Social Entrepreneur | Srivyal Vuyyuri | Sphoorti Foundation

Global Indianstory‘Tot’ for the day: Social entrepreneur Srivyal Vuyyuri helps needy children live better lives

‘Tot’ for the day: Social entrepreneur Srivyal Vuyyuri helps needy children live better lives

Written by: Global Indian

(February 10, 2022) Born in Tanuku in Andhra Pradesh, Srivyal Vuyyuri nurtured big dreams: Study well, get an engineering degree, move to the US for higher studies and land a good job. Somewhere, things changed and he veered towards social entrepreneurship. He returned from the US to work at bettering the lives of children in need. Today, Sphoorti, a home he founded to support orphans and children with single parents, houses over 200 kids, with some having gone on to become doctors, engineers, and corporate employees.

The recipient of the Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2014-15, life has given Vuyyuri his own ‘Ikigai’ to do good.

Social Entrepreneur | Srivyal Vuyyuri | Sphoorti Foundation

It began with a big fat dream

The journey has not been easy for the man who gave up the big fat American dream to help change the lives of hundreds of children. From a lack of funds, to today providing for children and their guardians during the pandemic, Srivyal has faced more disappointments and failures than successes. Yet, that made the social entrepreneur even more steadfast, “I have become humbler and more balanced. I have learnt to keep going in the face of adversity, never losing hope. As we reach out to more people in need, our responsibility has only increased.”

The boy from a small town

Born in 1977 in Tanuku, West Godavari, Srivyal moved to Hyderabad as his father worked at ECIL. Always a good student, he ranked second in the intermediate board exams in 1994, and went on to join BITS Pilani College for engineering. “A year into the course, I realised engineering wasn’t for me. So, I dropped out, and decided to pursue B.Com instead,” says the 45-year-old social entrepreneur, who landed his first job at Juno Online Services.

A stint in the US to pursue master’s in economics from Ohio University, he wanted to do a PhD, but decided to return to India in 2002.

Social Entrepreneur | Srivyal Vuyyuri | Sphoorti Foundation

“I’d always wanted to do something hands-on for children,” he adds. His childhood, “Was loads of fun. I was crazy about movies, cricket and was a huge Chiranjeevi (actor) fan. We had great teachers and I have very fond memories of school. It was pure luck that I was born into a family that gave me a happy childhood. It was one of the reasons I kept thinking about children who do not have a pleasant childhood,” the social entrepreneur shares with Global Indian.

For the little children

Plunging headlong into social entrepreneurship, he began to give shape to his dream. “I’d always wanted to work with children, but never had the courage to. The original idea was to start a school for poor kids near my house. But it needed investment and experience, and I had neither. So, I decided to support kids who were already going to school but didn’t have parents. I wanted to provide them shelter,” he recalls.

The years 2004-5 were spent researching on setting up a non-profit. In 2006, he launched Sphoorti – a shelter for orphaned, abandoned, and destitute children in Cherlapally. Day one saw three kids at the shelter, a year later there were 35. Today, Sphoorti helps shelter and provide for over 250 children between the ages of six and 20.

“Initially, we depended on friends, the police and references to help find and shelter these kids. In the past few years, the District Child Welfare Committee sends children who need support, many single parent kids,” explains Srivyal.

The new school site

The early days were fraught with uncertainty, ignorance and lack of funds. “Abhay Gangadharan, my manager from Juno was one of our first donors who gave me a cheque for $1,500. Soon, childhood friends chipped in too,” he adds.

Today, Sphoorti is on firmer footing. “From survival mode, we have moved to flourishing mode,” admits Srivyal. Sphoorti Model School began functioning in June 2021, but construction is still on (currently with class 1 to 7, and plans to go up to class 10, with extra curriculars). The school in Dundigal will also offer basketball and volleyball courts.

They are also planning an independent building for 1,000 children. “The idea is to provide free education and a midday meal to as many girl children as possible,” he explains, adding, “We will try for LEED – Platinum/Gold certification. It is an ambitious project, I hope we can make it a success.”

The pandemic threw things out of gear but Srivyal and his team kept helping children and their guardians with groceries. In the first wave, they gave groceries to over 8,000 families, and in the second and third wave, they distributed groceries and medicines in and around Tirupati. They also helped women who’d lost their husbands in the pandemic, rehabilitating them through tailoring courses. With 15 study centres in the slums of Tirupati and Madanapalle, children also got sustenance.

He is also working on a few new projects in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Social Entrepreneur | Srivyal Vuyyuri | Sphoorti Foundation

Charity begins with a thought

His wife, Venkateswari works closely with girls at Sphoorti. His 13-year-old son, Aditya, who grew up watching his parents work with children, is now determined to work in the social sector too.

The most fulfilling aspect for him is watching the children grow into fine individuals. “One of our kids landed a job at Cognizant. She had come to Sphoorti after both her parents succumbed to HIV/AIDS,” beams the social entrepreneur. Several others are pursuing other professional courses.

When he chose the social sector, his family was taken aback, especially his mother. “It (social work) was alien to most middle-class families. My father was unsure about my abilities – worried that if I messed up, I would be putting a lot of children in trouble,” he recalls. Today, his parents live on-campus, and help him strive higher.

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Prof. K. Ravindranath

February 25, 2023 8:10 pm

Mr. Srivyal Vuyyuri’s dedicated service to social causes, especially the education of underprivileged children is commendable. He and his family deserve all the encouragement and support to do more. Wishing him, the students and staff of Sphoorti Campus School at
Dundigal, all the best.

Published on 10, Feb 2022

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Road to Mandalay: How Ankit Gupta brought Burmese cuisine to India

(June 1, 2023) Burma Burma is full, even on a Monday evening, and the staff are busy serving up laphet (fermented tea leaf paste), tohu (made from chickpea) and seitan imported from Indonesia. It's a tribute to authentic Burmese cuisine and the restaurant we're at is the newest one, boldly placed after a Pan-Asian restaurant that serves up more familiar fare, plus cocktails. Burma Burma, on the other hand, is vegetarian, offers nothing stronger than boba tea and is still clearly where everybody wants to be. "Bengaluru is our biggest market," founder Ankit Gupta grins, as he joins us for a pre-dinner chat. "They're fascinated with jackfruit, banana flower, avocado ice-cream and mock meat." This restaurant is a tribute to Burmese gardens – “We want to recreate the feeling of dining outdoors in a Burmese bungalow, and celebrate Bengaluru’s greenery,” he says, pointing to the 100-year-old banyan tree standing right beside our window seat. Growing up with a Burmese mother, Ankit Gupta recalls a separate refrigerator at home exclusively for Burmese staples like laphet - "Eighty percent of the tea they produce goes into making this," he explains. At school, friends would wait for fresh batches of balachaung, a spicy

ends would wait for fresh batches of balachaung, a spicy relish with onion, peanut, garlic and spice (rightly so, it's delicious), kho suey, plum candy and sunflower seeds. His other influence was his father, a second-generation hotelier himself.

[caption id="attachment_39452" align="aligncenter" width="694"] Ankit Gupta | Burma Burma Ankit Gupta, co-founder, Hunger Pangs Private Limited[/caption]

A family legacy

"I had a heavy influence of Burma and the restaurant industry," Ankit tells Global Indian. "My grandfather came from Haryana and started one of the first licensed tea stalls, back in the 1950s." He went on to acquire hotels and properties near Santa Cruz East, near the Bombay airport. And for the first ten years of his life, Ankit and his family lived inside the hotel. "I loved living like that," he says. "You can order room service at midnight, there's a driver ready always... I was very pampered." Entertaining guests was part of daily life too, both his parents loved it, as did Ankit himself.

Ankit Gupta trained in hotel management, and did a diploma with the American Hotel and Lodging Association. He began his career with the Taj Group, becoming a beverage manager and an assistant manager. It was a firsthand glimpse behind the glamour of the hotel industry - "The pampering ends, you're working 18-19 hour-shifts. I would report at 1 pm and leave at 5 am for two years straight." This was when the seed for Burma Burma was first planted in Ankit's mind. Meeting people from different countries inspired him to travel too, which he did, exploring Asia and the world to understand people and food.

In 2011, Ankit returned from his travels and went back to join his family business. "That was when my chef and I went to Burma for the first time," he says. Maybe it was the charm of visiting one's roots, but Ankit was instantly captivated by the place, its "beauty, culture and all that the country has to offer." He began traveling more often, meeting chefs, restaurant owners and exploring the possibility of making this a concept in India. "I wanted Indians to experience the Burma I knew," he remarks.

Finding Burma a place in India

The first Burma Burma came after three solid years of R&D. "You need the right contributors to come on board and make sure that the end product is great," Ankit says. "It needs to have a very strong connection to the food, to the culinary techniques." Ankit and his co-founder Chirag, a friend from school, held pop ups across the country - at Sunburn in Goa, at school fairs, selling buckets of kho suey for Rs 100. "We were sold out, everywhere, every time," he smiles. "Whoever ate our food liked it."

So, in 2014, they started Burma Burma and the concept found immediate success. Two years later, they went to Gurgaon. Now in their ninth year, they own eight Burma Burma restaurants in seven cities in India. "We're opening in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and another in North Bangalore." In fact, they hope to double the number of restaurants in the next two years.

Veg only, please

[caption id="attachment_39455" align="aligncenter" width="464"] The tea leaf salad, with avocado and laphet dressing[/caption]

"We are not a vegetarian restaurant, we are a restaurant that happens to be vegetarian," Ankit says. On their trips to Burma, they found that a lot of dishes are inherently vegetarian, but covered in some kind of seafood condiment. Fermented fish paste, shrimp powder and broth made from catfish or sardine are the staples. "It's very strong,” Ankit explains, adding, “Even non-vegetarians may not like it. Also, because they abstain for two months in the year, vegetarian food is very easy to find."

Burmese days

Political turmoil and civil unrest have been a way of life in Myanmar for decades. The coup d'etat of 1962 resulted in a military dictatorship under the Burma Socialist Programme Party, marking the start of decades of strict border controls under what was said to be one of the most abusive regimes in modern world history. In August 1988, the 8888 uprising led to brief normalcy and a multi-party system, and in 2011, the year Ankit made his first trip, the military junta had been dissolved following the 2010 election. Political prisoners like Aung San Suu Kyi were released under the partly civilian government. Suu Kyi's party won a clear majority in 2020, but the Burmese military seized power in one more coup d'etat. In 2021, the borders were closed again for some time and even now, tourists are advised to stay clear.

The country Ankit Gupta entered in 2011 was, in his own words, "pure, untouched and clean." There was no "Pepsi or cola, no SIM cards, no phones." Few people had experienced the Burmese culture, or the warmth and hospitality of its people. "People would sing, enjoy themselves and have fun," he says. "When they saw a foreigner, they would feel very happy, they welcome you with open arms." These days, he travels often, every five or six months to explore the food or source ingredients and dines at the homes of his vendors and suppliers.

The diaspora food trail

He discovered culinary traditions that reminded him very much of home. Myanmar is home to a sizeable Indian diaspora - indentured labourers taken to Rangoon by the British, as well as traders, businessmen and moneylenders from the Chettiar community in Tamil Nadu. "They love dosas, samosas and Bengali-style biryani," Ankit explains. "They also sit around a low table with a plate of rice, meat and vegetables, from which they all eat together."

The diaspora is varied - Indians, Chinese, Thai, Cambodians, Vietnam. "They all brought their own influences," says Ankit. Still, Burmese cuisine stands on its own, and is versatile and diverse. "They believe in fresh ingredients and simple food," he says. "You will find hawkers who can serve up 50 dishes from a 4x4. You would be amazed." Burmese cuisine involves a lot of roasted gram flour, chilli, tamarind, sunflower seed, as well as laphet and dried and fermented mustard seed from the hilly regions of Kachin.

"The food is very diverse," says Ankit. "There are eight mother communities or tribes, and their sub tribes." Over the years, Ankit and his team have traversed the length and breadth of Myanmar, which they continue to do every few months, and always manage to discover something new. "Business is a side product," he smiles. "If you have a good product and a good restaurant, people will come and business will grow."

Ankit Gupta | Burma Burma

At this point, a waiter arrives with bowls of Kachin dried-mustard soup, a tangy concoction with garlic and edamame. "The mustard greens are pickled and put underground for three months, after which they are cured," Ankit explains. The avocado with the characteristically bitter laphet dressing arrives next - it's impossible to replicate outside of Myanmar, Ankit informs us. "They use a special fermenting process - chefs have tried to replicate it but it doesn't work." The leaves, which become extremely soft after the fermentation process, are made into a paste with olive oil.

Sourcing ingredients

Ankit Gupta works with his brothers to source ingredients. "I have a channel from the Manipur side, one from Thailand and another from Bodh Gaya," he says. While the situation has improved since 2010, security issues and border restrictions could happen at any time. "There isn't a free flow of trade still, but it it happens. We call it in bulk and store it."

Ankit Gupta's unwavering passion for Burmese cuisine, rooted in his upbringing and travels, has paid off, handsomely. By embracing the authenticity of traditional recipes and sourcing genuine ingredients, he has created an extraordinary dining experience that immerses Indian food enthusiasts in the diverse and flavoursome world of Myanmar. Ankit's commitment to quality and his relentless pursuit of culinary excellence continue to fuel the expansion of Burma Burma, captivating diners with the wonders of Burmese gastronomy.

Follow Burma Burma on Instagram

Siddharth Singh: Pioneering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai to empower Indian women

Meet Siddharth Singh, a distinguished St Andrew's alumnus whose life took a transformative turn when he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in the UK. Today, he stands as the sole Indian to possess a competitive brown belt in BJJ and the esteemed silver Mongkol 'Master' in Muay Thai (Thai boxing). Siddharth's impact goes far beyond his personal achievements, as he now runs five successful academies in northern India, collectively nurturing around 500 young talents. Additionally, he has empowered over 5000 women through self-defense training and collaborated with renowned NGOs like SLAP and Ritinjali. (July 22, 2023) Within the domain of close quarter combat, Siddharth Singh stands as an unrivaled marvel. He reads his opponent, finds their weak spots, and can overpower them no matter how strong they are. He's a master fighter who can calmly render them unconscious if needed. Siddharth Singh is the only Indian to have a competitive brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and the silver Mongkol ‘Master’ in Muay Thai (Thai boxing). “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is all about body control and joint lock manipulation. It’s not so much about strength,” points out Siddharth Singh, a pioneer in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in India, speaking exclusively with Global Indian.

exclusively with Global Indian. He holds a decorated track record as a professional fighter. He is India’s highest ranked competitive grappler, India’s only ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Taiwan title holder and British BJJ champion. At rank 4 in ACBJJ (Absolute championship of BJJ) world rankings, Siddharth is a 10-time Indian BJJ and Submission grappling champion.

[caption id="attachment_42071" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Siddharth Singh, Founder and CEO at Crosstrain Fight Club.[/caption]

“The fact that BJJ is based around the premise that a smaller, weaker person can potentially defeat a larger, stronger opponent using technique and leverage is what makes it exciting. Strategy, technique, training and mental acumen is all what the sport is about,” says the Global Indian, who currently owns and runs Crosstrain Fight Club, a chain of MMA academies across north India, where he has created some of the best professional fighters in the country.

Grappling his way to success

Grappling demands dedicated focus in training. “It is an old art and there are an infinite number of techniques and positions. So one needs to go in for training with a specific goal in each training session,” he says.

For example, in one training session, the goal could be a specific submission, say, a Kimura joint lock, which is a shoulder lock. “It requires planning the drills around it, a number of different ways of getting to those positions. Rather than thinking of grappling as everything one can do, we narrow down the focus to one specific position for a day,” explains the 36-year-old, who has coached India’s top international MMA fighters like Anshul Jubli and Punyajeet Likharu.

Anshul etched his name in history as the inaugural Indian fighter to secure a coveted Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contract. Moreover, he has served as a coach to more than 100 state and national-level MMA champions.

Lucknow boy

Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Siddharth’s passion for combat sports started with boxing while studying at the Doon School, Dehradun. He lost his initial fights but did not give up and continued to train hard. Eventually, he won the ‘Best Boxer’ at the school at age 18.

Siddharth Singh

“Boarding school teaches you a lot of skills, you either sink or swim. It taught me to deal with a lot of hardships,” says of his days in Doon School, where he also got introduced to hockey, football, athletics and gymnastics as well. After completing his 12th in Doon School, Siddharth went to Delhi University and completed his undergraduate studies.

Off to St Andrew’s

The turning point in his life came when he got a scholarship to study in the UK for his master's course in economics and strategy from one of the most prestigious universities in Scotland, St Andrews University in 2007. “That's where Prince William's also studied. It was a great learning experience,” smiles Siddharth, who enrolled himself in a Thai boxing gym in north London.

“Thai boxing is very different from traditional boxing. In Thai boxing, they have punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. And Thai boxing is the national sport of Thailand, also called Muay Thai,” he informs. One day, at the Muay Thai gym, he happened to attend a seminar on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Siddharth was hooked instantly. “It’s a martial art that involves strategy and technique,” he says.

At a crossroads

After a year in Scotland, Siddharth landed a job with Britain’s privately owned global company, Pentland Group, which owns and invests primarily in retail and wholesale businesses in the sports, outdoor and sports fashion sectors. He worked as the regional business manager for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.

“The company used to encourage its employees to take up some sporting activity after work hours. I took up MMA,” informs the champion, who has been the national coach of the Indian Muay Thai team and presently serves as the head of the North Zone for Muay Thai in India.

He enjoyed his Muay Thai practice so much that in 2012, he quit his job, returned to India, and started competing in various championships, winning several medals for the country. Around the same time, he launched the first branch of his Crosstrain fight club in Delhi.

Siddharth Singh

“In India, women come under attack all the time and they lack good self-defense mechanisms. The reason I launched my fight club is to teach them BJJ so they could safeguard themselves,” says Siddharth, who also runs a podcast called “Lockdown with Sid” on YouTube and Spotify.

The professional fighter runs five academies in north India which are presently training about 500 youngsters. Besides, he has trained over 5000 women in self-defense and worked with NGOs like SLAP and Ritinjali.

Bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to India

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai, says Siddharth, are very new sports in India. “Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and has been around for hundreds of thousands of years. And in India, it's been there for less than 10 years. It’s the same with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,” he says adding most people back home did not even know such combat sports existed.

He says Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been included in the upcoming Asian Games in China and Muay Thai is also growing rapidly. “Both the sports will get a lot of attention sooner than later,” says the MMA champ, who also held workshops for corporates including Google, Wrigley, and Mars.

A regimented life

When preparing for tournaments, Siddharth indulges in actual hand-to-hand combats, weight training, lots of conditioning and fitness exercises the whole week. “There is a lot of focus on techniques and I train for it specifically for most part of the day and then do some sparring. It’s a tough training schedule,” informs the fighter, who will be representing India in three international tournaments in Abu Dhabi coming up soon.

Elon Musk Vs Mark Zuckerberg

With reports suggesting that Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg might indulge in a “cage fight” soon, Siddharth says both are just beginners in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “Both are white belts, absolute beginners. But let's be honest, these guys are not high-level competitors or athletes. They are celebrities who, if indulge in the fight, will end up just grabbing the eyeballs.”

Podcasts

When not fighting, Siddharth likes to listen to podcasts during his travels. “It helps me learn new skills,” says the Indian Muay Thai champion who also likes to read books on business strategies.

Follow Siddharth Singh on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Shachi Gurumayum: The Switzerland based recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is changing lives in Manipur

(December 7, 2022) “When I was leaving India, I knew I would do something for Manipur one day. I just didn’t know what and when.” Dr Shachi Gurumayum’s determination only grew over the years and in 2017, he started the MaolKeki Foundation. Named after his grandparents, the foundation works to uplift people in Manipur through social initiatives in agriculture, education and healthcare. In 2021, his efforts earned him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. [caption id="attachment_32502" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Shachi Gurumayum during a field visit in Manipur[/caption] Born and raised in Manipur, Shachi is the founder and director of Switzerland-based AgriMayum, which stands for ‘House of Agriculture’. He also advises the World Benchmarking Alliance (Amsterdam), LadyAgri (Brussels) and is part of the Board of Sahel Consulting (Lagos). Giving back "I believe that if you are blessed, you share your blessings," Shachi tells Global Indian connecting from Switzerland. Growing up in Manipur, the son of an engineer father and a teacher mother, Shachi has happy recollections of his childhood. The community where he grew up comprised of smallholder farmers who lived a remote, very rural life. “There was no electricity, no infrastructure and a lot of civil society issues,” he says. It's now that the urbanisation is creeping in,

n data-contrast="auto">which stands for ‘House of Agriculture’. He also advises the World Benchmarking Alliance (Amsterdam), LadyAgri (Brussels) and is part of the Board of Sahel Consulting (Lagos).

Giving back

"I believe that if you are blessed, you share your blessings," Shachi tells Global Indian connecting from Switzerland.

Growing up in Manipur, the son of an engineer father and a teacher mother, Shachi has happy recollections of his childhood. The community where he grew up comprised of smallholder farmers who lived a remote, very rural life. “There was no electricity, no infrastructure and a lot of civil society issues,” he says. It's now that the urbanisation is creeping in, it was all marshland then.

If you are able to come out of such a rural environment and achieve something in life, you have to give back. It’s not just money, it’s also about sharing the knowledge and skills you have acquired over the years.

[caption id="attachment_32504" align="aligncenter" width="739"] Indian Philanthropist | Shachi Gurumayum | Global Indian Dr Shachi receiving Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the Indian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland. He was felicitated by Ambassador Monika Kapil Mohta[/caption]

Manipur, which stands for the ‘land of gems’ has a special significance in the entrepreneur’s heart. It’s where his parents spent all their life. When Shachi started MaolKeki Foundation, he made his parents its trustees.

Finding his feet

“I remember my father scolding me in class seven or so because I came back home ranking towards the end of 30 students in the class almost flunking in math,” he smiles. “My father said, ‘an engineer’s son cannot flunk in math.

The carefree Manipur lad grew into an extraordinary student when he moved to boarding school in Karnataka, where he finished high school. That transformation would remain with him through his life. “I won the medal for being the school topper,” he says. From there, he went on to study Chemistry at St Stephen’s College, Delhi. After that, he earned his Master’s and a PhD from the University of Bristol in the UK.

A series of scholarships carried him through his educational career, from his bachelor’s degree in Delhi to his MSc in Surface and Colloid Science and later PhD in the same subject in the UK. “It’s very expensive to study in the UK otherwise and was certainly out of my reach if it had not been for the full scholarship,” he remarks.

MaolKeki Foundation

[caption id="attachment_32506" align="aligncenter" width="938"] Indian Philanthropist | Shachi Gurumayum | Global Indian The Maolkeki Foundation team[/caption]

Through last-mile agricultural training, health projects and nurturing agri-entrepreneurs, the foundation’s aim is to catalyse the development of people. The organisation achieves its purpose by designing and implementing socially impactful initiatives in agriculture, education and healthcare through strategic partnerships, grants and direct investments.

My belief is that no one party can solve society’s challenges; however, if we come together and create an ecosystem to share our knowledge, skills, resources and energy, much can be achieved collectively.

A district by Loktak Lake was one of the MaolKeki team’s first locations. “It is the only freshwater lake in the region, with the world’s only floating national park. That’s something to admire,” Shachi says. From there, his team, whom he gives immense credit, scaled up their reach to other parts of the state.

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

"The learning point during all this has been that the impact of an individual effort can never match that of an institutionalised initiative,” Shachi explains. Today, the Foundation works in synergy with Syngenta Foundation India, Agri Entrepreneur Growth Foundation, Anaha Trust, Sattva, NABARD and the Swiss TPH Support Group.

Life in the UK

England was eventful for Shachi. “I was very actively promoting STEM education.” He was promoting chemistry through the Young Persons’ Network of the UK Chemical Industries Association and was even invited to Buckingham Palace for his contribution to British science.

Recalling his meeting with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Shachi tells he was in awe of the Queen’s charismatic presence and says, of Prince Phillip, “He was a curious man and showed genuine interest in knowing what I was doing.”

In the same event, Shachi met the CEO of BP, the multinational oil and gas company headquartered in London. That association led him to multiple interviews at BP and the opportunity to enrol himself into a fully-sponsored MBA programme at HEC Paris.

Indian Philanthropist | Shachi Gurumayum | Global Indian

Shachi quotes Steve Jobs as he looks back at his life: “You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So, you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

Working in labs and doing research work was not the route that Shachi wanted to take forever so the MBA fulfilled his desire to venture into the commercial side of enterprises.

Choosing Agriculture

With a PhD in Surface and Colloid Science and an MBA, Shachi had options to work in diverse industries.

I could have worked in industries like personal care, and oil and gas but versus those I chose to work in the agricultural sector because I thought I would be able to take the lessons I learn to Manipur.

After working with companies like Lubrizol Corporation, Chemical Industries Association and BP, he joined Syngenta, the leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. He spent nearly a decade there, working his way up the hierarchy to multiple leadership roles in the Africa Middle East division. “I felt that there were lots of commonalities between smallholder farming in Africa and in India, especially Manipur,” he remarks.

[caption id="attachment_32514" align="aligncenter" width="563"] Indian Philanthropist | Shachi Gurumayum | Global Indian For Shachi, it was a moment to learn what farmers experience in carrying a 'sam' around![/caption]

In the process of spearheading the Good Growth Plan in Africa Middle East (AME), Shachi and the AME team trained over 300,000 farmers, mostly smallholders, in over 25 countries to increase their productivity. The experiences were setting the stage for the developmental changes that were about to happen back home in Manipur.

The new course in life

In 2017, Shachi left corporate life behind to establish AgriMayum GmbH  – his own business venture. Around the same time, he set up MaolKeki Foundation to fulfil the goal he had set at the time of leaving India decades ago. “If we don’t help ourselves, nobody will come and help,” he says. To address the gaps in his state, he has been lucky to find a helping hand from acquaintances there.

The affable Samaritan has also found support from his rich network of friends that he nurtured over the years. For instance, the network of Stephanians played a good role in helping him out with the complete know-how of setting up a foundation in India. “That made life easier."

One has to appreciate the advantage of going to a good college because of the good exposure and life-long access it provides.

Shachi Gurumayum's foundation offers annual MaolKeki Memorial Scholarship to a deserving Manipuri student at St. Stephen's College.

[caption id="attachment_32515" align="aligncenter" width="877"] Indian Philanthropist | Shachi Gurumayum | Global Indian Shachi Gurumayum with his family during the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Bern, Switzerland[/caption]

 Shachi and his team at MaolKeki Foundation focus on data and technology driven initiatives to support farmers. Because of their modern approach to address challenges, they have been able to impress a host of leading organisations for strategic partnerships and co-funding opportunities. Even Syngenta, the organisation where he worked before embracing entrepreneurship, has been a major supporter right from the beginning through Syngenta Foundation India.

Learning is fun

Enhancing his knowledge by enrolling in different courses is a vital part of Shachi’s life’s journey. The lifelong learner is currently enrolled at the Swiss TPH for an International Healthcare Management MBA programme. “It’s my second MBA,” he says, about the programme that emphasises practical, pragmatic lessons on the ground. “For each module that we have, we also have to do some practical work and submit reports, and I've focused all of them on activities in Manipur,” tells the Global Indian.

To combine agriculture and health at the very last mile in Manipur, Shachi and his MaolKeki team are facilitating the healthcare of farmers. Their health is assessed as they come to learn about new agricultural practices. Farmers are encouraged to get their routine health check-up done as a preventive measure.

Indian Philanthropist | Shachi Gurumayum | Global Indian

All these are novel experiences for them. Recalling one of the instances, Shachi says, “What was fun for the farmers was that some hadn't even weighed themselves in 10-20 years. Even standing on the scale was such a big attraction, apart from other basic primary care check-ups. The Foundation hired nursing staff for this purpose and has also worked on a tie-up with local healthcare centres to ensure farmers’ good health.

The philantropreneur is based in Europe for a majority of his time but spends a substantial amount of time each year in Manipur – the place closest to his heart and where his mother still lives – often accompanied by his family.

Follow Dr Shachi Gurumayum on LinkedIn
Follow MaolKeki Foundation on Facebook and its website

Reading Time: 7 mins

Ayo Shanti: The native American in love with the Ganges and the indigenous Indians

(Jun 7, 2023)“I don’t usually talk about this but I think I can talk more freely about it with Indians – I am sure I had many lifetimes in India,” smiles Ayo Oum Shanti,” as she connects with Global Indian from New York City. The founder of the nonprofit World Water Hub (WWH), Ayo was born Roberta Weiri and changed her name later, to be in tune with her spiritual side. WWH began with Ayo’s passion project, The River Project–Ma Ganga (RPMG), which is a convergence of her experiences and fascination with the Ganges, her partner's love for his native country, and her acumen to bring people together to find solutions. “I was raised to be a citizen of the world,” says the eighty-year-old, who is working to build meaningful communications around water and raise funds for the Ma Ganga project in India. Her nonprofit was created to give local communities from around the world a voice, and the chance to participate and collaborate in developing viable solutions to problems involving rivers and other water related issues. [caption id="attachment_39678" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Ayo Oum Shanti[/caption] “We have just officially become part of the Pennsylvania based HSI (Humanitarian Social Innovations) fiscal

“I was raised to be a citizen of the world,” says the eighty-year-old, who is working to build meaningful communications around water and raise funds for the Ma Ganga project in India. Her nonprofit was created to give local communities from around the world a voice, and the chance to participate and collaborate in developing viable solutions to problems involving rivers and other water related issues.

[caption id="attachment_39678" align="aligncenter" width="414"] Ayo Oum Shanti | Philanthropist | Global Indian Ayo Oum Shanti[/caption]

“We have just officially become part of the Pennsylvania based HSI (Humanitarian Social Innovations) fiscal sponsorship, and are addressing ourselves as HSI-WWF,” she says.

Passion to make a difference

Before her retirement, Ayo worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – one of the top cancer hospitals in the world. It was a setting where shared information and collaboration were at the heart of research to find cures. As a coordinator, Ayo helmed various collaborative and outreach efforts like conferences, seminars, symposiums and PRSS.

Using this experience, Ayo aimed to create a similar model with HSI-WWH, to solve global water-related problems like floods, drought, pollution and sewage. “I truly believe that there is a solution to all these problems. Education is important. We need to just open our minds to change the situation. Once humanity has the will to make changes, it will happen. Lots can be done with the change of mindsets,” she remarks.

HSI-WWF works as an open access educational resource. “In essence we are creating a global hub around river restoration and water management for education, sharing information and solutions, and for creating a platform for collaborations,” she says.

How did it start…

During her visits to India, Ayo would spend many afternoons at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi. “I love rivers in general but there was something really magical about the Ganges,” she says. This was when the seed of starting a non-profit around water and river restoration germinated in her mind.

[caption id="attachment_39681" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Ayo Oum Shanti | Philanthropist | Global Indian One of the ghats of the Ganges in Varanasi[/caption]

“There can be thousands of river restoration projects in the world and there could in hundreds in India alone, but there are hardly any platforms to bring all of them together,” says Ayo. “We are creating a space where people (those involved in river restoration and water management) can collaborate and share their experiences of what’s working for them and how others can benefit from those strategies.

The significance of indigenous communities

In addition to her NGO, Ayo has plans to establish a think-tank which would focus on the Ganges and other significant water bodies, supporting geo-hydrologic eco-systems worldwide.

In her last visit to India, she spent a lot of time with the rural communities of Rajasthan. I felt an instant connection with them. “I am grateful to the Gravis (Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti) for connecting me to their communities at Gagadi and Bap. I am thankful for the organisation’s generosity to teach me their amazing water management systems and to the community support on so many levels,” she says.

With first-hand experience interacting with indigenous people in Rajasthan Ayo has learned a lot. She strongly believes that they have the knowledge that we need. “I would like to group these indigenous knowledge-keepers with scientists in the envisioned think tank to come up with sustainable solutions” she says. “We should not be arrogant about our knowledge because indigenous communities have more knowledge than us. Their language is not that much of a barrier - if you want to communicate, you will be able to communicate with them.”

[caption id="attachment_39682" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Ayo with a person from rural Rajasthan, India[/caption]

World Water Quilt

To spread awareness on pressing issues, Ayo and her team have big plans for World Water Day 2024. The team is inviting, artists, photographers and poets to share their creations with them. All their creations will then be collated on fabric, in the form of a quilt and presented to the UN on World Water Day 2024 which falls on March 22. “We are hoping participation of creative minds from all over the world. Later, a book featuring the contributors of the project is also being planned,” she informs.

How Roberta Weiri became Ayo Oum Shanti

Like some Americans, Ayo follows the shamanic tradition. It revolves around the principle of being devoted to the knowledge and care of other souls and, on nurturing the ecstasy of one’s own soul.

“20 years ago, when I got divorced, my entire life changed except my name.’ Fellow followers of Shamanism said - “In our tradition when you are starting a new phase of life, you give yourself a new name that’s in harmony with what your intention is for the new phase of life. Why don’t you do the same."

Ayo liked the idea and chose a name which is in tune with her utmost intentions. – “Ayo is an African name that means ‘joy.’ I look at my middle name ‘Oum’ as the music of the spheres and ‘Shanti’ is peace – so these are my intentions,” she says. “Spirituality is my top priority,” she smiles.

Connection with India

The spiritual soul nurtures a deep bond with India in her heart. “I grew up in what is called the Unitarian church. Under its umbrella, in Sunday school you spend the first three years learning about other religions before you learn about your own,” she mentions.

“So, the church used to bring people from other religions to talk about their beliefs,” Ayo says narrating a childhood incident. “I still remember, when I was six, an Indian woman came to give a lecture in a gorgeous red sari. I was extremely shy to speak but very clearly, I remember thinking, I come from where she comes from, although I had no idea where she came from,’ she smiles. That was the first time that Ayo had met an Indian but she felt as if she belonged to her culture.

[caption id="attachment_39683" align="aligncenter" width="378"] Ayo in Rajasthani attire[/caption]

By the time she turned a teenager she had made lots of Indian friends, and all her friends would wonder, “Why are you so comfortable with Indians?” Perhaps as Ayo believes, she has lived many past lives as an Indian. Later, when it was time to choose a partner, she chose an Indian.

Impact of early years

Growing up Ayo was profoundly influenced by her father, a first generation American, an artist, a machinist engineer, and a Spanish Civil War and WWII veteran. “He had a big heart and a deep respect for life, nature, and all humans. It was through him that I learned what it means to have unconditional love,” she shares. Her mother has had an equally powerful influence on her life.
 
“My mother was referred to as a ‘crusader for lost causes’ as she was always searching for common ground in all that she did. She was involved in UN-NGOs and was an organizer for the Gray Panthers - a series of multi-generational local advocacy networks in the United States which confronts many social justice issues,” she tells.

Her parents’ influences are evident in Ayo’s passion for putting community first. “We (WWF) are functioning out my retirement fund,” tells the change maker for whom ‘future of humanity’ matters more than her own ‘future’.

Impressive zeal at eighty

After the birth of her first child, education had taken a backseat for Ayo. “I returned to my college (Hunter College, NYC) after 45 years to get my bachelor's degree," she says excitedly. Ten years later in 2019, she did her master's in EDM (Emergency and Disaster Management).

[caption id="attachment_39684" align="aligncenter" width="488"] Ayo in Kochi[/caption]

 
A published poet and writer, a dancer, choreographer, world traveller, and astrologer, Ayo has held managerial positions in many industries. “If you look at my resume you would say, whoa! What exactly was she trying to do,” she laughs. “All that I have done gives me a broader perspective of different domains of the society,” she signs off.

Follow Ayo Shanti on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Indian students in the ‘doc’ with huge loans to pay, and medical future uncertain in Ukraine

Even as students face a dark and uncertain future, the centre and the National Medical Commission of India are in talks to explore modalities to accommodate thousands of students left in the lurch due to the abrupt cessation of their medical education. (March 5, 2022) Priyanka L had always been interested in studying abroad. A visit to a Hyderabad consultancy five years ago changed her life; she learnt about the top universities in Ukraine and decided to apply. Soon she was pursuing a six year MBBS degree at the Bukovinian State Medical University. Over the past five years, this Indian student has paid Rs 35 lakh of the Rs 40 lakh fees. However, the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has now thrown things out of gear for this student who had to take a heavy loan to fulfil her academic dreams. After completing MBBS, I wanted to complete my MCI and then go to London or Canada for my post-graduation. The war has ruined all my plans. - Priyanka L, Indian medical student in Ukraine As the war continues to take on a deadly turn, the 18,000 Indian students in the war-torn country face a bleak future. From trying

to take on a deadly turn, the 18,000 Indian students in the war-torn country face a bleak future. From trying to make their way back home, battling racism at the borders, to wondering what the future holds for them as they watch money invested in their education vanish in light of the war, thousands of medical students, who’d once made a beeline for Ukraine in hopes of quality education, are now stranded.

“After completing MBBS, I wanted to complete my MCI and then go to London or Canada for my post-graduation. The war has ruined all my plans," says a dejected Priyanka, who was among the fortunate few Indians who managed to cross over to Romania and took a flight back home. Her worried family heaved a sigh of relief as she stepped out of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport a couple of days ago.

[caption id="attachment_20824" align="aligncenter" width="699"] Indian student Priyanka L with her family in India[/caption]

Parekh Disha, a first year MBBS student at Bogomolets National Medical University, tells Global Indian that students were forced to pay the second semester fees even as the threat of war loomed over Ukraine. "While there was speculation about the war, our University asked us to pay the fees in advance. We were also told that only those who pay their second semester fees could leave for India. I had no choice but to pay," she says as she currently makes her way back to India. Disha’s six-year fee at Bogomolets costs Rs 36 lakh, while the hostel fee itself is about $1,000.

Thoughts are with all those Indian students, mostly from middle class families, whose parents risked every single penny they had, to send them for MBBS in Ukraine. Looking at the way things are, seems mostly a write off! #ukraineindianstudents

— Ajai (@Ajaijohn11) March 3, 2022

According to the ministry of science and education, Ukraine, about 24 percent of its overseas students are from India. Out of the total population of 20,000-odd Indians in Ukraine, about 18,000 are students pursuing medicine and engineering courses.

Bairam Shylaja who’d travelled to Ukraine just two weeks ago was forced to flee even before her course began. The first year MBBS student had coughed up a whopping Rs 8 lakh, which included university fees, food, accommodation, and consultancy fees. The young Indian student is still coming to terms with this swift turn of events.

[caption id="attachment_20825" align="aligncenter" width="659"] Indian students boarding the flight to India from Romania[/caption]

Shylaja, who’d lost her father, says her elder sister Gayatri took a personal loan to help pay her fees, which the family now has to repay. ''If we get a refund, well and good. If not, the money is gone," says Shylaja, whose dreams of pursuing a medical degree have come to an abrupt halt. As Shylaja tracks the developments in Ukraine, she says, that although she had attempted Neet thrice and qualified, she fell below the 600 mark. "That is when I decided to go to Ukraine to study,' she explains.

Incidentally, India with 84,000 medical seats lags behind other countries. In 2021 as many as 1.6 million students had registered for NEET. Several of them make a beeline for Ukraine, which does not have any entrance exam making it easier to get admission into its medical colleges. Moreover, the standard of education in Ukraine is also pretty good – the country ranks fourth in Europe in terms of graduate and post-graduate courses in medicine. The war torn country has over 30 medical colleges, most equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure which makes it a much sought-after destination for aspiring medicos from India.

[caption id="attachment_20826" align="aligncenter" width="646"] Indian student Indian medical student Shylaja in Ukraine[/caption]

According to Alka Kapur, a New Delhi-based educationist, Ukraine has been a popular destination for Indian students for decades. "Most Indian students study medicine in Ukraine because the country is recognised for providing excellent education, and reportedly ranks fourth for having the most significant graduate and post-graduate specialisations in medicine in the continent," she says.

In addition, private medical institutes in Ukraine have lower tuition fees than those in India. A medical degree at a private college in India could cost anywhere between Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1 crore; sometimes accompanied by hefty donations. More importantly, she says, the World Health Organization even recognises Ukrainian colleges and the Indian Medical Council recognises their degrees. "Besides, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, the European Council of Medicine, the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom among others also accept Ukrainian medical degrees," she points out.

Amulya C, a first year MBBS student at Vinnytsia National Pirogov Medical University, spent a sleepless night at the railway station before crossing over to Hungary and returning home to India. The youngster, who took a loan to pay her second semester fees, says, "Now that a full-blown war has broken out, I don’t know what my future is going to be like."

[caption id="attachment_20827" align="aligncenter" width="646"] Indian students Indian medical students being evacuated from Ukraine[/caption]

This is also a regret that Naveen Shekharappa’s family nurses. The 21-year-old Indian student, who tragically lost his life in the war at Kharkiv, had decided to study in Ukraine because getting admission in India was proving to be an expensive affair. "The medical seat under management quota is very expensive here and therefore he chose to pursue MBBS in Ukraine. We all contributed money to send him to Ukraine so that he could become a doctor," his relative Siddappa was quoted as saying.

So what are the options before the students now? "I believe that the most important thing that matters right now is the lives of the students. First, they should return to their motherland so that they are safe and then wait for any favourable decision from the governments of Ukraine and India," concludes Alka.

Decoding education in Ukraine

Pros

No entrance test and an age limit of 24 years.
Due to substantial government subsidies, most medical colleges have a low cost of education.
Student exchange programmes allow students to study and work in Ukraine at partner institutions or universities in the European Union.
Internship opportunities in nations such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and others are available.

Cons

According to MCI, an Indian student who obtains a foreign degree in medicine must pass a licensing exam administered by the MCI before practising in India.
With Ukrainian and Russian being the most widely spoken languages, Indians are bound to face language barriers.
The extremely cold clime of Ukraine can take some getting used to.

Reading Time: 6 min

‘Tot’ for the day: Social entrepreneur Srivyal Vuyyuri helps needy children live better lives

Written by: Global Indian

It began with a big fat dream

The boy from a small town

For the little children

Charity begins with a thought

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Ayo Shanti: The native American in love with the Ganges and the indigenous Indians

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Shachi Gurumayum: The Switzerland based recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is changing lives in Manipur