Indians in USA | Harold D'Souza | Global Indian

Global IndianstoryTriumph over Trafficking: Harold D’Souza and his family’s journey from victims to advocates

Triumph over Trafficking: Harold D’Souza and his family’s journey from victims to advocates

Written by: Amrita Priya

(May 8, 2024) “Harold D’Souza and Darcy D’Souza are inspirations to me, and their story inspired me to create a feature documentary film titled ‘To Be Free,’ which focuses on labour trafficking in the United States,” shared American director Benjamin Ryan Nathan in his message at the Eyes Open International (EOI) Conference organised by Harold D’Souza last week.

The feature documentary is being produced by the American actor and producer Martin Sheen who has received numerous accolades, including three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards in a career spanning 30 years. “Are you aware that slavery is still thriving in our midst? The answer to that question inspired me to become an executive producer of the feature documentary film called ‘To Be Free‘ that exposes the practice of human labour trafficking here in the United States and around the world,” he remarked in his video message that was played at the conference.

“This was our first Eyes Open International Conference. It was my dream project, a mission impossible made possible with the help of EOI Board Directors, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Centre, and well-wishers,” Harold D’Souza, pleased with the success of the conference, shared with Global Indian.

He formed his non-profit Eyes Open International to enlighten community members, victims, survivors, law enforcement agencies, faith leaders, nonprofit organisations, healthcare professionals, police officials, first responders, academics, students, teachers, and professors to identify red flags, problems, solutions, and resources involved in human trafficking. The EOI conference served as an extension of this goal. The EOI board boasts of people from both USA and India including Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil.

The global rendezvous

Apart from the thousands who viewed the EOI conference (Triumph over Trafficking) live virtually from India, Canada, Pakistan, Nepal, and the U.K., 300 people attended it in person,” shared Harold, adding, “Those who travelled from India to attend the conference included Deepak Acharya, EOI Board Director and CEO of INOX India Ltd.”

Linda Dixon from the Department of Defense USA, Dr Yvan Demosthenes, CEO of HamiltonDemo, Dr Kalyani Gopal, founder of SAFECHR, Linda Majeska Powers, Legal Director of the Ohio Attorney General, Hon Woodrow Keown, President and CEO of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and Hriday Raval, International Director of Eyes Open International, were the speakers at the conference.

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A post shared by Eyes Open International (@eyesopenint)

“The audience felt that it was a life-changing experience for them simply by seeing the first brown survivor family, on stage. For the first time in our two-decade journey, all four of us—my wife, Darcy, and my sons, Rohan and Bradley—were together to share our journey from struggle to success,” Harold remarked. He strongly believes that “survivors are thrivers.”

Expressing gratitude to the EOI Board Directors, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the entire community from Ohio, America, and India for the successful EOI conference, Harold D’Souza added, ‘The support from Rohan, Bradly, and Darcy was the pillar of this mega success.”

Flashback – From Victim to White House Consultant

In 2003, Mangalore’s Harold D’Souza relocated to the United States with his family, only to realise that they had inadvertently fallen victim to human trafficking, eventually finding themselves ensnared in debt bondage.

“I stepped down from a senior management position in India to pursue the American dream,” remarked Harold. “I came to the United States following the advice and encouragement of a man who would become my trafficker,” he said, talking about his ordeal. “He manipulated, tricked and trapped us.” As a part of the deceitful scheme, Harold was promised of an H-1B visa, and a job as a business development manager with a salary of $75,000 along with other perks.

“In 2003, it was a big amount and thinking of the future of my two sons, I decided to take up the offer leaving behind the stable job in India,” he shared. His boys were seven and four-years-old at that time.

Harold, Darcy, Rohan and Bradly – Then and now

The family sold off their car and other belongings to cover travel costs. “I thought I would soon recover the amount after I start earning dollars,” he told. “I had no understanding of what HIB Visa, or the H4 dependant visa on which my wife and two sons came on. I didn’t know the dos and don’ts; I didn’t know how this country operated. I didn’t know the law. I didn’t know the people. I just jumped,” he remarked.

Upon Harold’s arrival in the US, his trafficker confiscated the documents and $1000 in cash that he carried on the pretence of safekeeping. From that moment, their ordeal began. Both he and his wife were compelled to work seven days a week, enduring shifts lasting 14 to 16 hours in a restaurant, with accommodation provided next door.

“In most trafficking cases, victims are provided lodging in proximity, ensuring their constant availability for work while limiting their interaction with the outside world. This isolation prevents them from easily reaching out for assistance or lodging complaints, as they remain within the immediate control of their perpetrators.” And Harold explains that all through, abusive language and threats continue.

The trafficker imposed exorbitant fees for food, clothing, and shelter, and withheld Harold and Darcy’s salaries to cover these expenses. Additionally, Harold was deceived into signing a loan from a bank, which the trafficker pocketed, plunging him into debt bondage.

Harold D’Souza with former USA president Donald Trump at the White House

After enduring years of ordeal, Harold finally liberated himself by mustering the courage to seek help and working his way out of the situation, displaying immense bravery.

Looking at his story of resilience and resolve, he was appointed to the US Advisory Council on Human Trafficking initially by President Barack Obama and later by President Donald Trump. His tenure at the White House, from 2015 to 2020, restored the self-confidence that Harold had lost during the ordeal of being treated as an undocumented immigrant, despite entering America on an H-1B visa. “At the White House I was not looked at as a survivor, rather as an expert, and that transformed my life,” he remarked.

Purpose – to prevent human trafficking through Eyes Open International

“When people in my team at the White House heard my story, they encouraged me to start a non-profit to help victims.” This inspired Harold to establish Eyes Open International, dedicated to aiding victims of human trafficking and debt bondage. Driven by his own traumatic experiences and his resolve to alter the plight of trafficked individuals, he additionally fulfils the role of an expert consultant at the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. He actively participates in the Governor’s Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force and serves on the board of directors for numerous NGOs worldwide.

Harold-D’Souza after receiving the Hero Award

The Indian American labour trafficking and debt bondage survivor received the Human Rights Hero Award 2023 at the United Nations headquarters in New York for being the leading activist in United States’ efforts to address the problem. “A feature film on my story with a well-known movie star in India is in the discussion phase,” he signed off.

Follow Harold D’Souza on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
To know more about Eyes Open International and its initiatives, visit its website

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Dr. Shri Kant Gupta

May 14, 2024 10:39 pm

डर के आगे जीत है।

Published on 08, May 2024

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Breaking Barriers: Usha Vance set to make history as first Indian-American Second Lady

(November 13, 2024) Thousands of miles away in the village of Vadluru in Andhra Pradesh, the air was thick with hope and prayers. Villagers gathered at local temples, offering prayers for JD Vance's success in the US elections, hoping that his victory would not only bring pride to their community but also strengthen the bond between India and the United States. Their prayers carried a personal note — a connection through Usha Bala Chilukuri Vance, the daughter of Indian immigrants whose roots trace back to this very region. As the news of Republican Party's victory broke out, the village erupted in joy. Celebrations spilled into the streets symbolising their shared pride and dreams. Usha Vance, an attorney and wife of JD Vance, poised to become the first Indian American and the first Hindu Second Lady of the United States, is set to create history as she steps into this significant role. "I want to be the first to congratulate – now I can say Vice President-elect JD Vance. And his remarkable and beautiful wife, Usha Vance," declared incoming US President Donald Trump, resonating with applause that marked not just a political milestone but a historical and cultural one. At 38,

his remarkable and beautiful wife, Usha Vance," declared incoming US President Donald Trump, resonating with applause that marked not just a political milestone but a historical and cultural one. At 38, Usha will also be the youngest second lady since the Truman administration, representing a story that combines heritage, ambition, and love.

Rooted in India, Rising in America

Her journey from an Indian immigrant family's home in San Diego to the heart of American political life has captivated many. Her father, a mechanical engineer from IIT Madras and a lecturer at San Diego State University, and her mother, a molecular biologist and academic leader, instilled a deep respect for education and cultural roots.

Coming from a Telugu Brahmin family with roots in Vadluru, her great-grandfather left the village in search of better opportunities to find himself in the city of Chennai where Usha's father, Krish Chilukuri, was raised before relocating to the US for higher studies. In 1986, they became parents to Usha and raised her in an upper-middle-class suburb. Her journey represents the story of many Indian American families who have strived for success while staying connected to their heritage. The US census highlights that the Indian American community grew by 50 percent to 4.8 million people from 2010 to 2020 —a proof of their rising influence and contributions.

Born in an Indian middle class family in the US, she enjoyed the best of both the worlds. A bright student, who was raised in an environment where academic excellence was highly valued, she found herself at the gates of Yale University for her bachelors in history and later at Yale Law School, where she first met JD Vance, the man who she would fall in love with.

From Yale Classmates to Partners

Their paths at Yale were woven together by shared intellectual curiosity, and the two first connected over a writing project. Usha recalled in an interview, "We were friends first; I mean, who wouldn't want to be friends with JD?” But the friendship quickly deepened into something more. It was their differences that made their bond strong. JD, who had faced a childhood marked by family instability and economic hardship, found in Usha a grounding presence. "She saw potential in me that I hadn't yet seen in myself," JD said in one of his interviews. Her support became a cornerstone during moments of self-doubt and frustration. Usha's patience and understanding helped JD get through law school and deal with challenges from his past.

[caption id="attachment_59848" align="aligncenter" width="402"] Usha Vance and JD Vance | Global Indian JD Vance and Usha Vance[/caption]

Their love story was not without its cultural nuances. Usha, the daughter of Telugu-speaking immigrants, and JD, who grew up with Appalachian traditions, had to find ways to bring their worlds together. In 2014, they married in an interfaith ceremony that honoured both backgrounds: a friend of JD’s read from the Bible, and a Hindu priest blessed their union. Their marriage merged their distinct backgrounds into a partnership which is now on a global stage with JD Vance set to become the Vice President of the US.

An attorney by profession, her legal career, marked by clerkships with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh before his Supreme Court tenure, has solidified her reputation as a prominent and respected figure in the legal community.

A Steadfast Partner on the Campaign Trail

As JD began his political journey that eventually led to his vice-presidential campaign, Usha became more than a supportive partner; she was an advisor, confidante, and advocate. She introduced him at the 2024 Republican National Convention, sharing anecdotes that highlighted not just JD's ambitions, but their shared values and the partnership they built.

"I grew up in San Diego in a middle class community with lovely parents, both immigrants from India, and a sister. That JD and I could meet at all, let alone fall in love and marry, is a testament to this great country." - Usha Vance

The Global Indian added, "When JD met me, he approached our differences with curiosity and enthusiasm. He wanted to know everything about me. Although he is a meat and potato guy, he adapted to my vegetarian diet and learned to cook Indian food for mother."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BFDbzfz5QE&t=202s

It was during this campaign that Usha's poised presence onstage and at rallies became a subject of public admiration. Dressed in tailored suits and classic dresses, she embodied professionalism and grace, walking shoulder to shoulder with her husband as they garnered support across the nation.

A Milestone for the Indian American Community

Usha’s heritage has resonated deeply with the Indian American community, a population that has grown significantly, now standing as the second-largest Asian ethnic group in the US. Her story represents not only her success but also the dreams and achievements of many in the diaspora who balance being American with keeping their cultural roots. Usha's journey is built on the academic and professional excellence common in immigrant families, but it is her personal strength and commitment to family that truly defines her.

Her father’s visits to their ancestral village in Andhra Pradesh and the family’s donations, like giving land for temples, show their strong connection to their roots. Usha’s rise to the national level brings pride to the Telugu community and others, showing how heritage and modern identity can blend smoothly.

As Usha prepares to assume her new role as the Second Lady of the United States, she carries with her not just the title, but the stories of generations who sought opportunities on foreign shores. Her journey—marked by love, resilience, and cultural pride—is a strong chapter in the story of American leadership. In a diverse nation, Usha Vance’s path from the suburbs of San Diego to the White House shows what can happen when different backgrounds come together for a shared purpose.

Follow Usha Vance on LinkedIn

Artist TK Sarasvathy creates hyper realistic paintings celebrating Indian cuisine

(August 21, 2023) When you are digging into delicious idlis, did you realize that they have hundreds of tiny holes in them? Or when you are relishing a crisp dosa does it strike your mind that it has more than 5000 infinitesimally tiny holes that give it structure and form? Imagine a self-taught artist spending hours and days painting these daily Indian foods onto canvases and transforming them into life-like art works? Hyper realism is the forte of artist TK Sarasvathy who lived across countries and places – she was born in Puducherry and lived in UAE and Singapore before leaving for the US in 2017 and she excels at re-creating Indian foods as part of her oeuvre. [caption id="attachment_43959" align="aligncenter" width="541"] Artist TK Sarasvathy.[/caption] She started dabbling with art in 2008 when a visit to the Louvre museum in Paris triggered a passion for art and has never looked back since. The artist specializes in creating hyper realistic images of art on canvasses and her last solo exhibition at the Foley Gallery in Manhattan. Bhojan, showcased Indian food depicted in a hyperreal style to much acclaim. Hooked To Hyper Realism Drawing and scribbling on paper using pencil were always

f art on canvasses and her last solo exhibition at the Foley Gallery in Manhattan. Bhojan, showcased Indian food depicted in a hyperreal style to much acclaim.

Hooked To Hyper Realism

Drawing and scribbling on paper using pencil were always of interest to Sarasvathy but, she never took it seriously. Once, that changed she started working on canvases and exploring her art.

While searching for unique subjects, Google introduced her to hyperrealism. Various works from renowned artists in hyperrealism world and especially in food like burgers, desserts, fast foods as art attracted her and she realized that, Indian food was not explored in the milieu.

The artist shares, “This is where I started my journey to depict Indian food as hyper realistic art. To start my journey in hyper realism art world, I didn’t have any references or someone to lookup for help. Painting is all about colours and texture along with thoughts of artists shown on canvas. According to me, any food/cuisine and especially in Indian food, will have amazing textures and colors and this is the inspiration towards my work.”

[caption id="attachment_43962" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Global Indian | TK Sarasvathy Jalebi Painting by artist TK Sarasvathy.[/caption]

Sarasvathy studied the art of hyper real greats including Tjalf Sparnasy and Mary Ellen Johnson, to understand its intricacies and she them calls her inspiration. She adds, “I love their creations and they have influenced me a lot. This is due to the minutely detailed work depicting colour and texture of food.”

Her works are a treat to behold. From idli, sambar and coconut chutney to samosa, naan, gulab jamun, mango lassi and chole bhatura she has created works of well-known Indian dishes covering from North to South, using the medium, Oil on Linen, as her canvas as it helps to get a hyper realistic texture because of its smoothness and its great quality.

Food Fables

Every single painting takes Sarasvathy months and each work is a challenge in itself. This difficulty is not with the dimensions of the food or dish or even color, but lies in bringing those intricacies of details at every centimeter of the canvas to life.

“It took me close to 6 months to paint Idli, Sambar and Chutney and this was due to complexity of idli texture with tiny holes around and being the first painting to be painted in this genre. While eating idli all my life, I never realized it has so much details and hundreds of tiny holes. Now, I cherish eating idli more, knowing its value.” she laughs.

Similarly, when she worked on dosa which had 5000+ circles or on Gulab Jamun, she had to paint 1000+ tiny circles on seven Gulab Jamuns depicted in the paintings took her months. Every painting takes two to three months and surely is very demanding.

These challenges are something the artist relishes. “It is not easy to paint food as there is a very detailed output covering colour, texture, shape of the dish, condiments, magnitude and depth of vegetables among others.” she shares before adding, “When we paint a food/dish, all eyes that are going to watch it, have a pre-determined picture of that food/dish in their mind. As an artist I have to ensure, the picture of that dish in end viewers mind is matching with my work or my art replaces that picture in his brain.”

[caption id="attachment_43960" align="aligncenter" width="511"] Global Indian | TK Sarasvathy Papad painting by Artist TK Sarasvathy.[/caption]

No Pain, No Gain, is her mantra. For example, her painting Papad has almost 1400 big circles and many smaller ones. “I have to make all these circles look like a puffed portion, it is very time consuming but it gives me immense pleasure for creating artworks intricately hand painted capturing every detail. More than anything, it's the satisfaction of achievement and the peace in my mind during every stage of that painting that motivates me.” she adds.

To start her journey in hyper realism art world, Sarasvathy did not have any references or help, it was all self-learnt. An artwork showcasing real-life image on canvas is an overwhelming feeling of happiness for the person behind it and this is what moves Sarasvathy to pay homage to Indian food, no matter the difficulties.

She adds, “What we cook is an expression of who we are and where we come from. Food is one thing that we all have in common and it plays such a central role in every culture, globally. This is the background to my project to bring all famous Indian dishes and my small attempt retrieves culture back into the form that is alive.”

Art as the center

The artist recently collaborated with South Asian Woman’s Creative Collective (SAWCC) public programming that provided a deeper context into the foods of the Indian Subcontinent and with The Cumin Club first ever PR/media dinner in NYC for 25 food writers and editors. Her work brings Indian food to the global diaspora showcasing the rich wealth and heritage of the cuisine.

Global Indian | TK Sarasvathy

Since her work is time-consuming, how does she juggle it with her young family? By being organized and planning ahead, she laughs and shares, “I am blessed to have children (Revant aged 13 and Nipeksha, 7) and a spouse (Nagaraju Palivela, Senior Director - Credit Suisse Bank) who are extremely co-operative and understand my work and my aspirations with art. They are very supportive and lend a hand, sometimes to take care of things. I plan their classes and activities in advance and ensure my meetings and work are done before / after them.”

Currently she started working on a small series of artworks with spoon and fork while she plans on exploring other cuisines too. Creative, Unique and Surreal, the artist is a perfect example of pursuing passion with all of one’s energy. Showcasing real food through hyper real art, the Global Indian captures the mystery of Indian food through her mastery over medium.

Follow TK Sarasvathy on Instagram

Indian-origin Rita Kakati-Shah is empowering people in second innings of their career through Uma

(May 6, 2023) After passing out of King’s College London, when UK-born Rita Kakati-Shah joined investment bank Goldman Sachs’ sales training desk in 2001, she discovered that there were very few women at the training floor of the London headquarter. This perturbed her, and over the next ten years that she worked with the firm, she made some changes while climbing up the hierarchical ladder. "I got involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives along the way. Those were the times when the terms 'diversity, inclusion and equity' were not really used, and I just went ahead with the purpose of building community and bringing people together,” she tells Global Indian. Fifteen years later in 2016, Rita turned an entrepreneur with her business focusing on diversity and inclusion in a powerful way. [caption id="attachment_38175" align="aligncenter" width="599"] Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO, Uma[/caption] Now a resident of New York in the United States, Rita Kakati-Shah is the founder and CEO of Uma that works to empower women and minorities to re-enter the workforce. The name of her business venture resonates with the idea with which she forayed into entrepreneurship. “Uma is the Hindu Goddess who is an epitome of a daughter, a

t="Indian Diaspora | Rita Kakati-Shah | Global Indian " width="599" height="860" /> Rita Kakati-Shah, founder and CEO, Uma[/caption]

Now a resident of New York in the United States, Rita Kakati-Shah is the founder and CEO of Uma that works to empower women and minorities to re-enter the workforce. The name of her business venture resonates with the idea with which she forayed into entrepreneurship. “Uma is the Hindu Goddess who is an epitome of a daughter, a mother, a sibling and a wife, and represents strength, courage and confidence. She is the Goddess of go-getting,” smiles the award-winning gender, diversity, inclusion and career strategist, who is also a speaker, author and advisor to Fortune 500 companies.

Uma is an international platform that partners with organisations across the globe to attract, retain and develop women and minorities in the workforce by boosting their confidence levels, and building leadership and resilience in them to succeed. Headquartered in New York, with presence in London, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area and Toronto, Rita’s entrepreneurial venture empowers women to: ‘Be Bold. Be You. Be Uma’.

Rita also hosts the popular South Asian television show, The Uma Show, on Mana TV International, and has written a book The Goddess of Go-Getting: Your Guide to Confidence, Leadership, and Workplace Success, that was launched by the Consulate General of India in New York last year. She has co-authored three books on leadership, has written multiple research papers and is actively involved in volunteerism and advocacy.

[caption id="attachment_38177" align="aligncenter" width="691"] Indian Diaspora | Global Indian | Rita Kakati-Shah Rita Kakati-Shah with her book[/caption]

The empowerment journey

After a decade of experience in finance, Rita’s career saw a transition into the pharmaceutical industry, which led her to move to the US. After working for a few years there, she got married and took close to four years of break to raise her two kids. "Out of all the jobs I had done, by far the most challenging and rewarding was the new journey of motherhood and fulltime parenthood. Without getting a day off as parents we make an impact on our future generation,” she remarks.

"During my motherhood journey I became a pro at certain skills like negotiation and communications, and really learning to listen and have empathy with my toddlers, which I realised were completely translatable into the corporate and paid salaried world," she adds.

It was her journey into motherhood that played a catalyst in helping her identify a new direction in life. Like many mothers when Rita took a career break, returning to work - she discovered - required self-motivation and the skill to market one’s capabilities in such a way that they are perceived as indispensable for the workforce as they are for their families.

This idea gave birth to Uma. “Founding Uma has been an empowering journey to address the issues companies were missing,” tells Rita.

[caption id="attachment_38173" align="aligncenter" width="698"] Indian Diaspora | Rita-Kakati Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah addressing students at the USC Marshall School of Business[/caption]

“Too many smart, talented women or even men who left the workforce to raise children or for any other reason are unable to find jobs that match their credentials and lifestyle commitments when they try to return,” she says, adding, “Not enough is being done to retain, retrain or re-engage this talent pool. Companies that once hired and trained these incredible people now suffer an intense loss of headcount and huge drain of hiring and training resources, too.” This is the gap that UMA addresses.

Rita Kakati-Shah and her team try to change the status quo of people for the better, and work with like-minded employers to create opportunities that match the credentials and lifestyle goals of people planning the second inning of their careers.

Giving back and getting recognition

Apart from her business, advocacy and volunteerism is an integral part of Rita’s life. She is actively involved with her alma mater King’s Leadership, Diversity and Entrepreneurial Institute mentoring programs, and is also a member of the New York and Los Angeles Alumni Committees. She coaches and mentors survivors of domestic violence, schoolgirls and students, and serves as an advisor, ambassador, and diversity and inclusion expert to multiple boards and global organizations like the JCC of Manhattan, ACP Women Veterans’ Founding Circle, New York City Bar Association, Democracy Without Borders India, and the Global Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

At Goldman Sachs in London, Rita was awarded the prestigious Excellence in Citizenship and Diversity Award and since then has received several international recognitions for her contributions.

[caption id="attachment_38196" align="aligncenter" width="536"] Indian Diaspora | Rita Kakati-Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah with her family at King's Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony[/caption]

Involved in advocacy since the time she was a teenager in London, Rita remarks, “My parents brought up my brother and I to always give to others rather than expect to get, and to always remember our roots,” she says, adding, “But I hadn't realised what giving back actually meant till I was in my late teens during a brief encounter with His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who congratulated me and other recipients of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme for community work.” He had said that it was wonderful that all winners had shown endurance, leadership and community service, but our duties as award recipients had only just begun. ‘And that duty was to serve’.

More than two decades later, those words still resonate with Rita. This year, she won the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifelong commitment to building a stronger nation through voluntary service by the executive office of the president of the United States, and the AmeriCorps. Last year she received the Mahatma Gandhi Samman medal in London for her advocacy and community work.

The entrepreneur is a regularly invited speaker and guest lecturer at various academic institutions, multinational corporations and global policy forums such as UNESCO in Paris, European Parliament in Brussels and many more spanning Assam, Meghalaya, Delhi, London, Madrid, New York, San Francisco, Sochi, Toronto and Zambia.

She has been featured as an expert on multiple international television and news shows, interviewed and quoted in various podcasts and publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Thrive Global, Dell Technology, CBS News, Fox News, Yahoo Finance and iHeartRadio.

[caption id="attachment_38174" align="aligncenter" width="801"] Indian Diaspora | Rita-Kakati Shah | Global Indian Rita Kakati-Shah receiving Mahatma Gandhi Samman medal at the Palace of Westminster, House of Parliament in London[/caption]

Love for India

Whether it’s being part of the London Bihu Committee or adorning the traditional Assamese mekhela chador woven affectionately on the handloom in her ancestral home in Sualkuchi, Assam, Rita embraces all with elan. “Growing up in the UK, I was brought up to read and write Assamese with other second-generation Assamese kids. Being an Assamese means a lot to me and I want my kids to pick the heritage, the roots, the culture of Assam. I try to cook the food that my mum taught me as best as I can,” she signs off with a smile.

Follow Rita Kakati-Shah on LinkedIn and Instagram
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Reading Time: 5 mins

Lak Ananth: Empowering entrepreneurs to ‘Anticipate Failure’ for success

(June 24, 2024) Indian American venture capitalist Lak Ananth begins the introduction of his book ‘Anticipate Failure’ on a rather poetic note. “O traveller, why worry about sorrow? Happiness is but a transient shadow that comes and goes. Sorrow is our companion,” he writes. He then elaborates, “The quote above is an excerpt from ‘Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta,’ a Hindi song with music composed by the duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, featured in the 1964 film Dosti.” Discussing his personal connection to the song and its lyrics, he explains that his parents named him Lakshmikanth, or Lak for short, in honour of the song’s composer. Lak views the song as a valuable lesson for both life and business. “In business, we shouldn’t be afraid of failure because failure is our friend and companion. Success, on the other hand, comes and goes – it’s not reliable, it’s not guaranteed,” writes Lak, the CEO and Managing Partner of the venture capital firm Next47, headquartered in Palo Alto, California. His investment focus includes applications of AI/ML, vertical SaaS, robotics, mobility, and other emerging areas of deep tech. [caption id="attachment_52513" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Lak Ananth[/caption] Lak’s book, 'Anticipate Failure: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Navigating Uncertainty, Avoiding Disaster,

in Palo Alto, California. His investment focus includes applications of AI/ML, vertical SaaS, robotics, mobility, and other emerging areas of deep tech.

[caption id="attachment_52513" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Indian entrepreneur | Lak Ananth | Global Indian Lak Ananth[/caption]

Lak’s book, 'Anticipate Failure: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Navigating Uncertainty, Avoiding Disaster, and Building a Successful Business,' features a foreword by Dr Ronald Bush, President and CEO of Siemens AG, the German multinational technology conglomerate.

Investing in innovation and positive change

The venture capitalist has dedicated his entire career to his entrepreneurial pursuits –identifying industry-changing disruptions and acting on them as an investor or acquirer.

I am focused on making innovations real and working with founders who are creating, building, and scaling the next generation of companies. I have played many roles in that, including coaching them as an investor, pursuing them as a potential acquirer, or just partnering with them in their journey.

Lak shares in a podcast

In addition to running Next47, Lak Ananth serves on the board of several companies that he has helped grow beyond $1 billion valuations. As an investor and board member, he believes in establishing mutual trust with founders so that when critical business decisions need to be made, he can support them in making the best choices for building world-class businesses.

He holds an MBA from INSEAD and The Wharton School of Business and is a Kauffman Fellow, part of a lifelong learning community and network named after Ewing Marion Kauffman, representing the future of venture capital.

From India to the US on strict budget

Lak’s father emptied his bank account to pay for his son’s plane ticket to the US and to give him $200 for other expenses—a fortune to his family in 1994. Lak completed his MS in electrical engineering at Kansas State University. His advisor, Medhat Morcos was kind enough to pay the fee for the first semester and supported him through a research internship.

Lak had a very strict weekly budget for food. Despite securing a research assistantship from the university, he had to cover rent, food, transportation, and other expenses. He distinctly remembers being able to afford a six-inch Subway Veggie Delite sandwich, which cost around $1.50 at the time, just once a week. “That was my treat for the week because, if I ate that sandwich every day, it would have blown my budget,” he shared in a podcast.

Indian Entrepreneur | Lak Ananth | Global Indian

However, Lak was not unhappy with his situation because he enjoyed university life, the professors, the learning, and everything else. “I didn’t look at it as a hardship; it was just the way it was. And it was the beginning of all the other opportunities that came afterward.”

Milestones and Next47

In 1997, after the completion of his course he moved to California’s Silicon Valley. Netscape Communications Corporation, an American independent computer services company had just gone public and he had the chance to work as an engineer there during the explosive growth of the dot com bubble. Later, he found his way to Cisco and then Hewlett Packard. Finally, in 2016, Lak Ananth started his own venture, Next47.

We are in a golden era where entrepreneurship is celebrated and practiced at a high level globally. Whether we are in Bangalore or Beijing, Berlin or Munich, Palo Alto or Paris or Tel Aviv, the founders we talk with are equally ambitious and talented and they are accomplishing great things.

Lak writes in his book Anticipate Failure

His focus has always been in technology and that has led him to work with many talented founders and executives in his career as an engineer, product manager, customer account manager, acquisition professional and venture investor. As a venture capitalist he has met many startup founders from across the globe.

Being at the helm of startup founders’ journey

Lak and his firm, Next47, focus primarily on startup founders. “We understand that it takes a lot of courage for someone to step forward and solve problems the way our founders do. We are not the ones changing the world; our founders are,” he says, adding, “But we are their rock and their source of inspiration because we believe in their journey. When we choose to partner with our founders, they become a source of strength for us. Every day, these people inspire us and bring a lot of goodness to the world.”

In his role as a venture capitalist, Lak prefers to be the first person the startup founders supported by his firm call when they need help. He and his team spend a lot of time understanding what these founders are doing to change the world. “We get behind them throughout the course of their journey,” he remarks. He embraces a philosophy of giving back and believes there should be a movement for people to simply leave the world a better place than they found it.

[caption id="attachment_52515" align="aligncenter" width="390"] Indian Entrepreneur | Lak Ananth | Global Indian Cover image of Lak Ananth's book[/caption]

Following the success of his book ‘Anticipate Failure,’ the venture capitalist launched a blog series with the same name to help startup founders navigate different aspects of setbacks. “Failure is a part of everyone’s lives. And when you’re a founder, it can feel even more overwhelming,” he mentioned while announcing the series.

Through his writings and speaking opportunities, the venture capitalist makes use of his years of experience of building startups and new businesses into large companies to help entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty, avoid disaster and build successful businesses.

Follow Lak Ananth on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 5 mins

Greenhouse-in-a-box: How Kheyti brings smart tech to small farmers

(October 26, 2023) Of the world’s 570 million farms, over 80 percent cover less than two hectares, the size of three football pitches. Together, these small-holding farms produce a third of our food, but those who farm them are among the poorest people on the planet and the most affected by climate change. It was to address this inequality that the start-up, Kheyti, was founded in 2015 by Ayush Sharma, 37, Saumya Sahay, 33, and Kaushik Kappagantulu, 36. It's a “greenhouse-in-a-box” concept—an affordable, modular greenhouse that uses 90% less water than standard greenhouses, grows seven times more food, and gives farmers a steady, dependable income. The founders knew each other, as they had worked with each other in different capacities earlier, and all of them were keenly interested in helping fight issues facing smallholder farmers. The start-up won the coveted Earthshot Prize in 2022 and took home the eye-watering prize money of one million pounds. Founded by Prince William (of the British Royal family), the awards are dubbed Eco-Oscars, and Kheyti won the award in the ‘Protect and Restore Nature’ category because of its novel low-technology solution. Greenhouse in a box Kheyti’s innovation is that they have created a durable greenhouse

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Greenhouse in a box

Kheyti’s innovation is that they have created a durable greenhouse that cuts off heat, prevents bugs, and saves water. The combination of three is helping small farmers earn an extra profit of Rs 60000 to Rs 1 lakh per year.

The start-up’s vision is to see a world where every farmer is climate-resilient through easy access to climate-smart farm technologies. Kaushik explains, “Since our inception, the biggest challenge in democratizing technologies democratising small farmers for cost. Greenhouses are not new, they have been around for decades. However, conventional greenhouses are expensive and are normally only available in commercial sizes new; acre to 1 (½A small farmer who owns 1-2 acres of land can never afford to spend acre). lakh 30–40 acre to buy a greenhouse, even with government subsidy.”

Also, the existing greenhouses were also primarily made for export crops and not really for conventional fruits and vegetables that the smallest farmers in India grow. Kheyti overcame this challenge by putting the small farmer first and designing for them.

“We started with talking to 1000+ small and marginal farmers and tried to understand what a greenhouse designed for them and by them would look like,” Ayush tells Global Indian and adds, “We tried to understand what the protection requirements were for the horticulture crops that they grow, consume, and. This is what led us to design our first version of our greenhouse.”

[caption id="attachment_46251" align="aligncenter" width="702"] Team Kheyti[/caption]

Innovation for a change

The team continued to experiment over nine iterations for six years and included hundreds of farmers in the design process.

Kheyti not only managed product evolution but also succeeded in bringing down cost from Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 65,000. Apart from experimenting with material, a game changer was that while the standard size of a greenhouse available was an acre, they got it down to one tenth of an acre, thereby bringing the cost down. It is the first greenhouse that works for Indian small and marginal farmers.

While greenhouses were usually earmarked for exotic veggies like broccoli and lettuce, the start-up adapted them for wider use (almost all Indian vegetables, from cabbages to cauliflowers, leafy vegetables, and other common ones like tomatoes and potatoes, among others), created protocols for use, and started enabling them for wider use. This meant that the farmer’s produce too had a wider base, as the exotic vegetables were only consumed by niche households and had a limited clientele.

The entrepreneurs installed their first greenhouse in 2017 in Siddipet (Telangana) before expanding to seven states across India, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Orrisa, among others. Along the way, they have also raised five million dollars in seed funding.

Customer-driven

The most important lesson the founders have realised along the way is to be 100% customer and problem obsessed, not solution obsessed. Saumya says. “Too often, and I am guilty of this too, we are solution obsessed—we start with an interesting idea and try to find a market, customer, or problem to apply that idea to. This is important because entrepreneurs have to be excited about the idea.”

However, the team at Kheyti has learned the importance of being customer- and problem-focused. A good way to do this is by “apprenticing with the problem,” as Kaushik has done. Before starting Kheyti, he spent five years working at another startup and living and working in rural India.

He recalls. “Just before starting Kheyti, my cofounders and I spent six months travelling across India talking to around 1,000 farmers. All of that apprenticing helped us clearly see the challenges that climate change posed to agriculture. Only after all of that did we start looking at solutions and then come up with the idea of the greenhouse-in-a-box.”

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Global fame

Winning the Earthshot prize has landed the start-up in the global limelight. Kaushik explains. “The problems we are trying to solve—rural poverty, climate change—are big problems that cannot be solved by Kheyti alone. When I started working in rural India 15 years ago after studying at IIT, nobody wanted to get into this sector. Today, a whole host of young people, investors, and experienced professionals want to work in AgriTech.”

Forums like the Earthshot Prize helped the business spread awareness and optimism. Through their exposure, they now partner with funders, government officials, and potential employees—all needed if they are to achieve their vision.

Kheyti’s most important value is farmer-centricity. Kaushik agrees: “Farmers are our reason for existing and are at the centre of what we do. If we hold that value, every crop becomes as important to us as it is to the farmer, and therefore the ‘difficulty’, in my opinion, becomes a moot point.”

Kheyti is currently at the beginning of an ambitious 5-year plan to scale their work to 100,000 farmers and create a foundation to reach a million farmers. They currently work with 3000 farmers, 90% of whom they added in the last 18 months. Focused currently on executing on the ground and building the organisation to scale, these young entrepreneurs are a catalyst for turning around the fortunes of small farmers.

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Reading Time: 6 mins