Indian CEO | Sundar Pichai |Global Indian

Global IndianstorySundar Pichai: The Indian-origin CEO who made Google more global

Sundar Pichai: The Indian-origin CEO who made Google more global

Written by: Amrita Priya

(June 26, 2022) Sundar Pichai, the CEO of tech giant Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc hardly needs any introduction. Interestingly, the email service provided by Google, Gmail, was launched on the very day Pichai joined the company – April 1, 2004. Unaware of this new product, he admitted his ignorance in the job interview of the organisation. Luckily for Pichai, that moment of uncertainty got viewed as one of the qualities that Laszlo Bock, Google’s former senior VP of people operations was looking for in a candidate. Bock remembers Sundar Pichai as the candidate with “intellectual humility”. Today, Pichai’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to a top CEO is a success story that people cherish globally.

Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO

The first non-white CEO of Google also serves on Alphabet’s Board of Directors. He has been focused on developing products and services with the vision to be of value in all big and little moments of people’s lives.

Talking at Google’s flagship I/O Developers Conference 2022, Pichai informed:

“Throughout the pandemic, Google has focused on delivering accurate information to help people stay healthy. Over the last year, people used Google Search and Maps to find where they could get a COVID vaccine nearly two billion times!”

His zeal for leadership with purpose got recognised in India in the form of Padma Bhushan award 2022. Global Indian turns its spotlight on the journey of the man who inspires millions.

The academic flight

Ironically, the CEO of American multinational technology company has not studied computer science, rather metallurgical engineering from IIT Kharagpur. Coincidentally, he has also studied inside the campus of IIT Chennai. His school, Vana Vani happened to be located inside the sprawling Chennai campus.

Sundar Pichai interacting with IIT Kharagpur students in one of his India visits.

Sundar Pichai celebrated his 50th birthday on the 10th of this month. Born in 1972, he was raised in a middle-class household. His father Raghunath worked as an electrical engineer at General Electric Company (GEC), while his mother Lakshmi was a stenographer. After passing out from IIT Kharagpur, Pichai earned a master’s degree in material sciences and engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His father had to spend a year’s salary to buy a plane ticket for him to go to the US for his studies. That was the middle-class lad’s first flight journey. The sincere student did not let his parents down and got recognised in his foreign academic institutions as one of the best in the batch.

Foundation of the effervescent leader

Before his association with Google, Pichai worked at Allied Materials and McKinsey & Co. Though both the organisations specialised in metallurgy, the stints groomed him well. He picked up the nuances of product strategy, execution, and team building that eventually set the foundation for his pivotal beginnings at Google. Pichai nurtured his career by aligning it to Google’s success.

“We try to work on things that billions of people will use every day”

No wonder Google is part of everyday conversations and happens to be a significant part of the vocabulary of kids and adults alike across the world!

Sundar Pichai with Nigerian Google team during his visit to Africa

It has established itself as the organisation that cares with breakthroughs like use of ML to make web images more accessible to people who have vision problems. It generates real-time captions for online videos to help those who struggle with hearing.

Rise and rise of Google under Pichai’s leadership

Sundar Pichai joined Google as its vice-president of product management. He was entrusted with the responsibility of development of Google Toolbar and Google Chrome. These went on to become the world’s most popular internet browser. Undoubtedly, with these quantum leaps, Sundar Pichai climbed the hierarchical ladder. He launched Chrome OS and Chromebook in 2011 and went on to launch Android operating system in 2013. By 2014, the super talented Indian-origin professional was leading all products and engineering divisions at Google, overseeing vital platforms like Search, Gmail, Chrome, Play, Android, Maps, and Google Workspace.

From Left to right : Larry Page (Google’s co-founder), Sundar Pichai (Google’s CEO), Narendra Modi (India’s PM), Eric Schmidt (Google’s former CEO), and Ram Shriram (American businessman)

When Google reorganized into Alphabet in August 2015, Sundar Pichai got selected as its CEO. In December 2019, he became the CEO of both Google and Alphabet, replacing founder Larry Page. In 2021, under Pichai’s leadership, Alphabet crossed $2 trillion in market value due to sales and profit growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building impact with powerful breakthroughs

Bringing the world together through different platforms, and giving unique experiences to people has always been the core of what Sundar Pichai and his team thrive upon.

While talking about war drift Ukrainians at Google I/O Developers Conference 2022, he remarked:

“In countries around the world, Google Translate has been a crucial tool for newcomers and residents trying to communicate with one another. We’re proud of how it’s helping Ukrainians find a bit of hope and connection (in countries where they have taken refuge) until they are able to return home again.”

While many other technology giants embrace the metaverse as the next frontier of growth, Sundar Pichai sees Google’s future in its oldest offering – the Internet search. He foresees people asking computers more questions with voice and multimodal experiences.

From overseeing new investments like acquisition of YouTube and launching of Google Cloud, Pichai leads the organisation by advancing AI, digital technology, machine learning and quantum computing.

“AI can make humans more productive than we ever imagined,” he remarked in the conference stressing that it can play a foundational role in every aspect of people’s lives, right from healthcare, education, manufacturing to how people consume information. Emphasizing on the significance of ML he said, “When machines would be programmed to simulate human mind, mimic human activity and solve problems, it will have a bigger impact than most of the breakthroughs in recent history.”

Matters close to heart…

Keeping India close to his heart, Pichai has led Google to invest in the foundational infrastructure of the country by developing technology specific to its needs. Google Pay app is one such example. “India will be a global player in the digital economy,” he concluded in an interview.

In a statement the California, headquartered company has mentioned that it will invest ₹109 crore to support healthcare facilities and a further ₹3.6 crore to upskill frontline workers in India. The tech giant has entered into a tie-up with NGOs like GiveIndia, ARMMAN, PATH and Apollo Medskills to fulfill these commitments.

In the last five years, Google has granted funds to the tune of $57 million to India. Out of this $18 million was part of Covid 19 response.  In April 2020, Pichai made personal contribution of ₹5 crore to GiveIndia so that the country can fight the first wave of pandemic.

Love and life

Keeping his private life pretty private, Pichai stays with his wife Anjali who happens to be his heartthrob and classmate from IIT Kharagpur, son Kiran and daughter Kavya in California. The cricket buff is a Sachin Tendulkar fan. The love for the game comes from childhood aspiration to be a cricketer. As a high school student, he was the captain of the school cricket team, displaying his leadership skills on the field.

Sundar Pichai trying his hands at cricket

Pichai’s love for sports does not end at cricket. He is also an ardent fan of FC Barcelona – the football club and seldom misses to watch it’s match when its competing on field.

The top CEO recently admitted in one of the interviews of the Wall Street Journal that he is not very good at meditation. Instead, he prefers NSDR (non-sleep deep rest), listening to podcasts or taking his dog for a walk.

Do you know how Sundar Pichai connects people?

Google’s flood forecasting technology sent flood alerts to 23 million people in India and Bangladesh in 2021 helping in timely evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people.
Around the world, Google Maps has mapped around 1.6 billion buildings and over 60 million kilometers of roads to date with the vision to keep everyone within the reach, and make the world a well-connected chain of individuals.
The number of buildings on Google Maps in Africa has increased by 5X. Google has made a dataset of these buildings publicly available so that international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank can use it to better understand population density and to provide support and emergency assistance.
Google Translate broke down language barriers by recently adding 24 languages which together are spoken by 300 million people, bringing them closer to communities across the globe.
Google has been building augmented reality into many products like Google Lens to provide more interactive experiences and prevent technology from coming in the way of the real-world environment.
Follow Sundar Pichai on Twitter and Instagram

Name*

Email*

Name*

Email*

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Published on 26, Jun 2022

Share with

ALSO READ

Forest farm calling: How Vivek and Brinda Shah quit US job to become environment entrepreneurs

(May 24, 2022) Peering through the window of their train enroute Los Angeles in 2016, Vivek Shah and his wife Brinda saw acres of strawberry farms sprawled all across Salinas. The splendid view of lush, juicy, and red strawberries seemed like something out of a dream. Then, they were pulled from their reverie by the sudden appearance of a man, covered in a protective suit and spraying pesticide on the crops. It sent a chill down their spine. "It didn't seem right. How harmful were the chemicals that he had to wear protective gear? And we were consuming that produce. We knew this wasn't the environment we wanted to live in. It became a defining moment for us," environment entrepreneur Vivek tells Global Indian. In 2016, the San Fransico-based couple left their comfortable lifestyles in the US behind to return to Gujarat and start their forest farm. Now six years later, the 10-acre land which is a "mix of the commercial and experimental farm" has given Vivek and Brinda a purpose in life - to create awareness on environment restoration and put their techniques to use for a larger cause. [caption id="attachment_24809" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Brinda Shah and Vivek Shah at their forest form, Brindavan[/caption] Existential crisis

In 2016, the San Fransico-based couple left their comfortable lifestyles in the US behind to return to Gujarat and start their forest farm. Now six years later, the 10-acre land which is a "mix of the commercial and experimental farm" has given Vivek and Brinda a purpose in life - to create awareness on environment restoration and put their techniques to use for a larger cause.

[caption id="attachment_24809" align="aligncenter" width="440"] Environment Entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah Brinda Shah and Vivek Shah at their forest form, Brindavan[/caption]

Existential crisis led to true calling

Born and raised in Baroda, Vivek was more of a "creative and outdoorsy" person during his growing up years who was in the pursuit to "charter a path" for himself. "We had a CA firm, my dad is a second-generation CA. So, society expected me to follow suit. But my heart wasn't in it. After finishing my school, we received our green card for the US, and the entire family shifted base," says Vivek, who came across an open college that he calls his "golden ticket" as it gave him the chance to learn anything without pressure. From photography to fine arts to economics, Vivek dabbled in everything before settling for a degree in interaction design. "Though nature and environment always intrigued me, it wasn't a career option back then," adds Vivek.

After a year-and-a-half of working as a product designer, Vivek realised it wasn't his calling either. "Sitting behind a computer for 8-10 hours wasn't helping me make any impact. Instead, I was leading people into hyper-consumerism through my job," adds the environment entrepreneur, who was on the cusp of an existential crisis. It was then that he came across a month-long course on organic farming. This set the ball rolling for Vivek and his wife, who decided to study permaculture. "It was the logical starting point to understand environment restoration. After she came to the US, we both realised we wanted to do something in the field of environment, and that's how our journey began," reveals the 33-year-old who met his wife through common friends.

Environment entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah

A forest farm that changed it all

Vivek quit his job and returned to Gujarat with Brinda, who has a master's degree in printmaking, to begin their journey as environment entrepreneurs. Interestingly, they found massive support from their families. So much so that a family friend lent them a piece of their land to start their experiment. "We came with no background in agriculture. But the course did help us in understanding the techniques that we could adopt to make a sustainable farm," adds Vivek. For the next nine months, the couple grew crops and vegetables, understood the agricultural cycle, and tapped into local knowledge. "The initial phase was spent in observation and understanding the workings of the farm," explains Vivek. A year later, they found the perfect land in Nadiad, an hour's drive from Ahmedabad. "That's how Brindavan came into existence. We started just before the monsoon, and it was a fruitful year," reminisces the environment entrepreneur.

Environment entrepreneur | Vivek and Brinda Shah

Since then, the couple has been using techniques like green manuring and controlled grazing to ensure soil fertility and harvesting rainwater to utilise the farm resources to their capacity. "When we started, we had no role models to follow. Most of it was trial and error," he says, calling it a learning phase for the couple. "Converting our orchard into a rain-fed model and working on no-till vegetable farming gave us more confidence and faith in ourselves and our techniques," adds Vivek.

Working for the future

Sustainable farming practices are quite a fad in the US, but Vivek and Brinda realised that not much was happening in India in this space. That's the reason they decided to return and give back to their homeland. "It was a now or never for us. I was 25 when I decided to make the switch. I knew if I let this opportunity slip through my hands, I wouldn’t have the courage to pursue it after five years. Though it was like diving into an ocean, there was a sense of urgency. And I am glad we did it," says Vivek who is now providing consultancy services and applying the couple’s farming techniques on client sites.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vivek Shah (@vivekatbrindavan)

"We aim to collaborate with like-minded people who need our services in saving the Earth. However, a lot needs to be done. There is awareness but the lack of action is one of our biggest challenges," says the environment entrepreneur who often finds no public participation, adding that not many are willing to invest in this space. "It's still considered to be an NGO kind of thing and not a legit industry." He believes that the right sources need to be moved in as "opportunities are plenty." Calling climate change a "real problem", Vivek finds the situation "scary because we can’t predict anything more. The changing temperatures are hampering crop growth, and in the near future, we won't be able to afford a single crop." The environment champion believes that branching out would be the solution. "We'll have to add new things to your diet that you never before even considered," says Vivek who thinks it's time to start experimenting with food security.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vivek Shah (@vivekatbrindavan)

Brinda and he are now eyeing bigger projects, along with trying to make inroads with the government on climate change. "We are also planning to bring climate litigation under the larger umbrella and address climate-related challenges," says the environment entrepreneur, who believes patience is the key in this profession. He urges youngsters to "follow their heart and not have a Plan B. If you have something to fall back on, you might not push through enough." Vivek and Brinda had to make lifestyle changes on their arrival in India, but they knew it was worth the effort. "Cutting down on lifestyle expenses can do wonders, only if you are willing. But we knew we wanted to create an impact. That's what drove us both," says the father of a one-and-a-half-year-old who loves spending time with his family.

Follow Vivek Shah on Instagram and Linkedin
Follow Brindavan on Facebook

Reading Time: 6 min

The Patel Motel phenomenon: How Gujarati immigrants conquered the American Dream

(September 4, 2024) "Why shouldn't I be here?" It was a question to which Tunku Varadarajan, who was reporting for the New York Times had no answer. And "Why are you here?" is a question that the Patels have been faced with countless times since the 1960s, when they first began building what is now their legacy, now known as the Patel Motel phenomenon. They own anywhere between 40 to 60 percent of all hotels in the US, and have branched out from seedier highway establishments to brands like the Marriott and the Hilton. The racism has been relentless, but so has the growth of the Patel legacy. In 1999, Varadarajan would go on to write an article coining the (unflattering) phrase 'The Patel Motel Cartel' for the New York Times. The Indian owner of the motel in Texas told Varadarajan that if he were to travel 15 miles west, he would find a motel owned by his cousin. Ninety miles south was another cousin in another motel there was also an uncle with a motel in Georgia. "Wherever there was a motel in the US, there were likely to be people from India running it," the man said. Global

the man said.

Global Indian takes a look at the remarkable story of the Patel businessmen who took over California's hotel business.

Patel Motel phenomenon | Global Indian

How do Patels own motels

The Patel Motel story actually began with a Desai, some twenty years before Gujaratis from Asia and Africa began pouring into the US. This pioneer was an illegal immigrant named Kanjibhai Desai, who came to the United States from West Indies, via Mexico, with no documents. This was in 1922, in San Francisco.

Kanjibhai first found work on a farm, where he picked fruit for extremely low wages. He had no choice, however, being an undocumented immigrant. Years later, Desai was living in the Goldfield Hotel, a residential hotel that was owned then by a Japanese American. However, when World War II came to the US, Japanese Americans were thrown into prison camps. This included the owner of the Goldfield Hotel, and Desai, who saw an opportunity, bought up the property for a song. Still, writes Mahendra K Doshi in his book, 'From Surat to San Francisco: How the Patels Established the Hotel Business in California', Kanji had great foresight. When he took over his 'single room occupancy' establishment, he encouraged other Patels to travel to America, promising to help them out. He told them to work in the farms to earn the money they needed to lease an SRO of their own, and in his own motel, gave them a place to stay and eat. In fact, Doshi writes, he would not even charge them for accommodation until they had earned the down payment for their own hotel.

In his book, Life Behind the Lobby, author Pawan Dhingra quotes an early Gujarati immigrant who spoke about the pioneer, saying, "You know, this was at the time of World War ii, but Japan attacked Pearl Harbour. He was staying at this hotel, and I guess there (was) a Japanese lessee or Japanese owner. And um, he had leased it. So (Desai) brought his lease for, I don't know, whatever, for a couple of hundred bucks. I don't know what it was."

[caption id="attachment_55431" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Kanjibhai Desai | Patel Motel phenomenon | Global Indian Hoteliers Kanji Manchhu Desai, Nanalal Patel, and D. Lal. (Photo courtesy of Mahendra K. Doshi/ India Currents)[/caption]

How the ‘Potels’ became a phenomenon

Although Kanjibhai Desai laid the foundation, the Patel Motel business really began to boom after 1965, when America introduced the Immigrant and Nationality Act, marking the start of a golden age for the Gujarati businessman in the US. According to this Act, any immigrant who was willing to invest $40,000 in a business was eligible to apply for permanent residence, and eventually for citizenship.

For Gujaratis, motels were the best option available. Restaurants were out of the question, because the Gujarati community was strictly vegetarian, and since restaurants are a people-business, they didn’t have the language skills they needed to cope. However, there were lots of roadside motels in distress, failing businesses that nobody else really wanted.

There was a challenge every step of the way, including the fact that these were immigrants who spoke no English and made no visible attempt to assimilate with the local culture. Local customers may not have taken too favourably to immigrants running the all-American motels, the Patels had to be strategic. Staffing was minimal anyway, but they would try to hire a white person to sit at the lobby and greet customers, so residents would not even know that the motel was owned by an Indian. "It was hard," recalls Binita Patel, whose parents owned hotels in North Carolina in the 1980s, in an interview with NPR. "I remember someone pulling their window down and yelling, 'Go back to your own country,' as we were walking home."

Growing the Patel Motel empire

Dhingra writes that the hotel Kanjibhai Desai bought was on Fourth Street in downtown San Francisco. These residential hotels were low budget places, and individual rooms didn't even have private bathrooms. In fact, he adds, these residential hotels still exist in San Francisco, and are still owned by Indian Americans.

They also took over a slightly higher rung of motels, taking on franchises like Days Inn, Econo Lodge and the very well-known Motel 6. Usually located on highways, these places cater to tourists looking for budget stays, truckers and people doing temporary menial work. Many of these franchises didn't have many takers among the locals, because it involved moving to the most remote areas of the country, which the Patels were willing to do. They also didn't ask for much in terms of lifestyle, and would usually live on site with their families. "They buy a hotel that has 20 rooms, move up to 50 rooms and then purchase a 100-room motel," said Arvind Singhal, a professor of communication at the University of Texas, in an interview with Borderzine.

[caption id="attachment_55429" align="aligncenter" width="390"] Life Behind the Lobby | Patel Motel Phenomenon | Global Indian Life Behind the Lobby, by Pawan Dhingra, published by the Stanford University Press.[/caption]

These low budget establishments ran with limited or not staff, and would struggle to make ends meet, writes Dhingra. "(They) go without healthcare for themselves and their workers, and lack social prestige in their local community even while the ethnic group as a whole is praised." When their fellow Indian Americans came to the US as the country's elite workers, usually as doctors, venture capitalists or engineers, the Patels, worked hard at this seemingly unglamorous career. They were looked down upon even within their own community.

They also expanded to middle-budget motels like the Ramada Inn, higher-middle budget hotels like the Holiday Inn and the Hampton Inn. As their legacy grew, they took over high-budget establishments like Courtyard by Marriott and the Hilton Garden Inn.

What’s behind their success?

They had had a secret sauce for success, a flawless work ethic combined with a sense of community. While they faced countless challenges in the US, as they had in Africa, they had learned to rely on each other. Patels helped other Patels. And the slump in the motel industry gave them an opportunity like no other. They brought in their families and a host of relatives to man the motels, and also brought in more modern accounting methods. "Four times cash flow became the mantra of the Patels," writes Turkel. "If the distressed motel produced $10,000 per year in revenues, and could be acquired for $40,000, it was profitable to a hard-working family." As more Gujarati immigrants arrived in the US, they continued to build on the foundations of the motel business.

They never shied away from hard work, preferred investment to consumerism and relied on each other. And today, Indian Americans own more than 40% of all hotels and motels in the US, which includes around 20,000 properties in total. Out of these, some 70% are owned by Gujaratis, most of whom are either Patels or Amins.

Patel Motel Phenomenon | Motel 6 | Global Indian

Today, the Patels embody the American Dream – immigrants who landed in the US with nothing to their name, who built a fortune through sheer hard work and shrewd business acumen. In fact, in 2011, when property magnate Charlie Munger was asked about real estate in the US, he said, “Those Patels from India buy all the motels; they know more about motels than you do. They live in a goddamn motel. They pay no income taxes. They don’t pay much in worker’s compensation, and every dime they get, they fix up the thing to buy another motel. Do you want to compete with the Patels? Not I! Not I!”

Dr Amit Singhal on a mission to transform lives through education

(October 2, 2024) Dr. Amit Singhal knows the power of education. Growing up in Jhansi, a town in Uttar Pradesh, he saw firsthand how a commitment to learning could transform lives. His great-grandfather was a humble bicycle repairman, who, despite his own limitations, understood the value of education. This legacy passed down the generations until it reached Amit, whose journey from a small town to Silicon Valley would redefine not only his own future but that of hundreds of underprivileged children. Today, his Sitare Foundation is changing lives in India, helping bright students from low-income families break through systemic barriers and access quality education. Alongside his wife Shilpa Singhal, a fellow academic, Amit returned from a high-flying career at Google to bring the opportunities he had back to children in India. "Fundamentally, education is the only sustained way out of poverty," he said, reflecting the belief that drives his mission. The Singhals believe that empowering children with quality education is the most powerful legacy they could offer. Family Tradition of Learning Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, Amit came from a line of men who knew little privilege but placed their bets on one unbreakable thing: education. His great-grandfather fixed bicycles

lt="Dr Amit Singhal | Global Indian" width="630" height="371" />

Family Tradition of Learning

Growing up in Uttar Pradesh, Amit came from a line of men who knew little privilege but placed their bets on one unbreakable thing: education. His great-grandfather fixed bicycles on the roadside. His grandfather, with only permission to study, made it to college and became a teacher. Amit’s father was the first engineer in the family, attending IIT Roorkee. And, as his turn came, Amit took education as his family’s inheritance and enrolled in computer science at IIT Roorke before setting his sights on the United States with nothing but a few dollars and dreams of doing something impactful. He pursued a master’s at the University of Minnesota and later earned his Ph.D. from Cornell University. "The only thing every generation gave the next generation was education and no money," he said in an interview.

Silicon Valley to Sitare Foundation

In America, Amit found himself part of a vibrant Indian diaspora, especially in Silicon Valley, where Indian talent has long been a driving force behind some of the world's biggest tech innovations. Known to be a hub that has turned thousands of Indian engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs into leaders in their fields, fuelled by hard work and a desire to make a difference which is rooted in India's strong respect for education. Amit thrived in this environment, and after earning his Ph.D, he found a seat at Google, where he spent 15 years helping shape one of the world’s most influential tech firms and building a life in the Silicon Valley.

[caption id="attachment_58832" align="aligncenter" width="601"] Dr Amit Singhal | Global Indian Shilpa and Dr Amit Singhal[/caption]

By every standard, he was a success story but for Amit, the measure of true success came with the responsibility to pay it forward. So he and his wife Shilpa — another high-achiever with a master’s in Physics from Binghamton and Computer Science from Cornell — did what many NRIs only dream of doing. They packed up their lives in the US and moved back to India with a bold vision: to transform underprivileged children’s lives through education.

"Fundamentally, education is the only sustained way out of poverty. And education is near and dear to our hearts." - Dr Amit Singhal

In 2016, they launched the Sitare Foundation, hoping to empower kids who had the talent but none of the resources to reach for a better life. “The only useful thing that one could do with their money is to improve some lives,” said Amit, who spends an average of $2000 per student per year from his savings. Sitare, which means 'stars' in Hindi, was born from the idea that with the right support, these students could shine. They began with 240 applicants in the first year, of whom 50 made the cut. Today, more than 70,000 children apply to Sitare Foundation, with 100 selected each year to join the program.

The Challenges of Changing Perspectives

Yet Amit and Shilpa quickly realised that Sitare would need to be about more than academics. They were not just battling educational gaps but also social mindsets, especially around educating girls. In many communities, young girls are expected to help with household chores, assist their mothers on farms, or even marry early, making education a low priority. Sitare’s team has had to work closely with families, counseling them on the importance of allowing their daughters to pursue their studies.

With a combination of determination and compassion, Sitare has helped parents see the value in keeping their daughters in school and investing in their future.

A Future Rewritten

One student who exemplifies Sitare’s mission is Kusum Chaudhary. Growing up in a rural Jodhpur village, Kusum came from a family of farmers with little income and no land of their own. Until Sitare came into her life, higher education was an impossible dream. Thanks to Sitare’s support — covering everything from school fees to food and travel — Kusum was able to complete her schooling and is now doing her undergraduate studies in computer science at the University of Maryland. "Today, when I look back at my journey, it all looks surreal. All hopes that my parents had for me have been fulfilled," she said. Joining Sitare Foundation, a nonprofit that helps children from low-income household’s access quality education in private schools, and find opportunities to study abroad, changed Kusum’s life forever. But she isn’t the only one to have benefitted from it, hundreds of children have been empowered through education.

“We believe in the power of education and its potential to change lives, communities, nations, and the future of our planet. Our vision behind Sitare was not limited to educating underprivileged children but also nurturing them to become world-class professionals and great humans so they could become a beacon of hope for their community and millions of other underprivileged children,” Amit said in an interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=132&v=PZn0BQ16ZvQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fstage.globalindian.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fstage.globalindian.com&source_ve_path=MzY4NDIsMzY4NDIsMzY4NDIsMjg2NjY

Building a Better Tomorrow

For Dr. Amit Singhal, Sitare Foundation is only the beginning. “Education transforms lives, not just for the individual but for everyone around them,” he says. Currently operating in five cities across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Sitare Foundation aims to reach 50,000 students by 2050. The foundation provides each child with a full seven-year scholarship, including residential programs, intensive college preparation, and even emotional and social support.

Sitare’s mission is not just about creating professionals but “great humans” who will bring hope and leadership to their communities. The foundation covers everything students need to thrive academically and personally, including specialized support after Class 10, where students are enrolled in residential programs that help them focus on exams and prepare for college applications. In 2022, the couple founded the Sitare University to provide high quality Computer Science education to all bright students from underprivileged backgrounds free of cost.

Coming Home by Changing Lives

For Amit, this journey has come full circle. His success in Silicon Valley may have offered him financial security, but it was education that showed him his true calling. In helping underprivileged children break free from the limitations of poverty, he is fulfilling a promise that has been passed down in his family for generations.

Sitare Foundation is not only transforming individual lives but is also reshaping the aspirations of entire communities, one student at a time.

Dr Amit Singhal | Global Indian

His work is a homecoming—a journey back to his roots, shaped by the values of hard work and education. Through Sitare Foundation, Amit and Shilpa are building bridges for future generations to cross, creating a legacy that is just as enduring as the family tradition that once guided him.

Follow Sitare Foundation on Instagram
Follow Dr Amit Singhal on LinkedIn
Discover more fascinating Stories

Anupam Tripathi: Korea’s Squid Game star debuts in Indian series on Kandahar hijack

(November 14, 2024) When Anupam Tripathi left New Delhi for South Korea in 2010, he was stepping into the unknown. Armed with a Korea National University of Arts scholarship, a passion for acting, and the courage to chase a dream, he entered a world that few Indian actors had ever explored. A decade later, Anupam would become one of the most recognized faces in South Korea, impressing audiences worldwide as Ali Abdul in the Korean television series Squid Game. His role as the hardworking Pakistani migrant worker struggling for his family’s survival resonated with millions, making him a known face. For the Global Indian, the journey has been about more than professional achievement - it’s been a way to celebrate his roots while embracing his new cultural home – South Korea. In 2024 his journey in acting came full circle, as he stepped into the Indian entertainment industry with IC 814: The Kandahar Attack, a role that fulfils his dream of performing for his home audience. [caption id="attachment_59921" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Anupam Tripathi on the sets of IC 814: The Kandahar Attack[/caption] Roots in theatre Born in New Delhi, Anupam Tripathi's fascination with acting began early while studying at Kendriya Vidyalaya

nt-weight: 400;">, a role that fulfils his dream of performing for his home audience.

[caption id="attachment_59921" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Indian Actor | Anupam Tripathi | Global Indian Anupam Tripathi on the sets of IC 814: The Kandahar Attack[/caption]

Roots in theatre

Born in New Delhi, Anupam Tripathi's fascination with acting began early while studying at Kendriya Vidyalaya and later JNU. His inspiration stemmed from witnessing the powerful performances at India’s National School of Drama (NSD), an institution renowned for its training in theatrical arts.

Initially, he pursued his passion for acting through local theatre in New Delhi, joining the Behroop theatre group led by playwright Shahid Anwar. His first significant role as a slave in Spartacus marked his entry into the world of performance. Following that, he cultivated his skills under the guidance of experienced mentors, preparing to step into professional theatre. In 2010, however, the then budding actor’s career took an unexpected turn when he received the prestigious AMA+ (Arts Major Asian plus) Scholarship to study at the Korea National University of Arts, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey. “I spent 10 years in Korea as a student and a theatre actor persevering every day,” he shared, talking about the hard work he has put into his career to take flight.

Adapting to Korea: New challenges, new horizons

Moving to South Korea in 2010 was a big challenge. The actor faced language barriers, cultural differences, and the inherent struggles of adapting to a new society. Reflecting on these hurdles, he shared, “Life does not go as planned.” Despite these obstacles, he learned Korean within two years and immersed himself in local theatre, eventually making his way into Korean media through small roles in films like Ode to My Father and plays like Bullyang Cheongnyeon (Troublemaking Youth).

These early roles often cast Anupam Tripathi as migrant workers, reflecting the social fabric of Korean society and giving him a unique platform to represent a marginalised perspective. “I am grateful that I was able to stand on stage because of these people (migrant workers),” he remarked, highlighting his commitment to authentic storytelling.

[caption id="attachment_59923" align="aligncenter" width="552"] Indian Actor | Anupam Tripathi | Global Indian Anupam Tripathi wearing the traditional Korean attire, Hanbok[/caption]

Indian actors shine in the Korean entertainment industry

In recent years, Indian actors have been making waves in the Korean entertainment industry, bringing a refreshing diversity to its dynamic landscape. Apart from Anupam Tripathi, names like Abhishek 'Lucky' Gupta and Anushka Sen are among the few Indian talents who have successfully entered this sphere, capturing the attention and admiration of Korean audiences. Their presence highlights a growing trend where more Indian actors aspire to participate in Korean dramas, movies, and variety shows, creating cross-cultural connections between India and South Korea. Korean viewers have also shown a warm reception to these Indian faces, enjoying the diversity and fresh narratives they bring.

The Indian actors are not only adapting to Korean culture but also embracing its nuances with a deep sense of respect and dedication. They undergo language training, cultural immersion, and even modify their acting styles to align with Korean sensibilities, reflecting their commitment to honouring the industry and culture they have joined. This mutual appreciation is enriching both entertainment industries, and opening doors for more Indian actors to explore new avenues in Korea.

[caption id="attachment_59932" align="aligncenter" width="739"] Indian Actor | Squid Game Star | Global Indian Anupam Tripathi in a scene from the Squid Game series[/caption]

The breakthrough: Squid Game and global recognition

Anupam Tripathi’s career took a monumental leap with his portrayal of Ali Abdul in Squid Game in 2021. His character, a Pakistani worker desperate to support his family, resonated with audiences worldwide and catapulted him to global fame. The show’s success brought him sudden visibility and a social media following that grew from 10,000 to over 2.5 million practically overnight. His performance, marked by vulnerability and emotional depth, was widely celebrated, with director Hwang Dong-hyuk noting, “Finding good foreign actors in Korea was challenging but [Tripathi had] emotional depth and fluency in Korean.”

Ali’s character faced severe hardships, echoing Anupam’s own experiences as an immigrant. The role allowed him to channel his journey into art, and he felt a deep connection to his character’s struggles. “I, myself, was an immigrant in Korea looking for a better opportunity.” For Tripathi, Squid Game was not merely a job but an opportunity to portray the complexities of life as a foreigner, resonating with audiences who had lived similar experiences.

There was no looking back for the actor in the South Korean entertainment industry after the success of Squid Game. Several opportunities fell on his lap apart from awards like Seoul International Drama Award and Screen Actors Guild Award.

Indian Actor | Anupam Tripathi | Global Indian

Stepping into Indian entertainment industry: IC 814: The Kandahar Attack

After gaining prominence in Korea, Anupam Tripathi finally achieved a lifelong dream by debuting in the television mini-series based on true events that tells the story of the longest hijacking in Indian aviation history. In 1999, five attackers hijacked a passenger plane and rerouted it to Taliban-controlled territory, sparking an international political crisis. The series stars well-known Indian actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swamy.

Anupam Tripathi’s role in director Anubhav Sinha's series is of Ram Chandra Yadav, a key intelligence asset for India in Nepal. The series allowed the actor to explore a different side of his acting abilities. In contrast to the innocent, well-meaning Ali in Squid Game, Ram Chandra Yadav is a complex intelligence officer driven by duty and patriotism. “I couldn’t have asked for a better character to start with in India,” he said. “In the Squid Game, people saw me as naive or innocent. This character was totally opposite.”

Preparing for the role was a deeply immersive experience. Tripathi researched the demeanour and behaviour of intelligence officers, even visiting the Indian embassy in Korea. His preparation paid off, as he adeptly conveyed the fine balance of strength and vulnerability required by the role “It’s a very thin line. I cannot go too much. I cannot go too less,” he remarked on his portrayal of the character.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anupam Tripathi (@sangipaiya)

Building bridges between cultures

Anupam Tripathi’s journey has not only bridged two cultures but has also opened doors for Indian representation in Korean entertainment. Serving as the Ambassador for the Ulsan International Film Festival in 2021 and speaking at forums like the Oxford Union, he is embracing his unique role as a cultural ambassador. “I feel blessed in a way, as I’m able to represent Indian culture and Korean culture,” he says, proud of his position as a connector between two worlds.

Despite being busy in acting, this year the actor has also completed his masters in acting at the Korea National University of Arts. Remembering his late father and thanking the Art Major Asian plus Scholarship programme for giving him the opportunity to learn acting, the craft which he enjoys the most, he remarked, “It’s the blessings of my mother, my family, professors, teachers, friends who all guided me to work on self, improve and grow better through education.”

[caption id="attachment_59919" align="aligncenter" width="516"] Indian Actor | Squid Game Star | Global Indian Anupam Tripathi completed master's at Korea National University of Arts in 2024[/caption]

Future projects and ambitions

Anupam Tripathi's career continues to flourish, with several exciting projects on the horizon. One of his notable upcoming roles includes Rhapsody for the Dead, where he portrays a spirit exorcist in a supernatural thriller set to release in Korea and other Asian countries. Additionally, he has taken on a U.K. short film project as both an actor and executive producer, demonstrating his desire to expand his creative involvement. A new Korean drama is also in the pipeline, further cementing his presence in the Korean industry.

The actor hopes to break the mould by appearing in a historical drama, a genre where foreign actors are rare in Korean productions. “Someday, I want to appear in an authentic historical drama for the first time as a foreign actor. I will break the limit of being a foreigner and show various charms,” he revealed, expressing his determination to challenge stereotypes and showcase his versatility.

Indian Actor | Anupam Tripathi | Global Indian

With a growing list of accomplishments and the support of fans worldwide, the Indian actor in Korea is serving as an inspiration for future talents from different backgrounds and cultural landscapes.

Follow Anupam Tripathi on Instagram

Reading Time: 5 mins

Anya Chalotra: From Indian roots to Netflix fame and Forbes 30 Under 30 in European entertainment

(November 12, 2024) In 2024, Anya Chalotra earned a prestigious spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for European entertainers, a nod to her breakthrough performances and rising stardom. The British-Indian actor, best known for her role as Yennefer of Vengerberg in Netflix’s fantasy TV series The Witcher, has mesmerised audiences worldwide with her talent and distinct cultural heritage. Raised by a British mother and an Indian father, Anya Chalotra grew up in a home that celebrated both cultures. Her upbringing was a rich amalgam of traditions; on one hand, she enjoyed British literature and theatre, which fuelled her fascination with storytelling, while on the other, she was immersed in the world of Bollywood through her father's influence. From a young age, she found herself enchanted by Bollywood's emotional depth and grandeur, often humming tunes from films like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. This early exposure to Indian cinema kindled her love for acting, shaping her desire to perform on screen. As her career gained momentum in Britain, her unique blend of influences—both British and Indian—set her apart, paving the way for her breakout role in The Witcher and ultimately earning her a spot on

>. This early exposure to Indian cinema kindled her love for acting, shaping her desire to perform on screen. As her career gained momentum in Britain, her unique blend of influences—both British and Indian—set her apart, paving the way for her breakout role in The Witcher and ultimately earning her a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list.

[caption id="attachment_59781" align="aligncenter" width="709"] Indian actor | Anya Chalotra | Global Indian Anya Chalotra in Netflix series, 'The Witchers'[/caption]

Anya’s maiden India visit

In 2019, Anya visited India for the first time, embarking on a heartfelt trip with her father, a native of Pathankot in Punjab. Describing the visit as “special,” she fondly recalled her instant connection with relatives she had only ever known from afar. “It completely got me,” she shared, reflecting on how Indian culture had always felt close yet distant. “Even though we’d never met, we became so close so soon,” she said, noting the warmth and familiarity of her extended family. For her, it was an embodiment of India’s deeply rooted familial bonds, “where your cousins are actually like your siblings.”

While it took over two decades for her to visit her father’s homeland, Anya’s cultural ties had always been nurtured. Growing up, her father introduced her to Bollywood classics like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Main Hoon Na, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, sparking her passion for acting. Her visit to India further inspired her to take up Hindi classes, deepening her connection to her roots. Shortly after that trip, her career reached new heights with the premiere of The Witcher, a performance that ultimately earned her recognition in Forbes' influential list.

Indian actor | Vengerberg | Global Indian

Growing up in Britain

Born in Wolverhampton, Anya grew up in Lower Penn village in South Staffordshire, UK, where she lived with her parents, and two siblings. She completed her schooling at the St. Dominic's Grammar School for Girls in Brewood, and later trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

She discovered her natural flair for performing at an early age. Like every Indian parents, his father too nudged her to sing for her relatives during a family gathering. She was only eight at that time. “We were having a family get-together, and he told me to sing an Indian song. And I knew, right then, that I loved attention,” she recalled.

Punjabis in Britain

Over the years, Punjabis in Britain have not only maintained their cultural identity but also thrived, contributing significantly to the country’s social, economic, and political landscape. From family-owned businesses to leaders in politics, academia, and the arts, British Punjabis have made their mark, blending heritage with a new sense of belonging. Gurudwaras, community centres, and cultural festivals like Baisakhi have become prominent symbols of Punjabi culture, while the community’s values of hard work, and unity have helped successive generations thrive. Today, Punjabis in Britain are celebrated as an integral part of the UK’s multicultural landscape, bridging continents with a legacy of tradition, pride, and progress.

[caption id="attachment_59783" align="aligncenter" width="602"] Indian actor | Anya Chalotra | Global Indian Anya with her parents[/caption]

Shining in all three seasons of Netflix’s ‘The Witcher’

Yennefer of Vengerberg is a name that needs no introduction for fans of The Witcher. The saga began as a short story submitted to a Polish magazine in 1986, evolved into a multi-book series throughout the '90s, was adapted into a video game in 2007, inspired various comic book iterations over the past decade, and finally became a TV series for Netflix in 2019.

Yennefer of Vengerberg is a complex, powerful sorceress in The Witcher universe, known for her fierce independence, intelligence, and magical prowess. Born with physical deformities and enduring a difficult childhood, she transforms into a formidable and enchanting figure, both beautiful and skilled in magic. Her character’s journey from hardship to strength, and her intense bond with Geralt of Rivia, makes Yennefer one of the most intriguing and beloved figures in the series.

Indian Actor | Anya Chalotra | Global Indian

Anya Chalotara was a relative newcomer when she got the role on the grand scale fantasy drama and that too opposite ace actor Henry Cavill who played the role of Geralt. However, instead of struggling under the weight of the role's legacy, the actor embraced the challenge putting her heart and soul into the character of ancient sorceress that she portrays.

In the series, she is the youngest member of the Council of Sorcerers and one of the most powerful mages, slaying monsters, saving lives, and transforming from a hunchbacked farm girl into a charming diva.

“Yennefer is almost 100 years old, so it falls to me to find the middle ground between being someone who has seen a lot of the world and someone who is figuring things out on the go simply because the world around her is constantly changing,” she remarked talking about her character.

Journey in acting

Before starting her career on screen, Anya had starred in several stage productions. In 2017 she was nominated for the stage debut award for best actress for her performance as Hero in a production of Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare’s Globe, London. Thereafter she performed in several stage productions.

Her first on screen role came in 2018 when she portrayed Jennifer Ashman in the BBC comedy-drama, Wanderlust. The same year, she appeared as Lily Marbury in BBC’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders, and then casting for other on-screen productions followed.

[caption id="attachment_59805" align="aligncenter" width="795"] Indian Actor | Vengerberg | Global Indian Anya during one of her shoots[/caption]

Striding past challenges

Anya Chalotra had to audition thrice for the role in The Witcher. “Every time I auditioned, I became hungrier for the role,” said the actress who considers the opportunity to play the role an ‘absolute gift’. The Witcher novels were written with white characters. However, looking at her talent the makers selected her for the role of Yennefer despite her being an actor of colour and far younger than the fictional character.

Although it was a moment of elation for her, she faced ridicule by many fans of The Witcher novels. They thought the choice of Yennefer’s character was not a good one. Many fans labelled her as ‘incapable’ or ‘inexperienced’ for such a plum role. Anya had to shut her social media accounts to escape the negative words of people who were writing her off even without seeing her work.

“I wanted my journey to be very different. I wanted to allow the character to evolve organically, without any pressure, and I know that the only way to do that was to shut off my social media,” she explained. For all the eight months of filming of the first series she was not on Instagram and Twitter. She wanted to woo her fans by her good performance and hence just focused on her work, and stayed positive.

Indian Actor | Anya Chalotra | Global Indian

The hard work, focus, and dedication paid off when the first season aired. At the premiere of the first season, the Indian-origin actor proudly showcased her heritage by wearing a Manish Malhotra sari.

Today, Anya Chalotra and Yennefer are virtually inseparable in the minds of The Witcher fans, with Anya having filmed the first three seasons across the world. She is now busy shooting for Seasons 4 and 5, set for release later this year and in 2025. The actor’s success reflects the growing influence of the Indian diaspora in global entertainment, showcasing how diverse cultural backgrounds can enrich storytelling on the world stage.

Follow Anya Chalotra on Instagram
Discover more fascinating Stories