Global IndianstoryGopichand Thotakura: Meet India’s first space tourist

Gopichand Thotakura: Meet India’s first space tourist

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(September 13, 2024) The ‘majestic blue ball’ is how Gopichand Thotakura described Earth as he saw it for the very first time from space. The 30-year-old scripted history by becoming the first Indian space tourist as he took off in Blue Origin’s New Shephard from a private ranch in West Texas a few months ago. He was the only Indian among the six-member crew that left for Earth’s gravity. “Every Indian needs to go to space to see what it looks like,” he said in an interview, adding, “I cannot describe it, it has to be seen, it has to be lived in the moment, and then it will change you forever.”

Gopichand is behind the creation of Preserve Life, a wellness centre worth millions, which is taking shape on the outskirts of Atlanta, USA. It was last year that he became a part of Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission, becoming the second Indian chosen for a space mission after astronaut Rakesh Sharma. Recalling his 11-minute space flight experience, he said, “The experience is indescribable, an exhilarating journey of weightlessness and awe-inspiring views. And I didn’t realise it until I got the first glimpse of the curvature of the majestic blue ball, and then I realised that we are missing on something, it is to realise how fortunate we are to be living, standing, playing, sleeping here on this planet.”

Gopichand Thotakura returns to Earth

Love for aviation

The Vijayawada-born relocated to the US to pursue business opportunities after Covid-19 hit people worldwide. “My roots remain firmly Indian, with my family, schooling, and early career all in India,” he told a daily. Growing up, he pursued schooling in various Indian cities, owing to his dad’s business travels. This exposed him to varied cultures and he found his love and passion in aviation. However, it was while flying in KLM Royal Dutch Airlines that he first visited a cockpit, which gave him the idea of becoming a pilot. To translate his dream into reality, he ended up enrolling in aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, USA.

Pursuing his passion, he became both a medical and commercial pilot, flying a range of aircraft, including vintage World War II planes. It was in the US that he undertook training, and after five years, he returned to India and moved into medical evacuation. Back in 2010, he always aspired to go to space. “This meant either going via NASA or being a U.S. citizen and these were barriers for me. Blue Origin opened up opportunities,” he said.

Gopichand Thotakura | Global Indian

Visiting space as a tourist

So, when the opportunity for travelling to space as a tourist showed itself, Gopichand grabbed it with both hands. “I was hell bent on getting aboard a manned mission. It is a desire to carry Indian blood (ethnicity) to space.” But it did require the crew members to undergo training – physical as well as mental. “Can you handle the shock? The awe? The potential for freezing under pressure? These are just some of the considerations.”

However, Gopichand believes that more than the resources, it’s determination that people need so that they can work on their dreams. But he equally emphasised how governments, investors, and private venture capitalists can play a big role in sending more people to space. He is of the opinion that India has made its mark in space exploration by successfully landing Chandrayaan-3 on the moon’s South Pole at a fraction of the cost compared to agencies like NASA. “We don’t need foreign agencies. We have agencies in India that can buy foreign agencies that are investing. By bridging the gap between innovative minds and entrepreneurs, India can surpass expectations,” he said.

The entrepreneur and pilot, who returned from his maiden flight, can’t emphasise enough the importance of space tourism. “Experiencing space firsthand is essential to truly understand its importance. You need to go up there to see what it looks like. And unless you do it, no movie or no globe on your desk will ever be able to convey its importance to you.”

The six-member crew of NS-25 mission

Space tourism

Space tourism is rapidly emerging as a new frontier in human exploration, offering ordinary people the opportunity to experience the wonders of space firsthand. With companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic spearheading commercial space travel, the once-unimaginable dream of venturing beyond Earth is becoming a reality, and Gopichand is proof of it.

The development of reusable rockets and advanced technology has significantly reduced the cost of space travel, making it more accessible to those outside of government space programs. This burgeoning industry not only fuels curiosity and innovation but also has the potential to inspire future generations to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of human achievement. As more private companies invest in space tourism, the dream of making space a regular travel destination draws nearer, expanding the horizon for human experience and understanding.

His dad always pushed him to dream big, and he wants more people to chase after their dreams. “I want to show that you have to have a dream and it is not really important if you are a scientist, engineer or a pilot to be able to go to space,” the Global Indian said.

Gopichand Thotakura | Global Indian

Gopichand Thotakura is a trailblazer in this new era of space tourism, becoming the first Indian space tourist and inspiring others to follow suit. From his roots in aviation to his ventures into wellness and space travel, his journey embodies the power of ambition and perseverance. His spaceflight experience, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit, reflects his desire to bridge the gap between dreams and reality.

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Published on 13, Sep 2024

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Rising from diversity: Dancer Aakash Odedra is bridging his classical roots with contemporary grooves

(January 23, 2024) He was raised amidst drug dealers and sex workers. Sitting by the window of the small flat in Sparkbrook, Birmingham - which he shared with his grandmother - eminent dancer Aakash Odedra would often gaze upon litter-strewn, dreary streets. “I’d think the world outside doesn’t match the world within me. So I wanted to find a place where I could create a world that exists here,” the dancer shared in an interview, "It was around that time that I found dancing, and that was my only saviour. I trained in the classical Indian forms Kathak and Bharatanatyam, and dance became my god. It was my validation and my strength.” And today, the same child is the visionary behind one of the world's most prosperous dance companies. The dancer established the Aakash Odedra Company in 2011, where he seamlessly integrates his classical expertise with contemporary dance and theatre, showcased in acclaimed productions like Rising, Murmur, and JeSuis. "It has been a decade of endless achievements," the Global Indian shared, "Being able to perform Rising in front of my gurus in India; winning the Bessie Award for best male soloist in the US; being awarded a BEM on the

s like Rising, Murmur, and JeSuis. "It has been a decade of endless achievements," the Global Indian shared, "Being able to perform Rising in front of my gurus in India; winning the Bessie Award for best male soloist in the US; being awarded a BEM on the Queen’s Honours List; seeing the company grow from two individuals working from a costume cupboard to become a full Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation with many team members; seeing our Shiamak Daver Bollywood classes grow across the UK. There are so many things I am grateful for."

A diamond in the rough

Aakash's parents came to England from East Africa, a British colony where many Indians had settled in the late 19th century and early 20th century. However, the family never lost their roots. "I am personally in England as a result of the fall in the British Empire," the dancer shared while talking about his childhood, "I remember, growing up my family remained very Indian, despite being ‘away’ from India for 110 years. So, it was but natural for me to choose to learn an Indian dance form over Western, growing up."

Dancer | Aakash Odedra | Global Indian

However, the journey to adulthood proved to be challenging. His parents moved a lot due to their work, and that made his growing-up years quite difficult. "I come from a very complex background. I was raised by my grandmother. My mum and dad were, short version, doing their own thing," says the dancer, who grew up knowing drug dealers, sex workers, and even a murderer. But like they say, every cloud has a silver lining. "My parents moved endlessly and we ended up living in Leicester. I fell in love with it. There are not many schools outside of Leicester that served Indian vegetarian food at lunchtime or sang Gujarati songs in assembly. It felt a little too good to be true at the start but I soon got used to it and started to explore this incredible city in all its diversity. Once Leicester felt like home, I made a promise never to abandon it. My promise was that wherever I went in the world I would bring part of that world back to share with my home city." he shared.

At the tender age of 15, Aakash departed from his home in Birmingham and embarked on a solo venture to India. Unaware of his destination, he only knew that he had to undertake this journey. "I’d think the world outside doesn’t match the world within me. So I wanted to find a place where I could create a world that exists here," shared the dancer, who soon started performing at various local centres.

Making of a dream

In 2011, after having performed at many national and international dance festivals and having made a name for himself, Aakash decided to start an organisation, which could merge the technicalities of contemporary dance forms and the fluidity of Indian classical forms - and thus was born Aakash Odedra Company. Speaking about his journey with the company for the last decade, the dancer shared in an interview, "10 years for me feels like a line drawn on the sands of time. On one hand, it feels like it passed so quickly, without stopping. On the other hand, it feels like it’s been a long journey to reach the ocean. For me, as for a little turtle hatching on a beach, the journey from shore to ocean is a short one but full of many dangers, only a few complete this arduous journey."

Dancer | Aakash Odedra | Global Indian

One of the most acclaimed shows produced by the company has been Samsara, which is inspired by the Buddhist philosophy of the wheel of life, and the cycle of death and rebirth. "This was something that I and the rest of the world faced during the pandemic. My own extended family and friends were particularly hard hit. Every time you opened up Facebook it was: RIP, RIP, RIP. After my 37th funeral in those two years, I stopped counting. Death started to become part of life. Somewhere inside, this piece speaks about life and death, not as the end but as a continuum," shared the dancer, who also went back to his classical technique, after moving more and more into contemporary dance. “I felt I’d detached from it for a long time. I’ve brought back the sense of roots,” he said.

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A post shared by Aakash Odedra (@aakashodedra.global)

Apart from performing with his team, the dancer has also given several solo shows in the past few years. Speaking about his challenges, Aakash shared, "The greatest challenge for me was going from one process to another in making this work. I also needed to start making my body move differently. I have been doing classical Indian dance, Kathak and Bharatnatyam for a long time, and through the upcoming projects I am trying to move differently. I am still absorbing a lot, and I am sure this will influence my choreographic practice in the future."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS1ds61ZbiI

The company is currently preparing to reproduce the show Little Murmur for the Hakawy International Arts Festival for Children in Egypt, and Mehek for The Arts Center, NYUAD. "It's a continuous process - something that gives me a lot of joy. Our company has several great South Asian dancers, who I believe are the most talented dancers of their respective generations," the dancer shared.

Follow Aakash Odedra Company on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and their website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Indian author Sreemoyee Piu Kundu gives single women the Status Single community to thrive

(January 4, 2021) Ever tried to house hunt as a single woman in the country? Kept a low profile at family dos to avoid the constant badgering by pesky relatives on your yet single status? Or for that matter had to back out of parties that would permit couples only? In a country where the single woman (over 74.1 million as per the 2011 Census) population struggles with gross under-representation, the issues and pressures faced by single women are simply too many to enumerate. And the loneliness can often be staggering too. Which is why, when Indian author Sreemoyee Piu Kundu released her last book Status Single back in 2018, she had an avalanche of messages from singles from across India. The overwhelming response led to the birth of her now popular online community Status Single. The community — which has now grown to offline chapters too — is a sort of support network for single women across the country. And now it is set to further spread its branches with the launch of two new offline chapters: in Dubai and the UK. Today, Status Single has over 700 members on WhatsApp groups in six cities, nearly 2,000 on Facebook. “We’re all just

ingle women across the country. And now it is set to further spread its branches with the launch of two new offline chapters: in Dubai and the UK. Today, Status Single has over 700 members on WhatsApp groups in six cities, nearly 2,000 on Facebook.

“We’re all just walking each other home,” says 44-year-old Indian author Kundu, a firm believer of Guru Ramdas. “We’re a highly active community on Facebook and share issues, problems, and advice. When the pandemic happened, we realised what a marginalised community we were. There are barely any laws protecting single women in the country,” adds the NDTV Woman of Worth Awardee (2016).

Indian author | Sreemoyee Piu Kundu | Global Indian

The pandemic and lockdowns threw up several heart-wrenching stories of struggles single women faced in India. From losing jobs to looking for second-hand devices for online classes for their children, solely handling caregiving for aged parents as siblings were married and settled elsewhere, differently-abled women struggling as caregivers had stopped coming, and older single women dealing with loneliness as their children were far away. The stories were many, the problems similar.

“We created a buddy system to check in on each other. We’d do zoom calls to pep them up or fix doctor appointments. Mental health was precarious given that single women had no support structure: many were dealing with loss of jobs, income, pay cuts and shutting down of projects,” Indian author Kundu tells Global Indian. “That is when we realised a Facebook group wouldn’t suffice. So we began organising national Zoom calls every second Sunday. They would last hours, and members would discuss various issues: from the loss of loved ones, grappling with the pandemic, struggling with finances and much more.”

An offline support system

Earlier in 2021, one of the Kolkata chapter leads suggested meeting offline, and the notion took hold. Soon Status Single had offline chapters in several cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Lucknow, Bengaluru, etc. Today, it is set to launch its Dubai and UK chapters. “We have a core team in every city and chapter leads. Each month, we choose a topic – women and wealth, self-love, mental health, etc. We also rope in experts from finance, mental health, etc to speak,” says Indian author Kundu, of the workings of Status Single.

Indian author | Sreemoyee Piu Kundu | Global Indian

Talking about her role in the community, Kundu says that she feels like a mother, albeit a younger one. “I consider myself to be akin to Gandhari with her 100 children. My work with the community definitely increased since the pandemic in 2020. There were days when I’d field as many as 50 calls from women wanting to join the community. In fact, the community became my strength in many ways,” says the Indian author, who herself battled for her life after a bout of Covid in April 2021. “I’d spent about three weeks in the ICU and it was my community of warrior women that inspired me to fight my best fight. It would’ve been extremely hard to soldier on given all the trauma and death around me. But these strong women inspired me to fight, recover and recuperate.”

Single, and fighting the good fight

Indian author Kundu, who’s proudly living up the single life, has been setting the benchmark for singles across India for a while now. From celebrating her 40th birthday like a wedding where she made vows to herself, to proudly owning her life and all its achievements, this author has no qualms in embracing a life that is quite different from what she’d once dreamt of. “There was a time when I dreamt of getting married, having three kids and a beautiful home. But life led me down a different path. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I’m enormously proud of the woman I’ve become,” says Kundu, who gave up on her archaeology dreams following an abusive relationship that saw her escaping Kolkata early on.

[caption id="attachment_18430" align="aligncenter" width="1440"] Indian author | Sreemoyee Piu Kundu | Global Indian Sreemoyee with the Status Single group at an offline meet up[/caption]

Her second relationship ended in a broken engagement and a nervous breakdown. A chance job at Asian Age in Delhi changed the course of her life for good. She became an editor at 25 and pursued a career as a journalist for 15 long years before moving to PR as head media strategy. “Books happened quite by accident. I wrote my first book on a holiday in Australia. I came back and impulsively quit my job to turn author and it clicked,” says the Indian author, who is a trendsetter. From becoming the first Indian woman to write about sex with Sita’s Curse to becoming the first Indian woman to writing lad lit with You Got the Wrong Girl, she has been breaking stereotypes for a while now.

For Status Single, the book, which was born out of the Below the Belt column she wrote for DailyO, she interviewed over 3,500 single women – unmarried, divorced, widowed, transwomen or separated. “In a way, I suppose my books shaped me as a community founder, curator of diversity and inclusion events and a chat show host,” says Kundu, who learnt a great deal from her mother, who dealt with widowhood and a single life after the death of her biological father.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkpev1QBtnc[/embed]

“For the longest time, all she did was care for me, her aging parents and her job at Loreto House. She wasn’t allowed to participate in customs and her parents stopped seeing her as a woman... just as a widow. Then she met the man of her dreams and they got married. At age 60, she decided to foster a girl child. I now have a 12-year-old sister. My parents have always stood by my choices and are proud of all that I do. But I’ve largely walked the path alone on this journey,” says the Indian author, who is currently working on Unhealed, her second non-fiction book after Status Single to be released in mid-2022 by Bloomsbury.

Lessons in life

From dealing with abuse, abandonment, loneliness to becoming a celebrated author and now a community founder, Kundu has come into her own. She is working to expand Status Single and hopefully turn it into an organisation this year. “It needs a sense of structure and hierarchy. Becoming an organisation will help us spread our wings and probably rope in investors for funding to expand,” signs off Kundu.

Follow Sreemoyee Piu Kundu on LinkedIn

Follow Status Single on Facebook and Instagram

Reading Time: 10 mins

Mahesh Sriram: The Hyderabad boy who landed a role in ‘Barbie’

(July 31, 2023) His latest film credits include the recent blockbuster Barbie and Disney’s Haunted Mansion. For, a boy from Hyderabad, to make his mark in the holy grail of Hollywood, it has been one interesting ride for actor and model Mahesh Sriram. The actor notes, “The joy of bringing characters to life and leaving a positive impact on people's lives through my work has made every difficulty worthwhile. I am incredibly grateful for the journey I've undertaken in the movies.” The actor's career path started quite early, during his college years when fashion photographers noticed him. He debuted as a print magazine model and was part of several advertising campaigns and fashion shoots. He then moved to Hollywood where he is known for his roles in movies including Day 5, Ohryis Project, and Hang Up. The Wonder Years Growing up in Hyderabad, Mahesh’s childhood was filled with curiosity and passion for the arts. He had a deep interest in acting and modeling and started his journey in the entertainment industry in Tollywood, the Telugu film industry in Hyderabad. “It was an exciting and challenging time, but it laid the foundation for my future endeavors in the world of entertainment,”

curiosity and passion for the arts. He had a deep interest in acting and modeling and started his journey in the entertainment industry in Tollywood, the Telugu film industry in Hyderabad. “It was an exciting and challenging time, but it laid the foundation for my future endeavors in the world of entertainment,” the actor recalls.

Entering the world of movies was a dream that the actor held close to his heart from a very young age. “I was captivated by the magic of storytelling and the ability of films to transport audiences to different worlds and evoke emotions.” he states and adds, “The fascination of portraying diverse characters and connecting with people on a deep emotional level through my performances inspired me greatly.

Actor | Mahesh Sriram | Global Indian

However, the path to pursuing his passion was not without its difficulties. Breaking into the entertainment industry, especially on an international level, requires determination and resilience. The competition is intense, and facing rejection is part of the journey. However, Mahesh is nothing but persistent. “I firmly believe that challenges are just opportunities for growth and use them as stepping stones to improve my skills and refine my craft.” the actor shares.

Adapting to different cultures, languages, and work environments as an international actor presented its own set of challenges. But Mahesh embraced the learning process, as it allowed him to gain valuable experiences and broaden his horizons as both an individual and a performer. Despite the ups and downs, the love for storytelling and the desire to connect with audiences around the world have held the actor in good stead.

Making his mark

Mahesh started as a model and the transition to movies happened gradually leading to roles in commercials and eventually in Hollywood movies. “While both professions involve the camera, acting allows for a deeper exploration of characters and emotions, making it a more immersive and challenging experience compared to modeling.” the actor shares.

The actor is chuffed to get a chance to work with Hollywood studios like Barbie by Warner Brothers and Haunted Mansion by Disney. The actor shares, “Being a part of projects alongside well-known Hollywood stars was a true testament to the hard work and dedication I've put into my craft. Those moments motivated me to continue pushing myself to new heights. They serve as a constant reminder of how far I've come and the incredible opportunities that lie ahead in my journey as an actor in the world of movies.”

Actor | Mahesh Sriram | Global Indian

Working in Hollywood can be a competitive and unpredictable journey, but the actor takes everything in his stride. “Breaking into Hollywood as an actor from Asia was indeed challenging,” the actor confesses before adding, “Regardless of where you come from, the journey is tough until you make it. Being from a different country required me to put in extra effort to understand the industry. However, Hollywood appreciates professionalism and talent, and I always give my best in every production.”

Hyderabad to Hollywood

Asian actors are usually pigeonholed in the West as exotic and restricted to playing certain characters. The actor nods and ponders before answering, “It's true that typecasting can be a concern for Asian actors in the West. However, the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, particularly with the rise of OTT platforms and global cinemas, has brought about positive changes. Audiences and directors are now able to see Asian actors in more pivotal and diverse roles, moving away from traditional typecasting and limitations.”

Actor | Mahesh Sriram | Global Indian

Mahesh aims to continue pushing boundaries and taking on roles that challenge perceptions and showcase the depth and range of Asian actors. He says, “By choosing roles that resonate with me and staying true to my passion for acting, I hope to contribute to changing the narrative and paving the way for more opportunities for Asian actors in the industry.” By embracing the changing dynamics of the entertainment world, the actor is breaking stereotypes with his work and representing the diversity and talent of Asian actors on the global stage.

Unfolding narrative

Each opportunity allows the actor to push boundaries and be the best version of the performer he can be. He adds, “Every project I undertake becomes a high point in my career as I embrace the challenge and strive to learn and grow from each experience.” He wants to explore his craft further by taking on interesting and challenging roles. “Each new project presents a fresh chance to showcase my skills and contribute to the world of entertainment. I'm eager to continue my journey in the industry, taking on new challenges, and delivering performances that leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide,” the actor explains.

Actor | Mahesh Sriram | Global Indian

Given his background in India and proficiency in multiple languages, Mahesh is open to working in Tollywood and Bollywood projects. The actor signs off saying. “Acting in Indian films has always been close to my heart, and I cherish the rich storytelling and diverse characters that these industries offer. As I continue to grow as an actor, I eagerly look forward to bringing my skills and experiences to Indian cinema and contributing to meaningful and entertaining projects. So, yes, you can expect to see me in some exciting Indian films in the future!”

Follow Mahesh Sriram on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and his website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Meet the Indian American politicians in race for 2022 USA mid-term elections

(November 9, 2022) The last few decades have seen an exponential increase in the number of Indian-origin people who are actively taking part in US politics. The second-largest immigrant group in the US, the Indian Americans are now holding important public offices, and have emerged as leaders of not just minority ethnic groups in the country, but also people from various spheres of society. As a result, every election in the USA sees a growing number of candidates representing the Indian-American ethnicity. As the country approaches the midterm elections, Global Indian puts the spotlight on key Indian American politicians in the race. Rohit (Ro) Khanna, Democrat, California A lawyer, politician, and author - Ro Khanna dons many hats. Currently, he represents California’s 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving his third term. He sits on the House Agriculture, Armed Services, and Oversight and Reform committees, where he chairs the Environmental Subcommittee. [caption id="attachment_31530" align="aligncenter" width="622"] Ro Khanna, politician[/caption] An important asset in the Biden government, Ro has worked across the aisle to deliver on legislation to invest in science and technology, create millions of good-paying tech jobs and revitalise American manufacturing and production. He

om//wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Ro-Khanna.jpg" alt="Indian American | Global Indian" width="622" height="346" /> Ro Khanna, politician[/caption]

An important asset in the Biden government, Ro has worked across the aisle to deliver on legislation to invest in science and technology, create millions of good-paying tech jobs and revitalise American manufacturing and production. He also authored the Endless Frontier Act, which formed the basis for the sweeping CHIPS and Science Act signed into law by President Biden. Committed to using his position to advance a foreign policy of military restraint and diplomatic engagement, Ro is up against another Indian-American politician, Ritesh Tandon.

Manka Dhingra, Democrat, Washington

When she first moved from Bhopal to California, she was just a teenager with big ambitions. Today, Manka Dhingra is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Washington State Senate. In 2017, she became the first Sikh elected to any state legislature in the United States. Since then, she has sponsored and passed legislation addressing a wide range of issue areas, including curbing domestic violence and sexual assault, preventing firearm violence, providing property tax relief for seniors and people with disabilities, prosecuting financial fraud, and reforming the criminal justice system with an evidence-based approach.

[caption id="attachment_31531" align="aligncenter" width="664"] Indian American | Global Indian Senator Manka Dhingra[/caption]

As a member of the Special Committee on Economic Recovery in 2020, she helped the statecraft an economic plan to lead an equitable recovery from the COVID economic downturn. She also serves on several task forces dedicated to reducing poverty, reforming the criminal justice system, improving equity in state government, and providing a sound and fair fiscal footing for the state. The politician is standing against Ryika Hooshangi to win the midterm elections.

Raja Krishnamoorthi, Democrat, Illinois

An India-born American businessman and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district since 2017, Raja Krishnamoorthi is known for his education, skill training, and workforce enhancement policies. His political career started in 2000 when he first worked on Barack Obama's 2000 election campaign for the United States House of Representatives. He later served as an issues director for Obama's 2004 campaign and aided in the development of Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote address.

[caption id="attachment_31532" align="aligncenter" width="613"] Indian American | Global Indian Raja Krishnamoorthi, politician[/caption]

He first ran for the Democratic Party nomination in 2010, which he, unfortunately, lost to David E. Miller. However, in 2012, 2016, and 2022, the politician won the elections by a heavy margin and is now gearing up to give a tough fight to his Republican opponent, Chris Dargis.

Priya Sundareshan, Democrat, Arizona

The Director of the Natural Resource Use and Management Clinic, Priya Sundareshan was most recently an attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund in Washington, DC, where she advocated for sustainable federal fisheries management in legal and policy issues. A Tucson native, she received her JD and an MS in natural resource economics through the University of Arizona’s dual degree program in Economics, Law, and the Environment.

[caption id="attachment_31533" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Indian American | Global Indian Priya Sundareshan, politician[/caption]

Even though it is her first major election, the ballot seems to be tilted in her favour, with the early survey showing that about 54.9 percent of people are inclined to vote for her during the midterms, as against 45.1 percent to Republican Stan Caine, who is standing against her.

Om Duggal, Democrat, Georgia

This congressman has been a vocal advocate of several issues plaguing not just America, but almost every country across the globe. From affordable healthcare to protecting women's rights, and supporting students - Om Duggal has worked on it all.

[caption id="attachment_31534" align="aligncenter" width="671"] Indian American | Global Indian Om Duggal, politician[/caption]

The New Delhi-born Duggal immigrated to the United States with his family over two decades ago. In 2004, he opened two hotels and was involved in the development of a small residential community in Duluth, Georgia. A few years later, he decided to stand for a local election and won - and there has been no turning back since. As he goes to election against Republican Matt Reeves, Om is working on a non-profit focussed on senior living.

Reading Time: 6 mins

Daltonganj to Diversity: Dr Narendra Prasad Singh’s journey of research and mentoring minorities in the U.S.

(June 13, 2024) After obtaining two fully funded PhDs. - one in cytogenetics from Ranchi University and another in molecular biology from Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg - and a postdoc degree from Aarhus University, Denmark, on a UNESCO fellowship, Dr Narendra Prasad Singh began his research career. He has since dedicated over 25 years to research in molecular biology, molecular immunology, and immunotoxicology in the US. Dr Singh has come a long way, but has not forgotten the struggle of his early days, back home in the small town of Daltonganj (now Medininagar) in Jharkhand (then Bihar). He continues to dedicate his efforts towards helping the less privileged realise the American Dream, just as he did. Having played an integral role in founding the NGO SHRMS in Daltonganj, which focuses on the cyclic development of tribal communities in over 25 villages, and later working with underrepresented African-Americans at the University of South Carolina, Dr. NP Singh truly found his calling. Talking about empowering African American students who have benefited from his mentorship, Dr Singh tells Global Indian, “This has been the most fulfilling assignment and I feel very proud of it, as it allowed me to mentor students

balindian.com//" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian, “This has been the most fulfilling assignment and I feel very proud of it, as it allowed me to mentor students from minorities who are poorly represented in research. I don’t want to compare but African Americans are very similar to SC/ST populations of India, poorly educated and economically very backward. I am happy to share that all the students that I mentored are doing very well.”

[caption id="attachment_52370" align="aligncenter" width="711"] Indian Researcher | Dr Narendra Prasad Singh | Global Indian Dr Narendra Prasad Singh with his mentees[/caption]

At the South Carolina School of Medicine, Dr Singh serves as the Director of the Analytical Core of the NIH-NCCAM Center for Inflammation and Autoimmunity and as the Program Director of Immune Monitoring Core (Immune Modulation) of the Center for Dietary Supplements and Inflammation. He has published more than 125 research papers in high-impact journals such as Immunity, PNAS Nexus, Cancer Research, JBC, Molecular Pharmacology, and Immunology, contributed towards securing close to $50 million in NIH grants, chaired numerous national and international meetings, and presented his work in countries including Australia, China, Dubai, The Netherlands, and India. Dr Singh also serves as the associate editor of Frontiers in Immunology, one of the most cited journals in the field.

The fulfilment that comes from being of help

Even while trying to find his footing and pursue a research career beyond Daltonganj, Dr. Narendra Singh made efforts to help others in any way possible. One such instance involved a rickshaw puller named Baiju. One morning, while riding on Baiju’s rickshaw to GLA College Daltonganj, where Dr Singh worked briefly as a faculty member, Baiju expressed his desire to see his son admitted to college if he passed his board exams, and was willing to work day and night to fund his son’s education. “I was touched and told Baiju to see me once his son cleared the matriculation exam.”

When the board results were out Baiju came to Dr. Singh's home with his son, who had passed with a second division, not the first division required for admission to GLA College. Despite the challenges, Dr. Singh personally requested the principal to admit Baiju's son, who eventually graduated from the institution. Although he lost touch with Baiju and his son after moving abroad, he feels happy to have played a role in making their dream come true.

During the same period, Dr. Singh, along with a few friends, laid the foundation of the NGO named Society of Hill Resource Management School, led by Mr. Mishra, a retired forest ranger and father of a close friend. “The NGO’s motto is Chakriya Vikas (Cyclic Development) of the tribal people in Jharkhand, a predominantly tribal state,” he explains. “Starting with five villages, the NGO expanded to 25 villages, earning funds from the Ford Foundation and the Government of India.”

[caption id="attachment_52369" align="aligncenter" width="425"] Indian Researcher | Dr Narendra Prasad Singh | Global Indian Dr Narendra Prasad Singh[/caption]

Although Dr Singh's direct involvement with the NGO diminished after moving to the US, he takes pride in its ongoing growth. “Currently, the NGO operates a training centre that empowers villagers in cyclic development concepts and become leaders of change in their communities,” he says.

Mentoring American-African minorities

Always seeking opportunities to benefit the underprivileged, in the U.S. Dr NP Singh has associated himself with South Carolina–Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (SC-ADAR), a programme funded by the National Institute on Aging. SC-ADAR aims to enhance the research experience, academic skills, and career readiness of underrepresented minority students in ageing-related sciences, preparing them for advanced studies in science, technology, engineering, and medicine.

As part of the programme, Dr Singh mentors and engages select undergraduate students in a rigorous summer research training. The students conduct research in their desired field under his guidance, spending a summer in his lab and creating a research poster that is presented at the annual USC Summer Research Symposium. In addition to the lab curriculum, students also engage in a seminar-based curriculum where they learn more about ageing research as a viable career path.

Dr NP Singh is proud of the accomplishments of his mentees. “Some of them joined the medical profession and some of them are pursuing graduate programs. Their success gives me enormous satisfaction. It gives me the motivation to do something for others who truly need my help,” he remarks adding, “Helping underprivileged and economically disadvantaged people has always been my passion.”

[caption id="attachment_52371" align="aligncenter" width="589"] Indian Researcher | Dr Narendra Prasad Singh | Global Indian Dr Narendra Prasad Singh with his mentees[/caption]

Understanding the value of mentorship from personal experiences

Good role models and receiving great mentorship during his early struggles in Bihar played a significant role in shaping how Dr Narendra Kumar Singh mentors his own mentees.

In the 1980s as a student, he excelled academically, earning a B.Sc. Honours (First Class First) and an M.Sc. (First Class First) in Botany. He received a CSIR scholarship from the Government of India for his Ph.D., which he completed under Dr. S. S. N. Sinha at Ranchi University. Reflecting on his mentor, Dr. Singh recalls, “Dr. Sinha not only mentored me but also provided full support and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. He was like a father figure to me.”

After completing his Ph.D., Dr. Singh secured a faculty position at GLA College in his native town of Daltonganj. Despite ranking second on the merit list, he was not placed in his specialised department of Botany, rather was promised a transfer that never materialised. This disappointment led him to seek opportunities elsewhere. Around this time, another mentor at Ranchi University, also named Dr. Narendra Kumar Singh, inspired him by moving abroad to work in a U.S. lab. “While seeing him off at the airport, I contemplated my own future abroad and became motivated to apply for a second Ph.D. overseas,” Dr. NP Singh remarks.

In 1986, he was accepted into a Ph.D. program at Purdue University but faced funding issues. Fortunately, he secured a paid fellowship in Russia and went ahead with the opportunity. Dr. Singh credits both his mentors, Dr. Narendra Kumar Singh and Dr. S. S. N. Sinha for significantly influencing his academic career and dreams.

[caption id="attachment_52373" align="aligncenter" width="710"] Indian Researcher | Dr Narendra Prasad Singh | Global Indian Dr Narendra Prasad Singh during a visit to China in 2019[/caption]

Working on his dreams in the US

After completing his second PhD and postdoc studies abroad, Dr N P Singh has worked at many institutions in the U.S. including Auburn University, University of Louisville, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Since 2005 he is associated with the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, and works as the Director of the Analytical Core of the NIH-NCCAM Center for Inflammation and Autoimmunity and also serves as a Program Director of Immune Monitoring Core (Immune Modulation) of the Center for Dietary Supplements and Inflammation funded by the NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program.

“At present, we have several important projects, including studying the transgenerational effects of TCDD (Dioxin) in mice and investigating the role of the gut microbiome in the development of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as exploring possible treatments using gut microbiota,” tells the professor and researcher who has also indulged in research pertaining to plant sciences and molecular pathways involved in cancer, in the past.

His journey, from overcoming early career challenges in Daltonganj to pioneering research in the U.S. and providing guidance to American-African students, highlights his dedication to academic excellence, mentorship, and service to the underprivileged. Dr Narendra Prasad Singh’s achievements demonstrate that the influence of good mentors, coupled with one’s own perseverance, can have a transformative impact on both personal and professional success.

[caption id="attachment_52372" align="aligncenter" width="794"] Indian Researcher | Dr Narendra Prasad Singh | Global Indian Dr Narendra Prasad Singh in a get-together with a nobel laureate[/caption]

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