Indian Philanthropist | Rizwan Adatia | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryRizwan Adatia: The Indian-African entrepreneur’s big moves in business and philanthropy

Rizwan Adatia: The Indian-African entrepreneur’s big moves in business and philanthropy

Written by: Amrita Priya

(November 3, 2022) In 1986, Rizwan Adatia migrated to Congo from Porbandar, Gujarat in search of opportunities. He was just 16 and made the move upon being assured by his elder brother who worked there, that he would be able to make a living. Rizwan who had just flunked his class 10 exams, landed in the Congo with ₹200 in his pocket, dreams in his heart and a mind full of apprehensions. Today, the teenager who was not sure about what was in store for him in Africa, is the chairman of more than ₹2,000 crore COGEF Group that is spread in eight African countries – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Congo, Burundi and Madagascar.

Rizwan Adatia, Chairman, COGEF Group and RAF Global

The Mozambique based entrepreneur has not forgotten his Indian roots and is a noted philanthropist. Through his Rizwan Adatia Foundation (RAF), he spends a considerable sum annually on developmental projects both in Africa and Asia.

Even when I had few resources, I tried to reach the needy. When fortune smiled at me, I did not waste time and established the foundation for the work I enjoyed the most – making others happy

Mentions the tycoon on his foundation’s website

Life in Africa

“When I first landed in Africa, I missed my mother a lot who loved me too much,” says Adatia in an interview with India News. The youngest of six siblings faced many challenges there as the language, culture and people were new. However, he carried on the struggle to establish a foothold, receiving immense support from his elder brother. He looked at the new country as an avenue to reach closer to his goals. “God is not just in temples or mosques; he is within each one of us. If you believe in yourself, God will give you immense strength to rise above yours fears and uncertainties,” he said during the interview, adding “cleanse your inner self to see God within you.”

Indian Philanthropist | Rizwan Adatia | Global Indian

Working as a salesman in a grocery store, he dreamt big enough to start a store of his own after spending a few years of grooming his customer service skills and the other nitty-gritties of running a grocery business. There were many setbacks on the way but Adatia persevered, going on to establish a chain of stores. With time he expanded his business in sectors like manufacturing, retail, import and export, and warehousing. Today COGEF is the leading wholesaler, and number one player in the cash and carry retail market in Africa.

Dream big, if you want to go far. Make use of all the opportunities that come your way. If your dreams are big, then even if there is lack of opportunities or less financial support, you will be able to develop an inner strength to carry on, and reach far – Rizwan Adatia

Taking risks in his stride

Adatia has encountered a fair share of challenges in running a group of companies on a foreign land. When his first business venture was scaling new heights, his grocery store was massively destructed by local goons. Adatia was shattered but did not give up and built up the business from scratch, making it reach greater heights and finally shaping it into the COGEF Group – a multi-million-dollar business conglomerate.

Indian Philanthropist | Rizwan Adatia | Global Indian

In 2020 the philantropreneur was kidnapped in Mozambique and released from its Maputo province. Undeterred, he continues to influence people about the virtues of doing good. “Money is not everything, Honesty is life. It gives us direction, respect of others and helps us be grateful to God for all we have,” he said during one of his motivational talks.

Giving back

Rizwan Adatia’s foundation, RAF Global, established in 2015, is committed to improving the quality of life of the most marginalised communities in Asia and Africa. Driven by a strong sense of service, he has been contributing a good part of his profits into a wide array of philanthropic causes, and socio-cultural development.

The international board of RAF Global consists of professionals of repute from different walks of life working in Asian and African countries to meet the foundation’s international development commitments and to ensure efficiency of its programmes.

Indian Philanthropist | Rizwan Adatia | Global Indian

With the global head office in New Delhi, the focus of the foundation is on uplifting lives of people in need in countries like India, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Madagascar, Swaziland, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. The programmes of the foundation are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

RAF Global focuses on improving health systems and promoting food security in disadvantaged communities while encouraging self-reliance through economic inclusion for vulnerable citizens, especially women and children, and upskilling workers to promote employability.

We Indians should consider each other part of a large family. If we get together, we can contribute in addressing challenges faced by the people of our country, and also tackle several issues across the world – Rizwan Adatia

Reaching out to his home state, Gujarat

Since the philanthropist has his roots in Gujarat, the state is a major beneficiary of RAF. The foundation has built schools in earthquake-hit regions of Kutch, constructed girls’ hostels and donated public welfare funds. It has also adopted Junagadh’s Maliya Hatina village for its overall development. The philantropreneur celebrated his 50th birthday with 44 lonely senior citizens and differently abled couples of Gujarat, taking them to their first international trip to Singapore and Malaysia. On another occasion he had organised a cruise trip for 45 female senior citizens of Porbandar, his home town.

Rizwan Adatia with Prime Minister of India

Adatia is a motivational speaker who helps youngsters and entrepreneurs to scale new heights by promoting the idea of resilience and positive thinking. The entrepreneur believes in the magic of yoga. “Yoga has so much power that if you devote 10-15 minutes to it every day, you will be strong enough to face all challenges of both mind and body,” he advised youngsters in one of his speeches.

Talking in the context of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan the entrepreneur says:

It should not be only about cleanliness of our environment but also about getting rid of our inner shortcomings.

A film and a book

A film adaptation of the entrepreneur’s biography was out in the theatres in 2020. It portrays the life of a daring 10th failed guy who worked hard enough, without bowing down to challenges establishing 22 cash and carry supermarkets, 130 retail wholesale outlets, and four manufacturing units, employing more than 2,500 people in eight countries of Africa, generating goodwill along the way.

Money is like salt, it’s important but if it’s too much it spoils the taste – Rizwan Adatia

Both his biography and the movie stresses on the above message and showcase how while touching zenith the entrepreneur put his wealth to good use by reducing disparities in education, healthcare and economic development of the two continents close to his heart – Asia, his homeland and Africa, the land where he works.

Core Areas that Rizwan Adatia Foundation focuses on:

EILSWY – Economic Integration and Livelihood Support for Women and Youth
CSA – Climate Smart Agriculture
HNI – Health and Nutrition Initiative
ETP – Education and Technology Programme
GGP – Good Governance Programme
HR – Humanitarian Response

Follow Rizwan Adatia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube

Follow RAF Global on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and its website

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

2 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Viren Narkar

April 2, 2023 1:42 pm

Excellent achievement by a enterprising young man. Should give more information about his business journey and achievement.

Dr. Jawahar Shah

July 18, 2023 8:51 am

Excellent journey… should be shared at school level and should be part of business school training program which can inspire 1000 s across the globe 🌎🌍🌎

Published on 03, Nov 2022

Share with

ALSO READ

Kishore Indukuri: The US techie who founded a thriving dairy farm

(July 10, 2022) "Sid's Farm has given me everything that I have ever wanted." Kishore Indukuri, the founder of what is one of Telangana's most successful dairy farms, speaks straight from the heart. "It wasn't a typical business, but it pushed me to my limits. It showed me what I was capable of enduring to survive. That's what I truly cherish." What began as a means to ensure his two-year-old son was drinking fresh and pure milk, a small operation that started with 20 cows on a piece of leased land in Shamshabad, is a leading dairy brand today, with an annual turnover of Rs 65 crore. Named Sid's Farm, after Kishore's son, Siddharth, the company distributes over 25,000 litres of milk a day. Fresh, raw milk is procured each day from local farmers and put through a series of stringent tests, "an average of 6,500 daily," Kishore says, during an interview with Global Indian. "The emphasis is on purity - no antibiotics, no hormones, and no preservatives." From Massachusetts to Telangana, polymers to pasteurisation [caption id="attachment_26759" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Kishore Indukuri[/caption] Always a bright student, Kishore chose the conventional, much-revered Indian Institute of Technology route to building a career. After

mage-26759" src="https://stage.globalindian.com//wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RAJ03087.jpg" alt="Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian" width="614" height="409" /> Kishore Indukuri[/caption]

Always a bright student, Kishore chose the conventional, much-revered Indian Institute of Technology route to building a career. After he graduated from IIT-Kharagpur, he took the full scholarship he was offered at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and moved to the United States for a master's and Ph.D. "Everything was paid for and I enjoyed my research," Kishore recalls. "But all the while, I felt something was missing in my life."

Kishore stayed in the US to work at Intel for the next seven years. "It was an amazing time, I got to travel to countries like Japan, South Korea, and Canada. Still, I needed to do something more. I knew that. I just didn't know what it would be." One day, he knew he had to take the leap. He walked up to his boss and announced that he was moving back to India with his wife and their infant son. "We sold the house, packed up, and moved back."

Got Milk?

Back in India, he tried his hand at several business ideas, including providing coaching for competitive exams like the GRE. And every day, he wondered if the milk his son was drinking was safe and pure. The answer wasn't clear. The Food and Safety Standards Authority of India has strict guidelines on dairy and its affiliate products, but "how far are these implemented?" Kishore asks.

[caption id="attachment_26754" align="aligncenter" width="672"] Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian Kishore Indukuri[/caption]

"India has done so much good work. You can walk to any shop and get a packet of milk," he adds. "We are the largest producers of milk and we consume all of it." In this pursuit of plenty, however, the emphasis on quality took a backseat.

As he did his research, Kishore found that India's dairy industry continues to thrive, recording an annual growth of 12 percent CAGR. Having grown up in an agrarian household, he felt a natural affinity for the industry. "I also learned that dairy had lots of potential as a business venture," he recalls.

The trial-and-error business model

With two degrees in industrial chemistry and polymer science and engineering, as well as a doctoral thesis on the "squalid mechanics of polymeric materials," Kishore entered the dairy business as a rookie. So he did what he knew best - hit the books. A veterinarian friend, Ravi, helped him choose his first batch of cows. "He told me, 'you have to look at the cow's beauty'. I had no idea what that meant," Kishore laughs.

He and his wife visited numerous farms across India, learning everything they could. They hired staff to milk the cows and started in the wholesale market. The plan didn't work. "We were selling at Rs 15 per litre when the cost of production was anywhere between Rs 25 and Rs 30," he says. So, they decided to sell directly to customers. It meant visiting them personally, distributing pamphlets that his wife designed, explaining the benefits of milk that contains no preservatives, antibiotics, hormones, or thickening agents.

[caption id="attachment_26757" align="alignnone" width="1370"] Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian Graphic courtesy: Sid's Farm[/caption]

"Milk doesn't take a break," Kishore says. "We were transporting fresh milk twice a day, 730 times a year, starting 2013." The obstacles were many, especially on the distribution side. There were accidents and numerous untold delays. "It doesn't matter how good the milk is, if the customer didn't get it in time for his morning coffee, he will go elsewhere." Eight years later, they do 16,000 deliveries a day and have separate apps for customer interaction as well as delivery. "We didn't even stop during COVID," he says.

He recalls another occasion when the staff, who would milk the cows threatened to go on strike, demanding more money. The team was at a loss, the cows needed to be milked. Local farmers took pity on their plight, milked their cows, and then came to help them. "That's how we started working with farmers, we sell their milk for them."

Put to the test

Fresh, raw Indian milk is among the best in the world, Kishore remarks, sourced from smaller farmers who keep grass-fed, free-range cows. However, with little implementation of the regulations, thickeners, preservatives, hormones, and antibiotics are a common presence. Making sure their dairy farm produces pure and unadulterated is a point of pride for Kishore, who has never held back from spending on the best equipment. "A lot of the technology is available in India because of our thriving dairy industry," he says.

Kishore Indukuri | Sid's Farm | Global Indian

First, raw milk is tested for thickeners, using an ultrasound pulse. Salts, sugar, urea, and maida are commonly used thickening agents, to help the sellers get more value for money. Hormones are also commonly found and used to increase milk production. "When antibiotics are given to a cow, they go from the bloodstream to the milk," he says. Consuming trace amounts of antibiotics causes microbial drug resistance within the human body - when the medicines are needed, they will not work.

"Preservatives are commonly added too. Nature designed milk to be drunk immediately, but we don't do that. Bacteria feed on the milk and convert the lactose into lactic acid. The thinking seems to be, if you add a base like hydrogen peroxide or caustic (to neutralise the acid), or modify the pH levels, it won't go bad." The answer to this is effective chilling systems - and Kishore insists on the best. "Antibiotic testing alone costs us up to Rs 4 lakhs a month," he says.

The journey so far

The dairy farm has grown tremendously over the last decade, branching out over the years into other dairy products like paneer, ghee, (made with lemon juice, not synthetic chemicals), curd, and butter, all made in-house. Cow milk and buffalo milk are processed and sold separately. Kishore also hopes to expand to other states soon.

As our conversation draws to a close, Kishore smiles, adding, "There's one more thing. When we bought this land, there was nothing on it. We have planted over 500 trees in 10 years. We also harvest rainwater to recharge the groundwater table."

Follow Sid's Farm on Instagram or visit their website

Reading Time: 8 mins

Sanya Malik: Breaking barriers in Mumbai’s art world through Black Cube

(October 30, 2023) This November, curator Sanya Malik, founder of Black Cube, an alternative art gallery in Delhi, is about to make her mark on the Mumbai art scene. But her journey in the art world goes beyond the debut. It's a story of passion, determination, and a mission to make art accessible to all. In this article, we delve into Sanya Malik's fascinating journey and her unique approach to art, featuring celebrated artists like Jogen Chowdhury who will be part of the upcoming exhibition, and artworks in bronze and stainless steel. Art possesses the remarkable ability to establish deeply personal and subjective relationships with those who engage with it. It serves as a unique language that transcends words, often revealing the complexities of our contemporary world and the societal challenges we grapple with. Her early years were steeped in a profound connection to the art world. “My family's close associations with modern and contemporary artists exposed me to the vibrant tapestry of Indian paintings and sculpture from an early age. This enriching experience afforded me the unique opportunity to forge personal bonds with some of my most admired artists,” Malik tells Global Indian. [caption id="attachment_46384" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Sanya Malik[/caption]

r">Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_46384" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Sanya Malik[/caption]

After graduating from Central Saint Martins in London, Sanya decided to try curation. She went on to do a Master’s at the Royal College of Art, London. Her interest lies in understanding the visceral impact that art can have on people. “I am perpetually drawn to artworks that possess a multifaceted quality, ones that are intricately layered with the nuances of our era. These are the works that, to me, carry the echoes of not just the artist's creativity but also the resounding voice of our times, encapsulating the struggles, the aspirations, and the cultural zeitgeist,” she explains.

Creating a Platform

Black Cube's core ethos revolves around making art accessible to all and was born in 2017 out of a desire to break down the barriers that often intimidate visitors in traditional gallery spaces, where asking questions and engaging can be daunting. “We felt the need for a more inclusive approach. Our unique model doesn't rely on a fixed physical location. Instead, we adapt to the contextual demands of the art we showcase. This fluidity enables us to create spaces that align perfectly with the specific artworks on display, ensuring an engaging environment,” says Malik.

In the debut exhibition, Black Cube used an interiors-and-lighting studio in New Delhi has their canvas. At Art Mumbai this year, they will seamlessly transform into a ‘white cube space’. “Our commitment extends to working closely with artists, fostering collaboration, and supporting their creative processes. This approach results in fresh, innovative showcases that reflect our core values, making art accessible, engaging, and ever evolving,” she adds.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Black Cube Productions (@blackcubeproductions)

Art Sojourn

In her early twenties, Sanya encountered numerous challenges, particularly as a young woman trying to break into a tightly knit industry with pre-established relationships and norms. The need to constantly prove herself, whether working as an employee or as the director of Black Cube, has been a continuous journey and one that fuels her determination each day. “As a young woman in the industry, I have faced the ongoing need to prove myself at every turn, defending my age, experience, knowledge, and capabilities. This journey has required me to challenge norms and carve out my own space within the industry, and it has been both gratifying and demanding,” she says.

Sanya’s progress has been a gradual process and the most rewarding aspect, she says, is the relationships they have cultivated with the artists they represent. “Those connections have been the highlight of my journey.” She believes the key to overcoming challenges, both in the past and today, is to trust oneself, to identify areas of improvement and hone one’s skills and above all, never giving up. Recognizing that learning is an ongoing process and being aware of how much more there is to discover is crucial for navigating a competitive landscape.

Lessons learned

Sanya emphasises that women need to be passionate about addressing a specific barrier and can identify a gap in the market they are eager to fill. “Don't hesitate—take the plunge immediately. However, be prepared for a long and challenging journey that will evolve and compound over time. Perseverance is your greatest ally during the entire process of building your venture. If you're seeking short-term validation, entrepreneurship might not be the right path for you, but if you are committed to the long-term vision, the rewards can be incredibly fulfilling,” she avers.

Quiz her on what she has learned, and she says that she has learned to develop thick skin and not let setbacks demotivate but rather encourage her. Determination is crucial to moving forward. The second pertains to building relationships. In the art world, connecting with the right people is pivotal. This journey has taught me the importance of putting myself out there and actively seeking opportunities to engage with artists, peers, and industry professionals. It is a dynamic space that is constantly evolving, so staying open to new ideas and fresh perspectives is essential.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Black Cube Productions (@blackcubeproductions)

Looking ahead

Black Cube collaborates with renowned modern and contemporary artists who are pushing boundaries in terms of themes, mediums, and scale. The dynamic Indian contemporary art scene is currently the most exciting space in the country. “Our debut at Art Mumbai’s inaugural edition in November is our first venture into the vibrant world of art fairs. We are thrilled about Art Mumbai, where we will present a diverse collection of sculptures, spanning from modern to contemporary, indoor to outdoor,” she says. The line-up includes celebrated artists like Himmat Shah, Thota Vaikuntam, Jogen Chowdhury, Krishen Khanna, Manu Parekh, Madhvi Parekh, Phaneendra Nath Chaturvedi, Yashika Sugandh, Arunkumar HG, Valay Shende, and Dhananjay Singh.

Among these artists, there are sculptors and then painters who have ventured into the realm of sculpture, imbuing their paintings with a three-dimensional vitality. “Post Art Mumbai 2023, we are eagerly anticipating a thrilling year ahead in 2024 for Black Cube. We are working on a series of contemporary art exhibitions in New Delhi. We are also excited to participate in more art fairs, expanding our reach and engaging with diverse audiences. Looking ahead to 2025, we are setting our sights on international exhibitions. Our goal is to take Black Cube's distinctive approach to global audiences and promote India's rich contemporary art scene across borders. Our future is characterized by innovation, exploration, and a commitment to expanding the horizons of art in a rapidly evolving world,” she signs off.

Follow Sanya Malik on LinkedIn

Nishant Malhotra: Reviving GI-tagged textile heritage and celebrating artisans with WeaverStory

(August 13, 2024) “As children of the pre-digital era, we have all grown up in homes and environments that have been driven by tradition. From food to craft and clothing, everything had a story and was a hand-worked skill passed through generations, be it the chutneys that were made at home or the sweaters that were knit. So there always was an inclination towards culture and the traditions of the past,” Nishant Malhotra reminisces as he connects with Global Indian. Although he was always fascinated by India’s luxurious heritage and traditions, he had never imagined that he would one day work with it. After spending several years in the banking and finance sectors, Nishant Malhotra founded WeaverStory nine years ago, finding both purpose and an avenue for social impact. [caption id="attachment_53617" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event[/caption] Led by artisans The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers

gn="aligncenter" width="482"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian Nishant Malhotra at WeaverStory curated runway show at BNI4M2024 event[/caption]

Led by artisans

The craft-led textile brand has come a long way. Launched with just five sarees on a Facebook page, WeaverStory has grown into a 30-member team working with over 400 weavers from 10 different weaving clusters. “This transformation has significantly improved the lives of weavers and their families and enhanced the experiences of our customers spread across more than 20 countries," tells the entrepreneur.

Whether it is the famed yarns of Banaras, the vibrant hues of Gujarat, the ethereal threads of Chanderi, intricate works of Kashmir, poetic weaves of Bengal, or resplendent silks of Kanchipuram - WeaverStory has been championing authentic handmade products like luxurious sarees and fabric, bespoke occasion wear, bridal couture and accessories blending tradition with modernity.

GI certified handloom

The textile brand’s products are silk mark and craft mark-certified with GI tags. It has been participating in the Government of India’s ODOP (One District One Product) initiative which aims to promote indigenous and specialised goods and crafts distinct to various districts across the country. “WeaverStory sources 350 products from over 19 Geographical Indications (GIs), thus ensuring genuine handloom apparel from the craftspeople who bring them to life.”

The hand weaved textiles are delivered through retail stores in Delhi and Hyderabad and the brand’s website. It also retails online through domestic and international marketplaces such as Pernia’s Pop Up Shop, Aza, Aashni + Co., Nykaa Fashion and Etsy.

[caption id="attachment_53634" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian One of the WeaverStory stores[/caption]

The journey of transition

As a banking and financial services professional, Nishant often travelled to rural areas and smaller cities in India, working on financial inclusion projects. These experiences exposed him to not only the challenges faced by the local population but also to the complexities of implementing programs to benefit them.

“I realised that even small steps could have a significant impact on their lives and it was this thought that drove me to start WeaverStory after a trip to Banaras that proved pivotal in the transition,” tells the Delhi based entrepreneur.

Starting small

In Banaras, Nishant met a weaver who had been forced to quit his craft due to low income and the pressure of supporting his family. Instead of engaging in his creative work, the weaver was folding sarees at a retail shop. This deeply moved Nishant. Upon his return to Delhi, he began conversing with others to understand the market need for Indian handlooms – the artistic heritage of India.

“I discovered that there was a demand for handloom products, but people were unaware of authentic sources,'” he says. This realisation led him to start a small initiative by creating a Facebook page, where he showcased five well-crafted saris by a weaver of Banaras to help people appreciate the value of craftsmanship of the weaving community.

Within months, his initiative started gaining recognition, motivating Nishant to leave his job and pursue social entrepreneurship. He had found the purpose of creating better opportunities for the artistic weavers of India and making a difference in their lives.

[caption id="attachment_53625" align="aligncenter" width="687"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian WeaverStory team[/caption]

“It started as a mere passion project with no intention of launching a full-fledged brand. However, that small step transformed everything, leading us to where we are today,” says Nishant who had over 15 years of corporate experience with Fortune 500 companies and biggest conglomerates like the TATAs and Reliance group at the time of stepping into social entrepreneurship. “Through WeaverStory my attempt has been to bridge the gap between true fans of original Indian handlooms and those with a century-long lineage in this artistic heritage. We work towards preserving our heritage and enabling weavers to become financially successful,” he says.

Rising above challenges and earning trust

In the initial days of his venture gaining the trust of the weavers was a challenge. “Coming from a banking background with no experience in textiles, I wasn’t attempting to become a designer. My goal was to create an ecosystem around handlooms. However, understanding the craftsmanship, the uniqueness of handwoven fabric, and effectively communicating with the weavers required substantial knowledge,” Nishant mentions.

When he approached weavers, they were sceptical. “They doubted my understanding of their craft and feared their products would be rejected after completion.” An online brand, was an unconventional idea in 2015, especially for the rural weavers for whom trade meant an offline activity.

To alleviate their fears Nishant started work on the model of buying products outright from the weavers addressing their concerns. “By ensuring immediate and fair compensation, we gradually earned their trust and overcame their initial resistance,” he says.

[caption id="attachment_53624" align="aligncenter" width="523"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian A Madhubani artist associated with WeaverStory[/caption]

Assuring quality

Earning the trust of the weavers was just one side of the story. Nishant highlights that when purchasing a premium product like a handwoven saree, customers seek assurance about their investment. Therefore, early in their journey, the WeaverStory team began conducting video calls with customers to showcase the products in detail, thereby earning their trust as well.

“At WeaverStory, our values of purity, pride, and intention have always been at the core of everything we do. We have consistently strived to present our customers with a curated collection of authentic weaves in pure fabrics that best represent India’s textile heritage and the skills of our weavers,” the entrepreneur mentions.

Weaving stories

To bring the stories of the rural weavers to the forefront and change the narrative in their favour Nishant Malhotra and his team does not just look at them as mere suppliers of products that they are marketing but provide the weaving community a sense of close collaboration. “This outlook is one of the major factors contributing to our growth story,” says Nishant.

“Our product curation and storytelling are deeply influenced by the intentions and narratives of the weavers, and we make it a point not to interfere with their stories. The authentic stories behind each weave is what attracts our customers; and they want to buy, own, and cherish these unique pieces of art.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_QW-F7l3Yk

WeaverStory Foundation

Recently, the entrepreneur has started the WeaverStory Foundation, which will undertake projects aimed at providing sustainable livelihoods and skill development for weavers, with a special focus on women artisans. “We are actively seeking and collaborating with like-minded partners to further this mission,” Nishant points out.

Awards galore

The textile brand has instituted several reward and recognition programs, such as Kala Nishtha, Kala Samridhi and Craftales to encourage lesser-known and new weavers to look at their skills with more optimism and be part of the WeaverStory network.

“These initiatives help create visibility for them, especially among their peers and within their communities, where weaving is often seen as a low-paying job.”

In the WeaverStory model, the products are purchased outright from the weavers. “WeaverStory ensures that weavers are paid fair market prices that account for the scale and input while keeping the product competitive. This approach rewards the weavers for their skill, time, and labour,” Nishant says.

[caption id="attachment_53627" align="aligncenter" width="723"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian Naseem Bano (extreme right) is one of the weavers that WeaverStory works with to upskill village women artisans[/caption]

New Initiative - Revival collection of Venkatagiri sarees

On the occasion of National Handloom Day which falls on 7th August and coincides with WeaverStory’s foundation day, the textile brand launched a revival collection of Venkatagiri Sarees.

“Venkatagiri was once known for its fine-count cotton sarees with gold khaadi borders woven on a traditional pit loom. It held a place of pride in Andhra’s handloom traditions. However, with the advent of the power loom, the decline in the value of cotton, and a shift in market demand that leaned towards Banarasi, Kanchipuram and Paithani styles, the weavers of Venkatgiri lost touch with their traditional design language and eventually met with flagging patronage and diminished popularity,” informs Nishant.

For the past several months, WeaverStory has been working with Tata Trusts’ Antaran to revive the lost designs of the Venkatagiri cluster. The textile brand has launched a collection of sarees with four archival designs that have not been woven in over 70 years. “The aim is to rekindle significant market interest in this historic craft and give saree connoisseurs across the world a piece of heritage to own,” says the entrepreneur who works with the vision of promoting the exquisite craft of handweaving, ensuring its legacy continues to thrive.

[caption id="attachment_53637" align="aligncenter" width="722"] Indian Art and Culture | Nishant Malhotra | Global Indian Nishant Malhotra with Mridula and Parvez Alam from Tata Trusts during the unveiling of Venkatagiri Revival Project[/caption]

Follow Nishant Malhotra on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram
Follow WeaverStory on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and its website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Atita Verghese: India’s first female skateboarder is kickflipping gender norms

(December 4, 2023) Atita Verghese was 19 when she got on a skateboard for the first time, on a whim. The spark she felt was instant, and very real - ten years later, it's still burning bright. Atita Verghese, or 'Atty', as she is known to her friends, is India's first female skateboarder. She turned a deaf ear when she was jeered at for being a girl, and if there was no infrastructure available, she helped build it with her own hands. When, for the longest time, she couldn't afford her own board, she learned to make do by borrowing from the boys. That's how Atita went on to become part of a counterculture tsunami, as women around the world, clad in sarees, hijabs and baggy jeans, kickflipped and switched their way to freedom. She's also the only skateboarder in the country to land a coveted Vans sponsorship (Vans is an American manufacturer of skateboarding shoes and apparel). This year, world class skateboarder Madars Apse featured her in an episode in Season 3 of Redbull's State Tales, a documentary series "through skateboarding's wilder shores." That apart, she’s the founder of Girl Skate India, an organisation that works with young girls

the founder of Girl Skate India, an organisation that works with young girls from poor families across India, using skateboarding as a means of helping them rise above their circumstances. She also travels the world – she was recently skateboarding in Moscow.

[caption id="attachment_47222" align="aligncenter" width="611"] Atita Vergese[/caption]

The counterculture crew

"There were like five, six skaters in the city (Bengaluru) when I first started, and not many more in the country," Atita tells Global Indian. In those early days, the boys indulged the lone girl in their crew. "When they took a break they would let me have their skateboards," she recalls. She and four others, including her friend Abhishek, who first introduced her to the sport, formed the Holy Stoked Collective and when he saw "how into it" she was, he bought Atita her first board, "all the way from the USA. I was stoked," she breaks into a grin. "The boys were quite nice to me, it was new to them. Every time I tried something or landed a new trick they would cheer me on."

Still, it was hard to be taken seriously as a young woman in an all-male space. Atita took it all in her stride, until a group of Germans who were working with her on a project asked the obvious question: "Why do they treat you like this?" It was an unpleasant realisation, but it was also when Atita began to realise she was different and that being so was exactly what made her special.

At the time, to simply skateboard meant starting from the absolute basics. Holy Stoked rose to the challenge and began building their own ramp on a donated plot. "We were determined to make it happen," says Atita, who was part of the project as well. Two other skaters from Germany, who heard this was happening also came down to help. They happened to have their own building company back home and a year later, they returned, this time with Levi's and Nike funding them. "They brought pro skaters along with them to share the culture," Atita says.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rattyatty

The fledgling sub culture was starting to grow and Holy Stoked got on Instagram, which was still fairly new at the time. "They wouldn't ever post anything about me, though," Atita says. That only changed when one crew member, who eventually fell out with the collective, decided to make it happen. "He took a photo of me and posted it. That was the first photo of me on the internet," she says. The skateboarders from Germany also spotted her talent. "I was the only girl skateboarding in the country and wanted to encourage me. One of them came up with the idea to photograph and document me." He reached out to Vans, telling them about this Indian "girl who skates really well."

When fame came calling

Before she knew it, the recognition was pouring in - journalists from around the world were beating down the door; everybody was talking about Atita Verghese. Even the American apparel giant Vans got in touch. Atita started an Instagram account too and quickly racked up a follower count. She got sponsorship from Extreme, who also put her in touch with Stanley Black & Decker. "That was awesome," she grins. "They would send me on trips and I did campaigns with them."

But what’s passion without purpose? Girls still weren't getting into the sport and Atita wanted to change that. What was keeping girls away? "We're still trying to answer this," she responds. Skateboarding is niche, and it can also be quite scary, she reasons. "It's an extreme sport for sure – if you’re falling, you're falling on concrete." Atita has fallen too - last year, she fractured two fingers. It was a severe enough injury to keep most people away for life, but Atita was back on her skateboard the first chance she got.

While broken bones and grazed knees are always imminent, skateboarding, she says, is the ultimate lesson in mindfulness. "You just stop thinking about anything. Your only thoughts are about staying in the moment, figuring out the technicalities, where your body weight needs to be and where your feet are placed. There's no time to think of anything else." Body and brain are firing on all cylinders and there’s a lot of creativity involved. With skateboarding, "nobody likes carbon copy stuff," Atita says. "Originality and creativity are very respected. It's all about finding your own style."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @rattyatty

A way of life

As Bengaluru grew and developed, its vacant spaces were slowly devoured by the ever-growing concrete sea. It was a dangerous sport too, as Atita has pointed out. But the benefits trumped all that. The "meditative" process kept her going - "They say trauma can be healed through skateboarding," she tells me. Maybe there's truth to that, not just through the learning of the sport but because choosing it makes you part of a community, and introduces you to a way of life. If you can skateboard, you're part of a community – of rebels, outliers, iconoclasts and free spirits, perhaps, united an all-consuming love for skateboarding. There were true friends to be found on the fringe.

It’s not just that. What began as a pastime for surfers in the US’ West Coast back in the 1940s and 50s has grown into a global subculture that left its imprint on art, music, fashion and cinema. Companies like Vans, DC Shoes and Supreme, which sell skateboarding gear and apparel, are major fashion labels - the beanies and graphic tees have long since spilled off skateboarding ramps into mainstream couture. Skateboarding is associated with genres like punk rock, hip-hop and alt rock. In 2020, the sport finally made its Olympic debut.

Girl Skate India

Atita was living the dream, but she wanted to do more. "I wanted to not just focus only on myself," she says. And if she was creating the scene from scratch, building skateboards and drumming up demand, it needed to have a higher purpose than trying to appeal to a bunch of suits in a rigid corporate ecosystem. Living as she did in a country where physical safety is not a guarantee for women, who never even stop to question that, there was lots to be done. That's how she started Girl Skate India. She wanted to spread the world and to bring more women into the fold so they too could feel the warmth of being part of this vibrant, global community.

Atita conducts workshops, making use of every bit of free space she can find. "The stars aligned and it worked out," she says. She goes to rural India and brings women and girls out of their homes and on to skateboards. It's a struggle, obviously - the corporate ecosystem comes with rigid rules but nothing happens for free. "When I started Girl Skate, there were a couple of other girls skating too, they had started a few years after me. I could see the movement starting to happen and we wanted everyone to join."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pixie 🙋🏾‍♀️ (@internet.pixie)

In Kovalam, Atita and the Girl Skate India crew built a skate park for SISP, an organisation that takes in destitute kids. They used surfing as an incentive - their policy was no school, no surfing. And because the kids love surfing so much, they also go to school. Since the monsoon is too hectic, they built a skatepark, led by Atita and a group of female skateboarders from Europe. "We did a workshop at a girls's school too and the teachers came in sarees. It was amazing!"

Purpose and fulfillment

It's been a big learning process too - "We kept getting to know people's stories and what they have been through and just how regressive society can be," Atita says. The women and girls they work with come from poverty-stricken homes, many from slums where several houses share a single bathroom. "One of the girls was able to build a new bathroom inside her house because of the money she got from a skate project I involved her in," Atita smiles. Alcoholism and domestic violence are rampant – kids fall into bad company, or take their aggression out on their peers. Skateboarding gives them a healthy outlet.

Girl Skate India has built around 10 skate parks so far. And Atita has seen the change taking place. In one village, a single mother who was harassed for not having a husband, pushed her daughter to skateboard – the girl became MP’s first female skateboarder, got an education and built a life for herself. Atita tells me the story with a smile, saying, "It makes me think that maybe we're doing the right thing here."

Follow Atita Verghese and Girl Skate India on Instagram.

Architect Anupama Kundoo: Bridging tradition, modernity and sustainability

(June 14, 2024) "A gem among the rubble," the New York Times said glowingly, of the replica of Wall House by Anupama Kundoo at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2012. Kundoo, who was living and teaching in Australia at the time, had brought a team of Indian craftsmen with her to Italy to construct the replica. Many of the craftsmen, who had never left India before, found themselves amid a truly international collaboration, working with students from the University of Queensland and the IUAV on the construction. The experimental, versatile modernist The real thing is her own home in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, where Anupama began her practice. The building responds to many issues- socio-economic concerns and low environmental impact. Anupama and her team also employed unskilled workers and used pre-industrial 'achakal' mud bricks. She also brought in Auroville's potters to create vaulted terracotta roofing systems, with which she continues to be associated. Four years later, in 2016, she returned to the Venice Architecture Biennale with her equally ground-breaking prototype for Full Fill Homes, which uses lego-like blocks made from ferrocement, a low-tech material made through layering mortar or plaster over the metal mesh. The houses were assembled in under a week, foundation

he houses were assembled in under a week, foundation and all, by stone masons she brought in from India. Global Indian takes a look at the internationally renowned architect, known for her experimental and versatile style and for her emphasis on environmentally sustainable designs that keep affordability in mind- a rare combination.

[caption id="attachment_28790" align="aligncenter" width="509"] Anupama Kundoo | The Wall House | Global Indian Wall House at the Arsenale, Venice Architecture Biennale 2012. Photo: ArchDaily[/caption]

The ‘timelessness’ approach

"Architecture outlives the human life," Anupama told the Louisiana Channel in an interview. "Before I became an architect, architecture existed. It has taken more than the span of a single life. There are beautiful works of architecture that took hundreds of years to create. We have to be aware that it's not about the narcissism of the creator." She lives by her word, emphasising, even on her website, "As passionate as I am about my work, my work is not about me. My buildings have too much to do already, without having to accommodate an Anupama Kundoo signature style."

Laying the foundations

When it was time for her to choose an area of study, Anupama was torn between sculpture and mathematics. The Indian education system does not have room for such flexibility, however, and an aptitude test suggested Anupama study architecture, "a profession I had not considered till then," she told Design Boom. She knew intuitively that it was the line for her.

[caption id="attachment_28791" align="aligncenter" width="481"] Anupama Kundoo | Global Indian Anupama Kundoo (Photo by Thomas Meyer)[/caption]

Anupama had grown up steeped in the fine arts because of her mother, who had studied them and introduced the kids to drawing and painting early on. "I took a keen interest in crafts, sculpture, and knitting, as well as taking courses in tailoring," she said. Anupama's architectural journey began in Bombay, at the Sir J.J. College of Architecture. She graduated in 1989.

In 1996, she received the Vastu Shilpa Foundation Fellowship for her thesis, "Urban Eco-Community: Design and Analysis for Sustainability." Anupama earned her doctorate from the Technical University of Berlin in 2008.

Traces of having been uprooted during the freedom struggle lingered through her early childhood but Anupama "grew up looking towards the great opportunity of the future, rather than romanticising the past," she said. In her work, this manifests as a zeal for experimentation, "to experiment is to feel alive," she remarks.

Arrival in Auroville

A year later, she arrived in Auroville, where she first established herself as an architect. "It was an international city and with this spiritual undertone," she told the Financial Times. "I was attracted to the idea of a visionary place. There, she would meet Roger Anger, Auroville's chief urbanist and architect. It marked the start of a long-term collaboration. She built her first house here, Hut Petite Ferme, using materials like granite, clay and coconut fibre.

One of her most iconic projects in India, the Multi-Purpose Hall for the Sri Aurobindo World Centre for Human Unity, presented itself through a seemingly insurmountable challenge. She was told to do it within five months, with a less-than-shoestring budget of Rs 15 lakhs. Colleagues advised her against it, saying, "it has never been done before, so it can't be done."

[caption id="attachment_28792" align="aligncenter" width="595"] Anupama Kundoo | Global Indian Multi-Purpose Hall, Sri Aurobindo World Centre for Human Unity[/caption]

She defied them all by taking on the project, which became her first large public building in Auroville. The design involves Vaastu techniques - the essential principle of the tradition being that the structure should represent the shape of a man lying down. The circular structure was chosen because it represents unity. "I love to work at this pace. If you are under this pressure, it really forces you to think of ways to do it, and think fast. It has been a thrilling experience," she told Auroville Today.

Her Indian presence

Other notable works include the Residence Kranti Kranade (2003) in Pune and Shah Houses in Brahamangarh, made from locally available natural basalt and locally crafted terracotta tubes. The Wall House became an example of contemporary architecture, with its mud bricks and terracotta roofing systems.

In 2008, she designed the Volontariat Homes for Homeless Children in Pondicherry, using technology pioneered by Ray Meeker of Golden Bridge Pottery. These mud-houses were baked in situ, after construction. Built with mud mortar, it is fired to strengthen the brick and the kiln walls absorb around 40 percent of the heat, stabilising it from water damage. "This technology involves almost only labour, with very little spent on purchased materials," she writes, on her website

[caption id="attachment_28793" align="aligncenter" width="693"] Volontariat Home for Homeless Children: Baking a mud house in-situ after constructing it.[/caption]

Around the world

Anupama Kundoo is currently based in Berlin, although she has lived and worked around the world. In 2005, she taught at the Technical University in Berlin, where she also received her doctorate. Then, she became Assistant Professor at Parsons the New School for Design, New York, until 2011, before moving to Australia as a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland. In 2014, she moved to Europe, where she worked at the European School of Architecture and Technology at the Universidad Camilo Jose Cela in Madrid.

In Barcelona, she designed Unbound, The Library of Lost Books, a community space to encourage reading. Three canopy structures (she calls them trees), made from repurposed and obsolete books, are a nod to how many books are pulped or burned every day. It is an attempt to save them from destruction by showing their versatility. A mobile vehicle carrying books facilitates a 'free exchange', while films centred around reading are screened at the Filmoteca.

[caption id="attachment_28796" align="aligncenter" width="737"] Unbound, The Library of Lost books at the Plaça de Salvador Segui, Barcelona. An installation by Anupama Kundoo, photo by Javier Callejas[/caption]

She tells Louisiana Channel about her first trip abroad, where she couldn't help judging the people around her. "I think midway, my gaze shifted, and I saw the similarities," she said. "Even with all the differences, it crystallised for me what is common."

In an age of urgency and rapid urbanisation, where skyscrapers shoot up faster than the time it takes to consider their impact on the world around them, Anupama takes a deeply human-centric approach to architecture. "I am concerned with users' health, well-being and happiness, while I am also concerned with the livelihood that the making of architecture provides to people of a place," she said, in her Design Boom interview.

Follow Anupama Kundoo on Instagram

Reading Time: 6 mins