious projects.

At ORF America, we conduct research on U.S.-India relations, U.S. alliances and partnerships, and Global North-Global South engagement. We also convene topical roundtables in Washington and conferences around the world, including in India, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Finally, we organize leadership development programs, including on climate and energy issues, China, and AI policy,” he mentions.

ORF America collaborates closely with ORF’s three centres in India—Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata—as well as its Middle East branch in Dubai. "We collaborate closely and work together on various projects," Dhruva says, highlighting the organization’s unified approach.

Indians in USA | Dhruva Jaishankar | Global Indian

Matters of the heart

Married to an American historian, Dhruva started his family in Delhi before moving to the U.S. “We keep personal and professional life separate,” says the devoted father of two children, ages seven and four. Although he travels frequently for work, he makes an effort to spend quality time with them. He enjoys cooking for his kids and being with them during this stage of their lives, as they grow and learn new things. “Outside of work, I spend most of my time being a father,” he smiles.

Enjoying life in America, the Global Indian remains deeply connected to his native country, with its capital, Delhi, holding special significance in his journey. He was born in the city, returned at age nine, and later moved back twice as an adult. “In fact, I started my family there, and my first child was born in Delhi,” he shares.

Vishwa Shastra: India and the World

Dhruva Jaishankar is excited about the next milestone in his journey—the release of his debut book, Vishwa Shastra, published by Penguin Random House India. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of India’s historical and strategic role on the global stage.

[caption id="attachment_60733" align="aligncenter" width="431"] Cover image of Dhruva's book[/caption]

"One big motivator for me," Dhruva shares, "was the many talks and presentations I gave to student audiences across India, while I was working there between 2016-2019. Students from diverse backgrounds—not just social sciences but also law and engineering—showed a deep curiosity about India, its international relations, and its history. I realized there wasn’t a good book that offered a comprehensive starting point to understand India's interactions with the world."

He added, “My primary goal in writing this book was to create a foundation, especially for young Indians, but also for anyone interested, to learn more about India and its international relations."

The book delves into India’s ancient connections with regions spanning the Mediterranean to Asia, the enduring impact of colonialism, and the country’s post-Independence challenges, including its rivalries with Pakistan and China. It provides a framework for understanding India’s evolving geopolitical landscape while presenting forward-looking strategies. The second part of the book addresses five critical challenges: leveraging the economic environment for growth, integrating with neighbouring countries, balancing relations with a rising China, combating terrorism, and advocating institutional reforms in global governance.

Renowned writer and politician Shashi Tharoor has endorsed Vishwa Shastra, calling it, “An impressive tour d'horizon spanning centuries of India's strategic thought, traditions of statecraft, and contemporary foreign policy.” Indians in USA | Dhruva Jaishankar | Global Indian

The enduring bond with his roots continues to inspire Dhruva Jaishankar’s work. While influenced by his family’s legacy, Dhruva Jaishankar’s journey is defined by his own vision—one that aims to elevate India’s role in an interconnected world, bridging continents and generations alike. With his first book, Vishwa Shastra, he hopes to further this mission and contribute to a deeper understanding of India’s place in the global arena.

Follow Dhruva Jaishankar on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

The song of fire and ice: Meet Capt. Preet Chandi, the woman who crossed Antarctica thrice

"I was quite overwhelmed when I saw the sastrugi (wind-driven snow shapes that resemble sand dunes) for the first time. I'd never seen anything like it, their wing-shaped ridges are very mesmerising to look at," adventurer Polar Preet shared with me, as we connected over the telephone for an exclusive interview. (January 18, 2024) It had been about a year since I had been trying to get an interview with her. And so, when it happened a couple of days back, I couldn't help but ask why she chose Antarctica of all places on the planet to make her mark. "Well, I knew I had to do something big in life," said Captain Preet Chandi, a British Army officer, who recently became the world's fastest female adventurer to complete a solo South Pole ski expedition. [caption id="attachment_48402" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Capt. Preet Chandi[/caption] "But the inspiration came in 2018, when I was on an operational tour with the army in South Sudan," Capt. Chandi continued, "My boss mentioned skiing in Antarctica, and I remember my first reaction to the statement was, 'I wouldn't consider doing that'. I successfully finished the grueling, 156-mile Marathon des Sables ultramarathon in the Sahara, during the

di continued, "My boss mentioned skiing in Antarctica, and I remember my first reaction to the statement was, 'I wouldn't consider doing that'. I successfully finished the grueling, 156-mile Marathon des Sables ultramarathon in the Sahara, during the same operation. As I ran through the desert, I thought that if I could conquer this, perhaps I should contemplate preparing for Antarctica. And there was no turning back after that!"

For the next two-and-a-half years, the adventurer could be seen running in her backyard, pulling a heavy tyre as part of her training for the expedition. On November 7, 2021, Capt. Chandi started her first solo expedition from Antarctica's Hercules Inlet. After successfully undertaking two additional solo expeditions in the Antarctic, the Global Indian was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) during the 2022 Birthday Honours.

A rebel with a cause

It was an advert that she came across by chance - and which changed her life forever. "I was at the Derby City Centre, and I came across this 'Join British Army' poster with many smiling people. It looked interesting so I took it home. I think I was just over 18, and I applied to join the Territorial Army," said the adventurer, who added that the feat wasn't without the pushback she faced. "I didn't tell anybody that I joined the Army because it wasn't the expected thing for me to do. Even people who were close to me wanted me to leave the Army. They wanted to fit me into this box they thought I belonged in, but I think that pushed me to carve my own path even more. In fact, there are a few family members, who till today haven't even acknowledged that I went anywhere," Polar Preet laughed.

Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian

Despite all the odds stacked against her, Capt. Chandi joined the British Territorial Army as a physiotherapist in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC). "Honestly, I don't think I would be able to even think of Antarctica had I not been with the British Army," she said.

The becoming of a champion

Even though she was enjoying her time as an Army officer, Capt. Chandi would often find herself wondering what more she could do. "I used to ask people around me, and there were several answers. People knew I was an ultramarathon runner, so they would suggest running on each continent or undertaking a big run. My boss just offhandedly mentioned Antarctica - like it wasn't big," she laughed. But that idea was stuck with the adventurer for a long time.

[caption id="attachment_48405" align="aligncenter" width="549"] Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian Capt. Chandi during the Marathon des Sables ultramarathon in the Sahara[/caption]

"I remember Googling 'polar explorers' and being captivated by images of people in large jackets with fur ruffs. So, I too went out and bought a jacket with a fur ruff. While I was filling out the 'Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions' application online, I realised I couldn't confidently answer 'yes' to some crucial questions, such as having experience in ice climbing or walking on glaciers. So, I booked a trip to Iceland and hired a guide to acquire the necessary skills. I brought the jacket along, and it was during that trip that I snapped the selfie which is on my website now and has been widely used. It's quite funny actually, because at that moment, I knew next to nothing about polar exploration, and the Iceland trip did little to prepare me for Antarctica; I just wanted to be able to respond 'yes' on the application form," the adventurer shared.

[caption id="attachment_48406" align="aligncenter" width="553"] Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian Capt. Chandi was honoured with the MBE in 2022[/caption]

Preparing for such an extreme expedition is no easy task. "To be honest, it took me approximately two-and-a-half years to solidify my plans. However, starting in January 2021, I began a rigorous training routine, committing to six sessions per week. I did cardio twice a week on an exercise bike and focussed on strength training to ensure I could handle pulling a small sledge. In fact, two tyres became my constant companions – whether I was in London, Preston, or Derby, they went everywhere with me. Sometimes I would drive my tyres to work and then drag them back home. I still have those tyres in my backyard."

Money matters

[caption id="attachment_48396" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian Capt. Chandi, with Her Royal Highness, Catherine, Princess of Wales[/caption]

While she has many sponsors now, including His Royal Highness, William, the Prince of Wales, finding sponsorship at the start was a herculean task. “People assume that the Army funded my journey but I started it at my own expense. It didn’t turn into an Army expedition until six months after I left, and by that point, I was already deep in debt. There was even a time when I was buying weekly lottery tickets to hopefully finance my trip,” Polar Preet said. “I read somewhere that my worth now is about £3-4 million, I wonder how they came up with that!”

The white continent

On her initial journey to Antarctica, the adventurer covered 700 miles (1,100 km), hauling a sledge weighing 200 pounds (90 kg). "I had to gather 48 days' worth of food, drinks, and equipment. Due to the pandemic and new Brexit rules, getting some essential gear took longer than expected. Plus, a bunch of the stuff I needed was pretty specific and custom-made. Like, I had to get my tent from France, of all places," Capt. Chandi shared, "But the trickiest part by far was sorting out food. I had to unpack everything from its original packaging and chop it up, making eating more convenient. I skipped luxury items or things I didn't need. If I had to pick a favourite piece of gear, it would be my Garmin inReach – this cool device for sending and receiving messages. The catch is, people can't hit you up unless you've messaged them first. I was only in touch with seven people, and four of them were out there on the ice with me."

Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian

Describing the place, the adventurer said, "It’s majestic - I really don't know how else to describe it. It's an incredible feeling to be in this white desert and witness these beautiful sunsets each day - something out of a fairytale. While they were sometimes very cold, the nights were full of stars - something one doesn't see in their city life. However, conditions can get really harsh, really quick - without any warnings. The same wind that makes the beautiful sastrugi is quite difficult to navigate. My sledge slipped twice on these ice ridges and I flipped them with much difficulty."

While it was a fairy world, staying isolated also meant dealing with loneliness and sometimes even sadness. "I remember being really frustrated and angry with people during the first two trips to Antarctica - especially the people who had almost gone out of their way to try and make it harder or stop me. You don't have much to distract yourself. So, I started documenting my journey via voice notes, which I uploaded to my blog. That was a great experience, to be able to tell the world where I was, how was my day, and what it takes to be on this expedition," shared the Capt. Chandi, who finished her first expedition in 40 days, 7 hours, and 3 minutes, securing the title of the third-fastest solo woman to independently reach the South Pole.

Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian

Capt. Chandi embarked on her second solo expedition from Hercules Inlet in late 2022. Her goal was to become the first woman to traverse Antarctica solo and unsupported, aiming to reach Reedy Glacier within 75 days by November 2022. However, she shared on an online blog on January 19, 2023, that she was roughly 30 nautical miles (56 km; 35 mi) away from her designated pick-up point, expressing disappointment at missing the record. The next day, it was revealed that Capt. Chandi had, in fact, set a new world record for the longest solo and unsupported polar expedition, covering 868 miles (1,397 km) up to that point.

A bruise named Elsa

Polar thighs - Antarctica's mystery ailment - are more common among women doing really long polar expeditions. And Capt. Chandi experienced it too on her second expedition. "I named my scar from the polar thigh injury, Elsa," laughed the adventurer, "It started quite early on during the expedition, and honestly it looked like a bruise and then a scab. I was in a lot of pain when the scab broke open, and I had to use pain relief tablets for a while."

Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian

While it was difficult to manage the injury in the extreme weather, Capt. Chandi managed to come back home without much damage. "I dressed it daily in the tent but after the wound opened, I kept the dressing on. When I came back from the expedition, I had to undergo surgery at Royal Derby Hospital. During my recent expedition to Antarctica, I had an extra merino wool base layer sewn in to protect it and checked my legs every day to make sure I didn’t have any other injuries forming," she shared.

History is made

For Capt. Chandi "It wasn't making or breaking the record that mattered, it was just the sense of adventure. I didn't announce this expedition at all, only a handful of people knew about it," said the adventurer, who became the fastest solo woman skier to complete this route, breaking the Caroline Coté’s solo ski record on December 28, 2023. "For me, it's crucial to emphasise that if I can go and accomplish something like this, anyone has the potential to achieve whatever they set their minds to. I hope people can connect that idea to their own interests, whether it's in the arts, science, adventure, or any other field," she expressed.

[caption id="attachment_48392" align="aligncenter" width="551"] Adventurer | Preet Chandi | Global Indian Capt. Preet Chandi at the South Pole[/caption]

"People say I 'conquered' Antarctica, but I don't think these places are conquered. One should feel grateful that they allow you to be there. Each day, I'd express my gratitude to Antarctica. I can't say I enjoyed every single minute there – that's just the reality of it. If someone claims they enjoyed every moment, I'd find it hard to believe. However, there were some incredible days. When the weather was favourable, the expansive views allowed you to appreciate the diverse shapes and hues of light. It still amazes me that, out of all people, I made it there – the girl who was teased at school for the way she speaks," expressed the adventurer as she signed off.

Follow Capt. Preet Chandi on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and her website

Reading Time: 8 mins

Dr Nayan Kalnad: At the forefront of the digital healthcare revolution

(June 7, 2024) "M-Health, E-Health, we had lots of names for digital healthcare when I first started working in this space. It was very novel and a lot of people were sceptical," Dr Nayan Kalnad says, as he connects with Global Indian from the UK, where he currently lives and runs his digital healthcare company, Avegen. "Do you remember when people said 'digital banking'? Now, it's just banking. You can do your banking work while you're in a car on the way to the airport. That's the kind of change we want to see in healthcare. There should be no distinction between digital and non-digital," he says. Seizing an opportunity Dr Nayan's first turning point came in 2007, when he was introduced to a technology that would change his approach to healthcare. It was an interactive voice response system, part of a pilot project to improve healthcare responses for HIV patients, many of whom avoided going to doctors because of the prevailing stigma. "At that stage, I saw the potential of what this could do, especially because due to my experience of working in clinics," Dr Nayan explains. Surrounded by scepticism, Dr Nayan decided to stick with his instincts anyway,

experience of working in clinics," Dr Nayan explains.

Surrounded by scepticism, Dr Nayan decided to stick with his instincts anyway, and follow through on what he knew would come to become the future of healthcare. Today, Avegen operates around the world and its services have been used by over one million people globally. Their products include cardiac rehab apps, digital HIV-care programmes and maternity monitoring tools.

[caption id="attachment_38122" align="aligncenter" width="330"] Dr Nayan Kalnad, CEO and co-founder, Avegen[/caption]

From medicine to pharmaceuticals

Born in India, Dr Nayan Kalnad was raised in Mangalore, and studied medicine at Kasturba Medical College. He pivoted to pharmaceuticals, joining Pfizer, where he worked mainly in drug development before moving on to Johnson & Johnson."I was working to improve care delivery for HIV-positive patients in India," he recalls. They noticed that patients living with HIV, especially in rural areas, had very limited access to healthcare The stigma surrounding the illness was the main cause - Dr Nayan's team found that HIV+ people preferred to avoid taking health issues to a doctor. "We wondered if we could use IT to solve this problem."

This was around 2007-08 and the team decided to try an Interactive Voice Response system. The user could call a number, enter the number corresponding to the issue and pick out the symptoms. The system would use an algorithm to give them advice and its database already contained information on the drugs the patient had been taking. "The other part was to call the patient and educate them on living with HIV," Dr Nayan explains. "What medicines should they take, what food should they eat? We created a data bank, back in those days. It was my first exposure to using IT within healthcare and I felt like digital technology could help solve challenges that patients, doctors and nurses face."

The digital-healthcare dream

Dr Nayan moved to London to study at London Business School, after which he went back to J&J. By this time, the conglomerate had set up a team to examine how IT could be used in the healthcare context. "We built products for patients who needed cardiac rehabilitation, to try and reduce the risk of a repeat heart attack and to reduce the time heart patients spent in the hospital." The project was piloted in four hospitals - three in the US and one in the UK, "another critical experience," Dr Nayan says. Shortly after, he left J&J to co-found Avegen.

In 2015, Dr Nayan and Neeraj Apte, an engineer with over 20 years of experience in software development, came together to create Avegen. A couple of years were spent exploring the best business structure and fine-tuning their model, before dedicating their efforts to making Avegen the go-to development platform for scalable digital health products. "We were like any startup," Dr Nayan says. "Our initial idea did not work."

That idea was to build a virtual call center for doctors in India. "We were handling about 1 lakh calls per week," he recalls. "It was a call center, basically and it took up all the oxygen in the room." While they were meeting a need, it was not the purpose for which Avegen was created. It was also difficult to scale up. "We had to stop, pivot and return our focus to the original aim - building a digital platform. That pivot happened around 2019 and we re-branded." This was when they build the platform that Avegen continues to use - HealthMachine enables healthcare providers and pharma companies to build, implement and scale their digital health products. It's their way of helping democratise the creation of digital health products, removing the need for a large team and extensive investments in software engineering.

[caption id="attachment_38123" align="alignnone" width="2560"] The Avegen team[/caption]

Expanding the scope of healthcare

"Today we have digital health for pregnancy, HIV, TB, pulmonary arterial hypertension. We have around eight or nine conditions for which we build digital health products," Dr Nayan says, adding, "We have hundreds of thousands of users every month and have deployed it in multiple countries, although our strongest presence is in Europe and India."

Simply put, the idea is to make interaction easier, especially in countries like India where patients travel many miles to see a doctor. The pandemic only reinforced this need. One Avegen product, used by Europe's largest HIV clinic, asks the patient to complete a questionnaire instead of setting up an appointment with a hospital. The information is sent to the clinic, where doctors can decide if the patient needs to come in to the hospital or not. "Often, patients come from very far away, only to be told that they are fine."

Maternity care is another important pillar for Dr Nayan and Avegen. "India has a high maternal mortality rate and some of that is avoidable," he explains. "Expecting mothers need to make regular visits, do blood tests and take folic acid supplements and follow an evidence-based care programme. We want to make it easier for them to do this." Pregnant women need to download the app, which will tell them what to do based on how far along they are, and also connect them with experts. "Good health is not just about what happens within the four walls of the clinic. It's about what happens outside of it. I can get my bloods done at a clinic, but when I go out, do I decrease the salt in my food, or get regular exercise? These are the main drivers of good health. We want to support patients outside and widen the scope of healthcare."

Overcoming challenges

When he first started working in digital healthcare, people didn’t trust the concept. "The common understanding was that healthcare had to be face-to-face; they didn't trust the digital tech, hence didn't use it." However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world's perspective on digital healthcare overnight. "During the pandemic, digital products became essential to the functioning of the healthcare ecosystem," Dr. Kalnad noted.

Avegen collaborated with government bodies and charities to provide digital healthcare solutions during the pandemic, such as supporting 30,000 HIV patients in Mumbai who couldn't access their medication due to lockdowns. "We have come a long way since. In the coming decades, we will see digital health becoming mainstream," Dr Nayan predicts.

The way forward

Despite the progress, Dr Nayan admits there is work to be done. "Scaling and integrating digital healthcare into the existing healthcare system is crucial," he says, adding, "It needs to become accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. Digital health should not be for a certain segment of the population; it should be for everyone."

Dr Nayan Kalnad, CEO, Avegen, talks to a colleague

This vision aligns with Avegen's mission as well, which is to provide digital health solutions to all, irrespective of where they live or what healthcare challenges they face. "We believe that healthcare should be a fundamental right. We want to build digital health products that are relevant to the user, easy to use, and engaging. This is done through collaboration with healthcare providers, governments, non-profits, and other stakeholders to bring digital health products to the public."

Nayan Kalnad's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and technology in improving healthcare. His dedication to making healthcare accessible and affordable to everyone has inspired many, and his work with Avegen has shown that digital health services have the potential to transform the healthcare industry.

Follow Dr Nayan Kalnad on LinkedIn and check out Avegen's work here.

Aqua Man: Ace swimmer and cop M Tulasi Chaitanya loves going against the tide

(January 25, 2024) When M Tulasi Chaitanya arrived in Ireland to swim across the North Channel (Northern Island to Scotland) in July 2023, he was staring at a sea of challenges. The chilly waters, rough seas, strong currents and fickle weather were not the only elements he was up against. Poisonous jelly fish, sea lions and a variety of aquatic animals too posed a serious threat to his life. Despite the odds, the iron-willed swimmer set a world record by becoming the first cop ever to swim a distance of 34.5 km in 13 hours - in what is one of the toughest open water stretches in the world. "Leave alone jelly fishes, during my English Channel swim, two sea snakes swam past me. I have encountered sharks as well," smiles open water swimmer M Tulasi Chaitanya, in an exclusive with Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_48580" align="aligncenter" width="471"] M Tulasi Chaitanya[/caption] Over the years, the 34-year-old, who works as a Police Head Constable in Special Branch, Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, has stunned the world with his mind-boggling expeditions across the globe. Recently, he received the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh from President

Over the years, the 34-year-old, who works as a Police Head Constable in Special Branch, Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, has stunned the world with his mind-boggling expeditions across the globe.

Recently, he received the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2022 and a cash prize of ₹15 lakh from President of India Droupadi Murmu.

North Channel

A total of 1084 swimmers from all over the world have attempted to cross the North Channel, but only 124 have been successful so far. Chaitanya is one among them. "One of the main challenges when swimming in such chilly waters is hypothermia. Water temperature at the channel was only around 12 degrees Celsius,” informs the ace swimmer, who is the fourth Indian to accomplish the feat.

He started at 5:30 am on August 9 and achieved his target by around 6:30 pm. "To protect my skin, I applied ocean grease (petroleum jelly) before entering the water. Mid-way through, my body started to freeze but I tried to distract my mind by thinking of all the food I love to eat, and continued swimming," informs the determined swimmer, who remained positive throughout the expedition despite getting caught in strong undercurrents and high waves.

He completed more than half of his expedition in the first five hours. Thereafter, the changing wind speeds and falling temperatures proved to be a huge challenge. "It was a proud and satisfying feeling as it put my endurance to test," says Chaitanya, who encountered many jellyfish alongside but managed to keep himself away from them. Jellyfish produces an itching and burning sensation, which can affect the lungs and also result in instant death.

Swimming across the world

Chaitanya previously swam across the Catalina Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, English Channel and North Channel was the fourth, all of which was a rare accomplishment for a policeman. It was a part of the Ocean Seven series.

[caption id="attachment_48583" align="aligncenter" width="455"] Indian Sportsperson | M Tulasi Chaitanya | Global Indian M Tulasi Chaitanya in one of his swimming sprees[/caption]

He completed the 20 Bridges Circumnavigation Swim (45.9 km) around Manhattan Island in New York City in 7 hours 45 minutes; the 26.4-km Sri Chinmoy Marathon Swim Rapperswil-Zurich in Lake Zürich, Switzerland and swam 12 km across Lake Bodensee, swimming from Friedrichshafen in Germany to Romanshorn.

Chaitanya is now prepping up for completing the remaining three oceans in the series by swimming across the Cook Strait in New Zealand, Molokai Channel Hawaii and The Tsugaru Strait in Japan.

Palk Strait

In 2018, Chaitanya created a new world record after swimming across the Palk Strait (Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in India) in the shortest time. He covered a distance of 39 km in 8 hours and 25 minutes.

"Here too, I was swimming against strong winds and it was a rough sea. I saw several sharks and jellyfish all along," recalls the police man, who got stung by a jellyfish during a practice swim in the same waters, which made him vomit non-stop for two days. For the final swim though, he applied grease on his body to make it slippery and ensure that jellyfish do not get a hold of him.

For this feat, the ace swimmer started training almost an year ago. Otherwise, he was training under Olympic coach Pradeep Kumar in Bengaluru for almost six years.

He recalls how local fishermen helped him navigate. “A few of them even swam alongside and helped me find the best possible route,” he says adding that by the time he reached the Indian shores, he was both exhausted and relieved. This success paved the way for his future expeditions.

[caption id="attachment_48586" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Indian Sportsperson | M Tulasi Chaitanya | Global Indian M Tulasi Chaitanya[/caption]

Andhra Boy

Born in Vijayawada to a homemaker mother and police officer father, Chaitanya, who studied in Amali School, started swimming at the age of nine. He later went to Dr Lankapalli Bullayya junior college.

At a young age, he was inspired by an official who used to reside in the police quarters. He was a swimmer and had won many medals. "I was fascinated with his medals, so many of them. I would just sit in the house and stare at the medals for hours," recalls Chaitanya, who won his first national medal while in college.

In 2013, he swam the 25-km stretch from Bheemunipatnam to RK Beach and a 3.2 km stretch off Hermosa Beach in an open-water event in 2017. Moreover, he has bagged several medals at international tournaments including a gold in 4x50-m freestyle relay at the World Police Games held in Belfast earlier.

His inspiration

Once he was enrolled into the police department in 2012, Chaitanya’s swimming career got a major boost. Senior IPS officer Rajiv Trivedi, who was then posted as Additional DGP, Sports (in united Andhra Pradesh) saw the potential in Chaitanya. An accomplished swimmer himself, Rajiv Trivedi arranged funding and started advanced swimming training for Chaitanya at Hyderabad and in Bengaluru and has continued to guide him since then.

"Rajiv Trivedi sir is my God. He helped and guided me at every step. Without him, I would not have reached where I am today,” says Chaitanya, who was adamant that unless Trivedi accompanied him to the Rashtrapati Bhavan (for the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure award), he wouldn’t accept the award.

[caption id="attachment_48587" align="aligncenter" width="519"] Indian Sportsperson | M Tulasi Chaitanya | Global Indian M Tulasi Chaitanya receiving award from Droupadi Murmu, the President of India[/caption]

He also credits Dimple Krishna, an NRI based in the US, who not only funded some of his expeditions, but also stood by him throughout his journey. “She has been a great support.”

Training

His day begins at 5 am, where he goes for a run followed up by warm up exercises before getting into the swimming pool, where he swims for almost three hours. "I train in the evening as well, with permission from my superiors. The intensity of training only increases before a major event."

Usually before a major event, Chaitanya runs anywhere between 5 to 10 kms and swim 10 to 15 kms twice a day or even more. “I include protein supplements and also take energy drinks. I also go for regular physiotherapy and massage sessions,” says Chaitanya, who consumes more carbs for endurance.

Giving Back

Chaitanya is doing his bit to produce more swimmers like him. "I want to teach swimming to more kids, who can become great swimmers and make the state and nation proud. For this purpose, I along with a few friends are opening a swimming pool," informs Chaitanya, who also coached six young swimmers who crossed the 29 km Palk Strait in April 2022.

[caption id="attachment_48588" align="aligncenter" width="449"] Indian Sportsperson | M Tulasi Chaitanya | Global Indian M Tulasi Chaitanya with other swimmers[/caption]

Chaitanya's achievements

Two gold and three silver medals in the All India Police Aquatic Meet, Guwahati, 2013
Three gold and 3 silver medals in World Police & Fire Games, Belfast, 2013
Five gold medals in All India Police Aquatic Meet, Jaipur, 2014. Best Indian Police Swimmer Award
One gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze medal in All India Police Aquatic Meet, Delhi, 2015
Five gold medals in All India Police Aquatic Meet, Lucknow, 2016. Best Indian Police Swimmer Award
Three gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze medals in World Police & Fire Games, Los Angeles, 2017
Three gold, 2 silver medals in All India Police Aquatic Meet, Delhi, 2018
Palk Strait swim (Sri Lanka to India) 2018
One silver medal in All India Police Aquatic Meet, Vishakhapatnam, 2019
Catalina Channel Swim (Catalina to California) 2019
One year NIS Diploma in Swimming Coaching, 2020
Strait of Gibraltar Swim (Spain to Morocco), 2022
Lake Konstanz Swim (Germany to Switzerland), 2022
English Channel Swim (England to France), 2022
Zurich Lake Swim, Switzerland, 2022
Twenty Bridges Manhattan Swim, 2022
Awarded Triple Crown Award in Open Water Swimming by World Open Water Swimming Association, 2022
North Channel Swim (Ireland to Scotland), 2023
Cook Strait Swim, New Zealand, 2023

Tulasi Chaitanya has received 29 increments and ₹57 lakh cash prize from Government of Andhra Pradesh and Government of India for his superlative achievements in All India Police Aquatic Meets and World Police & Fire Games.

Follow M Tulasi Chaitanya on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins