Global IndianstoryBraving the odds: Sara Adhikari walks 800 km with her sister to help acid attack survivors

Braving the odds: Sara Adhikari walks 800 km with her sister to help acid attack survivors

Written by: Sarbani Sen

(July 18, 2022) Stretched over 800 km, El Camino, the ancient pilgrim route in northern Spain is on the bucket list of every hiker. And it was no different for Sara Adhikari, the head of content at GiveIndia – the country’s largest online giving platform. So, when her sister, Louise suggested it, she jumped on the idea.

However, the 64-year-old didn’t want it to be a walk of just self-discovery and bonding with her sister. She wanted to walk for a cause close to her heart. Deciding to raise awareness and funds for acid attack survivors in India, Sara, and her 62-year-old sister, recently finished their 800-km walk and were also able to raise over ₹5 lakh, which will go for the rehabilitation of acid attack survivors and help with their long-term medical treatment.

Sara Adhikari

On Sunday, June 26, Louise and Sara reached Santiago, 40 days after starting the trek. While their friends cheered the ladies as they uploaded wonderful pictures on social media, others generously contributed to the cause. As she connects with Global Indian, Sara remembers the emotions after she reached the finishing line. “I was relieved, elated, overcome, overwhelmed… all rolled into one. And, for the first time, we are proud of ourselves. We were also blessed with sunshine in Santiago, where it rains 300 days a year,” the hiker shares.

Preparing for the El Camino trail

The 800-km El Camino de Santiago walk in Spain is ‌one of the most ancient and longest trails in the world. Besides being adventurous and having the will to complete the journey, what was required was a lot of planning. After all, the walk would last for weeks! “I bought a couple of books to know more about the kind of training we should do, including people’s accounts about walking the route and of course, a list of what little we could carry in our backpacks,” says Sara.

Preparations began months in advance. Sara joined a gym to train on the treadmill as much as possible. “If I wasn’t there, I went out walking as many mornings as I could, sometimes with a friend to the lakes. But I never managed to walk more than about seven km. That worried me and Louise too – what if I couldn’t manage the 20-25 km we would have to walk every day on the Camino?”

Sar, with her sister Louise during the El-Camino trek

The Bengaluru-based Sara is a former journalist who has worked with various leading publications such as Khaleej Times and Times of India. Her sister, Louise, worked in IT for 37 years and took early retirement about six years ago. Louise lives in Witney, Oxfordshire, with her husband and has taken part in triathlons, done challenges such as the Great Wall of China walk and a fundraiser where she walked 52 miles in 24 hours four years ago. The Camino walk was Louise’s idea after she saw the Martin Sheen film called The Way.

Overcoming their fears

After a few weeks of hiking trips in England, Sara and Louise were finally ready in May to start the challenge and headed to Spain. Sara’s two biggest worries before they started on the Camino were the fear of sleeping on the top bunk in hostels/dormitories along the way and how her feet would take in all the walking.

She didn’t have to wait for long to come face to face with her first fear. After the first day of walking, they were in a dormitory. Both of them got top bunks opposite each other. In the middle of the night, Sara had to get down and she slipped on the ladder, fell headlong, and hit the back of her head on the bunk. But it was nothing serious – except for a bump on the back of her head, which meant she couldn’t lie on her back for weeks.

Hiker | Sara Adhikari | Global Indian

On the second day, Sara had some blisters on her feet. However, with all her friends encouraging them on social media, she continued with her mission. After walking for eight days, Louise insisted Sara go to a health centre in the next town. “I was mostly limping the better part of 10 km. The doctor tested my legs and told me to go to a health centre every day to treat them.” So Louise walked the rest of the 10 km on that day on her own and Sara took a taxi to the Albergue, where they stayed the night.

The following day too, Louise, walked the next 20 km while Sara walked to the health centre in Logrono and the doctor bandaged her well so she could start walking again. The hiker did join her sister eventually and they finished the rest of the journey together.

Memories from Camino that will stay

Most hikers describe life on the Camilo trail as ‘walk, eat, sleep, repeat’ – and each day was different for Sara and Louise. The stories of co-walkers’ lives inspired the ladies a lot. “We met a newly married man, who had a chronic condition and suffers debilitating pain in his head which causes seizures. But that didn’t stop him from walking 800 km alone. While he needed to visit the hospital a couple of times along the way, he didn’t want to be bound by his family’s legitimate fears of what could happen. He was greeted by his relieved teary-eyed wife when he walked into Santiago, bursting with pride at his achievement,” Sara shares.

A picture of the beautiful countryside in the northern Spain that Sara shared on her Instagram

The duo also met an American couple in their late 70s who were “walking very fast.” But when they slowed down to chat, Sara learned that the husband has dementia, but still wanted to do the Camino. “The wife never left his side,” the hiker says.

Worth the trouble

“It was hardy,” says Sara on the walk, despite all the difficulties they faced. “Doing something for acid attack survivors was on the top of my mind,” she says. GiveIndia had launched a fundraiser for Chhanv Foundation to raise funds for acid attack survivors.

The hiker shares that researching and reading about incidents of cruelty that physically and mentally scarred women for life had deeply disturbed her a lot. “I wanted to create awareness for these survivors, who usually keep a low profile as they find it difficult to face the society that shuns them,” she says.

Sara and Louise after finishing the El Camino

Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, and others, Sara’s fundraiser for acid attack survivors has reached the target of Rs 5 lakh and people are donating even now. You too can donate to the cause here.

Follow Sara Adhikari on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 18, Jul 2022

Share with

ALSO READ

Defeating misogyny: Saxophone Subbalaxmi’s rise to stardom

(February 28, 2022) A diminutive pre-teen girl clutching an outsized saxophone - the image alone was enough to make Subbalaxmi an object of ridicule among her boisterous male peers. Her unwavering determination to learn the instrument only made things worse - how could a girl dare to do something meant only for boys? "Tell her to learn how to cook," they called out. "At least that will help her in the future." The 12-year-old Subbalaxmi, however, refused to back down. She sat through the class, with the blessing of her Guru, Kadri Gopalnath, who fully supported this attempt to break free of a stereotype. Her Guru passed away in 2019 and before she steps on stage, Saxophone Subbalaxmi always takes a minute to close her eyes and pay him tribute. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JHF-uYzIiw Unconditional support from her teacher and her father MR Sainath, went a long way but Saxophone Subbalaxmi's personal journey was far from easy, at least in the early days in Mangalore where she was born and brought up. Back home, disapproving neighbours would complain about her evening riyaaz. Whether or not she was fazed by the mockery, Subbalaxmi had no intention of giving up. She continued learning and

ving up. She continued learning and later went to Chennai for higher training.

Amongst numerous brilliant performances across the world, her memorable one has been at Singapore - a concert for the Tamil Association. She had been expecting Indians in the audience but to her surprise there were many Singaporeans. She immediately improvised fascinating them all. With over 3,000 performances, and awards like the prestigious Padmabharathi and Yuvakala Bharathi amongst others, Saxophone Subbalaxmi has also made it into the Limca Book of Records.

Making music count

Today, 'Saxophone Subbalaxmi' has made a name for herself in an industry where rules are sacrosanct, and she boasts a fan base across the world. And if she broke stereotypes as a child, she continues even today – her music has its own signature style, a blend of Indian and Western, played on an instrument that came to India from the West.

[caption id="attachment_20409" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Saxophone Subbalaxmi | Global Indian Saxophone Subbalaxmi[/caption]

She began training in Carnatic vocals at the age of five, having been born into a family of musicians. Her grandfather, MR Rajappa was an Asthana Vidwan in the royal court of Mysuru. Her uncles were percussionists and her father, an exponent of the Mridangam, was an A-grade staff artiste at All India Radio. Growing up, Subbalaxmi would accompany her father as he travelled for shows with Padma Shree Kadri Gopalnath, the noted saxophonist. That was a turning point. “I found divinity in his Gamakams,” Saxophone Subbalaxmi recalls, in an interview with Global Indian. “I fell in love with the instrument but I didn't realise then that it's a very difficult instrument to play, especially for girls, because it requires a lot of lung power.”

Subbalaxmi soon announced that she would learn nothing but the saxophone. It was a radical choice. Her surprised father decided to stand by her. He encouraged her dreams, as did Kadri Gopalnath, who even volunteered to be her guru. That’s how Saxophone Subbalaxmi became Gopalnath’s first female disciple. Her determination and hard work also impressed her two older siblings, both of whom also took to the instrument. Today, after two decades spent performing in India and abroad, Saxophone Subbalaxmi is a role model for young women.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ZojXfUKSk

Charting her own path

"My challenges mostly are off stage, though,” she says. “There is simply no time to relax when you’re on tour. The only time I manage to sleep is on the flight. Eating hours can also get erratic; this leads to other problems like weight gain. Late-night treats after performances will also play havoc.” She keeps herself fit through yoga, swimming and gymming.

It was during a concert in Chennai, she met the man who would become her husband - Kiran Kumar. The couple married in 2009. Kumar manages his celebrity wife’s business. “Without each other, we would not be able to do anything,” she says, glowingly. They live in Bengaluru with their 12-year-old son, Rudransh.

Her daily riyaaz remains the mantra to her success, Subbalaxmi admits. She keeps herself updated with the latest trends while ensuring that she stays rooted in tradition. "I’m also particular about how I present myself. On stage, I improvise as it’s important to stay in touch with the audience’s taste," says the musician who has an affinity to the stage. “Many tell me that I enjoy myself when I perform and dance along to the music. To this, I say that I am deeply honoured to be playing music written by the greatest composers - how I can do them justice if I lack energy and excitement? Simply put, I just enjoy the whole atmosphere,” she adds.

[caption id="attachment_20410" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Saxophone Subbalaxmi | Global Indian Saxophone Subbalaxmi with popular Bollywood singer, Alka Yagnik[/caption]

Even Western audiences clamour for her trademark fusion style. “My inspirations come from all over the world too,” Subbalaxmi explains. She has always returned, over the years, to Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Lata Mangeshkar. Tunes like Baahon Mein Chale Aa, Nile Nile Ambar Par and Chura Liya Hai Tumne always find a spot in her concert repertoire. “Once, I had to perform Jab Koi Baat Bigar Jaye eight times on audience demand,” she recalls, laughing.

Not backing down

At the age of 12, she was teased and told to learn how to cook. She did, in fact, find her way around the kitchen, and cooking is one of her hobbies today. “I’m a pro when it comes to rustling non-vegetarian food,” she remarks. The same people who mocked her once are full of praise, and Saxophone Subbalaxmi now finds herself besieged by fans asking for selfies. Even her neighbours no longer complain about her riyaaz, instead, they come to their windows to hear her play as she practices. “Sometimes, they even call me to request a particular song while they listen outside, or drop by to hear me play! I am blessed to have these people in my life,” she smiles.

Follow Saxophone Subbalaxmi on Linkedin and Instagram

Reading Time: 7 mins

Japanese twins, Indian dream: Mai and Asuka Hatta’s Hasora venture

(December 1, 2023) In an unexpected tale of cultural fusion and entrepreneurial spirit, Mai and Asuka Hatta, Japanese twins hailing from Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo in Japan, have orchestrated a unique narrative in India. Their journey commenced with a passion for discovering India, organic farming and a dedication to empowering local farmers. The twins ventured into India leaving behind the lucrative prospect of working in the United States where they studied, and their homeland, Japan, to set up base in a country they only knew through studies and a close Indian friend. Mai, who studied Political Science and Economics in the US, felt a deep connection to India through academic explorations and friendships. Her determination to understand the nation first-hand led her to find a job in an organisation in Jaipur that was seeking a Japanese employee. Later, she moved to an NGO in Dehradun which was working to economically empower the marginalised communities. [caption id="attachment_47144" align="aligncenter" width="924"] Mai and Asuka Hatta[/caption] Asuka, also educated in the US, had initially planned a brief visit to the country to meet her sister but found herself captivated by the uniqueness India offered and decided to stay on, finding a job in the

eight="483" /> Mai and Asuka Hatta[/caption]

Asuka, also educated in the US, had initially planned a brief visit to the country to meet her sister but found herself captivated by the uniqueness India offered and decided to stay on, finding a job in the country. "It was my destiny; I followed my passion, my heart," said Mai in a conversation with Global Indian. She wanted to explore the India that lay beyond the confines of her textbooks and lectures. Mai has been living in India for the last 13 years, while Asuka is in the eleventh year of her stay in the country.

Turning to entrepreneurship

In 2016, they founded Hasora, after seeing fellow expats struggle to find fresh and safe vegetables that are native to Japanese cuisine. They also recognised the plight of local farmers at the hands of intermediaries. It motivated the twins to partner with local organic vegetable farmers around where they lived, in an attempt to reshape the traditional supply chain by offering farm-to-table produce within days of harvest.

However, Mai and Asuka’s journey wasn't without hurdles. Overcoming the challenges of establishing trust with local farmers was a significant learning curve. Some farmers initially exploited their trust, by taking money but never fulfilling the orders. However, this lead Mai and Asuka to devise new strategies in engaging and collaborating with reliable partners. “Now we do not pay until we get the produce,” laughs Mai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJ-ZnIDbvg

By bridging the gap between farmers and consumers, the twins aim to diminish the role of intermediaries and ensuring fairer returns for farmers who are marginalised in the current system. The sisters' dedication extends beyond commerce. They are actively involved in an initiative called the "Oishii Nippon Project," encouraging the cultivation of Japanese vegetables in India by providing seeds and technical know-how of growing such vegetables to their suppliers - the local farmers of NCR and Uttarakhand. Their venture seeks to create sustainable agricultural practices that uplift both the farming community and the environment.

Cultivating culture and commerce

‘Hasora’ in Japanese means green leaves growing under the expansive blue sky," Mai explains adding, “The name symbolises growth, serenity and happiness.” Hasora is also a term derived from the Hindi word 'Hasna,' meaning 'to laugh.” Thus their venture’s brand name encompasses the essence of growth and happiness resonating deeply with both Japanese and Indian cultures.

Mai and Asuka have learned to communicate in Hindi which is an essential requirement while engaging with local farmers of NCR and Uttarakhand. Mai, with a modest grin, admits, "I'm slightly more proficient in Hindi than my sister."

Beyond their thriving online ecommerce platform, the twins have established a physical outlet in Gurgaon. This space serves as a hub for an eclectic fusion of offerings, ranging from fresh Japanese vegetables and grocery items to some Korean specialities and a variety of Indian everyday essentials such as tea and coffee.

Mai and Asuka Hatta | Startups | Global Indian

In their quest to fuse cultures, Hasora's outlet in Gurgaon also serves as a haven for authentic Japanese food like Teriyaki chicken, fresh vegetables roll sushi, tofu rice bowl matcha and more. Mai, showcasing her culinary prowess, personally prepares meals along with a chef specialising in Japanese cuisine. “95 percent of both our online as well as offline clientele comprise of Japanese and Korean expats while the rest of the five percent are Indian customers,” Mai says.

India through Japanese eyes

While embracing India's rich culture and landscapes, the twins, now seasoned explorers of the subcontinent, express a sense of wonderment at the country's diversity. Apart from NCR, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, they have also visited Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and Kerala.

Although their Japanese upbringing has instilled a penchant for discipline, contrasting starkly with the disorderliness they occasionally observe in public spaces of North India, they love the country too much to let it be a spoke in the wheel.

Their parents live in Japan, where their father manages a consultancy business, while their mother is a danseuse and dance instructor.

In a family cantered around their two daughters, their parents were on top of the world when Mai and Asuka secured admission in San Francisco State University and California State University respectively. “My mother was in tears when I had informed her that I am moving to India after completing my studies,” smiles Mai, recalling how the safety of women, especially in the northern India 13 years ago was a matter of big concern. Added to that, neither the daughters nor the family had previously set foot in India.

[caption id="attachment_47146" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Mai and Asuka Hatta | Startups | Global Indian Japanese expats in India during an event organised by Hasora[/caption]

In the first five years, Mai and Asuka’s parents did not visit India as every time the girls went back to Japan on a vacation, they thought it would be their final trip back home. However, contrary to their beliefs, when the girls transitioned into successful entrepreneurs, their parents understood that their passion for India runs deep. “They are our biggest supporters now,” smiles Mai.

Having visited India three to four times since, the twins’ parents have cultivated a genuine love for exploring its rich cultural diversity. Yet, amid their admiration for the country, one aspect remains perplexing - the lack of discipline, contrasting Japan's ingrained culture of everyday discipline.

But Mai and Asuka hardly complain. They are part of the milieu and love everything about the country of their choice. “While I’m in love with Palak Paneer, I can even make chapattis now,” Mai smiles.

As they continue their Indian journey, Mai and Asuka envision a future where organic farming and fair trade practices flourish. Happy that their enterprise not only ensures fresh, pesticide-free vegetables but also champions economic empowerment, Mai says, “Our goal is to make Hasora bigger in its operations so that along with us the farmers associated with us also witness financial growth.”

Follow Hasora on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and its website

Reading Time: 5 mins

Inspiring young minds: Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani is building bridges between India and Germany

(July 4, 2022) About 10 minutes into the interview, I asked Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani what drew him to pursue a degree in zoology. "It was actually cricket," he said. When I asked him if he was talking about cricket 'the game', the scholar laughed and added, "Yes. Not unlike other kids in India, I grew up playing cricket. No matter how busy I was with my studies, I would always find time to play the game. I was a part of my school team, and eventually, I played for the district. After I finished my XII standard, I wasn't so sure about what next, but I knew that I had to join a University that had a good cricket team, so that I can continue playing." His start might have been unusual, but it was cricket that set this scholar on a path to glory. Today, a member of staff of Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH), Germany, Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani is the founder of Indian Association Hannover, an initiative that has attracted numerous members of all ages, organises many events and provides support with administrative aspects, doctor's appointments or childcare issues. The Global Indian, who is also a member of

University of Hannover (LUH), Germany, Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani is the founder of Indian Association Hannover, an initiative that has attracted numerous members of all ages, organises many events and provides support with administrative aspects, doctor's appointments or childcare issues. The Global Indian, who is also a member of the Hannover Mitte district council of the Social Democratic Party and acts as an advisory member in the international committee of the city of Hannover, was awarded the coveted Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award for his work in the field of collaboration between India and Germany. "I am glad that I could extend my stay at the Institute of Botany in Hannover, which allowed me to expand my exciting field of work at the International Office of LUH" the scholar said.

An academic marvel

Born and brought up in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Ramani's life was surrounded by lush green forest. "I was born in a small village called Kalancheri, in the Thanjavur district. I still vividly remember my time there, and whenever I go to India even now, I try to be involved in the various activities - be it agriculture, land, or anything else," said the scholar, adding, "My family also runs a school, which celebrated its 100 years in 2019; I am taking care of the school now."

"Not the brightest child in the classroom," in his word, it was his father who inspired Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani to study biology, which later helped him carve his career path. "My father is a veterinary doctor. We owned about 10 cows and I grew up around various animals. I would join my father during his visits to the sick animal and observe how gently he took care of them. So I was drawn to biology," shared the scholar, who earned a Gold medal during his undergraduate course in zoology at Bharathidasan University in 1997.

With a plan to continue to be with his friends, Dr. Ramani joined Annamalai University, the same year to pursue a post-graduate course in marine biology and oceanography. And this proved to be a turning point for him. "It was after joining the course that I realised how interesting life beneath oceans is. We would often visit the ocean and also go for scuba diving to collect samples - and it was quite a breathtaking view. My teachers motivated me a lot and that was when I started working on my thesis - Desalinization of seawater using cyanobacterium - which won the Best Student Project that year," the scholar said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXX28fkkePY

After finishing his master's in 1999, Dr. Ramani - a little unsure about what next - took the advice of one of his professors about his future. "About two or three months after I finished my master's, I received a call from a professor of mine saying that he had received an invitation letter from a German University, for a student who would be interested to do a Ph.D. training. He informed me that he thought that I was the best candidate and he had already given his acceptance on my behalf for the project," he shared, adding, "When your guru says something, you have to do it. And so I started packing up and a few weeks later I arrived in Germany."

The Deutschland

It was the first time that this village lad had taken a flight, but a greater challenge awaited him when descended in Germany. Shared the scholar, "I didn't know that language - and that is a huge barrier for anyone. I knew English, but not a single word in German. The other thing that I had to deal with was the harsh German winter. I had landed there in January and while I knew about the weather, nothing prepares you for the winter here."

Braving the odds, Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani joined the Leibniz University of Hannover to pursue his Ph.D. in marine botany with a scholarship from the state of Lower Saxony. "My initial plan was that I would take the one-year training in Germany and then fly back to India to pursue my Ph.D. However, the professors here requested me to continue my work there, and so I stayed back. I worked on marine cyanobacterium, also called blue-green algae, which are an ancient group of photosynthetic microbes that occur in most inland waters and that can have major effects on the water quality and functioning of aquatic ecosystems," he said.

[caption id="attachment_41045" align="aligncenter" width="606"] Dr. Ramani with S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India[/caption]

While he stayed back for his Ph.D., Dr. Ramani had planned that he would return to his homeland after earning his doctorate. A plan that failed due to a natural calamity. "I planned that I would return soon after I receive my degree - which was in 2004. However, during the same time that I was to return the tsunami in the Indian Ocean destroyed large parts of my institute where I was to continue my work," said the scholar, who joined the Leibniz University's Office for International Affairs. He assumed a permanent role in the University in 2011 and has been the regional coordinator for Indian/South Asian as well as African students. In the last few years, the scholar has been able to significantly expand the cooperation between the LUH and universities and research institutions in India.

Community before self

Dr. Ramani initiated a program in 2010 at LUH in collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), facilitating a rotational exchange of chairs between Indian and German professors. During the same year, he played a pivotal role in establishing the Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CMIS) at the University of Cologne. This center was dedicated to fostering Indo-German research on Vocational Education and Training, and it received funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research.

"We focussed on the apprenticeship education or vocational training in Germany for these young foreign students. Germany had its own successful model, called the dual system through which students spend three days in class and two days on the field every week. I wanted the same exposure for the kids who were coming from India to have similar experiences and learn better," shared the scholar.

Dr. Ramani established the Indian Student Association in Germany in 2015, receiving a recommendation from the Indian Embassy in Berlin. He is also the founder of the Young Professionals Platform for Agricultural Research for Development (YPARD), which is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Government of Switzerland. "As the Global Coordinator of YPARD, I had the opportunity to travel to over 33 countries, where I personally established a platform aimed at inspiring young professionals to address global agricultural challenges. Additionally, I successfully negotiated for YPARD's inclusion as a part of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation."

Devoted to helping students, Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani has been supporting African higher education institutions through capacity-building activities for students in writing research projects, arranging contacts with prospective professors for research projects, and also providing small financial support for projects. "The best way the world can develop today is by sharing the knowledge base. We need to create an environment where all the students, across the globe, can access the information and knowledge that will help them grow," said the scholar as he signed off.

Follow Dr. Balasubramanian Ramani on LinkedIn, Twitter, and his website

Reading Time: 6 mins

Indian social entrepreneur Dr Ruha Shadab – How her Led By Foundation gave India its first incubator for Muslim women

(January 7, 2022) A physician and medical professional who entered the halls of public policy and healthcare in India to augur change, Dr Ruha Shadab today champions Muslim women empowerment through her organisation Led By foundation. The Indian social entrepreneur brings rejuvenated depth as a doctor to public policy which often gets waylaid by the lack of on-the-ground knowledge. The Harvard-educated girl comes with a wealth of experience from her time at NITI Ayog, the Clinton Health Initiative and the Gates Foundation, which endowed Ruha with the tools to spearhead social entrepreneurship. From Saudi Arabia to India The Saudi Arabia born’s shift to India as a child brought her in touch with a starkly different cultural landscape – from being a majority to a minority. After finishing her MBBS at Lady Hardinge College in Delhi, she worked at the Clinton Health Initiative, and at Government of India think-tank NITI Ayog. She then went on to Cambridge, MA, for master’s in public policy at Harvard Kennedy School (2019-20). The amalgamation of these key roles saw Shadab hone the skills to lead and emulate. It nurtured a philosophy steeped in giving. The more Ruha searched, the less she found Muslim women represented

, the less she found Muslim women represented in the Indian work force. Not to mention an abject lack of opportunities, learning and foundation, imperative to growth.

[caption id="attachment_18565" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Dr Ruha Shadab | Global Indian Dr Ruha Shadab with her Led By foundation team[/caption]

“I grew up as a middle child in a family of five. I have an elder and younger brother who are arguably my closest friends. They are my biggest supporters and cheer leaders - I love them to absolute death,” smiles the 31-year-old Indian social entrepreneur. Ever grateful for her parents support, the daughter adds, “They continue to be supportive of my educational and professional decisions when I moved from medical sciences to public policy and social entrepreneurship. I think they have great faith in me and my moral compass. They are my guiding north star.”

The physician turned towards public policy and healthcare, studied at Harvard on a public service fellowship, and was the first Indian to be awarded the Harvard Kennedy School women’s leadership award. “The experience was fantastic as it opened up and widened my exposure, dramatically. I was able to learn from other movements, and other successful social endeavours. It was one of my biggest learnings, which I was able to bring back home to start Led By foundation,” Shadab tells Global Indian.

As the first Indian to receive the Barbara Johnson Women’s Leadership Award, Ruha is grateful for the appreciation of her hard work. “The award has five criteria – to build a community at the school which I did by organising the largest student-run conference, the India Conference at Harvard. Next was furthering issues of public importance outside the school, where I spoke about the inclusion of Muslim women in India. The third was being an example of a potential role model for other women aspiring to be leaders. I was humbled as they thought my work was that of a potential role model. Fourth, was displaying excellence in academic achievement (through grades),” explains the Muslim woman social entrepreneur who was selected for other leadership programmes while there. The fifth - being able to leverage leadership to advance gender equity in unprecedented times, Ruha continues to address with LBF.

[caption id="attachment_18567" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Dr Ruha Shadab | Global Indian Dr Ruha Shadab with the CEO of Gates Foundation[/caption]

How vaccines can change the world

In a world where Covid strains continue to paralyse nations and people in 2022, Shadab, during a project at Yale, (while doing her master’s at Harvard) worked on the ethics and inequities of vaccines - most pertinent to current pandemic times.

“I was working at Yale while a student at Harvard, as co-chair of the India Conference at Harvard, as first author for a medical ethics paper, and later I interned at the Gates Foundation on a global health strategy framework on cervical cancer. It was extremely interesting that we were discussing global inequities of vaccines. Our argument was on how to address global inequity of vaccine supply for cervical cancer, which is the only cancer that can be cured by a vaccine right now. Once you get infected with the HPV (Human papillomavirus), you can develop cervical cancer at any point in life. So, it’s important to get the vaccine before you ever get exposed to the virus - it prevents you from getting the cancer,” enthuses the public policy expert.

Addressing the lack of supply, she elaborates, “It’s also the most expensive vaccine which is a part of the immunisation protocol. With limited supply, and an expensive vaccine, how do we ensure that this gets to the developing world where it is needed the most?” thus resonating with current Covid inequity.

The team looked at the problem scientifically and ethically. “Ethically, it is about minimising inequities, and scientifically, the two doses versus one. You can start to sense these conversations are even more relevant in Covid. The whole argument about the ethical framework for addressing vaccine inequity is applicable to the Covid vaccines. Having all the thinking done by the most senior scientific advisors, and knowledgeable experts of HPV, and to be with them for a year discussing the problem, and also seeing how our answers adapted to a Covid and pandemic world was interesting. It felt worthwhile to be able to contribute to address global inequities for healthcare,” the Indian social entrepreneur avers.

[caption id="attachment_18568" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Dr Ruha Shadab | Global Indian Dr Ruha Shadab at WHO[/caption]

When medicine led to an authority on healthcare

Her NITI Ayog role was where Ruha first broke ground. She was entrenched into the world’s largest government health insurance scheme. “It was a fantastic experience. I understood the personal pressures of a government, and the nuances of public policy making,” says the girl who loves donning her jogging shoes to go for a run. If not that, then it’s baking which relaxes the Indian social entrepreneur.

Her focus has evolved - to promote a cohesive, respectful and inclusive economy emphasising on eliminating entry and retention barriers for underrepresented women.

At the Clinton Health Foundation, was her first non-medical role. “A very senior doctor who worked in government relations and stakeholder management and I were the only doctors. I was the only young doctor, fresh medical graduate, that Clinton at that point had ever hired in India,” says Ruha who underwent a massive cultural shift from working in a hospital with no concept of weekdays and weekends to working in a structured corporate setup. “It helped hone my quantitative skills. It was arguably my first heavy step towards public health and policy,” she adds.

How to lead by example

Ruha started the Led By foundation in 2020 to champion Muslim women in India. The Cheng Fellow started it as the first leadership incubator for Indian Muslim women which provides experiential leadership to under-graduates and post-graduates, and connects them to mentors, even aids with capital.

“Our goal is to represent Indian Muslim women in the work force. We are currently 8 percent of the population but less that 1 percent of any leadership roles. There is work to be done. It is also important to find root causes of different access and work towards solving those root causes through Led By,” the Indian social entrepreneur explains. Through its incubator, LB foundation has supported a large number of women dream bigger, apply for dream jobs, get coached and nurtured through the core team, with over 150 advisors.

“We’ve had women nurture entrepreneurial dreams, today, one is a co-founder of a multi-million dollar ed tech startup which recently got funded,” says Ruha. Jobs, colleges and entrepreneurship guidance aside, the aim is to, “help move the need-alone workforce participation of Indian Muslim women.”

[caption id="attachment_18569" align="aligncenter" width="596"] Indian Social Entrepreneur | Dr Ruha Shadab | Global Indian Dr Ruha Shadab[/caption]

The fellowship aided 24 women in 2020, and has coached a total of around 60 fellows. Led By has also worked with over 5,000 women since inception. Executive coaches like Kit Pappenheimer, Leadership in Motion and Dr Shreya Sarker-Barney, founder & CEO, Human Capital Growth among others mentor the girls.

Policy matters to Ruha who is often seeing pouring over the Economist.

Ruha, the girl with a plan

The Indian social entrepreneur's love for India has grown since she moved as a child. Having lived and worked in the US, the sights, sounds and hubris of India inspire her.

“What I love about returning to India every single time is having these physicals markers of my memories - the story of my life was written in the streets of Delhi and NCR, no place feels like home like this city. India is home, you love your home because of the sheer reason that it is your home. The resilience of India as a country, as a people and as individuals amazes me. That inspires me every day, that’s why I love India,” says Ruha, who is ready to move forward as a torchbearer for Muslim women empowerment as she continues leadership fellowships and accelerator programmes in 2022, adding, “Inshallah, I hope to have 10,000 women benefit from our programmes very soon.”

Follow Dr Ruha Shadab on Twitter and Instagram

Reading Time: 8 min

The Gospel truth: Actor Paras Patel is carving a niche for himself in Hollywood

(November 13, 2022) Over one billion Christians from across the globe were delighted when American filmmaker Dallas Jenkins announced that he would chronicle the journey of the Christ through his web series The Chosen. As more details started to come from the show's set, people murmured about an Indian-American cast in one of the most important roles in the series. But, despite all their doubts, the audience was absolutely mesmerised by actor Paras Patel, who portrayed the role of Saint Matthew, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. [caption id="attachment_31706" align="aligncenter" width="698"] Actor Paras Patel[/caption] The Global Indian has been a part of three major shows, including ABC Family’s 'Teen Spirit' and CBS Films' 'The Duff'. "Growing up, it was such a rare treat to see someone that looked like me on TV or in a movie, and I took it for granted that it would always be that way. As visibility for South Asians is increasing in mass media, there is still a long way to go, and I hope to inspire the next generation of South Asian artists to see a place for themselves in this industry," the actor shared during an interview with Voyage LA. The world's

ff'. "Growing up, it was such a rare treat to see someone that looked like me on TV or in a movie, and I took it for granted that it would always be that way. As visibility for South Asians is increasing in mass media, there is still a long way to go, and I hope to inspire the next generation of South Asian artists to see a place for themselves in this industry," the actor shared during an interview with Voyage LA.

The world's a stage

Belonging to a Gujarati family who immigrated to the USA several decades back, Paras Patel had, on numerous occasions, shared that he loved acting and performing for the crowd since he was a young kid. In love with Bollywood and its music, Paras even played games inspired by movies growing up. "As cliched as it sounds, I knew I wanted to act at a young age. I loved to perform whenever I could, whether it was in school plays, cultural community shows, or even family gatherings. During summer breaks, my brother and I would use a camcorder and make little skits and pretend we had our own TV show. I’ve played various fictitious roles, from a mad scientist to an angry chef! I remember when I was in 5th grade, I did a book report but turned it into a play and performed it in front of my classmates. It wasn’t a part of the assignment at all, but I just did it. It just came naturally to me," the actor told Voyage LA.

[caption id="attachment_31707" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Actor | Global Indian A still from the show Teen Spirit[/caption]

After earning a degree in finance, Paras Patel started looking for job opportunities. however, the prospect of a career in numbers didn’t make him happy. And so, he started working on the sets of various productions in Atlanta, to get on-field experience, starting from one of the biggest cult-drama that aired on American television - The Vampire Diaries. All the money that he earned doing the background work on these productions went into his acting classes, getting headshots, and other career-related material.

[caption id="attachment_31709" align="aligncenter" width="544"] Actor | Global Indian A still from the sets of The Chosen[/caption]

"Through a showcase from one of my classes, I met and signed with my first agent and then happened to book my first audition ever, a lead in Teen Spirit which was a feature film for Freeform. I continued to work on various productions in the south for another year, and then eventually moved to Los Angeles to further my career. Moving to LA was a whole new world, and I had to start over with building relationships and enrolling in more training to strengthen my craft… but I haven’t looked back since," he said.

The Chosen one

While he had to face several hurdles during his initial days of struggle in LA, the actor was soon spotted by producers and started working on minor roles in various movies and TV shows. Although a few people didn't approve of his career choices, Paras was determined to make it big in the entertainment industry.

"In Indian culture, you are expected to take a more traditional career path, so it was a bit of an eye-opener for my loved ones when I went from pursuing a career in finance to acting. I am grateful that my parents have always been supportive, but I’ve had some extended family members question my career path and express doubt in my future as an actor," Paras Patel shared during the interview, adding, "This line of work also comes with countless rejections, fear that you’re wasting your time, and tons of self-doubt. You can be a great actor but never get a chance to work. This business has a certain degree of luck involved. I’ve got parts that have been edited out numerous times due to factors out of my control."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-veXCXOzPE4

Not one to give up easily, Paras Patel was persistent and eventually landed the role of Matthew in The Chosen after several auditions. "I portray a historical figure. Season 1 has amassed over 35 million views globally in a span of a few months! I am incredibly thankful and grateful to the fans of the show, whose numerous messages of support and appreciation of my work have impacted me profoundly," the actor shared.

[caption id="attachment_31708" align="aligncenter" width="593"] Actor | Global Indian A still from the sets of The Chosen[/caption]

Even though much is known about the character he played, Paras Patel admitted that he was surprised to see the character written in a way that had never been done onscreen before. "It was the character description depicting Matthew as on the autism spectrum and the writing that initially drew me to the project," the actor shared during a podcast, adding, "The impact the show has had on our audience and having underrepresented communities feel like they are finally getting the representation and acceptance they deserve on a mainstream show keeps my heart full."

Actor | Paras Patel | Global Indian

An actor who loves challenging roles, Paras Patel is looking to collaborate with several other artists in the coming years. "I think what sets me apart as an actor is that I am always working on my craft to continue to get better. I am a hard worker and am always looking to improve. I also love to collaborate and meet others, as I believe there are enough seats at the table in this business and we should all support one another," shared the actor.

Follow Paras Patel on Facebook and Instagram

Reading Time: 6 mins