Global IndianstoryWill policy trump sentiment? Where do Indian-American voters stand in the 2024 US Presidential election?

Will policy trump sentiment? Where do Indian-American voters stand in the 2024 US Presidential election?

Written by: Vikram Sharma

(October 5, 2024) When Kamala Harris cooked a ‘dosa’ and ‘sambar’ assisted by Indian-American actress Mindy Kaling in 2019 — the video, which was watched over 6.5 million times brought smiles to the faces of Indians and Indian-Americans alike. A year later, when she became the Vice President of the United States, celebrations erupted in her ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram in Tamil Nadu. The billion dollar question now is will this ‘desi’ connection sway Indian American voters into supporting Kamala Harris to become the next President of the United States? Or will former President Donald Trump’s friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi weigh on their minds?

Maybe, maybe not. The pendulum could swing either way. While Indians are attached to their roots, and take pride in how far Kamala Harris has come, some feel the tax-cuts and pro small-business policies of the Republicans are what America needs now. The soaring inflation of the last few years, as well as the limitations of the H-1B visa and the green card backlog (more than one million Indians are still in waiting, as of April 2024, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services), mean that Indians are more likely to vote for policy than sentiment.

Kamala Harris | Indian American voters | Global Indian

The Indian-Americans, a community of 4.5 million and the most sought-after immigrant group, have chosen to play it smart. While the Indian connection might have a bearing when they set out to vote on November 5, it is their policies and solutions to the concerns of Indian-Americans that will drive them to vote in favour of either of the two Presidential candidates.

Policies matter

Fashion designer and Film maker Anjali Poghat, who is based in Central Ohio says while Kamala Harris’s Indian heritage might resonate with some voters, her policies, experience, and vision for the country are more likely to influence the majority of Indian American voters.

“Indian Americans tend to prioritize candidates based on their stances on key issues rather than solely on ethnic or cultural ties. However, the symbolic importance of representation and breaking barriers still holds significance for many in the community,” she tells Global Indian.

Stating that Indian Americans, a growing and influential demographic, are becoming key in the U.S. presidential race, Anjali says the voting decisions among the community will be driven by key issues like immigration reform, education, healthcare, racial equality, U.S.-India relations, and economic policies.

Listing out the three major issues faced by majority of people from Indian communities, Anjali says Immigration reform comes above everything else. “Policies impacting visas, family reunification, and H-1B work permits are crucial for many in the community,” she says.

Next comes healthcare. “Affordability, Medicare, and prescription drug costs are key concerns, especially for aging parents,” she says. Third in her list is racial equality and discrimination. As a minority group, Indian Americans prioritize inclusivity, racial justice, she adds.

Indian diaspora campaigns for Kamala

While Kamala Harris’ Indian heritage has led to many from the diaspora community putting their weight behind her, some Indian-Americans have taken it a step further, and have launched campaigns aiming to encourage Indian American voters to vote and make their voices heard.

One such campaign is the ‘Indian Americans for Harris’ campaign which aims to rally support for Harris in states like North Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia. The website of the campaign highlights Kamala’s bi-racial heritage as a perfect example of America as a melting pot. Her background connects with many in the country, where at least 12.5 percent of the population identifies as biracial.

Kamala is a Baptist Christian married to a Jew, who was born to a Jamaican-born father and an Indian-born mother. Harris has rarely spoken of her Indian roots though she has spoken about her Indian mother often.

In her speech in which she formally accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidency, she spoke about her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, but not about India, the country she visited as a child. Chennai was the hometown of Harris’s mother. The year 2009 was the last time she visited Chennai carrying her mother’s ashes to scatter them in the Indian Ocean waters.

‘Naacho Naacho’

Similarly, another campaign in support of Harris comes with a strong desi touch to it, features the “banger “ ‘Naacho Naacho’ (Naatu Naatu in the original Telugu), from the blockbuster movie RRR that won global trends and Oscars. The catchy track is now the new anthem for Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.

Ajay Bhutoria, a key member of Kamala Harris’s National Finance Committee, has given the hit a makeover with his creative team, putting Harris’ name right in the spotlight. The 1.5-minute video starts off with Hamari Ye Kamala Harris (Our Kamala Harris), which is an addictive blend of campaign highlights and catchy tunes.

Produced by Ritesh Parikh and sung by Shibani Kashyap, the video also includes messages from community leaders in Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Hindi uniting all Indian voters ahead of the upcoming November elections.

Bhutoria feels Kamala represents a “shining future” for Indian-Americans, ending the era of division and controversy. Kamala has been targeted with comments about her background and personal life, and her opponent, Donald Trump’s rallies have frequently been marked by controversial language and attacks.

Trump effect

Days after Republican nominee Donald Trump survived an assassination bid in Pennsylvania in July, a large number of Indian Americans attended his first convention held at Wisconsin, announcing all-out support for the former President.

Indian American voters | 2024 US Presidential election | Global Indian

Photo: BBC

Indian-American politician Abraham George, elected chairman of the Texas Republican Party in May, took to the floor to announce that all the delegates from his state were voting for Trump. Usha Chilukuri, wife of Trump’s running mate JD Vance was also on stage apart from two other Indian Americans, Ohio State Senator Niraj Atani and Dr Sampat Shivangi.

“This is a historic convention. We stand together with Trump,” said Dr Shivangi while other delegates said that electing Trump will restore the American values, for which their ancestors came all the way to the United States.

Many Indian Americans also credit Trump for deepening ties between the two nations.

Why Trump

California-based Techpreneur Sagar Honnungar, the co-founder of Hakimo tells GI the key issues on the minds of Indian Americans include domestic issues like economic stability and healthcare accessibility as well as foreign policy concerns.

“There is indeed substantial support for Kamala Harris among Indian Americans due to her heritage and political alignment on key issues. However there are a few signs of shifting allegiances and some in the community are exploring alternative political affiliations,” says Sagar, a Stanford alumni.

He says some of the reasons that Indian American voters are drifting towards her opponent Donald Trump are Republican support for tax cuts and small business and Trump’s ties with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“There is also discontent over the Biden administration’s handling of foreign affairs and domestic issues like inflation which has led some to reconsider their support for the Democratic Party,” he points out.

Green card backlog

Indian-American Nikeeta Pamnani also echoes Anjali Phogat in her views. She says Immigration policies, particularly around H-1B visas and the green card backlog, are top concerns, alongside access to affordable healthcare, quality education, and economic opportunities.

“As a minority group, we are also deeply concerned about racial discrimination and rising xenophobia. While Vice President Kamala Harris’ Indian heritage resonates with many, her policies and broader Democratic values, like immigration reform and social justice, play a more decisive role in earning their support,” says the New York-based Nikeeta, who works as a product manager in a private firm.

For most, it’s not just about her Indian roots, but the issues that matter to their families and futures, adds Nikeeta.

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Published on 05, Oct 2024

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Waswo X Waswo: The ‘evil orientalist’ reviving Indian miniatures

(October 15, 2022) Waswo X. Waswo arrives at our video call looking irritable. The electricity had been erratic through the day - in Udaipur, the absence of air-conditioning is a serious problem. He has just returned from San Francisco, where he gave a talk at the Asian Art Museum. "I was afraid they would ask me to state my pronouns," he tells Global Indian, only half-jokingly. Waswo is the "old fashioned liberal," not given to accepting unfairness or dogmatism without a fight. It's a personal struggle, one that has also defined him as an artist.  As we speak, he was preparing for another debate, this time in Delhi, put together by Aakshat Sinha, on 'wokeism' in art. "Of course, I'm the anti-woke contingent." His art, an intermingling of photography and miniature painting styles, is a visual treat - it reminds me always of Henri Rousseau but mirrors his journey to find his identity, as a human being and as an artist. He works in the ‘karkhana’ style, working through collaborations with local miniaturists and border painters in Udaipur, reviving their legacy, bringing the artisans who have gone without credit for generations, to the fore, in India and abroad.  In his latest

st. He works in the ‘karkhana’ style, working through collaborations with local miniaturists and border painters in Udaipur, reviving their legacy, bringing the artisans who have gone without credit for generations, to the fore, in India and abroad. 

In his latest book, Karkhana, which will be out in November, Waswo documents his decades-long association with Indian artists - he works out of Udaipur, which has been home for the last two decades. His work comprises two styles, which often mingle with each other. There are hand-coloured digital portraits he co-creates with Rajesh Soni and the contemporary miniatures, which he conceptualises and are painted by the miniaturist R. Vijay, who also comes with a rich artistic lineage. Their collaboration of over fifteen years is a blend of genres, where Waswo himself is the protagonist, the bumbling foreigner trying to make sense of India. This extends to the miniatures, done in the Mughal, Mewar court Company School styles. 

**Udaipur – and the karkhana approach** 

Wandering through the bazaars of Udaipur, in his early days in India, Waswo fell in love with the miniatures on display in the shops. "They were generally low quality but I liked them." They were done following the karkhana style, with groups of people working on a single painting. The shopkeeper, however, announced proudly that he was the artist. Waswo learned soon enough about the artists who work quietly in the background, as they have for generations, never signing their work. When he began collaborating with R. Vijay, who comes from a long line of artists himself, Waswo had to coax him to put his name on it. "He said his name didn't belong on it and I had to push him to sign. Now, he always wants to sign his paintings." 

Waswo X Waswo first came to India in 1993 and spent 10 days here. In 1999, he came back and spent a month in Rajasthan. "That was when I started to fall in love with the place," he smiles. In the fall of 2000, he returned with his partner, Tommy, and stayed on for six months. "In 2006, I bought the home in Udaipur because I wanted to work with the craftsmen there. I see one of my jobs as finding what people are good at and trying to incorporate that into my work." 

The etymology of the karkhana, Waswo explains, goes back to ancient Persia. It's a story reminiscent of Orhan Pamuk. Karkhanas were artisans' workshops, which were brought to Delhi through the Mughal courts of Jehangir and Akbar, and miniatures were painted. "When Aurangzeb came to power, the artists were terrorised and escaped to places like Rajasthan, where they found patronage under the Maharanas of Bikaner and Jaipur," he says. It led to the founding of the Bikaneri, Alwar, and Mewar schools of art. The system continues to live on - "I didn't meet R. Vijay directly," Waswo says. "I met him through a shopkeeper."  

When he first started creating work in Rajasthan, Waswo was a photographer with a Rolleiflex and a dark room he had built for himself in Udaipur. "In the US, I used Ilford chemicals and paper and knew how things were mixed, as well as how to control water temperature. Here, the darkroom was always hot and dusty - dust is a real problem with negatives. I couldn't find the right chemicals either." The time had come to go digital and Waswo bought himself an Epson 2700, the first high-end digital printer in Rajasthan. "I met Rajesh Soni around this time, he saw the black and white photos I was printing up and said he could paint them." His grandfather, Prabhulal Verma, was a photographer for Maharaja Bhopar Singh of Mewar. "I pushed Rajesh to colour the photographs and one thing led to another." It resulted in a collaboration that lasted over 15 years.  

 The Campbellian struggle  

"Through my paintings, I have learned to look at myself and question myself," Waswo tells me. "When I started, I was taking photos and writing poems, always with the idea that I would go back to the US and exhibit them. India was my subject and not my audience." He attracted quite a bit of criticism from the west, however, for his supposedly "white gaze." He was told he was "editing out modern India and keeping people blind to the truth."  

The western gaze, it seemed, wanted to see the crippling poverty, the starving children, and the dirty streets, not the moments of poignant beauty in which Waswo found inspiration. "I have always taken photos based on pictorialism, I like beautiful landscapes and common people - I like them as people. They have a lot of self-worth and awareness of that self-worth too." Coming from the US, where so many children are born to single parents, he found a deep appreciation of the Indian family structure." His critics, however, decided he was demeaning India.  

Struggles against postmodernism and the 'evil orientalist' 

He has always been a rebel, however, never given to conforming, either to the left or the right. In the US, in Wisconsin where he grew up in a Christian home, he came to terms with being gay. "I was very much on the left then, fighting for gay rights. I even made a speech to the Senate." In India, the struggle against the western system continued, albeit on the opposite side this time. "It has been a battle," Waswo admits. "I have been battling post-modernism for a long time, much before Jordan Peterson started talking about it." 

As he struggled to find himself and stay true to the artist within, Waswo found a solution - introducing himself into his works. Several series of miniatures were born of this - The Secret Life of Waswo X Waswo, Early Work with R. Vijay, A Dream in Bundi, and Lost. "I introduced myself into my work," he says. "He's the bumbling foreigner in India. The outsider doesn't understand where he is but still has an appreciation for the wonder, beauty, and kindness of people. He has grown into his own man now."  

Sometimes, he's the "evil Orientalist," a role he plays gleefully and to the hilt. In other words, he's wearing a fedora and a suit, chasing butterflies or squinting disapprovingly through his spectacles at a scene that is poetically, spectacularly Indian. In the series, The Observationist at Leisure in a Stolen Garden, he's also chased by a crocodile. Waswo and I go back many years and although I have seen his work for a long time, at first glance, I confuse him with the French master, Henri Rousseau. Waswo looks pleased when I tell him this. "He's one of my favourite painters. He's an outsider, who taught himself how to paint. He never even went to the Tropics, although he paints them extensively. I'm the same. I have no degree in fine art, I'm a photographer." The artists he works with are "very naive," far removed from the elitism of the art circles. "The artists were trained by other miniaturists but don't have academic backgrounds like many others in the art scene."  

The India Art Fair 

Waswo is now also working on a solo booth at the India Art Fair. He shows me around the works as we speak and sends me a photo of artists working on gold leaf linings. This series is a shift from Waswo's usual work. His artist, Chirag Kumawat, specialises in both realism and miniatures. "We're combining hard-core realism with miniature elements, it will be something nobody has seen before." Even Kalki, the god of destruction, makes an appearance in the paintings. "The world is changing at a very rapid pace. With the advent of AI, shifting politics, climate change, and pandemics, we are at a crossroads. Kalki makes an appearance because this is a time of chaos and we have to wait and see what emerges in the new era." 

Follow Waswo on Instagram and Facebook

Reading Time: 8 mins

Journey to the Moon: Who is Ritu Karidhal, the woman leading the Chandrayaan-3 Mission

(July 19, 2023) Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, popularly known as the Rocket Woman of India, is a renowned scientist at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Carrying the hopes of an entire nation, Ritu is leading Chandrayaan-3, India's third moon mission. The spacecraft (LVM3-M4) lifted off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on July 14 and is expected to reach the moon on August 23. If the mission is successful, it will make India the fourth country to achieve a controlled landing on the moon, after Russia, United States, and China. The captain of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Ritu was also the mission director of Chandrayaan-2 and played a pivotal role in the successful Mars Orbiter Mission as deputy operations director. Like many children around the globe, Ritu Karidhal Srivastava also spent her childhood marvelling at the night sky and dreaming of unfolding the mysteries that lay beyond its dark expanses. After years of diligence and hard work, Ritu’s dream came true when she joined ISRO, where she would go on to play a key role in some of the space agency’s most important missions and become a prominent figure in India’s space exploration pursuits. “When you are passionate about something. It keeps you going

ormalTextRun SCXW145427511 BCX0" data-ccp-parastyle="Normal (Web)"> at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Carrying the hopes of an entire nation, Ritu is leading Chandrayaan-3, India's third moon mission. The spacecraft (LVM3-M4) lifted off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on July 14 and is expected to reach the moon on August 23. If the mission is successful, it will make India the fourth country to achieve a controlled landing on the moon, after Russia, United States, and China. The captain of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Ritu was also the mission director of Chandrayaan-2 and played a pivotal role in the successful Mars Orbiter Mission as deputy operations director.

Like many children around the globe, Ritu Karidhal Srivastava also spent her childhood marvelling at the night sky and dreaming of unfolding the mysteries that lay beyond its dark expanses. After years of diligence and hard work, Ritu’s dream came true when she joined ISRO, where she would go on to play a key role in some of the space agency’s most important missions and become a prominent figure in India’s space exploration pursuits. “When you are passionate about something. It keeps you going irrespective of hurdles. Don’t give up your dreams and passion,” said the Rocket Woman, in an interview by Google India.

[caption id="attachment_41836" align="aligncenter" width="849"] Indian Leaders | Ritu Karidhal | Global Indian Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, mission director, Chandrayaan-3[/caption]

Modest beginnings

The eldest of four children, Ritu was born into a middle-class family in Lucknow. Despite the family's limited resources, her parents placed great importance on education. “We didn't have too many resources, and back then we certainly didn't have tuitions or coaching institutions. We had to be self-motivated to succeed," she said

As a teenager, Ritu’s hobby was collecting newspaper clippings of developments in NASA and ISRO, as well as everything related to space. Ritu also had a genuine passion for mathematics and physics – the former fascinated her so much, she would write poems on the subject.

Approaching her dream

After completing her BSc from Mahila Vidyalaya PG College, followed by an MSc in physics from the University of Lucknow, Ritu enrolled for a PhD in physics. Six months into the programme, Ritu, who was publishing research papers and working part time as a physics lecturer, also cleared the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, one of India's most competitive national-level exams.

An admission to join Indian Insitute of Science’s prestigious M.Tech programme posed a dilemma, as Ritu wanted to finish her doctorate. However, she knew that IISc would bring her closer to her dream of working at a space agency. “I have always had a fascination for the mysteries of outer space, and knew that’s what I wanted to get into,” she said. Her mentors encouraged her to join IISc, while her parents supported her and trusted her abilities, even though it meant sending her away to an unfamiliar part of the country - a journey of two-and-a-half days by their modest means.

Dream comes true

As soon as she completed her M Tech from IISC in 1997, Ritu applied and received a call from ISRO with an offer to join. “That was the best moment of my life - getting a call from ISRO. It was like everything I had before was all for that one moment," she said.

At ISRO, Ritu was given the chance to join important projects almost immediately. Although several senior men were eligible for her first assignment, the project was given to her. She went on to do many more, working alongside stalwarts, which boosted her confidence and fuelled even bigger dreams.

[caption id="attachment_41839" align="aligncenter" width="879"] Indian Leaders | Ritu Karidhal | Global Indian Ritu Karidhal at Mahila Vidyalaya Degree College, Lucknow[/caption]

“There weren't too many women in ISRO when I joined. But I was never treated differently because of my gender. What matters here is your talent, not your gender,” she remarked.”

Mars Orbiter Mission - MOM

The most demanding project that came Ritu’s way was India's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), Mangalyaan-1 – in 2012, she was appointed as the mission’s deputy operations director. India’s first interplanetary endeavour, Mangalyaan – 1 also had a tight deadline.

Ritu played a crucial role in developing the spacecraft's autonomy system, often referred to as the ‘brain of the satellite’. Given the significant distance the spacecraft would cover, as well as the complexities involved in sending and receiving signals, Ritu led a team that created a software system designed to make autonomous decisions. Collaborating with scientists, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers, the team successfully developed the autonomy system in a record-breaking 10 months.

“I had to ensure that it was all executed without any flaw or anomaly. With launching spacecrafts, the slightest anomaly can spell disaster, especially in the case of manoeuvres and mars orbit insertions. Every single detail had to be thoroughly vetted,” she said.

The project is considered the most cost-effective interplanetary project. Mangalyaan-1 was launched in 2013. It was the first time that any country reached Mars’ orbit in its inaugural attempt. The celebratory image of several women scientists who contributed to the mission spread worldwide. Ritu, along with numerous other women on the ISRO team, earned the title of ‘Rocket Women of India’.

[caption id="attachment_41862" align="aligncenter" width="884"] Indian Leaders | Global Indian Jubiliant ISRO scientists after the success of Mars Orbiter Mission[/caption]

Interspersing responsibilities of MOM and being a mother

While Mangalyaan-1 brought immense success to ISRO, India, and space science, it also shattered gender stereotypes by demonstrating that scientists, regardless of gender, could work together to achieve extraordinary results. Like other women scientists Ritu remembers the challenges of balancing her personal and professional life during the 18 months of the MOM project. Her schedule had become busier than ever before, to the extent that after leaving work and assisting her children with homework, she would continue working from midnight to four in the morning.

“My children took a while to understand why their mom was suddenly so busy.” However, time management helped her successfully sail across. “Family, marriage, pregnancy breaks, children—these are all part of life and cannot be treated as mutually exclusive from your work,” she remarked adding “I did feel physically exhausted, but you can overcome this exhaustion in different ways. When you see the output and what you’ve achieved by putting in extra effort, that is worth it,” she smiles.

With the success of MOM, Ritu became an overnight celebrity. The girl who once collected space-related news clippings had transformed into one of India's most renowned space scientists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHo2acUcrp4

“At colleges where I was scheduled to talk, students would crowd around me excitedly to ask questions and I was so happy to see their enthusiasm on the subject,” she said adding, “My children were so excited that they told everybody in their school that their mom was a part of that project. But best of all was when my son came to me and told me, ‘Mom, I am proud of you.”

What the whole country expected out of the project was of utmost significance to the scientist. “To see it all, get realised in front of your eye is truly unforgettable.”

Indian women in STEM

After the triumph of Mangalyaan-1, ISRO embarked on its next high-profile mission, Chandrayaan-2, India's first lunar rover mission in 2019. It presented the most challenging mission for ISRO, with the goal of landing a rover on the unexplored lunar south pole and gathering data on rocks, minerals, and water.

Ritu was appointed the mission director, while M. Vanitha served as the Project Director. It was the first space project to be jointly led by two women. In fact, women made up thirty percent of the Chandrayaan-2 team. Although the mission failed, ISRO’s women scientists received worldwide attention, putting Indian women in STEM into the global spotlight.

Moon Mission - Keeping the dreams alive

Ritu is now at the helm of Chandrayaan-3, India’s third lunar mission and its second attempt at a soft landing on the surface of the moon. It’s a chance of the nation to reach a new milestone and Ritu’s efforts are key. Congratulatory messages are pouring from far and wide for Ritu and her team of ISRO scientists who have worked day and night to make the mission successful.

Ritu exemplifies the aspirations and dreams of every middle-class Indian girl. She has set an example that with the right blend of confidence, passion, and support women can attain remarkable success, overcoming all the challenges that come their way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cYPtTuk5MQ

Awards and accolades received by Ritu Karidhal Srivastava

ISRO Young Scientist Award 2007, presented by the Late Dr Abdul Kalam
ISRO Team Award for Mars Orbiter Mission – MOM, 2015
Women Achievers in Aerospace award from the Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries, 2017

Reading Time: 5 mins

Rescuing expats in need: How Girish Pant became one of the youngest recipients of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

(February 27, 2024) Whether it was aiding over 5,000 seafarers in repatriation from nations like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Uzbekistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Sudan, and Nepal, or assisting Indian labourers facing diverse challenges including job loss, accidents, and visa troubles, Girish Pant has devoted his life to service. The Dubai-based social and humanitarian worker has also played a crucial role in rescuing women who were trafficked to the UAE from countries like Tunisia, Malaysia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. In 2019, he received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the Indian government’s highest award for NRIs for helping thousands of distressed expats. “My grandfather was a freedom fighter who went to jail with Govind Ballabh Pant, the first chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. My father, who has a humble background, taught me the importance of helping others,” Girish tells Global Indian. "Receiving the award was one of the most memorable experiences of my life," he says. Girish has received 42 awards for his humanitarian efforts, including the World Iconic Award conferred by the former president of Sri Lanka and the Youth Leadership Climate Award from a USA based organisation. [caption id="attachment_49451" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Girish Pant[/caption] Girish fondly recalls how

ng the World Iconic Award conferred by the former president of Sri Lanka and the Youth Leadership Climate Award from a USA based organisation.

[caption id="attachment_49451" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Indian Social Worker | Girish Pant | Global Indian Girish Pant[/caption]

Girish fondly recalls how late Sushma Swaraj, former External Affairs Minister, acknowledged his efforts in aiding distressed expatriates. Her recognition played a pivotal role in his selection for the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award.

Leadership in assisting seafarers and overstayers

Girish Pant has chaired the committee set up by the Consul General of India, to aid individuals who have overstayed their visa in the UAE, as well as seafarers. He played a significant role in rescuing stranded individuals, including seafarers trapped on vessels, and victims of job scams and human trafficking. He has also facilitated the repatriation of human remains in cases of death or suicide. "I have assisted hundreds of people across the region, offering counseling, food aid, and communication with their families, while also coordinating with local government authorities and the Indian Mission," he remarks.

Media gave me the moniker ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan of UAE’

Girish Pant

In one instance, when ships carrying thousands of seafarers, including Indians, were stranded in the Arabian Sea, Girish coordinated with the UAE’s Federal Transport Authority and the Consulate General of India to bring them safely back. Then UAE Ambassador praised Girish's efforts on Twitter. "I recall a seafarer who spent 12 months alone at sea. It took over a month of coordination with local authorities to bring him back safely. Upon his return, he expressed his gratitude by touching my feet,” he shares.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCl-Bv9kq9g&t=28s

He deeply appreciates the support of UAE authorities, including the labour department, police, immigration, and the Federal Transport Authority, saying, “They have recognised and endorsed my role as a volunteer for the consulate and as a humanitarian advocate over the years." Girish Pant has also followed up with local immigration authorities and secured waivers, helping Indians stranded in the UAE back to their families.

Many of them lacked the knowledge or confidence to approach the authorities, feeling intimidated by the process. “I've been deeply moved by helping individuals who couldn't return to their native countries for 16-20 years due to overstay penalties,” he remarks.

Helping people in distress

In 2018, late Sushma Swaraj, the former External Affairs Minister of India, initiated the Indian-International Distress Committee and designated Girish Pant as the UAE in-charge. Since then, and continuing to the present, Girish has assisted over 9,000 distressed expatriates.

This includes taking care of Indian workers who have lost their jobs, and collaborating with local authorities and the Indian government. Sometimes, he personally delivers food to those in need, even at unconventional hours. In one instance, he provided comfort to abandoned Indian and Pakistani labourers living inside a bus on the outskirts of the Oman Border. His work garnered attention from media outlets such as the BBC.

"I have been involved in rescuing women forced by agents into prostitution or dance bar jobs, and domestic servitude, as well as aiding individuals facing a range of issues such as loss of passport, accidents, and mental health challenges.”

[caption id="attachment_49452" align="aligncenter" width="486"] Indian Social Worker | Girish Pant | Global Indian Girish Pant with late Sushma Swaraj[/caption]

Helping his countrymen in UAE during Covid

Just after Girish received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, the pandemic broke out and he swung into action for the hundreds of Indians who were stuck in the UAE then. Amidst the challenges of the pandemic, Girish, who was then the president of the Indian People’s Forum and the Labour Welfare and Council Affairs of Indian People Forum, worked with authorities to organise six chartered flights. Thousands of blue-collar workers were helped to obtain legal documentation from local authorities, and were able to return safely to India.

I believe it's my calling to help those in need. I feel blessed that God makes it possible for me to do so.

Girish Pant

During the pandemic, he also helped people locate friends and family who were hospitalised in the UAE. Moreover, 90 non-Covid human remains were returned to their families in India by coordinating with embassy and ambulance services during the time when flight services were limited and ambulance services were in high demand. More than 450 Covid and non-Covid human remains were cremated in Dubai during the peak time of COVID, and even free of cost service was arranged for those who could not afford. “The Consul General of India sought my help, and tasked me with visiting every police station each morning to identify unclaimed bodies with unresolved cases due to closed companies and absentee owners,” he recalls. “Since the families couldn’t afford repatriation, we took responsibility. We were also handling emergency cases like miscarriages and accidents.” During this time, his own father was battling Covid in India, while he was working as a Covid warrior helping people not just from India but other countries in the UAE.

Service above self during Russia-Ukraine war

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Girish, who was 5,000 km away, assisted in the evacuation of stranded Indian students. “I became involved because of four students from my home state, Uttarakhand,” he says. He expanded his efforts, creating 15 WhatsApp groups to coordinate aid based local and regional needs. Girish barely slept in 10 days, working tirelessly as a liaison between the MEA and the Indian Embassy.

“I transformed my living room into a makeshift control centre, ensuring smooth communication among all involved parties," he smiles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBsJ8lMDmUQ

Bringing Indian community together in UAE

As part of Indian Peoples Forum (IPF) Girish Pant has coordinated diverse socio-cultural events for the Indian community, with a focus on yoga and Hindi. “I have encouraged participation and mobilised participants for the International Day of Yoga programmes across Dubai and the Northern Emirates,” he says.

Along with the IPF volunteers he has also organised annual Hindi-Utsav events across all UAE schools. Girish also rallies the Indian community together when Indian dignitaries come to visit.

Journey from India to UAE

Born in Uttarakhand, Girish Pant finished high school in Delhi and graduated from Delhi University. Much later, he completed an MBA in finance from Symbiosis University. After working in India for a few years, he chased his dream of going abroad, and applied for jobs overseas. “In 2007, I received job opportunities in not one but five different countries - Oman, Libya, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and chose to move to UAE,” he says.

There, he also began to take a keen interest in volunteer meetings held by the Consulate General of India to keep the Indian community together. His passion for humanitarian efforts in UAE led him to consistently aid those in need, making a mark for himself.

[caption id="attachment_49478" align="aligncenter" width="802"] Indian Social Worker | Girish Pant | Global Indian Girish Pant received International Achievers' Award for Social Service in Dubai[/caption]

With firsthand experience in assisting individuals in distress, he possesses intricate knowledge of navigating bureaucratic processes and liaising with different departments - a task often daunting for the average person. After a decade, he leveraged his expertise to start a consultancy firm that assists expatriates and locals. “My aim is to simplify life for everyone, even going as far as waiving my consultancy fees for those who are unable to afford my services,” says Girish, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee from UAE.

Girish also hopes to make an impact in his home state, Uttarakhand. Growing up, there were no roads, and going from his village to the town meant long, challenging journeys on foot. While infrastructure has improved since then, he believes there is still much to be done.

Flashback

Girish’s family had moved to Delhi from Uttarakhand when he was in class eight. His father started a small green grocery shop and Girish would work there part time, selling paan and vegetables, along with studying. When he was in standard 12 that shop was shut down and he had to do multiple part time jobs along with studies to meet the needs of the family. No one helped them out during the trying times.

Despite facing many hardships while growing up, I chose not to develop a negative mindset. Instead, became determined to help others in whichever ways I could.

Girish Pant

As his family couldn’t afford to pay for college, Girish secured admission at Delhi University on sports quota as he was a good hockey player. “I also joined NCC and was considered the most well-behaved cadet, and even received an award in hockey by Ashok Kumar, hockey player and son of Dhyan Chand.”

[caption id="attachment_49456" align="aligncenter" width="522"] Indian Social Worker | Girish Pant | Global Indian Girish Pant with Sonu Sood[/caption]

After completing college, he worked in a few organisations in India including the accounts department of Times Internet. While working there, an incident further fuelled his determination to help others. While returning from work late one night, he witnessed a girl injured in an accident and rushed her to the hospital. “My boss rebuked me for getting involved in a potential police case but I felt a sense of fulfilment knowing I had saved a life. When the girl recovered, her family expressed gratitude, and Dabur India, her employer, issued a letter to the GM at Times Internet, praising my actions,” Girish tells. “I had helped many people in my capacity by then but that first written appreciation, further strengthened my determination to help others, leading me to eventually win a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman as one of the youngest recipients so far, and the first Uttarakhandi to get this award,” he signs off.

You can get in touch with Girish Pant on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and his Website

Reading Time: 5 mins

SKOG: Eco luxury beauty entrepreneur Gautami Dahiya’s skincare brand is inspired by the forests of Sweden

(September 3, 2024) Landing in Stockholm for the first time, entrepreneur Gautami Dahiya felt inexplicably at home. She found herself captivated by the Swedish way of life, its festivals and how in tune with nature they were. She founded the eco-luxury beauty brand SKÖG, which means “forest” in Swedish, a vegan luxury skincare brand inspired by their way of life. This resonated with her own philosophy. Today, the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur uses exotic ingredients like birch sap, cloudberry, bjork, elderflower and petitgrain for its organic products. Available as a niche beauty product across India and other countries, with a focus on Singapore and Hong Kong, plans are afoot to open retail stores as well. [caption id="attachment_20737" align="aligncenter" width="453"] Gautami Dahiya[/caption] Growing up with sensitive skin, Gautami learned from her mother to stay away from commercial products. Instead, she became accustomed to natural ingredients - honey, yogurt and almond flour. “After I went abroad, my skincare routine involved going to grocery stores and picking up different ingredients,” she says. “Even if I could find nothing, I would buy an avocado, mash it up and put it in my hair,” the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur told Global Indian. Catwalks in the Eiffel tower

en if I could find nothing, I would buy an avocado, mash it up and put it in my hair,” the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur told Global Indian.

Catwalks in the Eiffel tower to high-end art

Gautami left Delhi when she was 18 to study fashion business at the Manchester Metropolitan University, and then to the Istituto Marangoni in Paris. After that, she studied strategic entrepreneurship and innovation at King’s College in London. Although starting her own business had always been at the back of her mind, the organic beauty entrepreneur went on to intern with various fashion brands, and was even part of the first catwalk on the Eiffel Tower. “I tried a lot of things and realised I like business development, and expanding creative businesses,” she says. In Sweden, she began working with Humans Since 1982, a Stockholm-based art studio that creates high-end kinetic art. “When I joined it was a very small team. When I left, it was the largest, most commercially successful artist studio in Europe,” she says.

Selling luxury art, Gautami continued doing what she always did - searching for natural ingredients. She found, to her delight, that Sweden had a wealth to offer. “People there are so in sync with nature, it blew me away,’ says the organic beauty entrepreneur who loved that at the start of spring, the Swedes visit forests to tap the birch trees for sap. The slightly sweet, silky sap has been consumed for centuries and is used in cosmetics and other skincare products. To Gautami, it was a revelation. “I had no idea birch sap was such an ancient ingredient,” she laughs, adding, “I thought I was the first to discover it! I only learned later that the Vikings used it!” She was also fascinated by cloudberry, grown in temperatures as low as -40, and full of vitamins. “Not only does it grow in such extreme conditions but it’s also full of nutrients,” says the eco-luxury beauty entrepreneur.

Barking up the right sap!

Birch sap and cloudberries are the star ingredients in her products - In 2018, Gautami began whipping up recipes from her home kitchen. “I would put the ingredients together and blend them with a hand mixer,” says the organic seeker who began collaborating with a manufacturer, to meet the exacting standards of sanitation and hygiene. The idea was to create a product that truly was all-natural and toxin-free. “I even hand-printed the labels,” recalls the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur.

Finding the right blends, creating the perfect fragrances – these details took months to perfect. “Imagine you wake up at 5 am in a forest or on a mountain top, the coolness you feel, the fragrances that greet you. That’s the sort of essence we’re looking to recreate,” she explains. The products are priced between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500, available on e-commerce platforms as well as on the SKOG website.

Rediscovering her roots

The company was eventually registered in India, where Gautami spent the pandemic with family, unable to return to Sweden. The eco luxury beauty entrepreneur who loved growing up in Delhi, remembers telling her sister as a young girl that she wanted to be a businesswoman. “I would dream of seeing my name in the Forbes Under 30 list,” she smiles. With SKÖG, she had a high-end line of products completely natural and certified by PETA. Transparency is also key. The eco luxury beauty entrepreneur believes that this is the future of the beauty industry.

A sustainable future?

“I would also like to collaborate more with the art world because I love art People don’t just want to buy a product, they’re investing in an experience,” explains the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur, adding, “We want the person to open the box and have an experience.”

Finding balance

Not one to shy away from hard work and long hours, balance is key. Gautami grew up watching her parents meditate and learned the importance of it. Today, it’s a non-negotiable part of her day. “I’m not proud of this but I’m a bit of a workaholic. For the past 10 years, I have been meditating 15 minutes a day – it has done wonders to keep my head and emotions in place. I think there is no amount of medicine or any remedy that can do what a few moments of meditation achieve. It keeps my energy levels high and my brain active,” says the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur. Her father and sister are architects and interior designers while her mother teaches meditation and also runs the Spiritual Self Foundation. "I get all my calm, peace and meditation skills from her, really," Gautami explains. She is married to Harsh Dahiya, an award-winning entrepreneur who founded the Harvesto Group.

Besides, Gautami’s penchant for whipping things up in the kitchen makes her a talented cook. “I love to explore new food. I try to spend as much time as I can with my family. Now, I’m looking at perhaps having two bases, one in India and another in Europe,” the eco luxury beauty entrepreneur concludes.

Follow Gautami on LinkedIn

Reading Time: 8 mins

2022 Recap: Meet the Indians who changed the world of travel

(December 29, 2022) 'I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world', these words from Mary Anne Radmacher resonate with the Global Indian explorers who took on journeys that changed the course of their lives. As the curtain falls down on 2022, we look back at some of the adventurers and travellers who inspired people to go on journeys and transformed the idea of travel. Dhruv Bogra Many eyebrows were raised when 48-year-old Dhruv Bogra took a two-year-sabbatical from corporate life to cycle across the Pan-American highway. The disapproval didn’t deter the Delhi-based Dhruv from his solo, unsupported expedition, which began with his Surly Troll cycle in June 2016 at Deadhorse in Alaska and stretched on to Cusco in Peru. What many called a “crazy decision” turned out to be a “beautiful journey” for this adventure cyclist, who found his purpose and calling in the 500-day ride across 15 countries. [caption id="attachment_26266" align="aligncenter" width="702"] Dhruv Bogra at Gobbler's Knob with his Surly Troll cycle.[/caption] “I was on a journey of exploring the world and myself. For me, it was a chance to break away from the cast we are born with. Not

/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Gobblers-Knob-Dalton-Highway-Alaska1.jpg" alt="Cyclist | Dhruv Bogra | Indian Travellers" width="702" height="468" /> Dhruv Bogra at Gobbler's Knob with his Surly Troll cycle.[/caption]

“I was on a journey of exploring the world and myself. For me, it was a chance to break away from the cast we are born with. Not as a rebel, but to see that there is more to the world,” says the man whose quest was to explore the world on a bicycle. “I knew this couldn’t be done in a car. A cycle was the best way to soak in the rawness of it all,” the 53-year-old told Global Indian. The 18-month, 15,000-km travel journey led to his first book Grit, Gravel, and Gear in 2019, turning this corporate man into an author and a motivational speaker.

Candida Louis

Vrooming on her Bajaj Dominar, Candida Louis revved up on the open road solo for a trip from Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha to Sydney. It was August 2018 and she covered 28,000 km across 10 countries. Not just an ordinary road trip across continents, it was an emotional tribute that culminated into an epic journey. The 32-year-old biker girl’s journey was homage to an Australian biker who died riding a motorcycle from Alaska to South America. “I won a photography contest and was invited to the US where I first heard about Alistair Farland, an Australian biker who died in a highway accident in North America. It’s every parent’s wish to see their child return home after a trip. I kept thinking about Alistair’s parents after the tragic incident, and just couldn’t shake off that feeling. So, I decided to take a trip from Bengaluru to Sydney to meet his parents, and complete the trip on his behalf as a tribute to him,” said Candida.

[caption id="attachment_18277" align="aligncenter" width="783"] Candida Louis | Indian Travellers Candida Louis is Sydney[/caption]

It was a personal voyage yet sponsors were ready to help, and Candida made the journey as a part of the Change Your World Fund travel project. “I have taken many international road trips before, but this was special,” adds Louis who stayed with Alistair’s family for a week in Sydney, and visited his grave during the travel. “It felt like I managed to finish the trip for Alistair,” she adds.

“Travel is empowering. Your perspective on life changes. I have realised how we are just a speck in the universe. Getting to know people and multi-cultures is what makes it exciting,” adds the girl on a mission to educate the world on the importance of travel.

Amarjeet Singh

Age is just a number – the adage perfectly fits this “61-year-young” retired garment exporter Amarjeet Singh Chawla who travelled from Delhi to London by car at an age when most hang up their boots. The passion to travel the world in his gaadi took him on a journey across 33 countries, and earned him the moniker of the Turban Traveller. “It was a life-changing journey. Everyone has dreams, but not many fulfill them as they don’t have the keeda (urge). I knew I had to do it, and it changed my perspective on life. Such journeys change you within, and what is life without growth,” Amarjeet tells Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_23799" align="aligncenter" width="617"] Turban traveller | Indian Travellers Amarjeet Singh[/caption]

As a youngster, he wanted to go backpacking around the world. Yet the 70s were different. So, he put his dream on the back burner, for when he retired. At 59, he decided to take a journey that not many take – he drove 40,000 km across the world. “I think 45 is an apt age for retirement. You are healthy enough to travel. I retired late at 58. But being on your own, interacting with the locals, and chasing your dreams at that age. It is worth the wait,” adds Amarjeet who has been on several spiritual journeys in the past few years spreading the message of Guru Nanak Dev and Sikhism.

Najira Noushad

Sitting at a height of 9,383 ft above sea level, Najira Noushad found her Sherpa hastily telling her that she cannot make it to the Everest base camp (17,598 ft) in five days. As a mother of five who had never stepped into a gym, the Sherpa reckoned the 33-year-old was being too ambitious. For Najira, it was a re-affirmation of why she was there in the first place: To break stereotypes. Najira wants the world to know that India is safe for women travellers and that a woman can do anything she sets her mind on. Not even the wind and sleet of the Himalayas. Najira made it to base camp in five days as planned, becoming the fastest Indian woman to complete the 62-km trek, braving snowstorms and navigating extremely steep and rocky terrain. “It was very challenging. But I knew I could do this. I had my eyes set on finishing the trek in five days. I set the challenge for myself to inspire other women,” Najira tells Global Indian.

[caption id="attachment_24688" align="aligncenter" width="695"] Solo traveller | Indian Travellers Najira Noushad during her trip from Kerala to Everest base camp[/caption]

Doing the trek without an acclimatisation period was a challenge, but Najira pulled it off. “After two days, I developed shortness of breath and suffered from exhaustion. If not for that, I’d have completed the trek in four days. Despite the difficulties, it was a great experience. It made me realise I can do anything,” adds the Oman resident, who hitchhiked her way from Kerala to Nepal to achieve the feat. “There’s so much negativity about the safety of solo female travellers. So I decided to ditch public transport and hitchhike all the way to prove the point that India is safe for women travellers,” she explains.

PK Mahanandia

It was in the crisp winter of 1975 that PK Mahanandia saw a woman tourist approach him in the inner circle of Delhi’s bustling CP, asking him to draw a portrait of her. The Indian artist, who had by then earned quite a reputation as a sketch artist, was known for making a portrait in ten minutes. But somehow, he wasn’t able to deliver a perfect portrait, which made Charlotte Von Schedvin, the Swedish tourist, return to him the following day. It was a prophecy that kept him distracted – one that was made by a priest when he was a child growing up in a village in Odisha – he would marry a girl from far away who would own a jungle, be musical, and be born under the sign of Taurus. And Charlotte was everything that had been prophesised.

[caption id="attachment_28622" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Artist | PK Mahananadia | Global Indian PK Mahanandia cycled from India to Europe for love[/caption]

“It was an inner voice that said to me that she was the one. During our first meeting, we were drawn to each other like magnets. It was love at first sight,” PK Mahanandia told BBC. This very love made him cycle 6000 km from Delhi to Sweden on a life-changing epic journey. Now an advisor for art and culture for the Swedish government, he inspired the 2013 book by Per J Andersson called The Amazing Story Of The Man Who Cycled From India To Europe For Love.

Polar Preet

Setting out at the break of dawn (so to speak, there’s no real nightfall during the Antarctic summer), enduring temperatures as low as -50°C, tackling the formidable sastrugi and battling winds up to 60 mph, Preet Chandi, or Polar Preet, as she calls herself, undertook one of the most arduous journeys in the world – the icy ski route across Antarctica. As she planted her flag, the culmination of a 700-mile, forth day journey to the South Pole, she created history. In January 2022, 33-year-old Preet Chandi, a physiotherapist in the British Army, became the first woman of colour to ski solo across the continent of ice and snow.

[caption id="attachment_33248" align="aligncenter" width="550"] Polar Preet | Indian Travellers Polar Preet became the first woman of colour to complete a solo trip to South Pole[/caption]

“I don’t just want to break the glass ceiling, I want to smash it into a thousand pieces,” she wrote on her website. “I was told no on so many occasions, called stubborn or rebellious because I wanted to do things that were out of the norm and push my boundaries. I want to encourage others to push their boundaries, it is amazing how much your world opens up when you start to do so.” In June 2022, the polar trekker was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List as a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Reading Time: 8 min