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

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

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(January 6, 2021) Back in the summer of 2016, Kashmir was on the boil. Violent clashes erupted across the valley following the killing of Burhan Wani, commander of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, who was gunned down by the security forces. Close to a 100 people died and thousands were injured in an endless cycle of violence. Then aged 22, Burhan moulded insurgency in J&K through his strong presence on social media.

Around the same time, BSF officer Nabeel Ahmed Wani, another youngster from the valley, had just topped the all-India examination for assistant commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF), a para-military force tasked with securing the country’s borders. He was the first one from the state to have topped the exam. As TV channels went on an overdrive, juxtaposing the stories of the two Wani’s, Nabeel became a hero overnight and the new face of Kashmir unlike the other Wani, who chose to join the militant ranks and eventually met his violent end.

Five years down the line, Nabeel has become the bridge between the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and the security forces. With his strong social media presence, Nabeel — who braved all odds including multiple threats to his life — has influenced thousands of youngsters in the valley, who have either joined the forces or have expressed a willingness to join. In fact, some were on the verge of joining the militant ranks but a quick conversation with Nabeel, led them to shun the path of violence and join the mainstream.

Nabeel Ahmed Wani

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

The Wani who propagates progress

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

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

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

When BSF called out to him

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

Nabeel Ahmed Wani

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

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

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

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

Nabeel Ahmed Wani

Ordinary, but extraordinary

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

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

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

Making the most out of BSF

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

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

Nabeel Ahmed Wani

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

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

Understanding Article 370 and Article 35a

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

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

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Ishtiaq Malik

January 6, 2022 2:49 pm

All the best. PROUD OF U MY DEAR

Sunil Ramnath

June 16, 2024 10:09 pm

Dear Sir, my name is Sunil Ramnath. I am not sure if I am contacting the right Nabeel Ahmad Wani, but I am trying very hard for the past few years to get in touch with my close friend Ahmad Wani- who used to live in Srinagar and later probably in Jammu/Delhi. His wife was Shaista and he also had a son Nabeel Ahmad Wani. Last I talked to him in 2015. Since then I have no contact. I saw your name and it seemed to be the same as my friends sons name, so I thought I would take a chance. I live in Ohio, USA. If you are the person I think then i have been lucky in my searc
my email is ramnaths001@ gmail.com

Published on 06, Jan 2022

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[caption id="attachment_23463" align="aligncenter" width="309"] Gaurav Brahmbhatt[/caption]

Rise to the top

Established in 1992 in the UK by Dr Charles Walsh and Dr Gareth Jones, Gaurav joined Health Care at Home UK (HAH) in 2004, fresh out of college. "Call it coincidence, or luck but that was the time it started buzzing," Gaurav says. The NHS, he recalls, was under a lot of cost pressure and wanted to expand healthcare at home. "This concept had been around in the UK and the US for quite a while. So when the time came, HAH started buzzing. We were turning in more than GBP 1 billion."

Armed with a degree in pharmacy from Pune and a master's in biotechnology from Hertfordshire University, Gaurav came on board at HAH as a pharmacy technician, a "very junior role," he says. He was keen to learn, to take on new challenges and deploy the management skills. "I became employee of the year and was promoted several times," he says.

Soon, he was overseeing operations of the largest pharmacy in Europe, which was "half the size of a football field, came with cold chain compliant operations and conveyor belts - the works." This left him with a strong sense of accomplishment - a migrant from India, getting into an organisation and being able to go so far. "I had learnt people management skills, planning and execution, goal setting and so on," he adds.

An MBA and a new path

Even as he worked at the pharmacy, he dreamed of doing an MBA - a desire he often shared with his bosses. They finally gave in, even offering to fund his degree. "MBAs are quite expensive in the UK," Gaurav explains. "Getting funding is also very hard." It also meant a commitment - time. "My son was born in September 2008 and he was just a few days old when I entered Aston Business School," says the exec.

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Congratulations, Gaurav! pic.twitter.com/fipJoz6BFl

— HCAH India (@HCAHIndia) April 9, 2022

In order to graduate in 2010-11, Gaurav had to turn in a research project. He calls it his "eureka moment." He wrote about HAH possibly looking at India as a expansion opportunity. "I had been away for a very long time and I wanted to be able to give back to my country in some way," he says.

Healthcare at home was a concept that made a lot of sense to him, "We can't carry on endlessly building hospitals," believes Gaurav, adding, "I remember as a kid, a doctor visiting houses with his suitcase. That disappeared with time but the potential was there."

While surgeries and other complex, invasive procedures do require a hospital, "70 percent of what is done there can be done at home," he says. "That's the guiding principle in the UK and we thought we could do something similar in India too.

The India expansion

Gaurav spent six months on his MBA research project and when he presented it to the HAH management, he found them quite convinced, "It was a validation of my research," Gaurav smiles.

After HAH conducted its field research, Gaurav accompanied Dr Jones and Dr Walsh to India to meet with stakeholders, including the Burman family, owners of the Dabur group. The meetings only convinced them further this was the right choice.

Homecoming

Gaurav returned to India with his family in 2012. "I had a baby daughter that year too" - Gaurav smiles, as he seems to do every time he mentions his daughter, who is now nine. It was a tough call - the family was well settled in the UK, both professionally and personally. Moving back to India was a risk but Gaurav knew it would bring him more satisfaction in the long run.

Healthcare at Home India Pvt Ltd (HCAH) began operations in 2013, with Vivek Srivastava as CEO and Gaurav also at the helm. They began to expand outside Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. "We acquired a pharma business in Mumbai and began scaling up post that," says Gaurav, of the company that works with major pharma companies and his pharma expertise stepped in.

Changing healthcare in India

"It's about setting up the infrastructure and then making it work in terms of logistics and distribution. In a complex environment like India, you're dealing with specialised, high-end medicines. We call it integrated pharma," he explains.

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Brand Ambasador for Aston Business School

After he moved to India, Gaurav became the country's brand ambassador for Aston Business School. "I wanted to extend knowledge and support to other Aston alumni in India as well." He runs the university's alumni network, overseeing the various chapters and organising lectures by Aston professors.

In 2020, he became a member of the Aston Advisory Board to strategise for long term impact, learn from industry leaders who are alumni. In 2022, he was awarded his honourary degree.

"It's very satisfying, somehow to be part of something bigger," Gaurav remarks. "And I have been fortunate enough to find people like Dr Charles, Dr Gareth and the Burman family." He describes his journey with HCAH as a mission. "What began as an idea supports millions of people in India. That's where my highest sense of achievement comes from."

[caption id="attachment_23471" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Gaurav receives his honorary degree from Aston University[/caption]

Accessibility of private healthcare

"The company runs its own NGO as well. We are working on solutions like bringing healthcare to rural areas," says Gaurav. Counselling patients too. "For instance, there are people with epilepsy who don't get access to mainstream education, or don't marry. We are working towards developing programmes to deal with these societal issues," Gaurav explains.

Gaurav has returned to his home state, Gujarat. He lives with his wife, whom he describes as a constant source of support, and his kids.

Follow Healthcare at Home India Pvt Ltd on Twitter and LinkedIn

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Rao Remala: From Microsoft’s first Indian employee to philanthropic leader

(October 18, 2024) In a small village in the Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, a young Rao Remala, the son of a peasant, walked six miles to school each day - unaware that his journey would eventually take him much further, leading to a key role in developing the first version of Microsoft Windows. Today, Remala lives in the affluent Yarrow Point in King County, Washington - a far cry from his humble beginnings in a small village with limited health and education infrastructure, no electricity, running water, or sanitation. Despite these stark differences, Remala remains deeply connected to his roots, dedicating much of his philanthropic efforts to improving the conditions in rural India. From a tiny coastal village to Microsoft in the United States Despite hardships in his childhood Rao Remala excelled in studies, doing exceptionally well in math and science. His journey into the tech world began with a passion for learning. After earning his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from NIT Warangal and a master’s degree from IIT Kanpur, Remala worked at DCM, Computer R&D center. He then joined HCL, one of India's pioneering technology companies which was a startup at that time and was known as

t DCM, Computer R&D center. He then joined HCL, one of India's pioneering technology companies which was a startup at that time and was known as Hindustan Computers Ltd.

His career path took a significant turn in 1981 when a little-known company called Microsoft came calling, recruiting him as its first Indian employee. He moved to Washington in the U.S. along with his wife and a little daughter. "When I joined Microsoft, it was a far cry from what it is today," Remala, who became the company’s first South Asian hire and one of its first 50 employees, recalled in an interview. “There were just a handful of employees, and we worked out of a tiny office in downtown Bellevue.”

Indian philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian

One of his first experiences at Microsoft still stands out: “The first day itself, someone walked into my office and explained the project I’d be working on. I had to ask him who he was, and he said, ‘I’m Bill.’” That “Bill,” of course, was none other than Bill Gates, who would go on to shape the future of global technology. Remala reported directly to Gates for the next three years, and the informal, startup-like atmosphere made it possible for him to interact closely with the tech visionary.

“Bill was very approachable and lacked even the faintest streak of arrogance,” Remala said. “He liked people who worked hard and tried their best. I was one of those, and we had a great working relationship.” Remala noted that the significant Indian presence at Microsoft didn't start to be truly noticeable until the late 1980s.

"Before 1987 fewer than 10 Indians worked at the company (Microsoft) and at that time it was common for them to know everyone and even meet regularly." - Rao Remala

Building Microsoft Windows from scratch

Remala’s work at Microsoft began with writing the original code for Windows 1.0 and continued through several key milestones, including Windows 2.0, MS Cobol, MS Office, OLE 1.0, OLE 2.0, Office 95, and Office 97. His tenure at the company was marked by both technical triumphs and grueling work hours. “In those early years, the work was so intense that some days I didn’t go home,” he shared, recalling how he only had a half-day off when his second daughter was born.

As Microsoft grew into a global tech giant, Remala’s contributions became essential to its core products. However, the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the company sometimes led to challenges. “We didn’t have the luxury of long-term planning. It wasn’t like today where you develop a thick manual and have teams of developers working on it for months. On a Wednesday morning, we’d be changing code, just like that.”

Indian Philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian

In 1982, Bill Gates offered Rao Remala stock options, but the developer was initially unimpressed. “I was actually upset because I felt I wasn’t being paid enough,” he recalled. At the time, his annual salary was $22,000, a modest sum compared to others in the company. But those stock options, which Remala thankfully did not turn down, would ultimately make him a millionaire when Microsoft went public.

As Microsoft’s 29th employee and its first Indian hire, Remala held various roles, ranging from individual contributor to Group Manager, Product Unit Manager, and eventually Technical Director. He played an integral role in the team that helped define the personal computing industry.

The power of giving back

After 23 years at Microsoft, Remala retired in 2004. His retirement marked the end of an era for him, but not the end of his contributions. While many of his contemporaries went on to create startups, Remala found his calling in philanthropy, although he also dabbled in angel investing for few startups.

[caption id="attachment_58066" align="aligncenter" width="865"] Indian Philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian Dr. McGarry Houghton, recipient of the inaugural Satya and Rao Remala Family Endowed Chair with Fred Hutch Cancer Centre President and Director Dr. Tom Lynch, Jr., and the Remala family | Photo Credit: Fred Hutch News Service[/caption]

Together with his wife, Satya, he established the Satya & Rao Remala Foundation in 1998, inspired both by his humble beginnings and by Satya’s parents, who had long served their own community in the family’s Eluru, India, home. Their focus has been on health and education for underserved communities. Grateful for their good fortune, the philanthropist and his family have committed themselves to creating opportunities for those in greatest need.

"We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of a lot of people along the way." - Rao Remala

The couple set up a donor-advised fund at the foundation, and since then, their philanthropic efforts have only grown. “We wanted to give back, especially to communities of colour and immigrant communities like ours,” says Remala. Their daughters, Srilata and Srilakshmi, have since taken up the mantle, applying their own professional backgrounds to the foundation's grant making. They have been working closely with organizations such as the Technology Access Foundation (TAF), which aims to provide educational opportunities for children of colour.

Satya & Rao Remala Foundation supports underprivileged students in universities such as Seattle University, the University of Washington, and Carnegie Mellon amongst others apart from working on several health initiatives. Recently they have supported Dr. McGarry Houghton, a pulmonary physician-scientist focused on the immune system's role in cancer and early detection of lung cancer, by naming him the first recipient of the Satya and Rao Remala Family Endowed Chair at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Indian talent in Microsoft’s global workforce

Microsoft employs a significant number of engineers from India, making it one of the largest employers of Indian engineers worldwide. Indian employees play a critical role in the company’s global operations, comprising a substantial portion of its workforce. As of 2024, Microsoft’s global workforce totals over 228,000, with many Indian professionals contributing to its success. These employees are spread across the United States, as well as the UK, Europe, Asia, and especially India. The company’s corporate headquarters located in Redmond, Washington, a part of the Seattle metropolitan area, with its thriving tech ecosystem, has become a major hub for the Indian diaspora, particularly for tech professionals. In India, Microsoft boasts over 20,000 employees engaged in sales and marketing, research and development, and customer services and support.

Prominent leaders, such as CEO Satya Nadella, emphasize the importance of Indian talent in driving Microsoft’s innovation and global strategy. Rao Remala, the company’s first Indian employee, stands as a key figure in this story, having opened doors for future generations of Indian talent within the organization.

A legacy beyond technology

Remala’s legacy is more than just the code he wrote for Microsoft. It’s the impact he continues to make through his philanthropic efforts, inspiring others from the South Asian community to give back. “We hope our story encourages other immigrants to get involved in philanthropy,” he said. He has also built an eye hospital in his village through his foundation’s initiatives.

Today, Remala enjoys a slower pace of life, traveling with his wife and staying connected to his roots. “We’ve come a long way from that tiny village in Andhra Pradesh but our hearts are still there,” he said. From a young boy walking six miles to school to a tech pioneer and philanthropist dedicated to empowering future generations, his journey is a true Global Indian story.

As the Remala family continues to support communities around the world, their story serves as a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you achieve but what you give back. Indian Philanthropist | Rao Remala | Global Indian

To know more about Satya & Rao Remala Foundation visit its website

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US’ National Medal winner Dr Ashok Gadgil merges engineering and empathy to transform communities

(April 13, 2024) When Dr Ashok Gadgil went to the US in 1973 to do Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, he was struck by the stark differences between the United States and India. One striking contrast was the excessive use of fertilizers on American front lawns - a sharp disparity to the agricultural needs in his homeland and the constant struggle for resources. This instilled in him a sense of purpose towards improving the lives of those in less fortunate societies, countries, and circumstances. In 2023, he was presented with a National Medal for Technology and Innovation by US President Joe Biden, at the White House, for providing ‘life-sustaining resources to communities around the world. Over the years, Dr Gadgil has driven numerous inventions, harnessing technology to address urgent problems faced by people in low-resource settings. His work encompasses a wide range of areas, from water purification to efficient lighting, infant care and fuel-efficient cooking options, among others. [caption id="attachment_50692" align="aligncenter" width="669"] Dr Ashok Gadgil recdeiving National Medal from Biden in 2023[/caption] “His innovative, inexpensive technologies help meet profound needs from drinking water to fuel efficient cookstoves. His work is inspired by a belief in the dignity of all people and

t="Indian Scientist | Dr Ashok Gadgil | Global Indian" width="669" height="470" /> Dr Ashok Gadgil recdeiving National Medal from Biden in 2023[/caption]

“His innovative, inexpensive technologies help meet profound needs from drinking water to fuel efficient cookstoves. His work is inspired by a belief in the dignity of all people and in our power to solve the great challenges of our time,” it was announced at the award ceremony while he stood up to receive the award.

Purpose – to make a difference

Talking about his earlier days in an interview with the Berkeley Lab News Centre, he shared:

Nobody I knew had a Ph.D., and I didn’t even know that you had to get a Ph.D. to learn to do research. But what matters is your curiosity and the fire in your belly, and wanting to somehow, make a difference.

Throughout his illustrious career, Dr Gadgil received numerous awards and accolades. These include the prestigious Heinz Award, the Lemelson-MIT Global Innovator Award, The Zayed Sustainability Prize, Zuckerberg Water Prize, LBNL Director’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in Societal Impact, the Patents for Humanity Award among others.

Following his retirement from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) as a faculty senior scientist, where he served from 1980 to 2023, Dr Gadgil has continued to contribute as a Distinguished Professor Emeritus in civil and environmental engineering at UC Berkeley.

Sudan’s Darfur War and Dr Gadgil’s contributions

Between 2003 and 2020, a conflict in Sudan’s Darfur known as War in Darfur or Land Cruiser War, killed lakhs of people, forced millions from their homes, and destroyed traditional livelihoods. Many had to reside in large displacement camps where they received food aid but were still required to gather firewood to cook their meals. For this, women either walked hours to find a single tree, risking assault at every step or purchased wood at unaffordable prices from the vendors.

In response to this crisis, USAID, the world's premier international development agency headquartered in Washington DC requested Dr Ashok Gadgil in 2004 to help design a better cooking alternative for refugees in Darfur - the Sudanese region in Northeast Africa.

[caption id="attachment_50697" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Indian Scientist | Dr Ashok Gadgil | Global Indian Dr Gadgil at a refugee camp in Rwanda[/caption]

The Indian-American civil and environmental engineer designed the stove that had the capacity to burn less than half the wood or charcoal required in a traditional stone fireplace. Gadgil focused on cost effectiveness and simplicity so that the stove could be manufactured locally. Since then, lakhs of women have benefitted from the fuel-efficient wood-burning cookstoves. It eased their financial burden, reduced their families’ exposure to smoke, and diminished their exposure to violence during wood collection. This innovation also helped reduce carbon impact on the planet.

When I visited a refugee camp in Darfur, a couple came up to me and asked me my name. After I told them, they said, “We are going to give that as the middle name for our child.” I was totally blown away. I was humbled. These moments are hard to forget.

Dr Ashok Gadgil remarked in an interview with Berkeley Lab News Centre

Since the stove was designed in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory it was named the Berkeley-Darfur Stove. In an interaction at IIT Bombay, Dr Gadgil had said, “One of the things I cite to my students is a quote of Gandhi. It says, whenever you are in doubt about your course of action, think about effect it will have on the weakest member of the society and that would lead you to the right course of action,”

Disinfecting drinking water, saving lives

Eleven years prior to the Darfur war, Dr Gadgil had worked for UV Waterworks, a project sparked by a 1993 cholera epidemic in South and Southeast Asia. Dr Gadgil’s response was to invent a device that used UV light from a low-pressure mercury discharge (similar to that in a fluorescent lamp) to disinfect drinking water.

Always focussing on simplicity and ease of use for people on ground, he designed a system which had no moving parts and could be operated using even a car battery or solar cell to disinfect approximately four gallons of water per minute. Millions of people in South and Southeast Asia benefited from the device. It was estimated to have saved more than one thousand lives annually.

A project that he has been working on since 2005 focuses on cost-effective arsenic removal from groundwater. It now operates through two community-scale plants in India, serving 5,000 people each at less than a rupee per litre.

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

The technology is also being introduced to California's Central Valley to address arsenic contamination, benefiting low-income rural communities reliant on contaminated groundwater. These initiatives are aimed to alleviate economic burdens and improve access to safe drinking water locally.

Dr Gadgil is revered by his students to whom he always advises:

Make sure you deliver something that actually works well, delivers value at an affordable price, and solves a problem. At the same time, do it in a humble way, where you listen to the community and respect them.

Another significant project of Dr Ashok Gadgil in the field of water purification was ECAR (ElectroChemical Arsenic Removal) that addressed the issue of arsenic contamination in groundwater - a problem that was fatal for one out of five adults in Bangladesh. The ECAR initiative involved use of small amounts of electricity for controlled release of iron rust. The rust binds irreversibly with the arsenic and gets removed as it settles with arsenic, leaving the water safe to drink. The process was effective at room temperature and enjoyed success rate even with high levels of arsenic in water.

Preventing infant deaths

Dr Gadgil developed a plant based non-electric infant warmer to prevent infant deaths from hypothermia - a situation where the body loses more heat than it is generating.

In an interview with NDTV after winning the National Medal for Technology and Innovation last year, he had remarked, "About one million infants die in the first days of their birth from hypothermia. The places where they die do not have reliable electricity. The infant warmer has reduced all-cause deaths of neonatal patients by a factor of three for a large trial in Rwanda public hospitals. That's a very dramatic impact."

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

Advancing the field of Development Engineering

In addition to numerous inventions, Dr Gadgil has authored and co-authored hundreds of journal and conference papers. He is the founding editor of Open Access journal, Development Engineering published by Elsevier, and has been serving as editor of the Annual Review of Environment and Resources for the last 20 years.

Dr Gadgil has also taught graduate courses on Development Engineering at UC Berkeley and co-edited the first graduate-level text book on the subject that was released in 2022.

Apart from winning numerous awards he has been inducted in the Inventors Hall of Fame and elected to the National Academy of Engineering. He has more than 150 refereed archival journal papers, 140 conference papers, and several patents to his credit.

I think the joy of discovery and inventing is amazing. The opportunity to work with some of the brightest people in the research field just by being here and being in Berkeley is a joy.

Dr Gadgil shared in his interview with the Berkley Lab News Centre

From Bombay to Berkeley

Born in Bombay in 1950, Dr Gadgil did his bachelors in Physics from the University of Bombay, MSc in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, M.A., Physics from University of California, Berkeley and PhD in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Before his long stint at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), California, the Global Indian worked for Environmental Energy Technologies Division at the Tata Energy Research Institute, and National Centre for Scientific Research, Paris.

[caption id="attachment_50695" align="aligncenter" width="402"] Indian Scientist | Dr Ashok Gadgil | Global Indian Dr Ashok Gadgil with US President Biden[/caption]

What’s next?

In an interview, he hinted at his next project - how to avoid a large number of heat deaths ‘which are coming to the developing world faster than anybody is ready for.’

“People with training in STEM and with intentions to make the world a better place, have amazing power to do so. Societally, we just have to have the strong intention for a just and sustainable future for all, and the solutions will be there, they are within reach,” he told Berkeley Lab News Centre.

Follow Dr Ashok Gadgil on LinkedIn

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Rohan Bopanna makes history as oldest Grand Slam Champion

(January 30, 2024) “I don’t think just in tennis. People all over the world, being 40 and above, I think it’s just going to inspire them in a different way,” said 43-year-old Rohan Bopanna who created history by becoming the oldest male tennis player in the Open era to ever win a Grand Slam Title. Bopanna and his partner, Matthew Ebden, won the Australian Open men’s doubles tournament on 27th January 2024. Bopanna from India and Ebden from Australia secured a 7-6(0) 7-5 win against Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori. Their strong serving display was evident as they successfully held throughout the match without conceding a breakpoint. Securing the victory, Bopanna and Ebden earned 730,000 Australian dollars in prize money. Bopanna's portion amounts to 365,000 AUD, equivalent to ₹1.99 crore. [caption id="attachment_48664" align="aligncenter" width="841"] Rohan Bopanna with Matthew Ebden at the Australian Open men’s doubles tournament [/caption] “Without a doubt the best moment in my career,” an elated Bopanna said after the big win. There couldn't have been a better start to 2024 for the ace player, who has also been shortlisted for the Padma Shri award this year. Never quit – message to all “I had thoughts of

height="478" /> Rohan Bopanna with Matthew Ebden at the Australian Open men’s doubles tournament [/caption]

“Without a doubt the best moment in my career,” an elated Bopanna said after the big win. There couldn't have been a better start to 2024 for the ace player, who has also been shortlisted for the Padma Shri award this year.

Never quit – message to all

“I had thoughts of quitting and stopping, but to just persevere and enjoy what I was doing, I think, was the best thing I told myself”, said Bopanna. His victory as a player over 40 years of age serves as an inspiration not just for sports people but individuals from all walks of life. And it has been an arduous journey too. “For years and years, I’ve been trying to, you know, get there. I mean, the hurdle was tough.”

Bopanna's achievement of winning a men's doubles grand slam title this month marked his 61st attempt, setting a new record in the Open era. At the end of all, the attitude of being persistent paid off as he made history as the oldest tennis player ever to reach the world No.1 ranking at 43 years and 329 days.

[caption id="attachment_48666" align="aligncenter" width="643"] Indian Sportsperson | Rohan Bopanna | Global Indian Rohan Bopanna[/caption]

“Age truly really is not even a number for this guy,” his partner Matthew Ebden at the Australian Open remarked. “He’s young at heart, he’s a champion, he’s a warrior. He’s fought hard by my side this whole past year.”

The magic of Iyengar yoga

Bopanna credits Iyengar yoga for much of his success in the latter part of his career, acknowledging its role in enhancing the strength of his legs and body, and sharpening his focus on the court.

He was on the verge of retirement in 2019. He used to take two to three painkillers a day as his knees had almost gone bust.

“I have no cartilage in my knees. They’re both worn out from wear and tear,” Bopanna said in an interview. “Unfortunately, you can’t go and buy cartilage anywhere.” The sportsman tried many things to pull himself out of bad shape. “I tried to do the PRP (platelet rich plasma), hyaluronic (injection) and other stuff. Nothing kind of really worked,” he shared.

[caption id="attachment_48665" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Indian Sportsperson | Rohan Bopanna | Global Indian Rohan Bopanna[/caption]

It was during lockdown that Bopanna discovered Iyengar yoga. It is different from other forms of yoga as the discipline makes use of props and emphasises on body alignment. “That made a huge, huge difference.”

It not just strengthened the player’s legs, and the overall body, but also made him calmer. “I don't feel rushed on the tennis court anymore,” Bopanna shared.

Slowly and steadily winning the race

Born in 1980, the son of a coffee planter, Bopanna had started learning tennis at the age of 11. By the time he turned 19, he committed to pursuing it professionally. In 2003, he entered the professional circuit securing his inaugural ATP title in 2008, emerging victorious at the Los Angeles Open alongside Eric Butorac.

During the initial years of his career Bopanna enjoyed a very famous partnership with Pakistan’s Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi for several years. The pair was popularly known as the ‘IndoPak Express’.

In 2012 and 2015, the player reached the ATP World Tour Finals with different partners. He clinched two significant doubles titles at the 2017 French Open mixed doubles with Gabriela Dabrowski, joining the ranks of popular Indian tennis stars like Mahesh Bhupathi, Leander Paes, and Sania Mirza. Bopanna boasts an impressive tally of 24 doubles titles on the ATP Tour, which includes five victories at the Masters 1000 level.

[caption id="attachment_48663" align="aligncenter" width="489"] Indian Sportsperson | Rohan Bopanna | Global Indian Rohan Bopanna[/caption]

His triumph at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters marked a significant milestone as he became the oldest player to secure a Masters title. Additionally, Bopanna has been an integral part of the Indian Davis Cup team since 2002 and has represented India at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games.

Giving back

When the player is not sweating it out at court, he enjoys spending time with family at Bengaluru. He runs a popular restaurant in partnership there.

Rohan contributes a portion of the proceeds from the sales of 'Stop War Start Tennis' merchandise from his merchandising business to the non-profit 'GoSports Foundation.' Additionally, in his hometown Coorg, he actively raises funds for a school, catering to the educational requirements of physically challenged children. He has also been supporting the Coorg Institute of Dental Sciences, which offers affordable dental care and organises numerous free health and awareness camps.

No plans to retire

In his best form ever, the tennis player has no intention of retiring from the game in the near future. “I am playing the best tennis of my life now,” he remarked. “As long as I’m enjoying and playing my best tennis, I don’t see there is any reason to really stop at the moment.”

[caption id="attachment_48667" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Indian Sportsperson | Rohan Bopanna | Global Indian Rohan Bopanna[/caption]

Calm and more composed, a state of mind that he has cultivated over the years, Rohan Bopanna starts off his day with meditation. It keeps him refreshed for the rest of the day.

Follow Rohan Bopanna on Instagram and Twitter

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Diwali’s Radiant Rise: How the festival of lights became popular in America

(November 11, 2023) November 8 saw Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, host a fun-filled Diwali event at the White House which was attended by many influential figures from the Indian and South Asian community. Amid the celebration, the festive tone was set by colourful decorations, ethnic cuisine, traditional music, and rangolis adorned with diyas and lamps. A mere few decades ago, the term 'Diwali' was seldom heard in American conversations or seen in mainstream media. To most Americans, it remained an unfamiliar word, and the Indian-American community, though existing, was relatively modest in size compared to the thriving community we witness today. In the last two decades, Diwali went from an obscure concept to a widely recognised and celebrated festival that now radiates across the American cultural landscape, shining brightly through the expansive and diverse Indian diaspora and beyond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqpn0yjuyM4 As the Indian-American community continues to flourish and share the beauty of its cultural heritage, Diwali's radiant glow will only shine brighter across the nation, uniting people from all walks of life in the celebration of light and unity. Global Indian delves into the reasons of how Diwali has found a strong place in the American culture.

>Global Indian delves into the reasons of how Diwali has found a strong place in the American culture.

The changing face of Indian America

There has been a striking demographic shift. Between the years 2000 and 2020, the number of Americans identifying their racial origin as solely Asian Indian surged from two to nearly 4.4 million. This exponential growth of the Indian-American community has enriched the cultural transformation of the United States and brought festivals like Diwali into the mainstream American culture.

Establishment of a robust supply chain for Indian food, sweets, and all the essential elements of the Diwali celebration due to the increased population of Indian immigrants has brought the festival into limelight. Its appeal has transcended ethnic boundaries across the nation.

Obama and Biden’s presidential impact

“Jill and I wish a happy Diwali to the more than one billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrating this Festival of Lights in the United States, India, and around the world. As we host the official White House Diwali reception, we are honoured to light the Diya surrounded by members of the most diverse administration in American history—led by Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black American and South Asian American to become Vice President,” President Biden wrote in his Diwali message in 2022.

[caption id="attachment_46655" align="aligncenter" width="790"] Indian Art and Culture | Diwali | Global Indian Obamas celebrating Diwali in 2010[/caption]

Former President Barack Obama had played a pivotal role in catapulting Diwali into the American mainstream. His historic celebration of the festival at the White House in 2009 set a significant precedent, marking the beginning of Diwali's recognition in the United States. The diaspora celebrated this recognition, solidifying Diwali’s place in the American cultural celebrations. Social media helped.

The festival of lights witnessed a great significance in American media post that, thus paving way for Diwali features in mainstream US publications, with the New York Times covering Diwali sweet stores across the country in its food section.

A historic declaration

In recognition of the rapid growth of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, New York City's newly-elected mayor, Eric Adams, made a historic declaration this year. He announced Diwali as a school holiday in the city, underscoring the significance of the festival in the lives of New Yorkers. While it so happens, that Diwali falls on a Sunday this year, the proclamation itself holds immense cultural importance.

Mayor Eric Adams has already ushered in Diwali in a special event in October itself this year, attended by close to 1,200 New Yorkers, each adorned in their most festive attire. This event was not just a celebration but a joyous and inclusive tribute to the diverse South Asian communities in New York. It highlighted the city's commitment to embracing its cultural diversity and ensuring that the rich traditions and celebrations of all its residents are acknowledged and celebrated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW1dQkNt93I

World Trade Centre’s Diwali Illumination

In a historic milestone, the World Trade Centre, renowned for its storied history, shone brightly in celebration of Diwali for the very first time in 2021. Since then, the practice has continued.

Indian-Americans, known for their dynamism and resourcefulness, have actively strived to position their culture and community at the forefront of the American narrative. Entrepreneurs, businesses, and corporations have got into partnerships to prominently feature Indian values.

Since a couple of years, two organisations, All American Diwali and Indiaspora, have orchestrated magnificent live Diwali fireworks display that stretched across the Hudson River. This breath-taking event exemplifies the spirit of Diwali, reflecting the growing recognition of the festival within the United States.

[caption id="attachment_46656" align="aligncenter" width="740"] Indian Art and Culture | Diwali | Global Indian A digital mural on One World Trade Center in 2021[/caption]

Shaping the Cultural Landscape with a new generation

Indian-Americans not only represent a significant portion of the population but are also witnessing the emergence of a new wave of proactive individuals and activists with Indian roots. These dedicated individuals are actively introducing the next generation of America-born Indians to their cultural heritage and ethos. In an interview with Global Indian Neerja Patel, founder of Neerja Public Relations, a boutique brand management firm shared, “For the upcoming festive season (Diwali), we are collaborating with Kulture Khazana (another brand by Indian origin founder) to create a delightful festival experience for kids while enriching their heritage knowledge through engaging initiatives.”

In another Global Indian interview, Anu Sehgal, the founder of The Culture Tree that promotes South Asian Cultural literacy in the US in collaboration with all the museums, libraries and cultural institutions remarked, “I took a plunge into entrepreneurship to address the needs of parents like me, who are raising their kids in the US as we want them to remain in touch with their Indian heritage.” There are other organisers from the diaspora across the US whose Diwali events gets covered by the local media these days leading to an increase in the festival’s popularity.

Celebrities popularising Diwali

On social media platforms, a new wave of Indian-origin influencers and celebrities have taken centre stage, enthusiastically promoting Diwali and other Indian festivals. Celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Meena Harris, Poorna Jaganathan and Radhika Jones have used their social media presence to make the Indian origin festivals more accessible and engaging for a global audience bringing the beauty of Indian traditions to the forefront.

[caption id="attachment_46657" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Indian Art and Culture | Diwali | Global Indian Celebrities and Influencers of the diaspora[/caption]

Their collective efforts have fostered cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Indian culture in American household

Indian Americans have married people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. As a result, Indian culture and cuisine are becoming integral components of a wide array of families in the country. One prominent example of this is actor Priyanka Chopra who married musician Nick Jonas and the couple keep on sharing pictures of their festivities with fans spread across the globe, making festivities like Diwali seem an integral part of the American household.

The Indian Americans are ensuring that a sense of continuity of Indian festival gets passed on to the future generations of the diaspora. Diwali is expected to grow bigger and more integral to the American culture with the Indian immigrants’ transformation into a strong diaspora.

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

Written by: Vikram Sharma

The Wani who propagates progress

When BSF called out to him

Ordinary, but extraordinary

Making the most out of BSF

Understanding Article 370 and Article 35a

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"Before 1987 fewer than 10 Indians worked at the company (Microsoft) and at that time it was common for them to know everyone and even meet regularly." - Rao Remala

"We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help of a lot of people along the way." - Rao Remala

Nobody I knew had a Ph.D., and I didn’t even know that you had to get a Ph.D. to learn to do research. But what matters is your curiosity and the fire in your belly, and wanting to somehow, make a difference.

When I visited a refugee camp in Darfur, a couple came up to me and asked me my name. After I told them, they said, “We are going to give that as the middle name for our child.” I was totally blown away. I was humbled. These moments are hard to forget.

Make sure you deliver something that actually works well, delivers value at an affordable price, and solves a problem. At the same time, do it in a humble way, where you listen to the community and respect them.

I think the joy of discovery and inventing is amazing. The opportunity to work with some of the brightest people in the research field just by being here and being in Berkeley is a joy.