Global IndianstoryOxana Banshikova: Kazakhstan woman popularising Bharatanatyam across the globe

Oxana Banshikova: Kazakhstan woman popularising Bharatanatyam across the globe

Compiled by: Charu Thakur

(April 2, 2024) As the curtains rise, Kazakhstan-born Oxana Banshikova takes the center stage. Clad in a beautiful silk saree with kohl-rimmed eyes, she is a vision of elegance and poise. Her fluid movements and intense eyes convey myriad emotions. Through every arched brow and subtle shift in expression, she breathes life into the narratives, seamlessly blending her own experiences with the Indian culture. With each step, she embraces the heritage of Bharatanatyam, the art form that’s closest to her heart. Her performance is a celebration of diversity and the power of dance, and she leaves no stone unturned to mesmerise her audience with her artistry. Meet the woman who left her homeland in Kazakhstan to learn Bharatanatyam in India, and is now popularising the art form through her dance company Cosmic Dance.

Oxana Banshikova

A performance that changed it all

Growing up in Kazakhstan, Oxana was always drawn towards dance and experimented with various forms, including jazz, ballet, and folk dances. But still couldn’t find what she was really looking for. After completing her degree in International Relations and Foreign Policy, she had the opportunity to visit India – a country that captivated her mind with its traditions, culture, bright colours, and beautiful music. During her maiden trip, she happened to witness a dance performance at Mahabalipuram. “A beautiful dancer, live orchestra, and ancient temple as a background. It was an unforgettable experience for me,” she revealed.

Upon her return to Almaty, she couldn’t get the memory of the surreal experience out of her mind and was fortunate to find a teacher – Akmaral Kainazarova – who had learnt Indian classical dance in India. It was at the Indian Cultural Center of Indian Embassy in Almaty that Oxana learnt her first-ever Bharatanatyam steps. “Deep within I knew straight away that I want to go forward, and find ways to become a professional,” she added.

Kazakhstan to India – a learning curve

In a couple of months, fortune smiled upon her as she secured a four-year scholarship from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to study Bharatanatyam at Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts. Passionate about her craft, she bid farewell to Kazakhstan and landed in Chennai to “learn the beautiful dance art.”

Oxana Banshikova | Global Indian

Her hard work and perseverance paid off as she received a scholarship from the Indian government in 2002 to attend Kalakshetra College of Fine Arts in Chennai, India. “The Indian government sponsors foreign nationals to come and learn their culture. Once they return, they will promote Indian culture.” For the next five years, she immersed herself in Indian classical music, dance, philosophy, and religion. Amid her academic pursuits, Oxana managed to enter into marriage, and in 2007, her husband’s transfer led them to relocate to Hong Kong.

Promoting Bharatanatyam in Hong Kong

Moving to an “entrepreneurial city”, Oxana harboured dreams of starting her own dance company. But was scared to take that leap of faith. “I wanted to practice my art, to teach, to perform but I couldn’t find anyone who would employ me and give me a good salary. But I had students. So I started looking into legal opportunities to teach,” she said in an interview. Despite trying various options like nonprofits and associations, nothing clicked for Oxana until she found people who were keen to learn Bharatanatyam from her. “I had to rethink my teaching ideas and make it interesting for regular students as well as newcomers. That was the biggest learning curve for me and the most valuable experience of making this traditional art form into something that would be interesting for people who had never tried it,” revealed Oxana. This propelled her to start her company – Cosmic Dance – which found more clients through strong word of mouth.

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A post shared by Oxana Cosmic Dancer (@oxanacosmicdance)

For someone who learned Bharatanatyam in India, teaching to non-Indian students got a little tricky at times. “A student learning Bharatnatyam outside India would get a lot of pressure trying to understand the devotional aspect and historical background of this art form. Non–Indian students usually have difficulty accepting and executing abhinaya, they are merely attracted by the technical beauty of Bharatanatyam,” said Oxana. However, she believes that it’s a good way to introduce a new art form, and the more they learn, the more their interest develops in the art form.

Taking the artform to Scotland

Having made Bharatanatyam popular in Hong Kong with her dance company, Oxana relocated to Edinburgh in 2019 where she is now working towards establishing herself in Scotland. “I am curious about how other dance/movement disciplines work, what their philosophical approaches are, what their applicable techniques are, and how they can be incorporated into my practice,” she said.

It’s been two decades that Bharatanatyam has become a big part of Oxana’s life. “It is not only a matter of always practicing in order to stay in good physical shape, there is always the mental pressure of remembering hundreds of dance routines and choreographing new songs in a short period of time but in the end, it makes me happy,” she said.

Her journey from Kazakhstan to embracing the Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam is a true example of the power of art to bridge cultures and transcend boundaries. Through her dedication and passion, she has not only mastered this ancient art but has also become a guiding light of cultural exchange, spreading the beauty and richness of Bharatanatyam to audiences around the world. Oxana serves as an inspiring example of how individuals can embrace diversity and foster understanding through the universal language of dance.

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Published on 02, Apr 2024

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Chandrayaan-3 perfects Moon landing: How ISRO is making space technology accessible to the world

(August 23, 2023) That, their journey began in the backyard of a church in a small village of Kerala, is hardly a story that needs retelling. Journeying far from its humble origins, the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) trajectory of accomplishments has been nothing short of awe-inspiring. Over the last many years, through their brilliance and toil, ISRO's scientists have been able to transition from their modest beginnings to becoming a global player in space exploration - successfully ferrying foreign satellites and orchestrating the launch of lunar and Martian orbiters. And now, these geniuses have yet again scripted history by becoming the first ever to land a spacecraft on the Moon’s south pole, in just $75 million - about ten times less than NASA's Artemis moon programme. [caption id="attachment_44083" align="aligncenter" width="725"] APPLE satellite being transported via bullock cart in 1981[/caption] However, beyond all the attention given to their many successful missions, there's one more achievement of ISRO that often goes unnoticed - their contribution to making space technology cheaper for many countries that can't launch their own satellites. Over the last decade, India has gracefully launched an impressive constellation of 431 satellites, extending its help to 36 countries across the

tion to making space technology cheaper for many countries that can't launch their own satellites. Over the last decade, India has gracefully launched an impressive constellation of 431 satellites, extending its help to 36 countries across the globe, including South Korea, Argentina, Germany, Indonesia, Turkey, Italy, and Finland.

ISRO | Global Indian

And that's not all. Within the tapestry of the global space industry, ISRO emerges as a pivotal thread, weaving a contribution of almost $7 billion, and boasting a partnership with more than 40 Indian startups, each sculpting their launch vehicles, crafting satellites, and delving into other related endeavours.

Space for all

While organisations like NASA and ESA have always had financial backing from their respective authorities, ISRO lacked funding for a long time. This forced the scientists at ISRO to come up with some really innovative and pocket-friendly ways to operate and launch successful missions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHLjbaM45Yc

Interestingly, ISRO launched the Mangalyaan in 2013 with a budget of ₹4.5 billion, equivalent to $74 million, a figure that, when viewed through Western lenses, stands as astonishingly economical. In a striking parallel, during that very same year, the American Maven orbiter's journey to the Red Planet incurred expenses nearly 10 times more in comparison. In fact, ISRO sent orbiters to both Moon and Mars at a cost eclipsed by Warner Bros. Pictures' expenditure in producing the 2013 cinematic marvel, Gravity.

[caption id="attachment_44085" align="aligncenter" width="648"] ISRO | Global Indian ISRO's Chandrayaan-2 explored the south pole of the Moon[/caption]

ISRO's ability to achieve extraordinary feats while maintaining a prudent approach to financial allocation has attracted several nations to partner with India in order to send their satellites and orbiters into space. In the year 2017, ISRO created history by successfully launching 104 satellites on a single mission, overtaking the previous record of 37 satellites launched by Russia in 2014. Of the 104 small satellites, 96 belong to the United States while Israel, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, and the Netherlands are the other foreign clients.

High on quality; low on cost

While ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has a rather small capacity in terms of volume (about 4000 kgs as cargo), in comparison to NASA’s Space Launch System (approximately 70,000 kgs), several nations have time and again preferred to partner with India over the USA. The PSLV rocket makes a launch happen at around $25 million, and sending each kilogram of cargo into space costs about $6600. On the other hand, NASA's SLS requires a massive $2 billion for just one launch, which makes the cost of carrying one kilogram of cargo an astonishing $29,000 - four times more than ISRO.

[caption id="attachment_44093" align="aligncenter" width="633"] ISRO | Global Indian ISRO's Mangalyaan[/caption]

And of course, it goes without saying that ISRO's PSLV is one of the most reliable launch platforms in the world. With over 50 successful launches, PSLV boasts the achievement of launching the highest number of satellites into a sun-synchronous orbit in a single launch - thus making it the most sought-after platform for various developing countries across the globe to support their space endeavours.

Empowering the next generation

It wouldn't be wrong to say that the successful launch of Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan changed the game not just for ISRO, but for those thousands of youngsters who wished to take the Indian flag to space one day. In recent years, India has witnessed the emergence of numerous space technology startups. However, the year 2022 stood out as a significant milestone, marked by the remarkable launch activities of several private players deploying their satellites. According to the latest Economic Survey, India has now become the nurturing ground for a collective of 104 space startups and 368 space technology companies.

ISRO | Global Indian

Over the years, several key players have emerged in the space tech ecosystem of India, and are being actively supported by ISRO. Many companies - such as AgniKul Cosmos, Skyroot Aerospace, Dhruva Space, Pixxel, and Bellatrix Aerospace - have been able to not only manufacture their own satellites but have also launched them successfully using ISRO's infrastructure - making the technology accessible for many other private players in other countries.

"There’s no future of space without private sector participation," Dr. S. Somanath, Chairman of ISRO, said earlier this year, during the inauguration of the Space System Design Lab at the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre. "The space sector economy, which is today at about $447 billion, is expected to grow to $1.5 trillion. About 50 percent of that would be just 1.8 percent of India’s projected GDP in 2047, and private space industry in the country will be heavy contributors to this," he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofmnRfs3uwc

While India's private space domain might have taken flight five decades after the historic moon landing, industry insiders believe that the country's private enterprises have more than victory on their minds.

Watch Chandrayaan 3 Vikram landing LIVE
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Top Gun: Capt Monicaa Khanna, the pilot who dodged a disaster with her right ‘approach’

(December 6, 2022) On June 19 this year, when one of the engines of the Delhi-bound Boeing 737 SpiceJet aircraft caught fire mid-air, moments after take-off from Patna airport, the top most priority before Captain Monicaa Khanna, the Pilot-in-Command of the aircraft, was the safety of passengers. After all, there were 185 passengers on board and their lives depended entirely on Captain Monicaa and her moves. The situation was grave and one wrong move could up in a disaster of enormous proportions. But Monicaa kept her cool and so did the first officer Balpreet Singh Bhatia. She swiftly took the well-thought-out call of switching off the affected engine, followed all SOPs and made an emergency landing at Patna airport saving all lives on board. [caption id="attachment_32451" align="aligncenter" width="626"] Captain Monicaa Khanna[/caption] “Duty comes first in such challenging times. My job demands situation awareness and spontaneity,” smiles Captain Monicaa Khanna, speaking exclusively to Global Indian. Her wit and bravery not only earned her accolades worldwide, many even compared her to Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger, known for his heroism after he landed a US Airways flight 1549 in Hudson River following a bird strike which disabled both engines, saving all 155 lives

a Khanna, speaking exclusively to Global Indian.

Her wit and bravery not only earned her accolades worldwide, many even compared her to Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger, known for his heroism after he landed a US Airways flight 1549 in Hudson River following a bird strike which disabled both engines, saving all 155 lives on board. “In my case, the passengers remained calm and I am grateful to them for that,” says Monicaa.

The pilot says there was no moment to sulk in, that day. “Our reflex actions quickly triggered us into taking all necessary steps to safely land the flight on ground,” recalls Monicaa, who has flown to Dubai and Hong Kong besides several routes domestically.

She completed her flight training from Bluebird Flight Academy in Canada, which is one of the best flying schools, internationally.

Always on the move

Born and brought up in Delhi, Monicaa always saw herself and her two siblings on the move as her father, Ashok Kumar Khanna, who was an engineer at BHEL, had a transferable job.

Monicaa Khanna

“It was a challenge to make new friends and accustom to new culture at such young age. But those experiences taught me a lot,” says the ace pilot. By the time she reached eighth grade, the family shifted back to Delhi and she completed her schooling from Adarsh Public School, Vikas Puri and went to Delhi University for B Com.

Among the siblings, Monicaa was the closest to her father, who, by then had shifted to a private company - a job that took him to frequent tours.

A dream that turned into passion

As a child, Monicaa would get very disheartened and even start crying whenever her father left home for work-related tours. He used to console her saying he would ask the pilot of his plane to fly over their house so that they could wave at each other. “How joyful will that be?” he used to tell her and leave.

Monicaa would then spend hours in her balcony waiting for an aircraft to fly above her house. While at it, a thought hit her. “What if I become my dad’s personal pilot so that he will not have to leave me behind?”

Monicaa Khanna

The thought triggered her interest in flying and soon decided to become a pilot. “Flying is my passion. Every day, I get to fly with someone new which provides an opportunity to know my colleagues within the company, collaborate and deliver the best customer experience,” informs Monicaa, who recently switched over to Air India Express from SpiceJet.

A believer of work ethics

So how does the flight commander prep up prior to flying aircrafts? “On flight days, I take enough rest before flight, practice mindfulness and exercise. I have a nice home-cooked meal if I am flying from Delhi,” smiles the pilot, who firmly believes that mental and physical health are the most important assets which one needs to work upon regularly.

She has different schedules every day. It ranges from 3-4 hours of flying time to maximum of 8 hours. “After a long flight, I crave for some coffee on the way back home,” says Monica, adding that the atmosphere in the cockpit is professional and demands high work ethics.

[embed]https://twitter.com/monicaakhanna/status/761771379926577152?s=20&t=xHMAdu3mM8N9l8052WRAdQ[/embed]

Once home from work, she gets all the affection from her pet Tobby. After a quick meal, she catches up with friends and family. The pilot has a habit of reading a book before going to bed without fail.

Monicaa’s mantra in life is to live in the moment. “Life is short and I can’t afford to miss these moments,” says the pilot who practices mindfulness for improving her concentration.

She has fond memories of her trip to Mauritius with her mother Kusum Khanna. “She has been my inspiration ever since I was a child. While my father would be away at work, she held the family together, imparting the best values in the three of us,” says Monicaa, who loves listening to Bollywood and Punjabi music besides binge watching Netflix.

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Gopichand Thotakura: Meet India’s first space tourist

(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

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."

[caption id="attachment_55829" align="aligncenter" width="706"] Gopichand Thotakura | Global Indian Gopichand Thotakura returns to Earth[/caption]

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."

[caption id="attachment_55831" align="aligncenter" width="639"] Gopichand Thotakura | Global Indian The six-member crew of NS-25 mission[/caption]

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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The TIME AI Vanguard: 6 Indian innovators redefining the future of artificial intelligence

(November 25, 2024) Artificial intelligence (AI) has become one of the most transformative forces of our time, reshaping industries, redefining creativity, and influencing global policy. In 2024, TIME magazine recognized the individuals steering this revolution with its "100 Most Influential People in AI" list. Familiar names like Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, and Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, continue to dominate global conversations about AI. But this year’s list also sheds light on a host of other Indian innovators making profound, yet often understated, impacts on the field. Global Indian puts the spotlight on the Indians who form the vanguard of AI tech, making their mark in unconventional ways. From policymakers like Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is putting India at the forefront of AI development, to pioneers like Anil Kapoor, addressing ethical challenges in entertainment, the breadth of Indian contributions is vast. Innovators such as Rohit Prasad of Amazon and Aravind Srinivas of Perplexity are redefining how AI interacts with everyday life, while thought leaders like Amandeep Singh Gill and Divya Siddharth are ensuring the technology is guided by principles of fairness and inclusion. Ashwini Vaishnaw: Architect of India's AI Revolution [caption id="attachment_60575" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister for Railways, lnformation

img class="size-full wp-image-60575" src="https://stage.globalindian.com//wp-content/uploads/2024/11/CJv4vGmN9WDeNndhwSWF.webp" alt="Ashwini Vaishnaw | Time 100 AI 2024 | Global Indian" width="640" height="360" /> Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister for Railways, lnformation and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India.[/caption]

Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, is spearheading the country’s ambitious plans to become a global leader in artificial intelligence. His tenure has been marked by a strategic focus on innovation, skill development, and democratization of AI technology.

At the heart of these efforts is India’s AI Mission, which Vaishnaw describes as a collaboration between “industry, government, and academia.” In partnership with Meta, the government launched the Center for Generative AI at IIT Jodhpur and introduced the YuvAI Initiative to train 100,000 students in large language models (LLMs). “Our AI mission is advancing with strong collaborations,” Vaishnaw said after meeting Meta’s AI Chief Scientist Yann LeCun. These programs aim to bridge the talent gap while fostering ethical AI innovation.

A defining feature of Vaishnaw’s approach is the democratization of technology. India’s public AI platform, featuring computing power equivalent to 10,000 GPUs and high-quality datasets, is designed to make cutting-edge resources accessible to startups, researchers, and entrepreneurs. “The government invests in the platform, and everybody becomes a part of it,” he stated, likening this to India’s digital public infrastructure strategy.

Vaishnaw’s leadership also extends to international diplomacy, particularly as India chairs the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI). At the Global IndiaAI Summit 2024, he remarked, “AI can solve many problems simultaneously, but we must contain its risks. The solution must come through a global thought process.”

With Vaishnaw at the helm, India is steadily positioning itself as a global leader in ethical and innovative AI.

Anil Kapoor: A Landmark Victory for Personality Rights in the AI Era

Anil Kapoor | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian

In a list often dominated by technologists and policymakers, Anil Kapoor’s inclusion in TIME’s "100 Most Influential People in AI 2024" is both unconventional and highly significant. As one of India’s most celebrated actors, Kapoor has taken on an expected new role as a crusader for ethical AI practices in the entertainment industry. His recent legal victory against unauthorized AI usage of his likeness has not only secured his own rights but also set a precedent for others in the creative field.

In September 2023, Kapoor filed a lawsuit to prevent the misuse of his name, image, voice, and other personality traits by 16 entities that had used them without permission for commercial purposes. The Delhi High Court’s interim order, widely regarded as a landmark judgment, restrained these platforms from profiting off his identity without consent. Speaking about the case, Kapoor remarked, “My personality is my life’s work, and I’ve worked hard to build it. With this lawsuit, I’m seeking protection of my personality rights to prevent their misuse, particularly in the current scenario with rapid changes in technology and tools like artificial intelligence.”

Kapoor’s victory is being hailed globally, with Variety describing it as a “landmark judgement against AI.” Reflecting on the court’s decision, Kapoor said, “Justice must, and does, prevail. I’m very happy with this court order, which has come in my favor, and I think it’s very progressive—not only for me but for other actors as well.”

Rohit Prasad: Transforming AI Through Voice and Vision

[caption id="attachment_60577" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Rohit Prasad | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian Rohit Prasad, the brains behind Alexa and the vanguard of AI at Amazon[/caption]

Rohit Prasad, Amazon’s Senior Vice President and Head Scientist of Alexa AI, stands at the forefront of voice technology and artificial intelligence innovation. As the architect behind Alexa, Prasad revolutionized how millions interact with technology daily, embedding AI seamlessly into everyday lives. Now, he leads Amazon’s charge to reclaim its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving generative AI landscape.

Born in India and inspired by science fiction classics like Star Trek, Prasad’s fascination with AI began early. He pursued his undergraduate degree at BIT Mesra, Ranchi, before moving to the United States to earn a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. Reflecting on his academic journey, Prasad credits his mentor for shaping his practical approach to AI. “It’s not just about having the best algorithm,” he says, “but proving it works in real-world settings. That preparation—to make inventions matter in the real world—was invaluable.”

Prasad spearheaded Alexa’s natural language capabilities, redefining human-machine interactions. “We dreamed of making computers respond like a Star Trek computer, and Alexa brought that to life,” he has said.

The rise of generative AI, however, introduced new challenges. As competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT surged ahead, Amazon tasked Prasad with revamping its AI strategy. Leading the development of Titan and Olympus, Amazon’s latest large language models, Prasad is integrating generative AI across Alexa and Amazon’s ecosystem, from smart-home devices to AWS cloud services.

Aravind Srinivas: Disrupting Search with AI Innovation

[caption id="attachment_60578" align="aligncenter" width="691"] Aravind Srinivas | Perplexity AI | Time 100 AI 2024 | Global Indian Aravind Srinivas, founder, Perplexity[/caption]

Aravind Srinivas, co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, represents the new wave of entrepreneurs who are blending technical excellence with disruptive ambitions in artificial intelligence. At just 30, Srinivas has steered Perplexity into the Unicorn club, raising its valuation to over $1 billion and challenging industry titans like Google in the AI-driven search space.

Born in India, Srinivas’s journey into AI began during his undergraduate studies at IIT Madras. Despite starting in electrical engineering, he credits his mentors and friends in computer science for introducing him to the nascent field of machine learning. “If I hadn’t been at IIT Madras, I might never have ended up in AI,” Srinivas reflects. From there, he went on to complete his doctoral studies at UC Berkeley.

In 2021, he briefly worked at OpenAI before co-founding Perplexity AI in 2022. Perplexity’s “answer engine” aims to reshape search by delivering concise, AI-generated answers with linked citations, rather than traditional search results. “Google doesn’t want to replace its business model with lower-margin AI search,” he says.

While Perplexity has gained tens of millions of users and processes over 230 million queries monthly, it has not been without controversy. The company has faced accusations of plagiarism from outlets like Forbes and Condé Nast, leading to legal threats and public criticism. “Perplexity Pages had some rough edges,” Srinivas admitted, as the company revamped its citation practices and rolled out a revenue-sharing model for publishers. Despite these challenges, Perplexity’s growth continues, fueled by innovative features like its Pro service, which integrates third-party models like OpenAI’s GPT-4.

Amandeep Singh Gill: Guiding AI Ethics on a Global Scale

[caption id="attachment_60579" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Amandeep Gill | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian Amandeep Gill, United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology[/caption]

As the United Nations Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill plays a pivotal role in shaping the ethical and equitable use of artificial intelligence worldwide. With a background in diplomacy and technology policy, Gill’s work emphasizes international cooperation to ensure AI benefits humanity while mitigating its risks.

Gill’s vision for AI governance balances innovation with safeguards. “AI must be a tool for inclusivity and sustainability, not a driver of division,” he said at a recent global summit. Under his leadership, initiatives such as the Global Digital Compact aim to establish guidelines for responsible AI development. Gill has also championed collaborations through platforms like the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), where he facilitates dialogues between nations, researchers, and industries.

One of Gill’s key priorities is addressing the ethical implications of AI in areas such as privacy, misinformation, and economic disparities. He has consistently called for AI regulations that protect vulnerable populations while fostering innovation. “The risks posed by AI can only be tackled through collective global action,” he believes.

Divya Siddharth: Redefining AI Governance Through Collective Intelligence

[caption id="attachment_60580" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Divya Siddharth | Time 100 AI 2024 | Influential People in AI | Global Indian Divya Siddharth[/caption]

For Divya Siddharth, AI is more than a transformative technology—it’s an opportunity to reimagine how societies govern and collaborate. As the co-founder of the Collective Intelligence Project (CIP), Siddharth has dedicated her work to ensuring that transformative technologies like AI are shaped by and for the collective good, rather than being monopolized by a few powerful entities.

“The world can be transactional and cruel,” Siddharth acknowledges, but she believes in countering this through collective intelligence—systems that “bring out the best and cancel out the worst.” In collaboration with AI company Anthropic, Siddharth and her team ran an “alignment assembly,” engaging 1,000 everyday people to define the values an ideal AI assistant should uphold. Their input not only reduced bias in Anthropic’s chatbot Claude but also introduced principles, like ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, that were later integrated into the live product.

Siddharth’s belief in democracy as a solution, not a problem, stems from a diverse career spanning global AI governance initiatives and grassroots efforts. In a recent TED Talk, she argued, “We’ve gotten used to seeing democracy as a problem to be solved, but I see it as a cutting-edge social technology.” Her work has ranged from addressing data rights to guiding AI governance in collaboration with policymakers in India, the U.S., and the U.K. During her tenure at the U.K.’s AI Safety Institute, Siddharth established programs for public input on AI risks, ensuring that ordinary voices help shape regulatory frameworks.

“Tech expands what we are capable of,” she says. “Democracy is how we decide what to do with that capability.”

These six innovators are proof that AI is not just about machines or algorithms—it’s about people, decisions, and values. Whether through policy, ethics, or technology, they are shaping a future where AI serves society in meaningful ways.

Elizabeth Yorke: Upcycling spent grain from breweries to make food products

(May 18, 2024) Her city Bengaluru is home to 72 breweries, and chef-turned-food researcher Elizabeth Yorke couldn't help but think how the micro-breweries were using the spent grain. A concept she came across while interning with food historian William Rubel in California in 2018, who was recreating bread from the 16th century. She learnt that spent grain, a by-product of brewing, has the potential to be repurposed into flour, which otherwise makes its way to landfills. This led her to start Saving Grains in 2022, to upcycle spent grains from breweries into products like cookies, flour, granola, biscuits, and ladoos. "An average microbrewery in the city uses nearly 200 kg of grain/day that’s about 12000 kg of grain is potentially wasted every day within the city," according to Elizabeth. "We're rescuing these grains to make a 'Good Flour.' Why good? Because we're creating a model that derives value from waste by capturing food waste streams in cities - built for communities, through a human-centered approach." [caption id="attachment_51704" align="aligncenter" width="662"] Elizabeth Yorke is the founder of Saving Grains[/caption] How a chef turned into a food researcher Growing up in a family where food played an integral part as it brought people

ight="662" /> Elizabeth Yorke is the founder of Saving Grains[/caption]

How a chef turned into a food researcher

Growing up in a family where food played an integral part as it brought people together, Elizabeth consciously gravitated towards culinary arts and pursued the course at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The route took her to multiple restaurants and hotels across the US and Mexico where she worked as a chef for almost six years before exploring food outside the kitchen space. "I have always been drawn to cooking naturally. A kitchen always brings family and friends together; an interesting space to be around. A kitchen is a place that can build perspectives on food and the supply chain," she said in an interview, adding, "Being around food has always prompted me to think of what happens to food before and after it is served on the plate. That curiosity and learning have shaped what my worth is as a cook."

The curiosity to learn more took her to California in 2016 for an internship with food historian William Rubel, who was recreating bread from the 16th century. While learning the history of bread, she discovered the concept of spent grain - a byproduct in the beer brewing process and also the relationship between the bakers and brewers. Throwing light on it, she said that brewers and bakers used to work in similar spaces. "They would share common ingredients, its byproducts, and work in a closed-loop circular system. For instance, bakers gave brewers their leftover bread to convert into beer, and brewers gave bakers leftover grain to make bread. Back then, bakers would bulk up grain because flour was an expensive commodity," said the Global Indian.

Elizabeth Yorke | Global Indian

Armed with this knowledge, she moved to Bologna in Italy in 2018 to work as a food innovation research fellow at Future Food Institute, where he focus was on understanding circular and sustainable food systems. This gave her an insight into ways of minimising food wastage as well as the lifecycle of food.

Circular food economy

Inspired, she returned to Bengaluru to start Saving Grains in 2021 as an attempt to upcycle the brewery grain. Explaining the process on the Saving Grains website, she wrote, "Brewing relies on grains, typically malted barley, which are first soaked in hot water. This step releases sugars that are crucial to the later production of alcohol. Once those sugars are released into the liquid, the grain is discarded. That discarded grain is called spent gain."

The spent grain is collected by Saving Grains from local breweries and then taken to the facility where it's dried and processed into products such as ladoos, biscuits, granola. cookies and flour, which has 22% protein, 45% fibre and 20% carb.

Elizabeth Yorke | Global Indian

Spreading awareness to create impact

However, convincing people to consume by-products of a waste product has been a challenge for Elizabeth. "Repurposing spent grain is an extra effort for most stakeholders. Also, it has nothing to do with the beer production. This mindset needs to be changed, and a sense of ownership of material needs to come into place," she added. Elizabeth, who upcycled 1200kg of spent grain, also found coming up with new recipes with the ingredients to be an obstacle. But she kept researching and experimenting and developing and has also written a handbook on how to make new recipes from spent grain.

Apart from partnering with breweries, she has collaborated with Kutumba Community Centre in Bengaluru to engage the community in a circular food economy. "The people at the community centre can freely use the flour to make rotis. This collaboration has been done to put people and the community at the heart of the circular food economy," she added. Being a food researcher and educator, she started the Serial Upcyclers Club which educates people about spent grain and the concept of recycling. She wants to create awareness among people and communities about spent grain. "There's a saying, ‘Waste is what is left when our imaginations fail’. It is time that we try to understand the potential of food as a resource and the strategies we can employ to reduce food waste," she added.

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