High Flyers

Success Stories of NRIs and Indian High Flyers NRI India

Content Content

Dr. Chirantan Ghosh 4-9 Dr. Zulekha Daud 58-59 Anup Jalota 94-99 Talat Aziz 148-151

Lord Rami Ranger CBE 10-13 Sir Shankar Balasubramanian 60-61 Hima Das 100-101 Shekhar Naik 152-153

Avinash Dixit 14-17 Dr. Malini Ranganathan 62-65 Chandulal Keshavlal Patel (C. K. Patel) 102-107 Akshay Kashyap 154-157

Abhnash K Bains 18-23 Dr. Anil K. Mehta 67-69 Fatema Agarkar 108-111 Dr. Harbeen Arora 158-161

Vinod Khosla 24-25 Shrivaths Balguri 70-73 AmbiPalm 112-117 Dr. Megha Sharma 162-165

Kesavan (Casey) 26-29 Arundhati Banerjee 74-77 Chahat Aggarwal 118-121 Santosh Sonawane 166-169

Amb. Dr. Parin Somani 30-35 Khooshvin Balgobin 78-83 Sonu sood 122-123 Tenith Adithyaa 170-171

Sai Chakravarthy “Psychuck” Manapragada 36-41 Neola Jennica Castelino 84-87 Pahlaj Nihalani 124-127 Dr. Bhushan Eknath Paraskar 172-173

V. Sundramoorthy 42-43 Srividhya Sukumar 88-89 Sakshi Malik 128-129 Nishant S Mehta 174-177

Ram Gidoomal 44-47 Gowri Ramesh 90-91 Ruskin Bond 130-131 Vijay Banda 178-179

Shabir Momin 48-53 Premi Mathew 92-93 Ramesh Taurani 132-135 Advait Kolarkar 180-181

Vijay Goel 54-57 Ganpat Kothari 136-139 K Radhakrishnan 182-183

Rama Mehta 140-143 Clyde Daniels 184-185

Kirtee Singh 144-147

2 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 3 Dr. Chirantan Ghosh (USA) Patients First

Background: Born in Kolkata in the year 1955, in a large family of modest means. He was brought up in an environment primarily influenced by the ideals of his parents. His mother instilled in him a feeling to care for the poor and downtrodden and his father taught him to be firm, steady and dedicated to his ideals under all odds.

His early education was from Hare School, a premier educational institution in Kolkata. It was during his school days, that he inculcated a strong sense of determinism in achieving his mission. This probably triggered because of a failure in his 9th grade final examination, which he could not complete due to his illness. He had to repeat the class He topped the class and the failure instead of pessimism instilled in him a determinism, which in the subsequent made him the topper in the class in year and this the subsequent examination. The impetus so gained fetched him a jumpstarted his berth in the medical school in 1972. Medical courses, even at that time, habit of acing his were expensive and his father did not academics. have the means to bear the expenses.

High Flyers 50 | 5 Fortunately, at that time he obtained a In addition to this his pursuit to give back the year in 2019. Later on he was admitted prestigious “Guardian of Excellence award” Donated a hearse to Lok Nath Life Divine program’ , in order to encourage the National Scholarship, which enabled him to to the Society from which he has gained a to MS-L (medical law) at North Western for highest patient satisfaction score for four Mission and an Ambulance to Bharat participants, provides commemorative take up the journey. lot inducted him to take up quite a number University. He has to his credit quite a consecutive years. Sevashram Sangha. t-shirts, certificates, medallions and also of programmes aimed at the service of the number of publications in internationally some financial assistance to offset the fees Setting his goals in life: American Society of Clinical Oncology During the initial Lockdown due to Covid-19 society and mankind both in India and in reputed peer reviewed journals. for exams for good scores. In his early childhood, he never thought (ASCO) has accredited Ghosh Center and Amphan in West Bengal he provided the United States. that he could break the social barrier and Milestones in his career that he ultimately multiple times as a Quality Oncology food for months together to approx. 480 Sponsored participation of youngsters in move forward in pursuing a respectable Academic records: succeeded to achieve: Practice centre with their QOPI certification. families of socio- economically weaker “St Paul’s United Methodist Church’s SPRINT career. When hard work and perseverance He obtained his MBBS degree in the year sections of the population of Agar Para, program”, a meal and activity program Founded the Ghosh Centre for oncology Center for Medicare and Medicaid service shaped his career and life, he gradually 1980. He went to the US to pursue further Ranaghat and Purba Gopalganj in West for youngsters from the economically and haematology in Cedar Rapids USA in (CMS) has recognized Ghosh Center as a came to realize his future goals. It is during studies in 1982 and in course of time Bengal. He also extended full financial backward class. a single-handed way to provide care to the high-quality oncology practice centre. this period he cherished the desire to obtained a MD degree . He obtained Board support to 40 most economically backward patients with a “Patients First” outlook. This Established endowments at Mercy establish himself as a successful medical certification in Internal Medicine, Medical In addition to his academic life, he had families in Purba Gopalganj, a remote centre has gained appreciation of excellence medical center and St Luke’s hospital to practitioner and in course of doing so Oncology. Hematology and Hospice and a keen interest in sports from his very village in the Sundarban belt in order from different organizations as listed below: provide $1000 scholarship to an outstanding improved his skills to deliver his best to Palliative Medicine. He completed an childhood. He had a great inclination to undertake farming, fishing , poultry oncological nurse to attend a conference. improve the quality of life of his patients. Executive MBA from University of Iowa in Press Ganey, an US organization on quality towards Hockey and Soccer. He was development in the village exploiting data, have bestowed on Ghosh Center their selected the Vice-Captain of the Hockey and their own resources in order to lead a Sponsored Nursing Scholarship through Soccer team in Hare School and later on led comfortable livelihood. Four Oaks Cornerstone program for single the Hockey and Soccer team in National mother. Four of the five participants have In United States: Medical College, Kolkata as a Captain. already completed the program and are The Green Square meal program in Cedar He played Hockey in the First Division working in local health care facilities. Rapids USA, which provides an evening and also represented the University of meal to the residents in need was going for Founder of the Anna Purna Ghosh “Project Calcutta Hockey team. a closure in 2001 when he stepped forward Finish” scholarship at Kirkwood Community Philanthropic work: to keep it running, which is continuing with College. It supports single mothers as they In order to stand beside the people in need full glory till today. complete medicine-affiliated courses. Since he has also taken up several programmes inception 18 candidates have finished their Founder of the Anna Purna Ghosh both in India and the US. A few of them training and are employed. Foundation, which provides financial are listed below: assistance to cancer and/or blood disease Established the Anna Purna Ghosh In India: patients. Since 2003, the foundation has Endowed Botany Scholarship at Mt Mercy Arranged orphans from Kolkata to be provided nearly $650,000 to patients. University to support students to conduct adopted in Cedar Rapids. He helped Established the Anna Purna Ghosh a field study in unique, rare botanical WAFTNCOI to raise 20 orphans per year by Endowment in 2010 to ensure that the specimens in Iowa. providing shelter, vocational training and patient’s financial needs continue to be met. Honours & Awards: receiving high school diplomas. Promotion of College level education (AP From the United States: Supported Free Cataract Clinic camp in program) in Cedar Rapids school district. 1. Lee Hawkins Award for Collegiality/ Agar Para, West Bengal. Since its inception in 2007, more students Humanitarianism (2005) in the school district have taken more AP Supported service to remote villages courses, final AP exams and secured more 2. Family Practice Residency Outstanding for safe water, homeopathic medicine scores of three and higher. This improvement Medical Preceptor-for the years and education through Lok Nath Life was found in all the socioeconomic strata. 1997, 2002 and 2005 Divine Mission. ‘Ghosh Advanced Placement Incentive 3. Person of the year, IAA (2006)

6 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 7 4. Health care Hero Award, corridor Business Journal (2008)

5. Attended a meeting in “White House” to discuss Health Care Issues with Dr Izika Emanuel, chief medical advisor to President Obama (2009)

6. Friend of Education (2009)

7. Finalist-First “Humanitarian Award “of ASCO (2011)

8. Martin Luther King Jr Award (2012)

9. Immigrant Entrepreneurial Spirit Award (2013)

10. Washington High School Honorary Graduate (2014)

From India: 1. Hind Ratan Award, New Delhi (2010)

2. Pravashi Achievers Gold Medal. House of Lords, UK (2010)

3. Nava Ratan Award, New Delhi (2011)

4. Sword of Honor, New Delhi (2015)

5. NRI of the Decade, New Delhi (2017)

Achieving the milestone: He has been fortunate enough to achieve a lot in his life, but nothing came easy. He had to work hard, overcome obstacles, which appeared in almost all steps of life, with sheer persuasion and relentless desire not to be a failure. He is still in the process to reach his ultimate goal, which should be the end of human sufferings.

Happy memories: There are too many to count or describe. He feels joyous when he sees his efforts have changed lives, be it in India or USA.

8 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 9 Lord Rami Ranger CBE (UK) A Patriot thorough and thorough

Raminder Singh Ranger was born to the UK in 1971 to study Bar at in 1947 in Gujranwala, now in Law, but he ceased his studies Pakistan. He was a posthumous around that time, which has now child; his father having been been compensated for by his two martyred two months before his honorary doctorates. birth. His father Shaheed Nanak Dr. Ranger recently released a Singh gave up his life while saving biography of his father titled, ‘Don’t a peaceful procession of 600 break up India’, which documents students of DAV school Multan his life and values. These ideas of from communal riots at the young communal harmony and humanity age of 42. He was a firm believer seeped into Dr. Ranger as he in Hindu Muslim unity and was grew up and can be seen in his against the breaking of his country philanthropic efforts. His parents in the name of religion for which weren’t able to give him much he petitioned leaders and worked financial support but provided him at the grassroots. His dream was to the bedrock of good values and a see a united India. He used to say, positive outlook, which contributed “India’s diversity is like the colours to his success in life and in business. of a rainbow, its charm and beauty will diminish if one is removed”. He overcame prejudices in a time where migrants were looked down After his passing, Dr. Rami’s mother upon and through his hard work who was only 35 at that time and Dr. Ranger managed to achieve success, he had seven siblings had to flee to India never quite imagined for himself. on a refugee train because of the recently released He shares his struggles in going partition. They migrated to Patiala from rags to riches in his book, ‘From a biography of his where Dr. Ranger joined Modern Nothing to Everything’. father titled, ‘Don’t School Patiala and then went on to obtain a BA from the Government Life was hard, to begin with, and his break up India’ College Chandigarh. He then went mother would often source hand

High Flyers 50 | 11 her children and sometimes things were so Indian heritage and values and believes him due to his humility and philanthropic bad that only one brother would be able to that people are inherently good. They just outlook. Ranger was appointed ‘Member sit for his exams. Dr. Rami had big dreams, need good leadership to show them the of the Order of the British Empire’ in the but he could only start small at that time. right path. Even after all the hardships 2005 for services to business and the Asian He started by working at KFC, which was that they faced during the partition, his community and ‘Commander of the Order the only place he could get a job because mother bore no ill will towards Muslims or of the British Empire’ (CBE) in the 2016 Britain was not very ethnic friendly. His hard Pakistanis. Her values are visible in her son for services to business and community work and visionary ideas helped him in that who prides himself in his efforts towards cohesion. He has also won the prestigious early start as well, and he was soon put in communal harmony. He believes that you ‘Director of the Year Award’ in 2013. Ranger charge of the whole branch and then later should take responsibility for your country’s was appointed the joint chairman of the promoted further to district manager. He future and work hard towards doing good. Conservative Friends of India in 2018, with then started his own venture in a shed. He The efforts are in your hand. The results are Zac Goldsmith MP, a group affiliated to would go to electrical shops and promise in the hands of the almighty and all you can the Conservative Party which aims to build better service at better rates. News of his do is persevere. stronger links between the Party, the British honest work ethics spread fast and his Indian community and India. He is currently the chairman of Sun Mark venture started to grow and acquire a loyal Ltd and Sea Air & Land Forwarding Ltd. Lord Rami Ranger is also a founding customer base. These are two of Britain’s largest growing member of the Hindu Forum of Britain, Needing a better venue for his business companies that provide employment to and Chairman of the Pakistan, India & he went out looking for a loan. He had thousands of Britons with their export UK Friendship Forum, and the British Sikh immense faith in the business plan that he work to 130 countries. Both companies Association. He believes in the youth of had formulated, but still, banks refused to have received prestigious awards from Her today and wants to help them in any way help him secure a loan. That is when his Majesty the Queen. The Queen’s award possible. To that affect he donated £ 250,000 mother’s lesson of never giving up came in for export achievement in 1999 and for to the London South Bank University to handy. She had taught him to work hard enterprise in International trade for an create the Dr. Rami Ranger CBE Centre for and persevere because there are people out unprecedented five consecutive years, Graduate Entrepreneurship to help launch there who will help; it is just about finding setting a new business record. would be entrepreneurs. He also donated those good people. Dr. Rami found that one hundred thousand pounds and worked Dr. Ranger is a fellow of the Prince’s trust person in the fourth bank he approached. towards building a statue of Mahatma where he mentors youth and shares his He finally had his loan approved and his Gandhi in Parliament Square London. He expertise and empathetic values with business took off. believes that the world owes Gandhi Ji a the young entrepreneurs. The lessons he debt of gratitude for liberating one fifth of He shares his credit with his family and believes everyone needs are of self-respect, the world while only using non-violence, the staff of his companies, who all share work ethics, commitment, vision, and thereby creating a better world where his vision and helped him get where he empathy for others. These five principles revolution did not always need to be bloody. is. He always noted the hard work that are the keys to his success, what got him to In all, Dr. Ranger has been recognized by migrants in Britain put in extra efforts so where he is. He is also the Prime Minister’s the Queen eight times; six times for business they could survive and overcome their ambassador for apprenticeship in the and twice personally for community service. challenges and compensate for their food and drink industry. He is also the co- drawbacks. These migrants are now chairman of the conservative friends of India His visionary business acumen and his a positive force throughout the world and the deputy treasurer of the conservative down-to-earth disposition along with his generating employment and contributing party and many more such positions which philanthropic outlook truly make him a man to the economy. He takes great pride in his showcase the trust that people place in to look up to and learn from. With the Prime Minister of UK Boris Johnson

12 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 13 Avinash Dixit ‘Padma Vibhushan’ (USA) An Academic Par Excellence

Avinash Dixit was born in Bombay, and rigorous academic education. George Akerlof, Joseph Stiglitz, and now Mumbai, in the year 1944 and Stanley Fischer were among the The major subject of Avinash Dixit was lived in the same city for the first students two- or three-years senior to mathematics, and the minor subject 19 years of his life. His father was a him. All these influences reinforced his was physics. His notable achievement professor of Physics with a Ph.D. from love of economics and confirmed his during this period was that on the Imperial College, London under the path to a lifelong career as a professor final examination for B.Sc., he ended Nobel Laureate Sir George Thompson. and a researcher in that arena. up receiving full marks, 600 out of His mother, a philosophy graduate 600. Then he went to Cambridge, As far as his research academics are from Pune was a homemaker. completing the mathematics Tripos His great grandfather, Shankar with first-class, Wrangler, in the year Balakrishna Dikshit was a scholar 1965 and receiving a B.A. degree. in the history of Indian astronomy. Considering this, Avinash Dixit had As is often the case, the goals and a great environment at home that even the direction of the career of encouraged and facilitated his Avinash Dixit evolved in a mixture of learning and thinking, especially in the conscious thinking and subconscious Then he went arena of sciences. or accidental influences. He was always interested in mathematics He attended the Aryan Education to Cambridge, and its applications. The main Society’s school, matriculating in the outlet at that time was theoretical year 1959. Then Avinash attended Jai completing the physics. He wanted to explore Hind College for two years, through something, different and discovered mathematics Intermediate Science under the economics, Massachusetts Institute of old system, and then he studied in Tripos with first- Technology (MIT) admitted him to its St. Xavier’s College for two years postgraduate program in economics. receiving his B.Sc. degree in the year class, Wrangler, in Avinash Dixit was fortunate enough 1963. He appreciated the fact that to have such eminent economists as the year 1965 and despite the names, none of these Paul Samuelson, Robert Solow, Peter institutions engaged in any religious receiving a B.A. Diamond, and Karl Shell, who was or xenophobic indoctrination, and just now at Cornell, among his professors. degree. focused on giving their students a good

High Flyers 50 | 15 concerned, Avinash received his Ph.D. from writing. The work during this period has Award from Budapest University’s Laszlo of the workings of the economy, and the calculate the effect of uncertainty on firms’ Research is hard work and publication MIT in the year 1968, with a dissertation covered several topics like international Rajk College in the year 2001. He then best teaching that he could to impart this investments in plants and in machinery. a slow process, but those are not special on theoretical modeling of optimal trade, political economy, investment under received honorary doctorates from the knowledge to students in his classes, and hurdles as Avinash Dixit cannot pinpoint One other happy moment for Avinash Dixit investment, employment, and growth in less uncertainty, monetary and fiscal policies, Norwegian Business School in Bergen, the elsewhere by making his teaching materials to any serious obstacles. He has indeed came when he found out that one’s work is developed countries. and most recently, topics bordering on law Stockholm School of Economics, Warwick available widely. been very fortunate to have inherited the received well by colleagues and the public. and economics. Most of this consists of University in the United Kingdom (UK), right genes for academic work, grown After obtaining his Ph.D. degree, Avinash For researchers, the happiest memories are For Avinash, those moments came with building models of the situations using the Lingnan University (Hong Kong), and up in a very conducive and supportive served as an assistant professor at the of times when they come to understand the success of his research Monograph, general framework of a game theory. Jadavpur University (Kolkata). home environment for it, and learned University of California, Berkeley for one some facts or mechanisms in a better or a co-authored with Victor Norman, on from and with great teachers, mentors, whole year, from 1968 to 1969, but was This has now become the standard way The President of India awarded Avinash new way. Thus, for Dikshit, a particularly international trade theory, and of the of thinking in the arena of economics. colleagues, and students. indeed tempted by an attractive offer made Padma Vibhushan in the year 2016. One happy moment was when he understood book popularizing game theory named by Balliol College, Oxford. He then ended Therefore, in Princeton Avinash considered does not consciously and specifically seek to how an established firm in an industry Thinking Strategically, co-authored with For Avinash Dixit, success is as good as doing up spending several years there from 1970 himself to be surely at the right place as ‘achieve’ any of these honours and awards, could strategically deter the entry of Barry Nalebuff. good research and teaching, and having to 1974 and had the benefit much of the foundational but they are satisfying recognitions of one’s competitors by making investments that it recognized by the people who matter of having James Mirrlees, work on modern game The greatest pleasure of Dikshit came from lifetime of work. lowered their own future marginal costs. like colleagues, professional and personal who was a 1996 Nobel theory was done here This came while he was waiting for a flight the success of his students and young Avinash friends, and above all, by his students! laureate in Economics, by people like Von Dikshit didn’t have an ‘ultimate goal’ at Geneva airport. Another was when he economists he had succeeded in influencing as a senior colleague, received Neumann, Morgenstern, as such, only to do the best research he understood how the theory of financial like Dani Rodrik, Kala Krishna, Vijay Kelkar, and Nicholas Stern who the Indian Nash, and Kuhn. could do to improve our understanding options could be adapted to understand and and Paul Krugman to name a few. was famous for the Stern Avinash Dixit had Report on Climate Change, Econometric indeed achieved some among his contemporary top accolades of the colleagues. Then Avinash Society’s economics profession, most Dixit ended up as a Mahalanobis notably as President of Professor at the University the Econometric Society of Warwick, where his International in the year 2001 and of research was mostly on Medal for the the American Economic industrial organization and Association in the year international trade. The most year 1985, 2008. He was then important collaborator of elected to the US National Avinash in this was Victor Academy of Sciences in the year 2005 and Norman, then at the Norwegian School was then made a Corresponding, i.e. Foreign of Economics and Business in Bergen, Fellow of the British Academy. In fact, he Norway, who visited Warwick for one was the first person belonging to Indian whole year, and also made several shorter origin to get a tenured full professorship at visits to Bergen later on as a Cabinet Princeton University. Minister in Norway. Avinash received the Indian Econometric In the year 1981, Avinash ended up Society’s Mahalanobis International accepting a professorship at Princeton Medal for the year 1985, the inaugural University and taught there for a long Distinguished Fellow award from the Centre time. He retired from active teaching in the for Economic Studies, Munich in the year year 2010 but continued his research and 1994, and even bagged the Von Neumann

16 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 17 Abhnash K Bains (UK) Woman of grit and firm determination

Behind every successful story is a struggle and behind every successful man is a woman. But who is behind a successful woman?

Mrs. Abhnash K Bains, the Owner and Director of KIA Beauty Salon, BHI Homes & Ishkama Ltd is a self-made woman. She is an eminent personality who is enlightening every realm of society. She has been working towards community needs for a decade now and does not need an introduction. When it comes to transforming the community for the better and contributing to every possible part of society Abhnash has done her share.

Deeply passionate about charity and volunteering for the wellbeing Even as a member of others, she joined Lions Club International and became District of Lions Club Governor for District 105A in less than International, she 10 years. She was also the first Zone Chairperson in District 105A to be has always worked honoured with a medal by the Lions to promote charity Clubs International for encouraging and inspire people. membership and growth.

High Flyers 50 | 19 Lions Club International is famous for Mrs. Bains is a philantropreneur who has search. This lead to her establishing the its humanitarian work with 1.4 million generated not just jobs but hope in many Hounslow Ethnic Language and Literacy members from 210 countries. Women in young women. She worked for the civil Office (HELLO). Counseled/Mentored for the Lions International all over the world services in both employment service as well EACH (Ethnic Alcoholic Counseling’s in are making a difference. It is important as the DWP for over 20 years. What she Hounslow) ethnic minorities with drug, they receive recognition for their efforts and understood in those years was beyond a alcohol problems and encouraged to look provided more support and power to thrive common man’s intellect. Her perspective of at the roots of their problem. She has won further. Even as a member of Lions Club an unemployed girl coming from a foreign The Volunteer Centre UK and Ford Motor International, she has always worked to land was not just professional but personal. Company’s award for Community Service promote charity and inspire people. She could envision herself on her own Ten Years in June 1996. The Nationwide struggling days when she turned a widow Voluntary Endeavour Award for Community She is appreciated by International guests at the age of 26 and had 2 daughters under Service, The Nationwide Voluntary who flew in from The USA, Poland, Italy, the age of 5 to raise. Most people turn a deaf Endeavor Award for Community Service India, Sri Lanka, and many other countries ear to people’s problems but Mrs. Bains in the year 2003. for her Convention. In spite of the bad empathized with them. weather Lions from different parts of Mrs. Abhnash Bains receiving Best the United Kingdom also came down to She has served as Vice-Chair - SAHIL Single Volunteer Award. show their support. Parent Group and Vice-Chair of Asian She started KIA Beauty Salon to provide Women’s Centre in 1986. Abhnash was She was awarded Melvin Jones Fellow for employment to girls particularly to those involved in highlighting problems facing her dictated humanitarian services by Lions from overseas so that they become fluent in ethnic minorities in their employment club International foundation President the English language and build confidence. which is their highest award.

Past District Governor Abhnash Bains has DG Abhnash exchanging banners of friendship with Italian Lions. proved that we can make the difference we want to see around. Abhnash Bains is well accomplished in the areas of service, growth, leadership, and marketing. Abhnash’s chosen charity for the Lions club was “Place2Be”, such that no one gets secluded for any mental condition. She wants to let people with depression and anxiety know that they aren’t alone and there is no shame.

We are all aware of the Lioness in Mrs. Abhnash K Bains and we have read and appreciated her work on the International front. However, how many of us actually know of her journey?

DG Abhnash with PDG Brinder and wife Young ambassador Winner - Georgia Flatman

20 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 21 As Winner for Best Female Entrepreneur to achieve their personal, professional, by Best Business Awards, 2017 The and financial goals. No matter who they Judges had said- are or what they have encountered, her perspective and approach offer insights “Mrs. Abhnash Bains is a talented towards success. philantropreneur whose main interest is to provide a range of quality beauty and She is the epitome of drive, determination, well-being therapies. The idea of setting and success. She has been recognised with up a KIA Beauty salon in an ASDA store is very prestigious awards such as- brilliant and a great way for stressed-out Iconic Women of Decade, WEF 2020 women to fit in some pampering while out shopping. Well done to Mrs. Bains for Certificate of Recognition- British Citizen coming up with an innovative way for Award for exceptional contribution to working women and mothers to enjoy and society and being an inspiration to other benefit from some relaxing therapies that British citizens, 2019 won’t overstretch their purse.” The Exceptional Women of Excellence by Pic-KIA Beauty Salon has completed Women Economic Forum, 2019 over 10 years in style and now has a MEMBERSHIP ADVANCEMENT KEY pin fantastic New Look. from Lions Club International, 2019.

She is actively involved with various other District Governor Extension award, 2019 projects for Hunger, Environment, Mental health, and Well Being as she believes Melvin Jones Award presented by that healthy individuals and environments International President of Lions Club create a better society and contributes a Drawing from her personal experience lot towards Cancer and Diabetes projects and many obstacles, allows her to through her charities. build connections with others fighting She applied for the Aviva Community Fund, for excellence. It is her work and love to raise funds for a small park where victims towards people that made her recipient of of the Grenfell Fire tragedy could come up recognition and adulation. Currently, she is and open up their sorrows. Her aim was hosting her own media shows which cover to provide free counseling and therapy to current topics and give people a chance to those who have suffered from the trauma. express themselves.

As a renowned Reiki Master, Hypnotherapist, award-winning motivational speaker, a coach who she sought out the world by storm with her creative and professional approach to living a successful, satisfying professional and personal life. Her aim is to help people

22 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 23 Vinod Khosla (USA) A Rare Entrepreneur

Vinod Khosla is an entrepreneur, electrical engineering from IIT Delhi. commercial RISC processors. Sun investor, and technologist. He is the After graduating with a bachelor’s Microsystems was funded by Vinod’s founder of Khosla Ventures, a firm degree in electrical engineering from long-time friend and board member focused on assisting entrepreneurs the Indian Institute of Technology John Doerr of Kleiner Perkins Caufield to build impactful new energy and (IIT) in New Delhi, he later went to and Byers (KPCB). technology companies. He is also the the U.S.A for further academic studies In 1986, Vinod joined KPCB as a co-founder of Sun Microsystems. In and received a master’s degree in general partner. While there, he 2014, Forbes listed him as one of the biomedical engineering from Carnegie played a crucial role in taking on richest people in the United States, Mellon University. Eventually, his start- Intel’s monopoly by building and while in 2020 he was listed at the up dreams led him to Silicon Valley, growing Semiconductor Company, 353rd rank among the 400. where he received a master’s degree Nexgen, which eventually was in business administration from the Vinod’s greatest passion is being a acquired by Advanced Micro Devices Stanford University Graduate School of mentor to entrepreneurs building (AMD). Thereafter, Vinod helped Business in 1980. technology-based businesses. He is incubate the idea and business a supporter of many microfinance Upon graduation, Vinod co- plan for Juniper Networks to take organizations in India and Africa. founded Daisy Systems in 1981. It on Cisco System’s dominance of He has been also experimenting was the first significant computer- the router market. He also was with innovations in education and aided design system for electrical involved in the formulation of the global housing. engineers. The company went early advertising-based search on to achieve significant revenue, strategy for Excite. In addition to his From a young age, Khosla dreamt of profits, and an IPO. Then, driven by many other contributions at KPCB, Khosla and his wife being an entrepreneur. When he came the frustration of having to design he helped transform the moribund to know about the founding of Intel at are also donors the computer hardware on which telecommunications business and the age of 16, he dreamt of starting his the Daisy software needed to be its archaic SONET implementations to the Wikimedia own technology company. built, Vinod started the standards- with Cerent Corporation, which was Foundation, for Vinod Kholsa was born on 28 January based Sun Microsystems in 1982 acquired by Cisco Systems in 1999 1955, to an Indian Army officer in to build workstations for software for $7.2 billion. the amount of Delhi. He attended Mount St Mary’s developers. As the founding CEO of Vinod is also a charter member of School and went on to do B. Tech in Sun, he pioneered open systems and $600,000. The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), a non-

High Flyers 50 | 25 profit global network of entrepreneurs and an advisor for Hacker Rank, a website for Since 2010, Khosla has been engaged in beach by erecting a gate with armed attempt to close off public access to Martin’s professionals that was founded in 1992, and competitive coding. Khosla is a member of a legal dispute surrounding public access guards at the road entrance and painting Beach. He is still fighting to get the privacy has more than 40 chapters in nine countries the Xconomists, an ad hoc team of editorial to Martin’s Beach, several miles south of over the welcome sign that existed prior to order for his beach. today. He is the founding board member of advisors for the tech news and media Half Moon Bay, California, where he owns his ownership of the property. He has been the Indian School of Business (ISB). company, Xconomy. adjacent land. He attempted to close the engaged in a legal dispute related to his

In 1986, Khosla joined the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins as a general partner. At Kleiner, Khosla became a recognized venture capitalist with several successful early-stage investments.

He also invested in an Indian microfinance company, SKS Microfinance, which lends small loans to poor women in rural India. Khosla is also one of the founders of TiE, The Indus Entrepreneurs.

In 2004, he founded Khosla Ventures. The firm is based in Menlo Park, California, and manages approximately $1 billion of investor capital as well as investments funded by Khosla himself.

In 2006, Khosla’s wife Neeru co-founded the CK-12 Foundation, which aims to develop open-source textbooks and lower the cost of education in America and the rest of the world. Khosla and his wife are also donors to the Wikimedia Foundation, for the amount of $600,000.

Khosla served as the honorary chair of the Donors Choose San Francisco Bay Area, the advisory board. In 2000, Khosla was a recipient of the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. In 2007, Khosla was an award recipient in the Northern California region for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Blum Centre for Developing Economies at the University of California, Berkeley. The centre focuses on solutions for extreme poverty and disease in the developing world. He is

26 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 27 Mr. Kesavan (Casey) (Singapore) Entrepreneurial Spirit Personified

Mr. Kesavan, popularly known as Affairs, Land Transport Authority, to four hours every day to his students, Casey, is a leading entrepreneur and handling massive projects like the to prepare them for the competitive a community leader in Singapore. Mica Building, Parliament House, world they are entering. He teaches He is the founder and Group CEO of and many more. He considers the them marketing strategies, effective Diamond Glass, which is a leading re-sealant works at the two domes staff recruitment, and how to get turnkey contractor of architectural of the Esplanade their first major investors and funding. His love for glass and facades. Diamond Glass project, which they managed to teaching comes from the joy he feels owns its own manufacturing plant, finish in six months. Through business when his students do well. He was façade construction, and maintenance diversification, Mr. Casey has now also a music teacher and the joy he division in Singapore. Diamond established 6 companies, namely, felt when he saw his students play Glass boosts clientele like the iconic Diamond Glass Enterprise Pt Ltd, the music he taught them, was more Esplanade to the Singapore Changi Diamond Investment Holdings Pte gratifying than when he himself Control Tower and the airport. Ltd, Kleen Care Pte Ltd, Hutchison Safety Glass Pt Ltd, Hutchison Logistics He started his journey in business Pt Ltd, and Hutchison Builders Pt Ltd. extremely young, at the age of 13, Their current market value stands and as of today, he has 29 years of Mr. Casey also at $70 million and now are aiming experience. He puts hard work and for a value of $120 million. They now takes his social perseverance above everything else. plan on expanding to the ASEAN Mr. Casey’s value statement is his responsibilities region over the next few years dedication to his customers and that and going public. very seriously, he handles the projects in the most professional way, provides quality Mr. Casey also takes his social supporting and service at quality prices, with delivery responsibilities very seriously, donating regularly on time and as budgeted, followed including supporting and by good after-sales service, support, donating regularly to World Vision to World Vision and warranty. A testament to this International, locally, and abroad. He acumen is that his company manages also mentors around 150 start-ups pro International, an impressive list of clients like the bono, as part of a ten-stage program locally and abroad. Ritz Carlton, Ministry of Foreign called the Red Pill. He dedicates two

High Flyers 50 | 29 was playing. He is proficient with the business consultant. He cold-called and to his competitor when he was facing some & Industry to represent Singapore in the saxophone and percussions, still finding knocked on storefronts convincing owners issues. They both talked about the problems ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council (AYEC) time to continue his passion for the art form. by promising them that they would only in their industry and commiserated with as its chairman and as its president for This inherent love for teaching has led to need to pay if they saw an improvement each other. He believes that business owners ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association him mentoring and helping many new in business and sales within a month. This now more than ever should be focused on (AYEA) for 2 years (2017 – 2019). entrepreneurs and small business owners helped Mr. Casey come out of that debt in the welfare of their employees. He made His struggles and their subsequent as part of giving back to his community. a short two years. He credits this time as sure that none of his employees lost their conquering make him an inspiration to He considers imparting knowledge a being crucial in his life as this is when he jobs during the COVID crisis. entrepreneurs who want to learn how to more charitable act than giving monetary learned humility and gave him the wisdom By virtue of his creativity, business acumen, make their mark in the world. As Mr. Casey help. The only thing Mr. Casey asks of his he needed to be a mature business person. and passion for excellent service, Mr. Casey puts it, he does by this saying ‘When you students is that they pay it forward by That’s when he ventured into construction has received numerous prestigious awards visualize you actualize FOCUS, FOCUS, mentoring and helping others when they and founded Diamond Glass. in Singapore. He is the sitting Chairman for FOCUS is the key to success. Hard work, find success and make their first million. He is deeply invested in the people he works various non-profit organizations. He is also perseverance, and learning the lessons of Mr. Casey credits his success to his initial with and his charisma makes him a treat to a committee member in the Singapore failure are the keys to success. So, if you have failures when as a young entrepreneur work with. His faith in humanity makes him Business Federation and was on the a burning desire to achieve something, with he let his early success go to his head. His invest in people and help out as much as he Board of Directors of the Singapore Indian these qualities and all your mental and extravagances as a twenty-year-old led to can. In fact, he has talked about how during Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2014 – physical energy towards it. And success him being deep in debt. But he persevered the COVID crisis even your competitor can 2018). He has also been nominated by the will surely come! through that difficult time and became a help, which he learned after he reached out Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce

30 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 31 Amb. Dr. Parin Somani (UK) A Dignified Lady of Substance and Excellence

“It is my aim in life to serve mankind until my last breath.”

Amb. Dr. Parin Somani is an Doctorate degrees: Doctor of inspirational international icon, Philosophy (PhD) in Education who has been serving humanity Media; Doctor of Philosophy through education and motivation (PhD) in Education Leadership; boundlessly and in an extremely Honorary Doctorate (Hons Causa) dignified manner. Her immense in Humanities for Service to hard work and dedication know Mankind; Honorary Doctorate no bounds, as she is a renowned (Hons Causa) in Literature D’Litt; inspirational lady of substance Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) who strives for excellence in all in Global Education. Therefore, her endeavours to enlighten the Amb. Dr. Parin Somani holds two path for everyone around the PhD’s and three Honorary PhD’s world. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani is an equating to a total of Five Doctorate Independent academic scholar, an Degrees. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani International motivational speaker, was awarded the honorary degrees an Educator, Academic researcher, due to the immense academic Among her Writer, and even an Author. With work that she has carried out in a background in media television the field of education, published academic and radio presenting in ‘All India numerous research papers, and radio station’ and ‘Ahmedabad helped to educate, motivate and accomplishments, Door Darshan television’, she started inspire society in many ways. Her Amb. Dr. Parin to inspire the lives of people from hard work and dedication have a young age and has continued to contributed towards positive global Somani holds the present day. change, where she has helped to build bridges within societies the following five Among her academic through education. accomplishments, Amb. Dr. Parin Doctorate degrees Somani holds the following five

High Flyers 50 | 33 Saurashtra University, Rajkot, India. She has and former Director of the International of Records and India Book of Records’; for her contribution to Indian society. On nature. She has successfully implemented She has been building bridges between spoken in excess of 143 online National and Association for the Study of Ginans. 30th January ‘Excellence in Academic 19th November 2019 Amb. Dr. Parin Somani international collaboration on countless the East and West illustrating that there is International webinars, in the capacity of Award’ 2021 from ESN Publication; The received a ‘Good Citizenship Award’ 2019 at occasions through different avatars. I was strength in diversity. For her tireless work, Amb. Dr. Parin Somani Chief Guest, Guest of honour, Inaugurator, Seva Ratna Award on 26th January 2021 the All India NCCs camp for girls and on17th intrigued to find out how many countries has been recognised through multi- Understanding Amb. Dr. Parin Somani’s Keynote Speaker, Valedictorian, Chairperson, by Shantidoot Parivar on Republic Day; November 2019 Amb. Dr. Parin Somani Amb. Dr. Parin Somani has visited and was international awards. The most recent area of specialisation is like shining a torch Presenter, Interviewee. She has presented The Best Skill Coach Award by Prime received the Apravasi Bharatiya Hindi astounded by the amount of travelling she award she received was ‘India Iconic to the rays of a slow and steady rising sun. at 123 online International Webinars Communication Media on 21st January Sevi Samman Award the ‘International had undergone. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani Education Award’ 2021 by Dreamcatchers She is a lady of substance who is proficient during the COVID-19 pandemic to date 2021; The Woman Prestige Award 2021 from Diaspora Award’ 2019 from Akhil Bharatiya has travelled extensively, to more than 79 on 14th March 2021; The Most 101 Inspiring in many areas. Her arena of specialization in governmental and non-governmental Lions Club Delhi Veg at University of Delhi Shahitya Parishid. She was presented a countries globally, including the developing Woman of India’ Award 2021 inspired by includes an Independent Academic Scholar, organizations around the world, delivering on 18th January 2021; The Sutra Excellence Shield Award and two other awards in and developed world. She shares her the UN Sustainable Development Goals Academic Researcher, Author, Educator, a multitude of lectures on numerous Award from Inspiring Indian Women and customer service and global networking by knowledge and research in International from Swarna Bharat Parivaar on 10th Motivational Speaker, Poetess, Journalist, topics. She has helped AB News Channel on 17th January 2021; State Govt of Goa, Chief Minister Dr Pramod conferences, governmental and non- March 2021 in Delhi on the and Freelance Writer, Management and to educate more than The Swami Vivekananda Social Activist Sawant at the Vibrant Goa Global Expo governmental organisations through; occasion of International Leadership, Media and Communications, 100,000 people around Award on 12th January 2021; The World and Summit 17th -19th October 2019. Golf literature, teaching, writing literature, Amb. Dr. Women’s Day, Out of 11 Global Peace Ambassador and Editing the world through her Book Of Record Speaker Certificate and tournament at the European Sports Festival composing and contributing to educational women Dr Parin Somani Chairperson, Human rights and Social humanitarian work during Award from Lead India for Dr Kalams’s 91st held in Nottingham, England and achieved books, journals while composing and Parin Somani was rewarded Rs 51000 as Activist. Her excellent communication skills the COVID-19 pandemic. Birthday in Bangalore on 2nd January 2021; the Bronze Medal in 2019 and Gold Medal sharing poetry, promoting education and one of the Most Inspiring in English, Gujarati and Hindi Languages; is and true International Academicians Excellency in 2017. She received the Shield Award for literacy, creating reforms, writing and However, her excellence Woman of India 2021; English and Canadian Literature, Research Award 2020 on 10th December 2020; The excelling in the Home Life and Personality featuring in a variety of newspapers; all in and service to humanity Ambassador ‘Life Time Achievement Methodology, Technology-Assisted International Public Figure Award for Development from Nav Gujarat College attempt to make a positive global change. do not stop there. Amb. Award’ 2021 at the Town Learning and use of ICT in Learning and and is involved Education on 11th November 2020; She in 1990. She was Awarded a Shield for her Dr. Parin Somani is and Hall, Bangalore on 8th has been identified as one of ‘The Most contribution to community service in 1990 true Ambassador and in numerous March; ‘Gold Glitter Pride’ Inspiring People On Earth’ titled “101 Great from the local community Ahmedabad. She The immense work that Amb. Dr. Parin Editors for the book entitled ‘Lockdown is involved in numerous Award 2021 from Daiv-Vyap Personalities Who Have Inspired The World” accepted the National Felicitation Award Somani has carried out had resulted Impacts’. It comprises 45 authors including NGO’s and contributes to NGO’s and Celestial on 8th March 2021 in October 2020. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani from the Aga Khan education board in 1988 in being recognised four times in the Amb. Dr Parin Somani, who also received society globally. She is the on International Women’s contributes to has received Dr APJ Abdul Kalam National amongst numerous other awards. World Book of Records: 1) ‘Skill Map’- She the ‘Best Editor Award 2021’. Additionally, International President Day; ‘Woman Para Award 2020 by the Government of India, was a Keynote Speaker and one of 60 on the same day, she has been presented of Shantidoot Parivar society globally. Award’ 2021 for Woman Amb. Dr. Parin Somani is a true inspiration UNICEF and Swarna Bharat Parivar Trust on international speakers educating society. the ‘Excellence in Academic Award Women’s Wing; President: Writer from Puducherry to society and an example of a true leader 15th October 2020. She has been recognised The event persisted for 24 hours non-stop 2021. 4) ‘World Book of Records United Naari Shakti Ko Pranaam Academic Researchers with a multitude of excellent virtuous as the ‘Inspiring Bharat Ki Lakshmi’ 2020 on 2nd October 2020. 2) Dr Abdul Kalam’s Kingdom Power Woman Award’ 2021 in (UK) Brijbhoomi Foundation; Vice President Academy on 7th March; ‘Enterprising qualities, professional and personal Coffee Table book. ‘Unsung Fighter of 91st Birthday on 15th October 2020 Amb. Bangalore from Lead India Foundation on Global Education Sector for the MSME Entrepreneur Award’ 2021 from Prime upholding ethical values and principles. She COVID-19’ in the ‘Beauty and the Best’ Dr. Parin Somani was a Keynote Speaker International Women’s Day. ‘Recognising Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Communication Media on 25th February aims to build bridges between communities Magazine in the July- August 2020 issue. during the event that continued for more 111 Power Women in 111 Minutes’ on India; International Ambassador Editor: R&D 2021 on the occasion of International through her skills, all around the world. She The International Mother Teresa Award than 30 hours comprising 149 global 8th March 2021. Creativity; Editorial Chair and Ambassador Women’s day; ‘Outstanding Work in has shown her excellence through using her on 26th August 2020. On 2nd August 2020 speakers. 3) World’s Thickest Book which of Global Peace for England; Ambassador India’ Best Performance Award 2021 from vast experience in handling multiple aspects Amb. Dr. Parin Somani is affiliated with she received the ‘Best Motivational Speaker consisting of 11795 pages and 1447 authors, of Project Life India Global; Ambassador the International R&D creativity at the of organizational administration, leadership, numerous international universities Award’ 2020 by the English Educators Amb. Dr. Parin Somani wrote a book of Swarna Bharat Parivaar For Women Entrepreneurship & Skill Development institutional planning, teaching, research, and is a Courtesy Research Associate at Society. On 3rd March 2020 Amb. Dr Parin chapter and was invited as Guest of Honour Empowerment & Child Empowerment; Conclave on 21st February 2021; ‘World research guidance, event management, Florida International University; Syndicate Somani received the ‘She Inspires Award’ on 30th January 2021 to release the book. Chairperson of the Local Community Record Award’ for participating as an academic development, presenting, Member: St Mother Theresa University; 2020 at the House of Parliament England. She was also invited as the Guest of Honour Senior’s Residential Home, London, England; author and Keynote Speaker in ‘The Thickest editorial responsibilities, membership of Visiting resource scholar for HRDC Gujarat On 25th January 2020 she was awarded at the Asia Book of record and India Book Women’s activities portfolio, London; Book In The World’ on 30th January 2021; the committee members despite if it is University, Ahmedabad, India and HRDC the Feelings ‘Pride of India’ Award 2020 of Records where she was one of the joint Rotarian, London; Academic Researcher Best Editor Award 2021 for the ‘Asia Book academic or voluntary governmental in

34 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 35 Teaching, Finance, and Banking. So, we can religious festivals on All India radio station that Amb. Dr. Parin Somani has been serve mankind until her last breath. Upon with the immense work she has carried see illustrated that her precision, efficacy, and Ahmedabad Door Darshan television. quoted to be a ‘Shining star’ and ‘Diamond’ returning to better health, instantaneously, out for humanity. There is no praise high meticulous human resource management, Her Motivational speaking skills enabled within the world. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani immersed herself enough for the work Amb. Dr. Parin Somani optimal resource utilization, and punctuality her to participate in global events, while her in new initiatives to help people within is carrying out and the hardship that she We all know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) characterize her brand of leadership. freelance writing skills and poetess talents these unprecedented circumstances by has endured in life particularly surviving has already become a global pandemic In fact, her skills are endless, as she has enabled her to author 11 books. Apart from providing hope in the future, inspiration to life-threatening illnesses more than once. affecting the lives of most of the individuals amalgamated her attributes with empathy, contributing to a variety of newspapers in face adversity, the motivation to acquire Therefore, it would only be right in this around the world including Amb. Dr. Parin compassion and concern for mankind, India including Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, knowledge, understand and value ourselves concluding stage to inform the world of Somani became a victim of the deadly virus. which contributes to the immense work that Western Times and many other magazines and others during these unprecedented one of her strength and resilience to help Whilst the key workers have operated in circumstances. She used her negative mankind. She has pearls of wisdom that are she is carrying out around the world. in which she has written recipe columns the frontline, there are also unsung heroes experience of COVID-19 in a positive way, also presented herewith: and poems in Gujarati Reminiscing back to and fighters of COVID-19 that certainly utilising innovative methods taking to and English, she has also On Women empowerment: Amb. Dr. Parin Somani’s require full deserving recognition. One virtual platforms to help raise awareness translated and reviewed childhood, she was born Amb. Dr. Parin such unsung hero is our very own dignified internationally. She used her first-hand “In this ever-changing diverse world, several books and also in Mumbai and raised in lady of substance and excellence Amb. experience and knowledge to educate females have the power to create a positive Somani has a reviewer for textbooks Gujrat. She was an eagerly Dr. Parin Somani. communities within universities and NGOs change in every capacity. Believe in of English and Gujarati yourself with a positive outlook on life. It is awaited Angel born within been quoted to reaching out to people globally. languages and book editor. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani presented her through this belief and positivity that we her family, hence given Her passion for writing research paper at a pre-arranged Amb. Dr. Parin Somani has delivered more can stand up to every single one of life’s the Persian name “Parin”, be a ‘Shining has continued as she has International conference, in early March than 125 sessions on a vast subject area challenges and we come out more resilient defined as “Pari” or “Angel”. star’ and been actively involved in 2020, held in Valencia. On the same day including loneliness, mindfulness, mental than ever before.” From a young age Amb. Dr. writing for FARZ news, she received the ‘She Inspires’ award 2020 health, wellbeing, and understanding a Parin Somani had a desire ‘Diamond’ variety of human attributes to name a few. On Peace and harmony: designing articles varying at the Houses of Parliament, London. A to help people therefore, at In addition to these Parin Somani has also “Having travelled around the world, I believe within the for different standards few days later Amb. Dr. Parin Somani the tender age of fifteen, authored articles to a variety of international it is important to live in peace and harmony. and target groups, and started to experience COVID-19 symptoms she embarked upon her aiming to connect with global communities In order to achieve this, we must possess world. also involved in writing and unfortunately tested positive for the journey to serve humanity to provide support through literature in these peace and harmony within ourselves. articles for Western Times, virus. This was not the first time our brave and started working for unprecedented circumstances. Moreover, As we all know within life, we always Jaihind, Swadesh, and Amb. Dr. Parin Somani had endured life- the community. Breaking Amb. Dr. Parin Somani is also involved in encounter trials and tribulations, we must Asian Lite UK International newspapers in a threatening health issues. Previously, she boundaries and societal norms Amb. Dr. supporting the local community within be adaptable to change. Simultaneously, variety of languages. had suddenly lost her vision and been the Parin Somani was given the freedom to the UK and Europe via the coronavirus we must live by our ethical values and victim of life-threatening cancer on two work. Yes, she encountered discrimination Amb. Dr. Parin Somani has the vision to support team helpline. The immense work principles. If individuals have hurt us, do not separate occasions where she battled and prejudices for working as a female, help mankind through her experience and is undertaken by Amb. Dr. Parin Somani hold grudges. We should seek to understand for her life. Although her eye-sight was however, she battled through negativity knowledge, therefore currently she is in during the global pandemic has inspired and build bridges amongst ourselves and regained over time and her cancer was other communities, but we should not and excelled in her endeavours. Alongside the process of writing a book on Culture, mankind during this global crisis. under remission, her survival skills were stigmatize individuals within the same her community work, she worked for various Heritage and Traditions in the twenty- Amb. Dr. Parin Somani ignites a light within tested yet again with COVID-19. She community for the actions of other people. media groups and was a TV presenter for nine states of India, the release date is to a period of darkness globally. She will be battled hard for her survival with her Seek to be the change in the world that Ahmedabad Door Darshan from the year be confirmed. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani is ever-present in the annals of the history of endowed fighting spirit and sheer will you wish to see and remember that there 1985 to the year 1992, a Radio presenter, All also currently in the process of authoring the deadly COVID-19 virus. In fact, Amb. Dr. power. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani’s extreme is strength in diversity. I believe that by India radio from the year 1985 to the year a whole food plant-based Indian cookery Parin Somani has been announced as one motivation for good health was initiated working together we CAN make a positive 1992. Amb. Dr. Parin Somani has previously book in collaboration with her daughters. of the unsung fighters of the COVID-19 war through her sole purpose in life which is to global change.” presented numerous poems in both English She currently has 18 upcoming International and Gujarati, as well as programs on Conference Presentations and Other Publications. Therefore, it is no surprise

36 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 37 Sai Chakravarthy “Psychuck” Manapragada (USA) Triple Guinness Multitalented WiFi Wiz

Psychuck is an accomplished music composer, a celebrated pianist, a singer, a technology entrepreneur, cultural warrior, and a social philanthropist with contributions ranging from regional, national, and international influence for over the past two decades (25 years) in both the USA and India.

PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC He firmly believes that music is a part & parcel of the human psyche. According to him, “…music is so deep-rooted in one’s soul that it can influence one’s philosophy and outlook in life. Even tone-deaf persons Psychuck sang his can relate to music in their own unique way... and that is the true first song when testament to the power in music.” It is this firm and deep-rooted philosophy he was just three of his that drives him to relentlessly years old on All pursue his passion for music. MUSICAL PEDIGREE India Radio’s (AIR) Psychuck sang his first song when Balanandam (Kid’s he was just three years old on All India Radio’s (AIR) Balanandam Talent Showcase) (Kid’s Talent Showcase) program. program. Born into a family of musicians, he

High Flyers 50 | 39 was anointed with music as a natural Bharathi” (Music Maestro of Indian and Folklore genres. He further expands into consequence. By the time he was twelve, Music) award. In addition, Psychuck has Asian, Latin, and Middle-Eastern genres and Psychuck had already accompanied received the “Outstanding Musician Award” embraces the contemporary Rock and Pop his father’s musical tours and became a ceremonially from Honorable Mayor genres of the West with a hint of Western surrogate band member. Psychuck was Tony Spitaleri of Sunnyvale, CA, and the Classical overtures in most of his works. He recognized as the youngest music director “Sangeeta Samrat” (King of Music) award was part of many bands including, Strings (12 years), singer, and lyricist in 1982 when ceremonially from Honorable Mayor Olin in India and Riske - a live jazz showcase – he provided music for a TV Special on Mahoney of Cupertino, CA. Psychuck in Chicago, to name a few. Psychuck was National Integration. He performed at the currently holds three Guinness World the cultural coordinator for Indian Youth Rashtrapati Bhavan (President of India’s Records: one for singing “Vandemataram” Festivals in Baton Rouge, LA, and Chicago, Palace) and received the prestigious in 265 languages (individual); one for IL. Psychuck has provided music and National Integration Award and is the singing 277 languages (group); and the third soundtracks to various projects including pioneer of Indian Folk Rock - traditional Guinness World Record as the fastest Piano Stage, TV, Film, and Ballads. Psychuck is also Indian music the fusion with modern music. player in the world. considered the pioneer of the Modernization of Ghazal ARTISTIC INFLUENCES Psychuck was awarded Psychuck Music. Psychuck released Inspired by his father Janapadabrahma, Pravaasa Bharathi, Psymphony’s flagship album JanapadaRatna Late Shri. Manapragada Pravaasa Mitra, and has released “Pace: The Frontier of Light” Narasimha Murthy, (TANA inception also honored with Times (The Raftaar). Psychuck member 1977) - a renowned international Now & ICICI Bank’s many artistic has released many artistic folk singer, Psychuck has served on many NRI Of The Year 2018 albums like albums like “Folk Dances music review boards and authored many award. Psychuck has of India”, “Folklore Life articles on folk music and the evolution been awarded many “Folk Dances of of Andhra Pradesh”, etc. of Indian music in the postmodern era. COMMENDATIONs & internationally in over 35 Psychuck has since given music to many Recognition from the US India”, “Folklore countries through popular dance dramas, stage musicals, feature films, Congress and many Bay Life of Andhra online retailers including TV soaps, and cultural showcases at both Area Cities and Counties iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, national and international levels and has for his community service Pradesh”, etc. Amazon, and eMusic. He numerous original compositions to his credit. and musical prowess; served as a judge in many and a US national AWARDS & TITLES cultural forums/competitions honor of OUTSTANDING In addition to the National Integration and is the author of “Musical Chords: A RESEARCHER, by the Dept. of Labor, Award, Psychuck received Best Music Mathematical Approach”. (United States Citizenship & Immigration Director – Youth Category for his work in the Services - USCIS), the USA for his COMMUNITY & SOCIAL SERVICES Tele-School Documentary on Doordarshan numerous contributions to the research Psychuck served as the Commissioner called “Prakruti” (Nature) at age 17. Psychuck in digital signal processing & wireless of the City of Hayward, CA. Psychuck is has several awards for his skills in singing, communications technology. also the Chairman for FARMI (Folk Arts playing keyboards, and composing at Research and Music Institute) – a not-for- both the State level and the National level PORTFOLIO & PERFORMANCES profit organization formed in memory of in India. SiliconAndhra has awarded Shri. Psychuck has over 100 original compositions his father and committed to preserving Sai “Psychuck” Manapragada, the coveted to his credit. His music takes the essence the folklore arts and music of India. international award for outstanding from Classical Carnatic, Classical Hindustani, FARMI, in association with Amateur and musical achievements award “Sangeeta

40 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 41 Professional Singers Organization (APSO) to become a de facto standard for WiFi has published numerous IEEE journals Outstanding Achievements Awards, Best Council (CA, USA) for his exemplary work in India, conducts yearly folk festivals in network providers as UPI has become the and articles and has been conferred Technical Paper, Best International Journal community service and achievements. Mr. honor of JanapadaBrahma late Shri. standard for financial institutions. with the esteemed “OUTSTANDING Paper, Best Thesis Dissertation, and won Manapragada served as the Commissioner Manapragada Narasimha Murthy to honor RESEARCHER” Award by the Department commendations from the State of California, for the City of Hayward, California, the USA Mr. Manapragada holds over 150+ US, accomplished artists and encourage new of Labor, USA. Mr. Manapragada has Santa Clara County (CA, USA), Milipitas from 2013 to 2017. International, and European patents and and budding talent in the folk genre. In won many technology awards including City Mayor (CA, USA), San Jose City addition, a Life Time Achievement Award and a stipend from the Pension for Retiring Artists and Gifted Artists Development Alimony established by FARMI is provided to aspiring and accomplished artists to encourage the sustenance of the now endangered folklore arts and music of India. He continues to contribute and play key roles in many cultural organizations and non-profit organizations, both in India and in the United States.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE Psychuck is an entrepreneur and a technology executive in wireless XiFi Networks with Offices in India and the US. Sai Chakrawarthy “Psychuck” Manapragada is the Chief Architect of WiFi Access Network Interface (WANI) and worked closely with Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Department of Telecom (DoT) for the past three (3) years and was instrumental in demonstrating a working Public WiFi Pilot trial by actively working with various industry stakeholders in the WiFi ecosystem through Broadband India Forum (BIF). His proposed WANI architecture has been extensively trialed and now approved by the Department of Telecom (DoT) as of December 9th, 2020 where the government of India has officially dubbed it as PM- WANI which is based on his initial proposed WANI architecture. PM-WANI architecture is meant to bring seamless WiFi and is

42 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 43 V. Sundramoorthy (Singapore) A Man of Goals

Varadaraju Sundram Moorthy or V. on to become the top scorer in the Sundramoorthy as he is popularly tournament. Thereon he came to be known as is a former Singapore noticed by a lot of football teams as a international footballer who played young and promising football player. in the 1980s and 1990s and is widely In 1988, V.Sundramoorthy became touted as one of the country’s most the second player from Singapore to skilful and talented footballers ever. play in Europe when he signed for He is currently the head coach of the Swiss Club FC Basel. He barely played Singapore national football team. He five games, in which he scored three coached the LionsXII, a Singapore- goals. He then joined Kedah FA for based team playing in the Malaysia the Malaysia Cup tournament as Super League, and held a dual he returned in 1989 before moving appointment as the head coach of to play for Kedah FA in Malaysia. the Under-23 team from 2011 to 2013 Sundramoorthy also represented when he announced his plans to sign Singapore in several S.E.A games with the Malaysian Premier League tournament and helped Singapore In 1988, V. team, Negeri Sembilan. After coaching reached the Finals in the 1989 Games Negeri Sembilan for half a season in when his last-minute through Sundramoorthy 2014, he returned to Singapore to take ball led to Fandi Ahmad’s winner the helm at Tampines Rovers and held against Indonesia. became the this position for almost 2 years before During his playing days in Alor agreeing to take charge of Singapore. second player from Setar playing his trade for Kedah Varadaraju Sundramoorthy was FA, Sundramoorthy helped Kedah Singapore to play born on 6 October 1965, in Singapore. to defeat Singapore 3–1 in the final in Europe when he When he was just 18 years of age the of the 1990 Malaysia Cup, scoring young Sundramoorthy broke into Kedah’s opening goal. signed for Swiss the Singapore Malaysia Cup team Sundramoorthy made several and in the following season he went Club FC Basel. appearances for the Singapore

High Flyers 50 | 43 national football team, including On 15 May 2013, German coach Bernd participating in the 1990 Asian Games Stange was announced as the new football tournament. He had scored a hat manager of the Singapore national football trick against Pakistan. Sundram also scored team, while Sundramoorthy was appointed 2 goals in a friendly match against Nagoya as the head coach of the Singapore Grampus Eight which had Gary Lineker in national under-23 football team for the 2013 the team, when Singapore won 4–3. SEA Games with present Courts Young Lions coach, Aide Iskandar, was named Sundramoorthy became one of the most as his assistant. feared strikers in ASEAN during the ‘80s and early ‘90s. He was well known for On 7 October 2013, Sundram announced his dribbling and finishing skills and was that he would not be renewing his contract one of the most influential players during with the Football Association of Singapore Singapore’s run-up to the 1993 Malaysia to coach the Lions XII Malaysian Super Cup Final appearance. League Outfit. He took over as head coach at Malaysian Premier League side Negeri One of Sundramoorthy’s most famous Sembilan on a two-year contract from goals was a bicycle kick scored against 1 November 2013. After finishing sixth in Brunei in a 1993 FAM Division II League tie the 2014 Malaysia Premier League and at the National Stadium. He also scored a failing to qualify for the Malaysia Cup, spectacular backheel during his days with Sundramoorthy was relieved of his duties by Jurong FC. In a match against Pahang at Negeri Sembilan. the National Stadium in the same year, Sundram audaciously faked a backheel In December 2014, Sundramoorthy was that fooled the Pahang defenders before confirmed as the new head coach of crossing for Fandi Ahmad to score the Tampines Rovers. This is the first time after winner late in the game. 5 years that Sundram held the head coach post in the S.League. Since 2012 Sundramoorthy has been the head coach of the LionsXII, who played in He was unveiled as the head coach of the the Malaysian Super League. In his first Singapore national football team in May season in charge, he led the LionsXII to 2nd 2016, on a one-year contract. He extended place in the Malaysia Super League and his contract as the Lions head coach for the semi-finals of the Malaysia Cup. two more years in March 2017. However, one year later, he stepped down from his On 21 January 2013, it was announced role by mutual consent on 9 April 2018. that Sundramoorthy would be appointed In October 2018, he officially signed a caretaker coach of the Singapore national contract with Laos. football team while the Football Association of Singapore searched for a replacement Sundramoorthy was nicknamed ‘The for former coach Raddy Avramovic. Dazzler’ at the height of his prowess and His first game in charge was against ‘King Cobra’ when he was the player-coach Jordan on 6 February 2013 at Singapore’s of Jurong FC. Sundram also has a biography Jalan Besar Stadium. titled ‘The Dazzler.’

44 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 45 Ram Gidoomal (UK) Businessman with a Heart of Gold

Ram Gidoomal, a Sindhi born in corner shop there and such was Kenya after his family fled the the talent of this newly migrated partition, was born in a family Sindhi family, that in a mere two steeped in a business sense. He lost years they had 6 shops. They had his father at the young age of 6 started with just four rooms for the weeks but was brought up by his 15 members strong family, but soon uncle, who never let him feel that they all had their own rooms. The void. The man Ram called ‘Daddy’ strong belief that hard work reaps took care of his mother and siblings rewards, made them run the shop as well as his own wife and kids. all day and all night, working hard They were a family of 15 who lived to create a better life for themselves. together under one roof. In Kenya, Along with that sense of business, their family realized that a lot of Mr. Gidoomal was also brought up railway workers were Indian and with a belief in justice and charity. that meant there was a market for When their neighbors struggled to silk. They imported Japanese silk buy milk, his family would help out and sold them to the workers who as much as they could. This clearly wanted silk saris for their wives. This shaped his strong sense of morality. astute business sense, made his Ram was the only member of Another laurel in family find work no matter what his family who was hell-bent their circumstances were. his cap was when on getting a good education. He he ran for the Just as they had settled into life in decided that the closest university Kenya, they were again uprooted to the shop, which was Imperial office of Mayor in because of politics. They then College, was the place to go moved to a small neighborhood in because the bus ride was one London in 2000 as England where they had to start shilling and that was all he could an independent from scratch all over again. But, afford. He had done well in his O their business acumen never let and A levels and managed to get candidate. them down. They bought a small himself a scholarship. He completed

High Flyers 50 | 47 was running the successful INLAKS GROUP soul. The strong belief in equality and justice (The founders of the highly esteemed planted in him as a boy woke him up and INLAKS Foundation). He began his career changed millions of lives. with them in Geneva Switzerland, in 1978. Mr. Gidoomal asked for a day off every In seven years the company grew from week to spend on his charitable endeavors a turnover of a few million dollars to over and co-founded a charity called Christmas $200m turnover and from a few employees Cracker. He got the youth involved and to 7000 employees worldwide. He then during the season of giving, they would became the UK Group chief executive and open up pop-up restaurants on the high Group Vice-Chairman for them and shifted street for a month, serving simple food like base to London, where his career really dal chawal and beans on toast, with all thrived. In 1987 he found himself acquiring proceeds going to charity. The kids were seafood factories in Scotland. When he given the opportunity to learn a basic realized that there was a seafood shortage, business skill and taught how to look for he decided to look towards India to supply ‘TO LET’ signs on the High Street and then that shortfall. He came looking for prawns tell the owner that they could write this off and visited many fishing ports in India as charity in their taxes. About a hundred Ram meeting the Queen looking for seafood suppliers. youth groups were mobilized across the He had noticed how girls in his community as an independent candidate. He ran on socially conscious. He realized that all his the Worshipful Company of Information When he was in Bombay, living in the UK and in a matter of 7 years raised an had rarely been allowed to pursue careers the manifesto of social justice, compassion, bonuses and income given away would Technologists, and a Companion of the gorgeous Taj Hotel, his civic sense made him impressive $10m. By involving young or live the life of their choosing. This inspired empowerment, respect for life, stewardship not help as much as spending his time on Chartered Management Institute. ask his local suppliers what they were doing people Mr. Gidoomal not only helped raise him to make a difference in his community of resources, and reconciliation. He wanted giving back full time. He gave up his career His Daddy’s saying that “Never let what you for the community there. They then took those funds but also made about 50000 and work towards empowerment. He wrote to reconcile the different communities eventually to make changing the world his can’t do stop you from what you can do” him to Dharavi to show him how the locals young people aware of the suffering in a book called Sari n Chips to highlight the and their differences and ran his election full-time job, after consulting with his wife taught him the real definition of success. The lived. This visit to one of the biggest slums in the rest of the world and showed them injustices he had observed. campaign for the “Homeless Carless and and deciding to make a difference together. ability to obey his calling without the fear of Meeting Prince Charles at a Reception in St James Palace Asia exposed him to abject poverty for the how they could make a difference. When Jobless”. On that agenda, he came 4th out of He is also working with farmers in Gujarat Then he decided to write about all the losing income or power is what he considers first time. He was appalled to see a 5-year- they decided to pop the biggest Christmas 15 candidates gaining nearly 100,000 votes and China to grow organic cotton, to his bachelor’s in Physics and then went his doctorate because his in-laws wanted South Asian business people who he real success. To Mr. Gidoomal, writing his old boy, the same age as his youngest son Cracker in the world and get a mention with only 100 days of campaigning with just make better economic and environmental on to get into the master’s and doctorate a working son-in-law, not a student. All the saw as trailblazers in Britain, who the books, celebrating his 70th birthday with back home, living in a water pipe because in the Guinness book of world records, he his desire to make a difference. When the choices for their farms, with all money courses in management science. But, before honorary doctorates he has from the top British business community had not yet his family despite the pandemic, learning to the slumlords wouldn’t even let him stay helped them get sponsorship from his winning candidate named the “Homeless made going back into the program. his thesis on operations research could colleges of the world, including his alumni appreciated. He wrote UK Maharajas, to read and write Hindi during the Pandemic, in the cardboard boxes there. He saw that company, putting the logo front and centre Jobless and Carless” as his agenda, it was In 2011 he was appointed Chairman of be handed in, he started getting a lot of Imperial College who awarded him a showcase how the South Asian business sharing ghazals and Shayari with his the boy worked in the garbage dump as all the news stations tuned in. He gave a win whether he won the election or not, Traidcraft and the Lausanne Movement pressure from his family to get married. Mr. Fellowship of Imperial College, indicate how community was contributing almost as school friends and his grandkids paying his near there, salvaging what he could, with all the credit for this win to the youth he by changing the agenda of the election to International Board. In addition, Ram’s Gidoomal was getting a lot of proposals his decisions did not let him down. much as Ireland in the economy, almost five storytelling a tribute by putting up a show, his sex-trafficked mother living in ghastly had encouraged, considering no laurels as reflect his dreams for his community. This other roles have included Chair of the Office from India and the dowry being offered billion pounds in 1991. When people wanted are all successes worth noting. He credits his He landed a job in a bank even though conditions. He went back on his first-class big as the satisfaction of influencing the experience is captured in his book, How of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher was too large to resist. But, Mr. Gidoomal to understand more about how to do experience with his faith as the push behind the atmosphere around him was not flight, but couldn’t stomach the caviar and future generation. Would Jesus Vote, because he wanted to Education for England and Wales; He was was sure that he was not for sale. He told champagne he was served. Once the lights business with this community, he wrote the his charitable interests. In college he had favorable to immigrants. Once he started He got involved with other charitable talk about the moralities of politics. also a Board member of the International his family that he would get married to a went down he broke down, unable to cheekily titled, The British And How To Deal decided to emulate Jesus Christ as his role working though, he realized that his race pursuits when he heard about a young Justice Mission (USA), he is a Life Fellow person he thought would fit well in his life, process what he had just witnessed. When With Them, because the ethnic minorities He believes in making a difference with fair model, considering caring for the vulnerable was going to become a big hindrance in man who had eloped against his family’s of the Royal Society of Arts and was a someone he could envision spending his life he reached home, he told his wife what he not being recognized were also British trade and fair wages, challenging MNCs as his most important calling. This closeness his promotions. He had been with them wishes and then self-immolated when he visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at with. Soon he was introduced to a fellow had seen and they talked about how he now, not foreign. and their profiteering. They helped start with the Lord definitely helped him long enough but did not see much scope for got caught. This story reminded him of the Middlesex University. Ram is also a freeman student by his sister and being convinced, Shop For Change which made fair trade reach the happiness and success we all growth. He then joined his wife’s uncle who didn’t need yachts and planes but did need Another laurel in his cap was when he ran of the City of London, was a liveryman of injustices he had seen in his community. Diwali and Christmas hampers for the recognize him for today. he talked to his professors and opted out of to help change what he had seen, for his for the office of Mayor in London in 2000

48 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 49 Shabir Momin (Singapore) On the Right Track

Shabir Momin started working at a very early age and became the youngest CTO at the age of 21 he was awarded, with Rex Karmaveer Global Fellow and Karmaveer Chakra Award (Gold) 2019. He won Business World Young Entrepreneur Award in the recent past along with entrepreneur of the year 2013 by TiE. He is honoured with the ‘100 Smartest Digital Marketing Leaders Citation’ by World Digital Marketing Congress. Brahma Kumari’s and their media wing Godlywood studio awarded to him for his achievement and excellence in media at the International Conference cum Cultural Festival. Shabir Momin has had a successful track record in varied technology and business He won Business positions at a CXO level for few years World Young before he became an entrepreneur. He has sold few ventures in the past Entrepreneur and his current ventures that he has Award in the recent founded and co-founded are ZengaTV, one of the leading OTT services, past along with OneDigital Entertainment, a Digital content company, OneAxcess.com, entrepreneur of the a unique self-serve, multiplatform year 2013 by TiE. distribution and monetization video

High Flyers 50 | 51 ecosystem with over few thousands of school, I took up a job of programming and content owners, creators, and brand database, while still pursuing my studies advertisers on board, InnovCrowd Pte (not so seriously). From there on, I was Ltd which owns two Crowdfunding picked from one company to another and platforms - Desired Wings and Catapooolt kept on moving and doing exciting projects focusing on reward-based and equity crow and learning new things. I had only one funding respectively, Rastey, a Cab Service, hunger to learn and understand what works WoVoyage, women-only travel company, how and why? I switched from computers PSiamgone.com, an after death service, to telecom to hybrid tech, and then was Holosuit, an AR/VR, tech startup, Clinical responsible for developing and setting up Nutrition, Food, and supplement brand, etc. large data centres and then managing tech He has further investments in renewable strategy for large organizations, which led power and few other industries. He is a me to understand the business to build tech successful entrepreneur and professional for it. I worked for some great companies, with an excellent track record in technology some big and some small, but it was the innovation especially in the digital and small ones that taught me what to do and convergence technology. the big ones who taught me what not to do? In my previous organization, I served Giving the briefest glance of his background as CTO and CEO. At a very early age, I in lieu with his growing up years Shabbir switched to become an entrepreneur. I just Momin averred, “As a boy, I was born and kept learning and learning and adapted out brought up in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. I did of box solutions on an everyday basis.” my studies at St. Joseph High School. My dad was a senior administrative officer with Talking about when he aspired to achieve the government and my grandfather was his goals and what were they, Shabbir a freedom fighter. I learned a lot about Momin rightly made the clarification that, honesty, to stand by good principles and “There isn’t usually a day or a moment, it do the right thing from them, which I used can be for some specific project, but not for at a later stage of my life. Besides as a kid, life. Every day is a fight to live and survive, I was very naughty and would volunteer achieve, and just move on a few more steps to stand up for others and this helped me ahead of what you are doing that time. build fearlessness and a risk-taking appetite. The life goal has always been to be able to I was blessed by a set of best friends who do good and create an impact that helps would stand by each other no matter change things in a positive manner, but you what. I was not great at studies as I could can never do this all by yourself, so you do never convince myself that why am I even your part as there are many others who studying so many things I might never are also doing the same, all these good and ever use and how is it going to help me in energy coming together automatically my life. What I liked was computers and form something great and creates the I was really good at it. I finished high-end change. I still feel while I am growing and computer programming and knowledge contributing whatever I can, I am still in at a very young age and started doing the prep-up stage to gather more resources projects for others at school. When I finished and strength to achieve more, and then

52 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 53 hopefully I will soon be able to contribute On the topic of how hard or easy it was to better. I have been lucky in many ways, achieve his ultimate goals in his life, Shabbir supporting the family when I was growing Momin coolly replied, “I think the already up, great friends, supporting wife and kids, achieved the ultimate goal is to transition and an amazing team that is like a family from being known as a very naughty boy to me. With all these almost 90% of the to being a respectable technologist was strength is already in place, so we are doing the first big achievement, the ultimate many things in many ways. I am an avid achievement is yet to come, a day when supporter of the start-up ecosystem, and I I feel I have contributed enough at believe this is the place where innovative a global scale.” and real problem solving happens, Shabbir Momin then goes on to describe supporting that genuinely helps support the some happy memories associated while biggest catalyst of change for good.” achieving his goals, “There are many, many Giving a glance into his academic pleasant and happy memories in my qualifications Shabbir Momin said, “I didn’t journey of life so far like my first job where pursue higher academics due to lack of someone believed in me and took the risk of interest in this area, but I am definitely a giving a job to a 15-year-old, being awarded scholar from practical learning and hands- the entrepreneur of the year, to cracking on experience. This is what leads me to the code to build tech solutions and the always find a new the solution to a problem inner satisfaction of building something as I am not tuned the same way as others which lot of them might not understand who read the same books to do the same today but will definitely see the benefits job, always think?” tomorrow. Playing games with the team to unwind before we go back to cracking On giving an informative description about the solution and the smile the team gets the milestones in his the career that he when we crack it.” ultimately succeeded in achieving in his life, Shabbir Momin went on a narrative spree, “I On explaining about whether he faced any think there is a long journey waiting, while hurdles in his journey to success Shabbir I am in the beginning of my mid-phase. I Momin said, “Every day there are hurdles of have realized that one first needs to get the different kinds, it’s part of life, it can and will respect of the world before one can start never be a cakewalk. Navigating through making an impact, as people listen and these problems and taking everyone with believe you more after one is established. you through it is success.” I want to make an impact in the energy, As a parting shot Shabbir Momin recounted education, and basic skills space, in the on what success means to him, “Satisfaction long run, solutions which are unbiased to and happiness of launching something new revenue, country, region and are for global and useful, which can be adapted in scale benefits, especially earth.” is success for me. Something that makes an impact and changes the traditional way things work is success for me.”

54 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 55 Vijay Goel (UK) A Visionary Lawyer

Vijay Goel is a Corporate Lawyer and Senior partner for the London office of the firm Singhania & Co. Vijay’s areas of practice include corporate law relevant to technology transfers, joint ventures, foreign collaborations, and licensing. He is also the founder of the Indo-European Business Forum established in 2007. The members of which include members of the House of Lords, Members of Parliament and Members of European Parliaments, and top business leaders from India and the UK including Messrs G.P. Hinduja, K.K. Modi, Mohit Burman, Jeh Wadia, Nikhil Gandhi, and Raj Loomba.

He spent his childhood formative years growing up in a village called Tikunia which is in Uttar Pradesh. His father was a businessman and therefore as a child, he started G. P. Hinduja who developing an interest in the business sector. As he was growing up he Vijay considers a came to the understanding that great visionary, business is the one thing that can possibly help him achieve the goals he caring, leader, and was setting for himself. He knew the philanthropist. business was in his blood and he used

High Flyers 50 | 57 that experience and understanding to start and he considers these interactions the big Vijay considers the happy memories he accomplishing his plans. He also used his milestones in his life. made in his long and arduous journey business acumen in a broader spectrum, his to be his milestones and achievements, Speaking about the achievements of his natural talents shining through. the memories of which he will cherish life and what he wanted to achieve is forever. He believes that the moment you He completed his schooling from his village hard for Vijay as he feels he just grabbed yourself are satisfied with your work and and followed that up with a Bachelor’s in opportunities that stood in his path and the amount of energy you give to your commerce. He then went on to finish his law tried to make the most of them with all ambitions, no matter the result is a success. degree and then finally ended up pursuing the resources he had available, so he could Just by giving your 100% to your goals, you MBA from Jaipur Institute of management. utilize these opportunities in the best way have already achieved success. During his long and arduous academic possible. He still feels he is yet to find his career, he managed to figure out his goals ultimate life goal and continues to work Vijay has a lot of feathers in his and aims which seemed to always bend towards understanding his long-term cap. His many current and previous towards the business side. goals while also trying to do justice to positions include: his existing and upcoming projects. The He considers the start of his journey to be The Economic Advisor to the success of his current projects always makes when he graduated and got felicitated Government of Malta. him feel one step closer to actualizing his in Delhi in 1998. Following that, he was core dream goals. Chairman of the London Chamber of awarded the opportunity of working with D. Commerce Asian Business Association. C. Singhania as he joined Singhania & Co the Vijay is cognizant of the responsibility very same year. He noticed the intelligence bestowed on him and that he must surpass Chairman of ASSOCHAM UK, one of the and authority under arbitration that D. C. many hurdles in order to do justice to largest Chamber of Commerce in India. Singhania possessed and learned a lot from everyone that depends on him. But, being Vice-Chairman of Africa International him, altering his perspective on business. determined is all that is needed to make Business Forum. While working with D. C. Singhania, in 2000 things work out. Believing in yourself he received the privilege and opportunity to and having faith in what you do can Member of the UKTI Global Entrepreneur handle the Singhania & Co; London office. make anything work out. He considers India Advisory Group. This was the big step that he considers a it his fortune that he was able to get Committee Member of Gandhi Statue in turning point in his life. He still considers it this opportunity and used it in the best front of British Parliament. a lucky privilege that he found a means to way possible because he understands Ambassador of Barnardo’s, UK’s largest and spread the knowledge he had gained in his that in the end, it is the work you do that oldest national Children’s charity. Barnardo’s long academic career. determines what kind of person you are. is a 150-year-old Charity works to transform He understands that the path of success is While in London, he came across many the lives of vulnerable children and young always marred by hurdles galore which interesting and innovative people. But people. The President of Barnardo’s is HRH must be faced by everyone before they his eyes were caught my one impressive the Duchess of Cornwall. can be called successful in their endeavors. personality. G. P. Hinduja who Vijay He just never let his determination fade in Special Advisor to the Commonwealth considers a great visionary, caring, leader, any way because he knew that hurdles, Business Council (CBC) for investments. and philanthropist, who he had the utmost bad times, and failure are just a part of the CBC has top connections in more privilege to meet and get to know in 2005. journey that leads to success. Without these than 53 countries. His last London dream was to meet Her scarring your journey you cannot possibly Majesty the Queen like any other Londoner. gain the experience necessary to strive Meeting her left a huge impact on his life towards any goal or ambition in your life.

58 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 59 Dr. Zulekha Duad (UAE) The Proud Indian

Dr. Zulekha Daud, not many know She was presented with a letter of about this Samarita who made India thanks and appreciation of her five proud globally. Dr Zulekha was decades of valuable contribution to the first female Indian doctor in the the Healthcare Sector in the UAE from Trucial States. Dr. Zulekha Daud is the H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Founder and Chairperson of Zulekha Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Healthcare Group, including Zulekha and International Cooperation. She Hospital UAE; Alexis Multispeciality was also included in the list of 100 Hospital, India and Zulekha Colleges, Indian Leaders in the UAE by Forbes India. She set up Zulekha Hospitals in Middle East for her contributions 1992 in UAE and in 2016 in India to the field of healthcare. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mama Zulekha as she is affectionately Vice President and Prime Minister of known was born in Nagpur, the UAE and Ruler of Dubai awarded Maharashtra in India. A renowned her the Dubai Quality Award too. physician turned entrepreneur based in UAE, Zulekha has received many Zulekha Daud was born into a family awards and rewards for her work of construction workers. But her globally. She received India’s topmost family gave importance to education. honors for overseas Indians- The A family of five Zulekha has three Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in brothers who were insistent on her 2019 at the hands of Hon’ble President completing her studies in the medical In 2016 Dr Daud of India, Shri Ramnath Kovind on field. The hard work her parents did January 23, 2019, at a ceremony pay off when she graduated with a established a 200- held in Varanasi, India. The award Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of is conferred on individuals who have Surgery degree from the Government bed multispecialty made significant contributions to Medical College in Nagpur, India. She hospital in her philanthropic and charitable work and specialized in gynecology. for prominence in one’s field which hometown, Nagpur. has enhanced India’s prestige in the country of residence.

High Flyers 50 | 61 Zulekha moved to UAE in 1964 She first team of renowned specialists and medical worked at the American Kuwait Mission personnel supported by the latest cutting- Hospital, while her husband Dr. Iqbal Daud edge technology offering all-around was an ophthalmologist in Ras Al Khaimah. care and comfort. When Zulekha started working before the In 2004, Daud set up Zed – a vocational federation was formed in 1971, facilities and training center and a charitable trust in in the UAE lacked basic amenities like Nagpur.[Her other efforts in India include the electricity and supplies and the equipment ‘Clean Drinking Water’ cause engineered that Zulekha had to use was rudimentary. in and around Nagpur. She has also begun No one knew Kuwait on the map, she adopting non-functional educational worked tirelessly by treating patients from institutes around the area. everything to snake bites, chickenpox, smallpox outbreaks, and viral infections. She In 2010, Daud put together a financing was the first woman in the Kuwait hospital deal of $24 million with the IFC, a member in Dubai. No one wanted to work here. There of the World Bank Group to offer hospital were no proper roads and they traveled care in India and the UAE. According to over-sand. That didn’t let her down. She the plan presented, $21 million would be learned the Arabic language which helped put toward a strong hospital in Nagpur, her in treating her patients. The doctor has India and $3 million would go toward an done an unmatchable feat of delivering energy-efficiency project in the Zulekha around 15,000 babies in the UAE itself. group’s Sharjah facility. Her other efforts in India include the ‘Clean Drinking She set up her first hospital Zulekha Hospital Water’ cause engineered in and around in Sharjah in 1992 with a facility of 30 beds Nagpur. She has also begun adopting non- and slowly expanded to build another functional educational institutes around hospital in Dubai along with three medical the area. Alongside healthcare services, Dr. centres and a chain of pharmacies. Today, Zulekha Daud leads numerous community the Zulekha Group is one of the largest initiatives across her facilities in India and private healthcare networks in the Emirates. the UAE that promote the early detection Zulekha Group treats about 550,000 people and prevention of life-threatening diseases annually between these two hospitals and such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, three medical centres. cervical cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. In 2016 Dr.Daud established a 200-bed During the initiative period, thousands of multispecialty hospital in her hometown, individuals are invited to take free health Nagpur, known as Alexis Multispecialty checks pertaining to these diseases at the Hospital. The hospital is an offering and group’s hospitals. initiative of Dr. Daud to help serve the entire Now at 80 years old, the doctor still Central India community by providing manages to keep fit with her walks, the highest quality of medical care across swimming, and gardening and never misses various disciplines. The Hospital has a her day at the hospital.

62 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 63 Sir Shankar Balasubramanian (UK) A Man of Innovation

Shankar Balasubramaniam has been the identification, elucidation, and Society Heatley Medal and Prize. known for his great contribution to manipulation of non-coding genetic Royal Society (2012) and membership medicines and services to science. He elements, particularly four-stranded of EMBO (2012). In 2013 he won the was conferred with the Royal Medal structures called G-quadruplexes. Tetrahedron Prize and in 2014 the in 2018 and was knighted in the 2017 His work on the intervention of Biochemical Society Heatley Medal New Years Honours for services to nucleic acid function using small and Prize. In 2015 he won the Chemical science and Medicine. molecules has revealed a number of Research Society of India Medal. molecular mechanisms that can be Shankar Balasubramanian the Shankar Balasubramanian was born exploited, for instance, to modulate the Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal on 30 September 1966 in Madras (now biology of cancer. Chemistry at the University of Chennai) India. Balasubramaniam Cambridge. He was also the senior Shankar Balasubramaniam has won then moved to the UK with his parents group leader at the Cancer Research many awards, for his contribution in 1967. He grew up in a rural area UK Cambridge Institute and Fellow towards science which recognizes his just outside Runcorn in Cheshire and of Trinity College, Cambridge. He is achievements and their wider impact attended Daresbury Primary School, an internationally recognized leader in advancing biology and medicine. then Appleton Hall High School in the field of nucleic acids who In 1998 he was conferred with the (which has since amalgamated to is distinguished for his pioneering Glaxo Wellcome Award for Innovative form Bridgewater High School). He contributions to chemistry and Organic Chemistry. In 2002 Corday– then went on to study the Natural their application to the biological Morgan Medal and Prize of the Royal Sciences Tripos at Fitzwilliam and medical sciences. He made a Society of Chemistry The Mullard College, Cambridge, where he did stunning invention of the leading next- Award of the Royal Society (2009), his undergraduate degree from generation sequencing methodology, the BBSRC Innovator of the Year 1985–88 and continued with a PhD for He is an Solexa sequencing, which has made (2010). He has been elected a Fellow research on the reaction mechanism routine, accurate, low-cost sequencing of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the enzyme chorismate synthase internationally of human genomes a reality and has (FMedSci) in 2011, Elected a Fellow supervised by Chris Abell (1988-1991). revolutionized biology. of the Royal Society 2012, Elected a recognized leader Following his PhD, Balasubramanian member of the European Molecular Shankar Balasubramaniam has travelled to the USA as a SERC/ in the field of Biology Organization (EMBO) in 2012. made seminal contributions to NATO Research Fellow and worked nucleic acids. In 2014, he won the Biochemical

High Flyers 50 | 65 in the group of Stephen J. Benkovic at (2007). He was most recently appointed More recently Balasubramanian has been Shankar was a keen football fan and he Pennsylvania State University (1991-1993). He Herchel Smith Professor of Medicinal inventing and applying new chemical often watched other kids at play in Liverpool started his independent academic career in Chemistry in 2008. He currently] directs methods to study epigenetic changes and developed an interest in the game. The 1994 at the University of Cambridge and has research laboratories in the Department of to DNA bases including single-base Liverpool football team is his favourite team. remained there ever since, first as College Chemistry and also the Cancer Research resolution sequencing of 5-formylcytosine, This interest led him on the field and he Lecturer, then University Lecturer (1998), UK (CRUK) Cambridge Institute at the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and started playing football until the age of 17 or University Reader in Chemical Biology Cambridge Biomedical Campus. His former 5-methylcytosine. 18 He wanted to be a professional footballer. (2003) and Professor of Chemical Biology doctoral students include Julian Huppert. Unfortunately, he tore some ligaments

when he was a student at the University set up a chain of wine bars with a friend in point to visit vineyards along with his wife. music at different nightclubs. He was also a and that ended his interest in football. America Instead, he ended up pursuing a He meets families that make wine and hear sprinter and now he is now an endurance PhD and this was a key turning point in his stories about their journey of winemaking. runner. When he turned 50 he did a 100km Shankar was not sure that he wanted to life. Now he has started collecting wine as ultra-marathon. Shankar finds running do PhD as he was unsure that he would As a student, he was a DJ for a while in a hobby. Bordeaux wines are his favourites. meditative. Sometimes he runs along with a do well enough in his exams. He decided to the mid to late ’80s and he staged hip-hop When he travels anywhere, he makes it a friend and enjoys it.

66 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 67 Dr. Malini Ranganathan (France) Dancing her way into French and Indian Hearts

Dr. Malini Ranganathan is a Dr. Malini is extremely well renowned Kathak exponent qualified, both artistically and who has performed extensively academically, one aspect throughout India, the USA, Canada, enhancing the other. Apart from Europe, particularly in France where her artistic accomplishments, Dr. she is settled since 1983. She is also Malini Ranganathan holds both officially recognized by the Indian M. Phil and a Ph. D in Humanities and French Ministries of Culture, & Didactics of Educational Sciences, the Embassy of India, Paris, and from the European University, the UNESCO. She appears in the France, highlighting the impact International Dance council’s Who’s and the transposition of cross Who Directory and in the NARTAKI, cultural context & teaching contents. World dancers’ data-base, as an She is a Researcher-Professor accomplished and qualified Kathak teaching International Business dancer-choreographer based in Management for MBA students France. She initially trained in in Nantes. She has done her entire Hindustani Sitar, Carnatic music, work in French, a language she and Nattuvangam under her learnt after relocating to France. She mother Smt. Leela Gopalan and is a versatile linguist with multiple She is also officially then went on to study Textile Design degrees and her incredible bilingual recognized by from Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, skills have been proven through the Sports, and Yoga. Dr. Malini scientific publications and paper the Indian and specialized in Kathak dance with presentations both in French and rigorous training under Padmashree English, in International journals French Ministries Guru Roshan Kumari of the Jaipur and conferences. Gharana as well as under Guru of Culture, the She is also the founder, artistic Damayanthi Joshi of the Lucknow director and professor at BINDI, a Gharana. She also learnt and Embassy of India, nonprofit Indo-French center of the performed Odissi under the training Indian Arts. She has created a new Paris, and UNESCO. of Guru Mahadev Raut.

High Flyers 50 | 69 curated by her. She efficiently used her skills generated in Nantes has resulted in India as a dancer-choreographer and artistic becoming a must-see tourist destination for director to create this festival in Nantes. She the residents. In recognition of her service, has been at the forefront of strengthening Dr. Malini was invited as a panel speaker Franco-Indian relationships in all their at the 16th PBD convention in 2021 by the myriad forms in several spheres, particularly Ministry of External Affairs to discuss the the Social, Pedagogical, Cultural, Artistic, Post Covid Scenario and building closer ties Academic and Philosophical. These were between India and France in both Artistic always done keeping in mind the twin and Academic fields. objectives of authenticity of Indian traditions Dr. Malini Ranganathan has proved time and modern French preferences. She enjoys and again that, as an Indian at heart, she showcasing her love of the Indian way of has the right credentials life, food, dressing, and to be a true global citizen. hospitality to the local She recalls her mother who students and residents and She has had taught her to assimilate ensures the voluntary and great success with different cultures, enthusiastic participation when she changed of French citizens in many in conducting countries but also made India-centric activities. International sure that she remained She is actively involved in attached to and conscious the dissemination of Yoga Yoga Day in of her Indian roots. Her for enhanced awareness seamless integration into of health and general support of the the local French lifestyle, physical well-being. She Honorable along with her Indian believes in the health values makes her a unique and joy-giving benefits Prime Minister role model for both Indian that yoga, meditation, Narendra Modi. and French women. She teaching protocol for Kathak dance which towards getting international recognition Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the Certificate of Recognition from CID-UNESCO and chanting especially has hence created a combines traditional teaching contents for traditional Indian dance are represented Honorable President of India, H.E. Shri Ram in Paris and in Miami. In 2020, she won the during these difficult very good image of the with new methods of transmission tailored by her passion for performing and teaching Nath Kovind in 2019, for her extraordinary “Global Achievers Award 2020 in recognition days in the pandemic. She has had great Indian Diaspora too. especially for French students. Therefore, thousands of French citizens. To that effect, contribution in Academics and Arts. On of outstanding Professional Achievement success in conducting International Yoga thanks to her quality of teaching and she has curated and convened a number this occasion, she was also invited to & Contribution in Nation Building, New Day in support of the Honorable Prime There is a lot to be learned from her about performance, she is well known for her of programs in France and performed in India by Honorable Prime Minister Shri Delhi, the ‘South Indian Women Achievers Minister Narendra Modi. overcoming challenges in another country, expertise in organization and participation several prestigious festivals. Prior to her Narendra Modi and late Smt Sushma Award 2020’ in Chennai, the “Global Change having a totally different culture and Another feather in her cap is the creation in all the artistic and cultural events linked to contribution to BINDI, Dr Malini had shown Swaraj, to participate in the Kumbha Mela makers Award 2021” as a tribute to world’s language, through mere hard work and of a special modules for MBA students India. These include the promotion of Indian her exceptional ability as a teacher at the in Prayagraj and Republic Day Parade in Greatest Change makers in Mumbai, “Face enthusiasm. And above all, we admire at ISG and Audencia Business School, artistes in France for creating an exchange National Conservatory of Dance, Lyon, the Nation’s capital. She has been honored of year” by the International Women’s the way she has intelligently transmitted entitled “New Indian Horizons: a Cross – between the two countries. The State House of culture, Nantes and at by the Government of France as well, with Parliament and the “Woman of the year her passion and pride for her own cultural Cultural Approach” and “Doing Business University of Rennes. the Medal of Excellence in 2019, for her 2021” by the French state government. heritage and impressively impacted on an This has led to our culture being in India”, which focuses on building better exceptional cultural service and contribution entire country, bringing a positive change of widespread in France and creating a Dr Malini Ranganathan is the 1st lady Dr Malini has successfully organized the understandings between the two countries’ towards promoting India in France for their perception about India. better understanding of the Indian arts in from France to be conferred the prestigious impressive Namaste France in October 2016 cultures and markets. The interest she has the past 38 years. She also received the the French people. Her vision and mission and highest distinction to a NRI, the in Nantes, which was both conceived and

70 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 71 Dr. Anil K. Mehta (Holland) A Perfect & Par Excellence Persona

Dr. Anil K. Mehta, born on 17th June Vaid was a renowned Vaid of his times 1954, is an Indian Dutch Ayurvedic in pre-partition India. His grandfather doctor, teacher, public speaker, and was given the title of “Mehta” by writer on Ayurveda & spirituality. English rulers of India at that time, for Dr. Mehta started his career as an his services as an Ayurvedic doctor Ayurvedic doctor in New Delhi in and social worker. His father was not the year 1977 after acquiring his able to continue the family tradition of graduation degree in Ayurveda from nourishing Ayurveda due to turbulent Maharishi Dayanand University, times of partition in India and he Rohtak, India. Dr. Mehta started his joined the Police force, but of course, international career in the field of Dr. Anil K. Mehta continued the family medical practice and teaching in tradition. Dr. Anil K. Mehta is married Ayurveda in the year 1980 when he to Sneh Lata Mehta and they have migrated to Holland. In the beginning, 4 children. Dr. Mehta’s sisters live in he started his Clinic in Zoetermeer. India and Holland.

Dr. Mehta then shifted his Clinic in Dr. Anil K. Mehta did his schooling the year 1989 and residence to The from D.A.V Schools and College in Hague, with new inspiration to start Jalandhar and graduated in Ayurveda a School on Ayurveda. In fact, Dr. from Mast Nath Ayurvedic College Anil K. Mehta started spreading of Maharishi Dayanand University, Dr. Anil K. Mehta awareness about Ayurveda amongst Rohtak India. Besides practicing has trained the Europeans by inviting them to free Ayurveda, Dr. Mehta studied the introductory classes on the application Acupuncture system of healing in more than 1500 of Ayurveda in daily life. Holland for three years from the year 1981 to the year 1984 from the Dr. Anil K. Mehta was born in Europeans Nederlandse Artsen Acupuncture Jalandhar, India. He belongs to a Vereeniging (NAAV) & (NAAS) and as Ayurvedic family of Ayurvedic doctors. His practiced acupuncture for a few years grandfather Pandit Sain Ditta Mal practitioners. with great success in Europe. Since his

High Flyers 50 | 73 Secretary Health Mrs. Shailja Chandra of started the magazine on Ayurveda by the minded children. Through vocational had started holding star nights of Indian In fact, Dr. Anil K. Mehta has also produced film personalities Including Gulzar, Centre Government. name of Prakash Deep Ayurveda Today to training, they will be taught a job in a way Film stars and singers in Holland in the year documentary films namely Stitching OHM Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Vishal reach the wider group of English speaking to earn their own money. Healthcare is also 1989. Dr. Anil K. Mehta organized six cultural (Omroep Hindoe Media). In the year 1996 Bhardwaj, Kavita Krishnamurti, Hari In the year 2001, Dr. Anil K. Mehta had got people globally. given to children. WFC also pays attention shows with stars like Hema Malini, Singer OHM produced a half-hour documentary Haran, Rekha Bhardwaj, Kumar Shanu, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to the poor families nearby and tries to raise Kumar Shanu, and Bhajan Samraat Anup film on Ayurveda where Dr. Mehta’s Sanjay Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Helen, signed with India’s very first Ayurvedic Dr. Anil K. Mehta is the author of more than their standard of living on a long term basis. Jalota. Dr. Mehta is so much passionate work has been portrayed, India Calling a Anup Jalota, late Jagjit Singh, Himesh College DAV Ayurvedic College in Jalandhar 15 research papers along with many books The social centers, kindergartens, medical and involved with Indian culture that he Documentary in the year 2005. Reshammiya, Suraj Saneem, Jimmy to work together in Research program on Ayurveda and Spirituality published in centers, training centers, and schools will not entered the Indian Film Industry as a Film Shergill, Asrani, Sonali Kulkarni, Nirmal and In the year 2002 Dr. Anil K. Mehta Dutch and English languages. Dr. Anil K. Mehta had also produced only be used by WFC children and youth Producer in the year 1996. Whence Dr. Anil Pandey, and Desh Deepak. established International Cooperated 115 episodes in the small screen arena In recognition of Dr. Anil K. Mehta’s work but are also there for the general public. K. Mehta had produced four Hindi feature Summing up the long, arduous, checkered, Ayurvedic University (ICAU) for the namely Kyun Apne Hue Paraye for Delhi as an Ayurvedic doctor and efforts in the films namely Jahan Tum Le Chalo in the and illustrious journey of Dr. Anil Kumar formal education of Ayurveda in other To provide completely free treatment to Doordarshan/DD Metro channel in the year field of spreading the message of Ayurveda, year 1999, Belagaam in the year 2002, Mehta it’s time to pinpoint a few of his extra countries of Europe along with Holland. as much as needy patients as possible 2007. Dr. Anil K. Mehta also co-produced Dr. Anil K. Mehta has been honored with and Anjaane - The unknown in the year special traits, and at this age and stage Under the banner of ICAU, he started his irrespective of caste creed and religion from a dance musical (which is also his theatre different titles; the most important are the 2005, and Madhav - Every Child Needs A would not be out of place. So Dr. Anil K. second Ayurveda teaching institute in any part of the world. The Anand Prakash debut as an actor) called “Divine Radha” following: Vishwa Ayurveda Shiromani in Mentor is Dr. Anil K. Mehta’s latest project. Mehta is very Fluent in languages: Written Antwerp, Belgium. trust is providing free Ayurvedic medicines in the year 2015 (Showcased in Rijskijk the year 2005 by the renowned and the very This movie marks Dr. Anil Kumar Mehta’s & Spoken like English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, to more than 500 patients every month in (The Netherlands, Nehru center (Bombay) To expand activities in Europe Dr. Anil K. first Ayurvedic College namely Dayanand directorial and acting debut! Madhav and above all Dutch a foreign language. Raiwala, Dist. Dehradoon, Uttrakhand. and Kamani auditorium (New Delhi) Mehta started his third Ayurveda teaching Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, NRI Achiever has released recently on OTT platform While taking into account some of Dr. in the year 2016. Anil K. Mehta’s personal Interests, they belief, trust, and roots were in Vedic sciences the banner of EISRA, Dr. Anil K. Mehta institute in London, England under the Award in the year 2010 from NRIFC at the To spread the essence of Indian culture internationally. are but natural Reading, Teaching, Social he started the Ayurvedic Research Institute has trained more than 1500 Europeans as name of the European school of professional 2nd Annual Punjabi NRI the conference among Europeans. To attach Indian In the process of making these films and Activities, Charities, Film Making and above in The Hague, Holland. Ayurvedic practitioners. studies (ESPS) and a treatment center was given by Mr. Jassi Khangura the only Diaspora with its roots Dr. Anil K. Mehta teleserial he has worked with dignified Ayurveda UK Ltd. in Hounslow, England. NRI, MLA of Punjab at Ludhiana, GOPIO all Travelling. As Ayurveda was not that famous in Europe Incidentally speaking EISRA has a legal Community Service Award in the year 2013 To give the practical training of Ayurveda at that time as it is now, Dr. Anil K. Mehta tie-up with Vereeniging ter bevordering van given by His Excellency H.R. Bhardwaj, along with the firsthand experience of made great efforts to propagate Ayurveda Alternative Geneeswijzen (VBAG) one of the Governor of Karnataka and Kerala, India. amongst the Europeans by conducting biggest professional therapists associations spirituality to his European students Dr. Anil Ayurveda orientation classes at weekends in The Netherlands. EISRA graduates are K. Mehta started “Parakash Deep Institute As a committed community worker, Dr. in different cities of Europe. Dr Anil Mehta accepted as professional members by of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences” (PDI) in Anil K. Mehta had started two NGOs in is now running seven clinics in Holland this association. By virtue of this EISRA’S the Land of Gods at Raiwala, Haridwar. PDI India namely the Wellness Foundation for and Belgium under the name and style graduates become eligible to practice is one of its types of Ayurvedic Institute in Children (WFC); which gives poor children, of Ayurvedische Gezondheidscentrum Ayurveda in Holland with reimbursement India which provides dedicated services to who have lost their parents or who are no Nederland (AGN) and its Head-office rights from more than 65 insurance Europeans in Ayurvedic practical training longer able to live with them, permanent is at the Thijssestraat 16, 2521 ZL Den companies, since the year 1989 in Europe and treatments. home and a stable environment. Every child will be brought up by a father and a Haag in Holland. Traditional Ayurveda. Magazines for Dr. Anil K. Mehta proved mother. They will take care of the child and to be the best tool to reach the general Dr. Anil K. Mehta is one of the pioneers who In the year 2000, Dr. Anil K. Mehta’s institute will be a substitute for the child’s natural masses in the West with the message of started spreading the message of Ayurveda EISRA got affiliated with the only Ayurvedic parents. In that way, family bonds should Ayurveda Dr. Anil K. Mehta’s publication on the European subcontinent, thereby University of that time Gujarat Ayurvedic be created, so that the child can experience on the subject. In fact, Dr. Anil K. Mehta teaching formal education on Ayurveda University, Jamnagar on the directions of an atmosphere of safety and love. The started the first-ever bimonthly magazine in the western world. It is because of this the Ministry of Health, Centre Government children are given an education. WFC on Ayurveda in the Dutch language by reason that Dr. Anil K. Mehta established of India. In presence of the Governor of will guide them until they are financially the name of Ayurveda Actueel in the year the European Institute of Scientific Research Gujarat Shri. Sunder Singh Bhandari, independent. Special attention is given 2002, and in the year 2010, Dr. Anil K. Mehta in Ayurveda (EISRA) in the year 1989. Under Health Minister Shri Ashok Bhatt, and to the less talented and the even feeble-

74 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 75 Shrivaths Balguri (Singapore) A Par Excellence Genius Prodigy

Shrivaths Balguri is rightly known as a par excellence genius prodigy who started learning, exploring, constantly improving, and albeit putting into practice his hidden technical wizardry since he was that high. Having already crossed 13 summers of his life, and being born and brought up in Singapore, he has already got himself featured in the Singapore Book of Records. Not only this, but the youngest gentleman Shrivaths Balguri also helps out his young friends in all the areas in order to help them to learn, explore, constantly improve, and put into practice their own hidden talent.

Giving an in-depth as a brief glance of his background in lieu of his growing up years, the ever-growing up young man nay an almost teen guy says, “I am born and bought up in Singapore Having already with strong roots of Indian culture. My mom is an IT professional and crossed 13 summers my dad is in the Geo-Technical arena. of his life, and being I have a 4-year-old beautiful sister. I just completed primary school and born and brought moved to secondary school. As I up in Singapore recall my days of growing up, many

High Flyers 50 | 77 these, you can count on me to help you out. my advice: there isn’t an easy or faster day I spent the days learning new digits of Singapore. I was also invited as a Special I also opted for the Chinese language as my way to achieve your goal, all you need is π and memorizing them in different ways.” Guest on Radio Masti 24x7 on the occasion Highlights of the Achievements: Mother Tongue subject at school and trust determination and the perseverance to press of Children’s Day. My all-time favourite is Once again giving a brief account of Certified Memory Practitioner me it is fun and exciting and at the same on even if the odds are against you.” receiving two national records in Singapore what were the milestones in his career Certified Game Developer time even too ‘scary’ for someone like me - the first is the youngest to recall more than Explaining in detail when he realized the that ultimately succeeded in achieving with a non-Chinese background.” 700 digits of π and the other is the fastest Green Belt in Taekwondo goals that he really wanted to achieve and in his life, he proudly said, “Well, I am a mirror image writing. I can also solve Rubik’s Speaking further on about how hard or what were they he went on to add, “When Certified Memory Practitioner. I am also Two Singapore National Records (Singapore Book of Records): Youngest to recall Cube blindfolded.” easy was it to achieve the goals he recounts, I was about 2 years old, I used to play those a Certified Game Developer. I am Green more than 700 digits of Pi and Fastest Mirror Writing “Well, achieving your goals is never easy. puzzle-solving games, like “Find the missing Belt in Taekwondo. I also run my own Describing some of the happiest memories Selected as a Finalist for ‘Super Stars Singapore’ by Zee TV APAC based on If you achieve a goal and you thought it piece” or “Where does it go?”. I also learned YouTube channel which is where I post associated while achieving his goals, he his performance to solve Rubik’s cube blindfolded. Finals will be held on the was easy, then it is never a goal in the first about country flags and would be able to videos of me creating new milestones and says “Well! I have a lot of happy memories. third week of April place. The thing is, goals tell the countries name share my learning journey. Some of the Every time I accomplish a goal it is a happy are created such that it is when I see that specific most memorable ones include me hosting memory. And even happier memories Invited on Talk Show ‘Vadi Ready Vedi’ by Mediacorp Vasantham TV featuring hard, but not impossible. “When I was flag. It was at that time a television show on Star Plus, being are the ones that challenged me to inspiring personalities That’s why there are people when my mother saw my interviewed on Mediacorp Vasantham work on my goals.” Invited as a Special Guest on Singapore’s Children’s Day by RadioMasti 24x7 who love to achieve goals. about 2 years talent. So, she started to TV, which is a well-known TV channel in Won prize at Spotlight in Mixed talent Category Mainly because of that old, I used to teach me all the country’s feeling of accomplishment capitals, currencies, and Talked about ‘Saving the Environment’ at Bodhan District in South India at a rally after completing something play those languages. While learning conducted to raise environmental awareness and was later felicitated they once deemed these I found out more wonderful memories pop up. My areas my friends overcome their fear. I use my Gave a motivational talk at a school in South India impossible or out of their puzzle-solving about myself. I challenged of interests have been different from my strength of public speaking skills to provide reach. I realized this when my brain to see how far it Conducted free Workshop in Singapore to help kids of his age group with peers. While my friends enjoyed watching informational and motivational talks. As and games, like I was aiming to learn over can go. From memorizing Public Speaking cartoons, I used to glue myself to Discovery when possible, I use my school holidays to 700 digits of Pi. When I first countries to memorizing Channel or the National Geographic give talks in schools in Rural India. I was “Find the Hosted ‘Star Young Achiever Awards 2019’ by Star TV Network started learning, I focused songs, to memorizing the Channel. My parents always encourage also invited to talk at an Environmental rally on the first 100 digits in the missing piece” way to solving the Rubik’s Hosted the show on Star TV which was aired on Star Plus and Star Vijay in Singapore me in everything I want to try and explore. in Bodhan District, India. I also developed an fastest time. With some cube, and more! But as I still love to explore varied fields to see and interest in the areas of coding and Robotics. or “Where does Won a prize for his speech on ‘Effects of Social Media’ by the Indian Cultural effort and lots of practice, I was pushing myself to analyse what interests and excites me. After I am a decent cook too. I have learned some Association, Singapore I reached to reciting the it go?” the limits, I watched this all, life is all about exploring, learning, and Indian cooking from my mom. I also help 100 digits in 16 seconds. Mr. channel called, “Officially Won accolades for His Monologue Performance at Sankranti Celebrations organized improving oneself. I love reading books, with household chores like doing dishes, Wong from the Singapore Amazing!” where it showed by Manam Telugu (TAS) especially encyclopedias, and the ones that laundry, and so on.” Book of Records (SBOR) challenged me to people who attempted to break records. I provide motivation and inspiration. One Performed as Emcee for events in school and the community Without taking even a momentary pause, learn 600 digits. Initially, I was unsure if I thought to myself, “Hey! Maybe I can also day, I want to be an author myself, maybe Won a medal at Inter-School National Scrabble Championship 2019 Shrivaths Balguri went on to give a brief could do it. However, what is a challenge if break a record.” I applied for the Singapore something like informational or inspirational insight into his academic qualifications, “I it does not scare you enough. I took up the Book of Records (SBOR) to receive the comics. Growing up, I also realized my Reached ‘Intermediate’ level in robotics am a science and math’s lover. I like things challenge and learned more than 700 digits national record for reciting 100 digits of π love for Public Speaking. I love to own the An all-rounder in cricket, a book worm, and received a ‘Book Muncher’ certificate related to them like numbers, problems, of Pi. What I learned during this is that we in the fastest time possible. However, the stage and present to the audiences my et al. I also like to do things that I find must believe in ourselves and put in the right Singapore Book of Records (SBOR) sent me Spends free time learning to cook and loves photography too so-called views. However, I noticed that awesome. Like solving the Rubik’s cube, efforts and we can achieve our “scary” goals. a message challenging me to recite some some of my friends fear public speaking. Shares his learning and fun journey to Inspire and teach others through fun videos on learning new skills. Overall, I am good with So to those who want to achieve something more digits of π. Of course, I am the guy So, I decided to help them out. I conducted his YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/BalguriH/videos numbers and logical problems, so if there is as easy or as quickly as possible, here is who loves challenges, so I agreed. After that a Public Speaking Workshop to help anything that you need help with related to

78 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 79 Arundhati Banerjee (Australia) A Danseuse Par Excellence

Arundhati Banerjee, an Indian the International Dance Council origin and resident of South partnered with UNESCO for the Australia is a former student second consecutive year. Her of Padmashree Shobana contribution in the field of art, Chandrakumar Pillai and especially showcasing the ancient currently a student of Guru Indian classical art Bharatanatyam Nirupama Rajendra. She was has won her laurels, appreciation, born in Chennai and has spent and awards such as Multicultural her initial 11 years in Chennai Award from NSW parliament. She while in India. Arundhati Banerjee has been invited to Hollywood is trained in Bharatanatyam, to showcase the ancient Indian while currently learning Kathak, classical forms and has won several Odissi, Karnas, and the ancient dance competitions nationally and text of dramaturgy Natyashastra. internationally. She is also associated with the Arundhati won the title of pure prestigious ‘Australian Dance artistry from established judges of Arundhati won the Theatre’ known for contemporary the entertainment industry from thematic presentations and has title of pure artistry Los Angeles, California, Sydney, already completed her Certificate and Canada. Banerjee is the first Level II and III National Certificates from established Indian-origin teenager to receive the in Dance from Australia and is ‘Inspiring South Australian Woman judges of the currently pursuing Certificate IV. of the Year-Emerging Leader’ at entertainment Arundhati runs a performing arts the young age of 17. She is the first industry from Los academy by the name ‘AIDA- South Australian and an Indian Bharatanatyaved’ in Adelaide, origin to win the title of ‘Miss Teen Angeles, California, Australia, wherein she has Diamond Australia 2019’. performed and collaborated She has won awards such as Sydney, and with locals and international the Humanitarian Award for Canada. artists. She is also a member of

High Flyers 50 | 81 her work with differently-abled young in me was identified by my parents and feel truly humbled to have been recognized achievable. It requires discipline, planning, costumes, choreography, lighting, public wisdom-oriented insight on what success and child artists, those affected with I was introduced to performing arts at an and encouraged for my work in the area determination, support, and passion. relations, it felt impossible but I am pleased really means for her, “Success for me always cancer, homelessness, fight against incredibly young age. Art in the form of of performing arts, humanitarian services, The drive to keep going when going gets that I faced those hurdles, as it has given means being stable, irrespective of the hunger, dyslexia. She has modeled with dance, the theatre has always been my and fashion. I have been bestowed tough is the only mantra, which I have me the experience to face challenges with a challenges, failures, and achievements. I a purpose raising funds for those affected passion. I have been training in Indian and with the most prestigious Australian witnessed when I had to raise funds for a smile and make it possible to reach the final am confident that this mantra will help with domestic violence, has been a brand western dance forms for over a decade. State Award-Inspiring South Australian non-governmental, organization through goal with zeal and grit. me remain grounded, be realistic, and ambassador for NoRuYelo to support slow I believe the constant pursuit of learning Women- Emerging Leader, International a show named Dancing Sutra in the yet passionate always while staying Finally, as a parting shot, Arundhati fashion in line with the changing climate is the path towards individual growth Woman Excellence Award-UK, Young most sought out festival in the Southern focused. Period!” Banerjee managed to deliver her pearls of conditions. She has been featured and been and professional excellence. Currently, Achievers Awards-South Australia, hemisphere by the named ‘Dancing Sutra’. a cover girl by leading magazines in India, I am being trained in the ancient text National Woman Excellence Awards – However, it was a great learning experience, Australia, and the United States. of dramaturgy Natyashastra, Karnas- India 2020, Multicultural Recognition which has made me stronger and a the temple dance by an artist of global Award-International Film & Entertainment better human being. In a candid interaction with us, she came repute Guru Nirupama Rajendra. I am Festival Australia, Milestone Global Award- across as a very intelligent lady answering On describing some of the happy memories also training in Kathak and Odissi. Apart Singapore, International Women Achievers promptly all the queries put to her while associated while achieving her goals from these forms, I have Award and Young Star Awards-India, talking about and giving Arundhati Banerjee spoke out, “One of the been trained in ballet, Abhimanyu Award-VHP Australia, Best us a brief glance of her happiest memories so far has been when I contemporary, and hip- Humanitarian of the Year-MDIA. As well, background in lieu of her My association raised funds for a not-for-profit organization hop. I am associated with I have won several titles that include Pure growing up years she said, namely motions 21, through different the renowned Australian Artistry and Most Stylish to name a few. I “My initial upbringing with performing mediums like shows, social media, sponsors, Dance Theatre and in the have also been a cover model and featured has been in India where and others. To raise a fund for a young artist arts was past with the Australian in leading magazines in Australia, India, I recollect spending with Down syndrome was my privilege and Girls’ Choir. I believe it is and United States. I have also been covered time going with my initiated at I found it gratifying and fulfilling.” significant to build every by print media like the prestigious Advertiser grandparents. The initial an incredibly competency to becoming for my contribution to Performing Arts. It On explaining her stance on whether developmental years of an artist and hence takes an immense sense of gratitude to be he faced any hurdles in her journey to my life have been listening young age of 5 sharpening the skills, recognized and encouraged for the work success Arundhati Banerjee replied with to stories about the velour building the faculties is a done so far, however, the journey ahead a generous dose of the intelligentsia, “The and values that India constant journey. In the is long with several milestones yet to be road to success has not been easy but has upholds which was one future, I look forward to completing my achieved. I believe in the tag line “Art with been memorable and truly experiential. of diversity and inclusion. My association graduation in Creative Arts with one of the a Heart” which I was conferred by one Dance just like any sport is accompanied with performing arts was initiated at an Go8 University of Australia and associate of the magazines’, which does make me by injuries at times. I was faced with this incredibly young age of 5, when I joined myself with theatre and acting school. The believe through performing arts I would situation for several months, which meant Kalarpana-Institute of Bharatanatyam, have completed my Certificate III in dance, to completing a Bachelor of Creative Arts final goal is to set foot in the performing arts want to make an impact be it environment, not being in action, however, I utilized under the guidance of Padma Shri Guru a Nationally Recognized qualification in with one of the Go8 University of Australia industry and contribute to the society, as I inclusion, health, and any other issues we the time effectively, working on my skills Shobana Chandrakumar. There has been no Australia in Dance. Additionally, I have and contribute to the entertainment believe it is a powerful medium, especially are faced as humanity. It would be my without requiring movement, that included looking back since then and so I continued completed a course in Abhinaya Darpana industry which has a significant impact with the advent of technology and endeavor to collaborate with like-minded strengthening theory, observing and to pursue my training in Indian classical and Introduction in Natyashastra from on our society. globalization.” India which are the ancient texts in artists across borders in making this a reality studying artist, avoiding, managing, and and western dance forms in Australia.” On detailing her milestones in her career and achievable goal. dealing with dance-related injuries. And And then Arundhati Banerjee went on to dance and dramaturgy. As well I am a Before completing a question about that she has ultimately succeeded in when I had launched, my first show at the give us a brief insight into her academic SACE assessed drama artist, SACE being On describing how hard or easy was it when did she realize the goals that she achieving in her life Arundhati Banerjee age of 16 years, “Dancing Sutra” this required qualifications by averring, “I have recently the government body and evaluator to achieve her ultimate goals in her life wanted to achieve in her life and what narrated, “I consider my journey has just acquiring several skills from budgeting, completed my Year Twelve in an Australian for the faculty of drama for High School Arundhati Banerjee explained, “I believe were they, pat came her reply, “The artist begun and there is a long way ahead. I production, marketing, stage management, High School and my results are awaited. I students. I have applied and look forward goals are not easy but are definitely

82 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 83 Khooshvin Balgobin (PhD.H) (Australia)

"My mission is to inspire everyone to achieve high flying records within the Aviation Industry" - Khooshvin Balgobin (PhD.H)

Khooshvin Balgobin (PhD.H) is a privilege to be honoured with both student, a pilot, an author, and a the Indian Shining Star Awards mentor endowed with the vision to (ISSA) and even the Indian Excellence inspire and assist the less fortunate Awards (IEA). He has also been ones to find their feats within the honoured as the ‘Youth Icon of the Aviation industry. Born in Singapore, Year Aviation 2019’ by the well- Khooshvin is an Indian-Singaporean renowned Global Excellence Awards residing in Perth Western Australia, (GEA). In late 2019s, Khooshvin and became one of the top three became one among the thirty- youngest pilots in Australia when he five Asians to have won the Asian flew solo at the age of fifteen, also Inspiration Award, Asia’s premier making him one of the youngest prize and the highest honour for pilots in the world and officially youths issued by the International the youngest one in Asia. He was Youth Committee, and witnessed by officially named in the Asia Book of His Excellency Mr. Peter Mutharika, Records and the World Kings Book of President of Malawi, Mr. Tshering Records 2020 as Asia’s Youngest Solo Tobgay, Hon’ble Former Prime Pilot, even Asia’s Youngest Licensed Minister of Bhutan, Ms. Jacinda Pilot at the young age of sixteen Adern, Hon’ble PM of New Zealand, years and twenty-nine days old. In Mr. KP Oli, Hon’ble Prime Minister the month of April 2019, the World of Nepal, Mr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, He has also been Book of Records UK honoured him Hon’ble Prime Minister of Ethiopia with this record. and Mr. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble honoured as the Prime Minister of India. Further to Following on from these this, the World Records University in achievements, in the month of ‘Youth Icon of the the UK conferred on him Honorary September 2019, Khooshvin had the Year Aviation 2019’ Doctorate Degree (PhD.H) in record-

High Flyers 50 | 79 making under the title ‘Asia’s Youngest types of planes taking off and landing. Thus, On explaining the realization of his goals it into the book of records. This led to me becoming Asia’s Youngest Licensed Pilot, aviation with a current LinkedIn connection Licensed Pilot’. Thus, he became the from the age of three, I already had an that he wanted to achieve in life and successfully conducting my first solo as well as being tasked to write a thesis for of over 7000 followers. Furthermore, at ‘Youngest Honorary Doctorate holder in the ambitious dream to become a pilot. what were they, Khooshvin goes ahead flight at the youngest possible legal age a doctorate in record-making/breaking by the time of this writing, I am presently field of Aviation. in a clarifying mode, “My main goal from of fifteen and becoming a licensed pilot at the World Records University. Hence, my working on a free mentorship program But what might have been a typical the toddler age of three was always to the youngest possible legal age of sixteen. love affairs with the aviation arena grew named AviatorApprentice.com and is Khooshvin is currently studying and flying daydream fantasy of a child, was taken one become a pilot. As stated previously, there This achievement resulted in me becoming from that point onwards and I recently aimed at mentoring aviation enthusiasts, to finish off his ‘A’ levels as well as attaining step ahead into reality, when my parents were numerous steps involved leading up amongst the very few youngest licensed wrote my first book on Physics and the wannabe pilots, students of aviation, and his, Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine gifted me my first ever flight simulator and to this goal. However, upon starting flight pilots in Western Australia. Additionally, Human Factors of flight. As of this writing, even recreational licensed pilot to immerse Rating, and IFR Rating. Further to this, he is control peripherals at the age of five. I got so training at the ripe young of fourteen, I after a long period of nine months of I’m currently positive to break once again themselves into the world of aviation, earth’s writing his first book in the field of Aviation captivated by the flight sim and would daily had set a new goal, this time to become intense research and facts checking, I was into the book of records and this time as the atmosphere and human factors.” and has the vision to set an impeccable experiment around the highly sophisticated one of Australia’s Youngest Solo and conferred with a record by the Asia Book of youngest aviation author in Asia and likely mentorship and teaching platform to assist cockpits of the different types of Airbus and Licensed Pilots and if possible, to make Records and World Book of Records UK for all over the world. I am also a mentor of the less fortunate with their Boeing air crafts, resulting feat within the industry. in me building over 2000 Moreover, Khooshvin is However, life flight hours on these aircraft looking to start off either in wasn’t always by the age of ten. In the a cadetship or as a second year 2008, at the age of officer/junior first officer in as smooth for six, my parents took me an airline and is open to my family, who to my first ever air show future opportunities. Present in Singapore. There were herewith is a tête-à-tête were looking numerous general aviation with the dynamic young and commercial planes man, Khooshvin. to generate a on display, and I had the chance to sit for the first Detailing a brief glance higher income time ever in a Mooney 20J of his background in lieu in order to and Boeing 737 cockpit. This of his growing up years, experience fuelled an ever- Khooshvin avers, “I was help support growing dream to fly these born in Singapore in the planes in the future. year 2002, and I was my aviation raised by my parents and dreams. However, life wasn’t always grandparents for nine years as smooth for my family, in a popular town known who were looking to as Chinatown, where we lived in public generate a higher income in order to help housing throughout this duration. Coming support my aviation dreams. This led us to from a middle-class family with absolutely move to Perth, Western Australia for better no aviation and science background, it opportunities. Thanks to the aviation law of was quite unique for me to develop a love Western Australia, in 2017 I was incredibly for planes at the age of three. My parents privileged at the age of teenage of fourteen would regularly take me on the weekends to take my first real cockpit flight in a to the Changi International Airport for plane Cessna 152 Aerobat alongside an instructor. spotting. We would mainly spend our time This was the first of the four flights I had at the viewing gallery watching different undertaken in that year.”

80 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 81 Later, Khooshvin goes ahead to give a brief Doctorate holder in Aviation, Set out to and emergency procedures, advanced thankful to have walked away injury-free. insight into his academic qualifications, become the Youngest Aviation Author at maneuverings techniques, load factor, and However, this occurrence did not deter me “I have completed A-Levels at Trinity the age of eighteen, India’s Shining Star vector calculations among many others. to kick start my journey as a pilot leading College in Western Australia (Topped the Awards 2019 by Youth Development Board, I was able to capture information with to me flying solo at the age of fifteen and Aviation classes of 2019 and 2020). I was India Excellence Awards 2019, Global significant ease and expand my scientific becoming Asia’s Youngest Licensed Pilot at also conferred with Honorary Doctorate Excellence Awards 2019 – Youth Icon knowledge of aircraft and advanced the age of sixteen.” (Ph.D.) in record-making/breaking. I of the Year (Aviation), Asian Inspiration aerodynamics. Once again discipline and Recounting the hurdles he faced in his have also completed the Recreational Awards 2019/2020 by International focus were the key factors in my time journey to success Khooshvin says, “As I Pilot License Course from Royal Aero Youth Committee, Australia 7News management, and I was able to gain was making this record, time was one of Club WA issued by Civil Aviation Safety Young Achiever Awards 2020 (Certificate first-time passes across all my flight tests the key essences to my success. However, Authority (CASA) Australia. I was also of Achievement), Australia Regional and exams that eventually got me into the weather conditions and unexpected then issued with International Civil Achievement and Community Awards 2020 the record books.” delays in my medical test reports were Aviation Organization (ICAO) Level six (Certificate of Achievement), Featured in Describing some of the happy memories some of my hurdles. As June is known to English Language Proficiency (highest BRANDS Magazine 2020 Edition, Featured associated while achieving his goals be a winter and windy season, oftentimes level of English proficiency in the aviation in Fly High Magazine 2020 Edition (one of Khooshvin narrates, “At the age of fourteen I would reach the airport and my flights industry). Later on I was also issued with the few prestigious Aviation Magazines I was given a true taste of what to, at times, would disappointingly get rescheduled a Controlled Aerodrome, Non-Controlled in the world).” expect as a pilot. My instructor and I had or postponed to later dates either due Aerodrome (CTAF), Radio Telephony and Recounting on how hard or easy was it just taken off and we were flying over the to unforeseen high tailwind, crosswind, Glass Cockpit Endorsements, besides to achieve his ultimate goals in his life, runway at a low altitude of some 300 feet low visibility, low cloud levels, or other MOOC Certificates, HAVARDX of Harvard Khooshvin relapses into a rewinding mode, above ground level when suddenly the unfavourable weather conditions. There University - “Backyard Meteorology: “To be legally allowed to fly solo at the age engine failed due to a malfunction within were also other factors such as ground The Science of Weather”, EMBRY of fifteen, and getting licensed at my early the magnetos. I still remember how the theory classes which also got postponed RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY - age of sixteen requires the utmost level of plane vibrated like a washing machine and I was told it would take at least a “Enhancing Stem Education with Drones”, discipline and will power at getting things when airborne followed by a loud bang month of intense training and exams in STANFORD ONLINE of Stanford University - done no matter the level of opportunities from the engine upon touched down. At order for me to catch up with my record- “Understanding Einstein: The Special Theory and challenges that came my way. that point in time, being still a novice and making deadline. At this point, I really felt of Relativity”, Federal Aviation Authority Furthermore, making it into the book of inexperienced wannabe pilot, I did not that my chance of making it into the book of (FAA) USA Certificates, Aviation Weather records takes the disciplinary game and know what to think as I became engulfed records was not possible.” Data, Performance, and Limitations, VFR focus to another level. I followed a very strict in fear and anxiety. It was my fourth trial Navigation Planning, Avoiding Gear and And in a grand finale curtain down a timetable which I would update daily. The flight and I was already experiencing an Gear Collapse Mishaps, Adapting Threat revelation about what success really means timetable consisted of both high school and emergency in the air. However, thanks and Error Management to General Aviation for him, Khooshvin gives his parting shot flight school activities. There certainly was to the runway design and orientation at and much, much more…! appropriate reply, “Success is not so much not much recreational time for me whilst Jandakot airport, we were able to avoid about displaying the characteristics of Giving a detailed word by word description making this record. It was either I was a crash landing into the neighbourhood individuality and self-centeredness. It is of the milestones in his career that he flying or studying for upcoming flight or fields and managed to safely conduct a 270 the process of creating history in order to ultimately succeeded in achieving in his high school assignments and exams. There degrees turn and glided the aircraft towards inspire the younger future generations of life Khooshvin elaborates, “The milestones were days where I would practice flying a then inactive runway for an emergency individuals to live up and hopefully surpass that I ultimately succeeded in achieving after a tiring day of high school activities in approach. At that point in time, this your achievements. That way the world are: Becoming Asia’s Youngest Solo order to accomplish these records. Through experience could be said to have certainly can consistently revolve into deeper success and Licensed Pilot, Becoming amongst unwavering discipline and focus, I was able been one of the biggest highlights of my life resulting in why success for me is purely the youngest mentors in the aviation to grasp technical and at times complex as a young wannabe aviator. Looking back about teamwork and values rather than arena, Becoming the Youngest Honorary information such as aviation laws, flight at this incident, I could only be happy and self-pleasure.”

82 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 83 Neola Jennica Castelino (UAE) A Multifaceted Albeit a Talented Persona

Neola Jennica Castelino is a student successfully completed a course in of year 11, studying in the United Mental Arithmetic and has won Arab Emirates (UAE). She is a proud 6 champion trophies, one regional Indian residing in Dubai. She has champion trophy, and a gold medal won the prestigious Sheikh Hamdan in an international mental arithmetic award and Sharjah Excellence competition. To spread awareness award for her distinguished about prominent community issues, academic performance and The Neola has written about 64 articles International Diana Award for as a community reporter which have her environmental campaigns. been published in Gulf News, while Neola is a young Environmentalist four of her works have been selected and a top recycler of the United as the winning articles in a month. Arab Emirates (UAE). Neola is also Neola believes in being persistent an ambassador of a number of and dedicated to a given task until environmental Organizations. Neola she has successfully completed it. feels wonderful to share that she has She did her schooling in ‘Our Own Neola’s other received numerous awards in the English High School, Main Campus, green field due to her continuous achievements Sharjah, United Arab Emirates active participation in various (UAE). Neola’s date of Birth is 13th environmental activities. To this include winning the September 2004. Neola is an original date, she has recycled 15,000 kg of of Indian Nationality. Neola’s future prestigious Sheikh newspapers, 4000 kg of aluminium objective is to do her higher studies cans, and 8000 plastic bottles. Neola Hamdan award, in Information Technology. Neola’s is also an ambassador of ‘Hair for other achievements include winning Hope India’, and even proud to share Sharjah Excellence the prestigious Sheikh Hamdan that she has donated her hair thrice award, Sharjah Excellence Award, Award, and the to Friends of Cancer Patients United and the International Diana Award. Arab Emirates (UAE) in the year International Diana Also, Neola has bagged 6 champion 2015, 2017, and 2019. Neola has also Award. trophies in Mental Arithmetic and

High Flyers 50 | 85 even bagged the Alpha Econian Award that When questioned about when she realize which has provided I with many stages Collecting so many recyclables also gave the royal family, from His Highness Sheikh Lastly, the meaning of success stated by too for five times. Neola has secured the third the goals that she wanted to achieve in her to perform at and even received prizes for me a quick idea of making creative, usable Hamden himself, it was a moment that Neola is really noteworthy for one and position in Sharjah in KENKEN International life and what were they, Neola’s quickest the same. Public Speaking and impromptu items out of these. So, I did spend my free paid off all the hard work put in and in all, “For me, success is defined as doing Puzzle Competition. repartee was, “As a student in my younger speaking were another fun hobby of time making the ‘Best’ out of the ‘Waste’. the following year receiving the Sharjah my work well. My parents have been the grades, I was recognized as a bright student mine, which again recognized me with For this, I was recognized by recycling Excellence Award from the Crown Prince backbone of this success, from encouraging Moreover, Neola was a Vice-Captain of her and was encouraged to take part in various trophies and certificates. For my passion companies and municipalities in Dubai. I of Sharjah. In the same year when I to instilling the habit of hard work. I want school sports team and also a Member of competitions. With the constant support for the environment, I did face a number am currently working on my goal to spread received the International Diana Award to be recognized as someone who always the ECO-CORE Committee, besides being the and guidelines of my parents, I had made of obstacles at the beginning. Picking up awareness among people to reduce plastic for my environmental campaigns, it was does her best to achieve her goals. It also Vice – president of Environment of Student it to the national awards of the United Arab aluminium cans and collecting newspapers consumption and towards keeping our yet another proud moment. I was grateful means different for me in different situations, Organization, a Community reporter to Emirates (UAE). My goals were mainly on was not an easy task. At the start of my beaches clean which ultimately leads to that I could celebrate these moments with for example, for competitions, winning and GULF NEWS, Brand Ambassador of Protect how I can improve myself better with every initiative when I started collecting cans, protecting our marine life.” my family, who have always supported giving my best is considered a success for Your Mom Organization, a Recycling passing day, in fact learning new skills, many people used to stare at me and pass me through thick and thin and constantly me and when playing a game, or cycling in Ambassador of Bee’ah, Green Ambassador And then Neola went on to describe acquiring to master them, and aspiring to be comments. At that moment, I did feel a encouraged me to give off my best always. the park, completing a set goal is considered of Green Gratitude, Ambassador of Drop It some happy memories associated while a better person was also one of my goals.” little embarrassed but as time passed on, I Apart from these prestigious awards, I do a success for me. All in all, it is all about how Youth, Youth Ambassador of Azraq. achieving the goals she says, “There were started to ignore all of that and continued feel the same amount of happiness when much work I put in. That is it, period!” Thereafter, Neola hurriedly gave us a brief definitely many happy memories along Neola is talented in mental arithmetic, with my work. From 3-4 cans on the first it comes to all the other competitions and insight into her academic qualifications by this journey. First, when I received the public speaking, performing arts, painting, day, today I have recycled more than 4000 achievements as well. These moments are stating, “I am currently studying in year Prestigious Sheikh Hamden Award from quizzing, playing chess, writing, and kgs of cans and it makes me feel proud. something I will cherish always.” 11. I have passed all my previous years leadership skills. Neola’s overall personal with above 90% grades, and each year I strengths are she is good at oratory skills had been rewarded with the ‘Certificate as she doesn’t have any stage fear. She is a of Recommendation’. I have even won 2 committed individual, diligent, and well- awards from the Ministry of Dubai namely organized, and has the ability to acquire Sheikh Hamdan Award and Sharjah and grasp quickly. Excellence Award for Academic Excellence. In our Interactive session, Neola almost I am currently studying computer science treated all the queries asked as a rapid-fire and planning to pursue a career in round. So while giving us a brief glance at information technology and Data Science.” her background in the life of her growing Then Neola went on to state about the up years Neola quickly replied without milestones in her career that she ultimately batting an eyelid, “I was born and bought succeeded in achieving in her life, “Being up in UAE, in fact, I am a proud resident involved in many extracurricular activities, of UAE. This country has given me a lot it was very important to hold a healthy of opportunities to develop and to work balance between my academics and on my hobbies and talents. It has even competitions. Some of my interests such provided me a lot of platforms to excel as mathematics did turn into my ability in the extracurricular fields. I am very when I graduated in a Mental Arithmetic grateful to this country and its rulers for Course and was a champion 5 times in their nurturing young talents by providing them International Competitions. Besides, Dance steppingstones and recognizing them on is my talent. However, it is something that I significant platforms.” would refer to as my most favourite hobby. From dancing at the age of 4, till date

86 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 87 Srividhya Sukumar (UAE) An Educationist with a Difference

Srividhya Sukumar is not only a She is currently involved in ADEC young Educationalist since 1989 –Abu Dhabi Education Council on but has also been an inspirational Century Skills education programme motivator and facilitator with that revolves around STEM. Her qualities of unique leadership style, focus is on creativity and innovation based on initiative and innovation. that includes revamping strong She has achieved different goals in in-house continuous professional life and has an intriguing experience development required for the in formulating and executing radical Teaching and Learning Domain. changes that contribute to the Having an earnest interest in the School Development Plan. Srividhya education sector, she believes in has made curriculum designs that building sustainable leadership amend the framework and structure and governance and a professional of school policies. In fact, she has learning community with other futuristic plans in line with the all stakeholders. futuristic plans, and currently, they A DSIB member of KHDA she are being used as sustainable global is busy contributing to the educational goals set by UNESCO revamping Curriculum Planning and UAE NATIONAL AGENDA 2020. and Transaction, Reviewing and Srividhya has always aimed at Building the continuous and strategies that develop a holistic comprehensive evaluation, based education and evolves the physical, on Review and Report, the Plan, “Celebrate every emotional, and spiritual growth Process and Progress system that single moment of your like success criteria, evaluating refurbishes storyboards and quality the research and exploration, control portals. logical thinking and reasoning, life, so as to evolve as Srividya was born in a small critical thinking and analysis skills educationist Brahmin Iyer Family in self, Community, and of her students. Chennai Her grandfather Srinivasa terrain”

High Flyers 50 | 89 Iyer was a teacher and he established Like her grandfather. Srividhya always turnaround is 500-600 each. While they not A PG graduate in the Faculty of Arts with trade. Recently, the World Education to Education”, “Innovator’s Mindset be ensured with a trusted business and Her motive in life is to take a big leap in English medium schools in the City of wanted to serve the common man hence only imparted the knowledge of English but education, Srividhya Sukumar has been Leaders Forum acknowledged her service – Metacognition abilities”, “Know happy working environment with durable the field of education. Her philosophy Madras (now called Chennai), with the she made sure that their schools were they made sure that the Brahmin culture conferred with the Doctorate Degree in and experience in the field of Education thy Neighbor- The golden rule”. Her credibility and integrity. in life she says “Celebrate every single aim of imparting quality English Medium dedicated to the Tamil Nadu Government was imbibed in the schools and children “Educational Management ‘’ by World with the “Exceptional Leadership Award, for programmes have now gained recognition moment of your life, so as to evolve as self, Today Srividhya is happy to say that she education to the common man. Srividya Board of Education. Fortunately for were educated with deep Indian values. Human Resource Council. She also the year 2021”. in the Ministry of Education. She plans to community, and terrain” is a proud educationist. She stands tall was imbibed with these very qualities right Srividhya, their schools are still functioning Srividya also worked on the lines of serving completed several other management generate promising client satisfaction which She has now set up her own website with pride when she sees her students from her birth. as Government Schools where the student the community through Education. courses required by the state of art and results in long-term stakeholder relations where she has generated programmes studying in different universities, some and collaborations where her clients will like, “Education Evolution” – The Right have even achieved high positions in life.

90 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 91 Gowri Ramesh (UAE) A Fighter All The Way

Gowri Ramesh, a beautiful woman on at 17, volunteering as a teacher with a golden heart, has never bowed to young school children, at first to down in the face of adversity; instead, earn some extra pocket money. But she has re-emerged like a phoenix to her father gave her some advice that become a Social Impact Entrepreneur, shaped the rest of her life. “He told me Disability Specialist, and Educator I must use my life to touch another’s. transforming the lives of people And I must render my services for free, with disabilities. and work only for goodwill. It will pay off,” says Gowri. Gowri Ramesh has always found a way to use her inherent compassion Gowri has worked in many fields. An to dedicate her life to others and at the economics graduate, she became same time, she summons her inner a German-language translator for passion to chase her own dreams. large MNCs back in the 80s but She has spent her life working hard moonlighted as a Carnatic singer to uplift the lives of children with performing at college festivals and disabilities, and second, by practicing various other events. However, fate had the same normalcy she preaches other plans for her. Gowri moved to while suffering from cancer herself. Dubai after marriage. She has blessed with two adorable kids and life was Gowri Ramesh born in a traditional smooth when her elder son got burnt south Indian family in Mumbai was but didn’t bat an eyelid in pain. That They started with the youngest among five siblings. was when she chose to get a second Her philanthropist father taught her a 100 square feet opinion. The doctor told her he was many valuable lessons and to be kind autistic. A diagnostic centre insisted area and now to everyone and never give up. He that ‘the child is anencephalic - a child taught her to find happiness in other they have moved without a head. people’s smiles. Following the footsteps to an independent of her father – a philanthropist and Gowri decided to empower her son bungalow. Freemason – she also started out early with the requisite knowledge, skills,

High Flyers 50 | 93 and abilities. She studied autism and many other skill sets. Hearts Learning Centre, an NGO working to an independent bungalow. With a 5:2 children with special needs and got a for child education that advocates the student-teacher ratio, the school endeavours Her passion to help children with special degree in special education. Today, his son principle that students with disabilities to handhold the children at a tender age needs and those with disabilities made has successfully graduated from St. Xavier’s are as fundamentally capable as their and give them intensive attention, so they her team up with another mother Reshmy College, Mumbai, and has also earned nondisabled peers. They started with a 100 don’t get left behind. The school’s curriculum Nikith, whose child had endured a similar a Diploma in Carnatic Music along with square feet area and now they have moved includes sports, arts, music as well as ordeal. They both established Little

academics, to help the child find his strong months of which she was bedridden—she the second most significant chapter of As the President of the Iron Lady Dubai suit early on, even if he doesn’t have a went about her life the same way. Today, her life: entrepreneurship and making a Chapter, she has built an army of 29 ladies grasp on academics. it has been two years since she has been career in fashion. and spearheaded women empowerment declared cancer-free. Her efforts and spirit by supporting their career growth/ Gowri wanted to move back to Dubai for Driven by the desire to help people and to were even recognized by the Hiranandani entrepreneurship opportunities. She is the long haul. But fate had one last test to empower them with knowledge & various Group of Companies on Women’s Day also associated with various other social inflict upon her. Just when she was about to skill sets, she has founded Xcellenza LLC., 2013 as a woman achiever, and by the organizations like TATA Trust, Healing Dove make the move, she collapsed at the airport. a new generation training company that Rotary’s Innerwheel Club on Guru Purnima Foundation, and Choithram Foundation, She woke up to the knowledge that she had aims to offer result-oriented, high-quality 2013, as “The Best Teacher”. Right now, as Dubai & has received several awards and colon cancer. It was the next big challenge training programs to individuals/ corporates she stands completely satisfied with her recognition globally for her services & in her life. Gowri started undergoing based on their needs/ requirements. social endeavors, Gowri is at the cusp of contributions to society. treatment. For a span of two years—six

94 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 95 Premi Mathew (UAE) A Fighter All The Way

Premi Mathew, founder of the Hair Premi who was born in Kerala started for Hope India and Protect Your Mom her career with Kitco. She holds (PYM) campaign took her a long time an MBA degree and has taught to find her footing as she runs both marketing to students in India and initiatives single-handedly. For Premi Dubai for 15 years. She moved to Dubai the initial days of getting people to some 20 years ago and it was her donate to her campaigns were not professional knowledge that gave easy. She was without funds but she her the bright idea of starting her did not give up hope. She managed campaign Protect Your Mom (PYM). to create noise and put the spotlight It was Premi’s own experience with on cancer and its effects pre-and cancer that prompted her to start the post-diagnosis. ‘Protect Your Mom (PYM)’ campaign Premi Mathew definitely takes the in 2001. She reached out to children sole credit for the planning, organizing, through this campaign to create coordination, PR for the events, awareness about breast cancer. manages the Facebook page, and For Premi, it was inspiring to see deals with all the correspondence as She started in UAE in women fight societal norms to support she manages it all single-handedly. the cause and the children face social 2011, the campaign Initially, it was a task getting people scorn for long hair in their small towns. to donate hair for wigs for cancer held events from She started in UAE in 2011, the patients undergoing chemotherapy campaign held events from Kanyakumari to but Premi did not let these roadblocks Kanyakumari to Kashmir and has 3 stop her. She started requesting people Kashmir and has 3 documented cases of children saving on Facebook to raise awareness. their moms. Today, PYM has won But Facebook too started charging documented cases of several national and international for promotional posts. However, she awards including the Health Awards children saving their got a huge response from people for UAE, and Premi was even invited by hair donations. moms. the President of India in 2016. In 2013

High Flyers 50 | 97 she officially launched Hair for Hope India Boys from over 10 schools in Dubai have What is beautiful is that both the and ex-Marketing Faculty has given her the in India after inspiring a lot of Indians in also donated hair as it is a unique way of campaigns are run by students as young experience in dealing with students even as UAE to donate hair. Hair for Hope India helping cancer patients The hair donated as 8 who organize events at their own she avenges cancer in her own special way. is the first national campaign to create is converted into wigs and given free of cost schools at zero cost. Today Premi Mathew is one of the top awareness about hair donation in a country to cancer patients to give them strength to Her other initiative which has not gained 100 women achievers in India and was steeped in tradition, where the length of fight the disease. A lot of Indian women much popularity is “adopt a chemo patient”. invited by the President of India, 2016. She hair is a measure of a woman’s beauty!. lose their confidence when they lose their Students contribute Rs 100 and directly pay also won the Vanitha Ratna Award by Awareness was zero and all cultural values hair and find it tough to face society with a small bill of a patient. They understand Indywood in 2018 and won the Health were against it. Today hair for Hope India dignity. Today thousands of wigs have the value of money and experience the Award UAE in 2016. is the most respected brand in the category been donated as NGOs around the country joy of saving a life, an unforgettable and has held events in over 17 states in India. joined the movement. experience. The fact that she is an MBA

98 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 99 Anup Jalota “Padma Shri” A Legend is Born

Anup Jalota, a household name for Bhajans and Ghazals, was born in Nainital on 29th July 1953 into a family where there was music flowing all the time. His father, Shri Purshottam Das Jalota was a renowned classical singer who was honoured as “Rajya Gayak of Uttar Pradesh” and was also awarded the Padma Shri fourth-highest civilian award of India.

One can be an engineer or a doctor with education but becoming a Lata Mangeshkar requires inherent talent. So was the case with Anup Jalota. As is well known, diamonds are created naturally but it needs to be polished He was brought up to get that sparkling shine. Similarly, he was a diamond but he needed to in Lucknow and in be polished and this was done by his first and foremost Guru, his own father, his initial 20 years, Purshottam Das Jalota, who hails from he learned classical Sham Chowrasi Gharana of Punjab. He was brought up in Lucknow and music from his in his initial 20 years, he learned father and at classical music from his father and at Bhatkhande Music College. His Bhatkhande Music first stage concert was at the early College. age of 7. When kids are just learning

High Flyers 50 | 101 to speak, he was performing with full Mangeshkar, Mohd. Rafi, Kishore Kumar, with so much perfection, makes this icon confidence. He had absolutely no stage fear Ghulam Ali, Mehdi Hassan, Pt. Jasraj, Ustad leave audiences spellbound in admiration or performance anxiety. Zakir Hussain and many more. with his renditions.

He did his graduation from Lucknow One of his bhajan album “Bhajan Sandhya” He got his due when he was awarded the University while learning music and which had bhajans like Aisi Laagi Lagan, 4th highest civilian award given by the performing on stage. Participating in his Jag Mein Sundar Hain Do Naam, Rang De Government of India, Padma Shri on 26th school and college programmes made him Chunariya, Main Nahin Makhan Khaayo, January 2012 in the field of Art – Indian a seasoned performer. became such a super success and reached Classical – Vocals. almost every household in India that he His first recording was at the age of 17. He was felicitated by the British started being called “The Bhajan Samrat”. He has completed 50 years of recording Parliament’s “House Of Commons” and also Rightly so, there’s not been any other singer (golden jubilee). received Annual Globe who could make a name Award on 15th July 2010. When he moved to the City of Dreams like him in the Bhajan Mumbai in 1973, he decided to start afresh genre. He has wowed 4th highest He feels that the only and started his musical journey by joining audiences and devotees civilian award regret he has in life is that a chorus singing group in All India Radio with his divine singing he got success 5 years (AIR). His salary was a mere ₹320 but he around the world. given by the earlier than he would have learned some basics of western music and preferred. This is so as he Having toured extensively, lots of other things related to music during Government of was seriously training in there is little of the world that time. Most people would term those classical music under the that has yet to see Anup India, Padma days as “struggling period” however he able guidance of his father, Jalota in person. Having claims it was a “learning period” for him. Shri on 26th Purshottam Das Jalota. performed over 5000 That got stalled because He has done playback singing for films live concerts throughout January 2012 in of the fame he got due to like Ek Duje Ke Liye, Saugandh, Nastik, the world, he enjoys a the field of Art – the super success of his first Professor Ki Padosan, Shirdi Ke Sai Baba, global fan following with Bhajan album “Bhajan Qatl, and many more. He has sung in 10 fans of all age groups Indian Classical Sandhya” which made him Indian languages. across four generations very busy with shows all as he’s been performing – Vocals. He’s given music direction for a few films in over the world. Hindi, Gujarati, and Bengali. He’s also acted for 60 years now. He’s a multitalented artist in some movies like Pyaar Ka Saawan, He has set a world record by receiving who dabbles in many fields apart from Chintamani Surdas, and a couple of more than 100 Gold, Platinum, and Multi- singing and he does it all with a lot of Bengali movies. Platinum discs. He has recorded more than passion, dedication and puts his heart into 200 albums so far. He has given many hit Ghazals like Chand whatever he takes up. He’s very passionate Angdaiyan Le Raha Hai, Lazzate Gham Known for his versatility, the smiling and about acting and he’s done a lot of plays Badha Deejiye, Badnaam Mere Pyaar Ka, ever-obliging Anup Jalota renders Bhajans, during his college days which led him to act Tumhare Sheher Ka Mausam and so many Ghazals, Geet, and Film Songs with equal in quite a few movies. Recently, he played more which are being enjoyed by his fans grace and finesse. His mellifluous and a small but very powerful and prominent all over the world till today. powerful voice has an incredible range. A role of a political leader in a web series He’s had the privilege to have worked with voice that soothes the soul and the nimble called “Paatal Lok” which got him a lot fingers with which he plays the harmonium of accolades and appreciation. He’s just While performing at the age of 7 in Lucknow legendary singers and musicians like Lata

102 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 103 finished shooting for a movie titled “Woh field, mainly music and dance. There are 4 Anup, as the name suggests “incomparable”, of the most patient, positive and composed devotion, passion, discipline, punctuality, Meri Student Hai” where he plays himself. awards given in memory of Pt. Purshottam “unique” is unequaled in whatever role he people one can come across. Despite all the sincerity, patience, love for one’s work, being Das Jalota, who worked in the field of takes up/plays. He is indeed a “legend” who ups and downs in his life, he’s always found humble/down to earth, enthusiasm, being He’s also a very good orator who has a classical music; Pt. Hari Om Sharan, who has dedicated his life to the field of music smiling and has a funny bone in him which energetic, excitement about any work great sense of humour and presence of worked in the field of devotional singing; with complete passion and devotion with one can experience in his stage shows too. one takes up and so on……..There’s no end mind which makes him a very good anchor Late Medha Jalota (W/o Shri. Anup Jalota), his contribution being immense. He’s one to this list…….. as well. He’s anchored many shows on TV, So to sum up, there’s a lot to learn from who was a classical dancer and Shri. of the busiest artists one can come across Radio and on stage as well. Cinevista had this LEGEND. To name a few of the aspects We only wish him good health and Ravindra Jain, who worked in the field of and it’s been so for 60 years now. Despite produced a TV show called “Dharm Aur of his persona which one can learn from happiness always so that he keeps playback singing. all the actions in his life, one will never ever Hum” which was about various religions him apart from his music are dedication, entertaining his audiences worldwide till see him lose his cool or get angry. He’s one and poets of India. He had anchored as well his last breath!! as sung in that show with equal ease. It had 60 episodes and was aired on Star Plus for 2 years consecutively.

He’s also presented few shows on All India Radio (AIR) and Big FM where he introduced new talent in singing.

His dedication and passion towards music are such that he has helped many upcoming singers by giving them training under his able guidance. He runs a Gurukul from his residence where he teaches singers who are serious about music and want to dedicate their life to music and he doesn’t charge a penny for that. It’s selfless service to the music world. He not only teaches them but also provides them with an opportunity like making them sing on stage with him and introducing them to the music world by singing with them and featuring in music videos with them. Many singers have made it big in the music industry, thanks to his guidance and support.

There’s an NGO run by him called the Jalota Welfare Foundation that donates some funds to needy people and Trusts, who are in need of funds. The foundation also helps people who request financial aid for their medical treatment or education.

The same foundation hosts “Glory Awards” every year to felicitate artists in the creative

104 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 105 Hima Das Nation’s Nimble Pride

Hima Das is an Indian sprinter Adidas is making shoes in her name as from Assam who holds the current a testament to what talent and hard Indian National record in 400 meters, work can achieve. clocked at 50.79 s at the 2018 Asian After performing extremely well in the Games in Jakarta Indonesia. She under 18 championships and national was also the first Indian athlete to camps, she was fast-tracked to the win a gold medal in a track event in national team for the Commonwealth the IAAF World U20 Championships. Games in 2018. That year she won She was born on 9th January 2000 the gold in the 400 metres at the in Khandhulimari village into the IAAF World U20 Championships, Kaibbarta community of Assam to a clocking an impressive 51.46 seconds. family of farmers. She was brought She earned her nickname the “Dhing up in a joint family where 17 people Express” after this remarkable feat. She live together and are the youngest of also qualified for the 400 metres in the five siblings. She wanted to pursue a Asian Games that year, setting a new career in professional football after Indian national record in the process. doing extremely well while playing She won the silver medal in the final with the boys in her school. After her clocking 50.79 s, bettering her own physical education teacher in a school record. She was so sure of bagging recognized her natural talents, she Indian national a medal in this meet that she had a was advised to get into track events record in the gamocha, a ceremonial Assamese which ended up putting her right cloth ready to introduce to the world, in her niche. Since she was used to process. She won which she proudly did when she won running bare feet, for her first nationals the silver medal in the medal. Since her parents were her father gifted her a pair of running half asleep by the time she could call shoes with spikes. She wrote Adidas the final clocking them, they were intimated of her on those shoes with a marker. Today, 50.79 s success by the advent of news media

High Flyers 50 | 107 vans that suddenly overtook their village the She has a strong moral code which made even at that young age. Back home, her fan by the President of India. She was also next day. She won the silver medal in the her take up the responsibility of closing a club planted more than 3000 neem trees appointed the Deputy Superintendent of 4 x 400 m mixed relay which was held for liquor shop in her neighborhood when she in Dhing to combat air pollution. In her police in Assam in February 2021 which she the first time in the Asian Games. She also was in 10th standard. Her neighbors were infinite humbleness, she names meeting is filled with pride about, motivating her to won the 200m gold in the Czech Republic brewing alcohol illegally and Ms. Hina Sachin Tendulkar as the best moment of do more for her home state. She is currently at the Kladno meet. She continued this who considers herself a proud socialist her life, remarking about the tears she felt in working hard post a back injury and is streak in 2019 by winning the 200m gold in and averse to all things illegal managed her eyes when she was in his presence for focused completely on training for the Tokyo Poznan Grand Prix in Poland with a time of to confiscate and burn a large amount of the first time. She was honoured with the Olympics scheduled to be held this year. 23.665 seconds. She achieved her fifth gold illegal alcohol, taking a stand for the law Arjuna Award in 2018, conferred to her medal in the 400-metre race in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic.

108 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 109 Chandulal Keshavlal Patel (C. K. Patel) A down to Earth Social Reformer

A noted Patidar from Gujarat, C. and Vishv Umiya Foundation of (BJP) and was one of the contenders K. Patel has been involved with a Ahmadabad, et al. He played a for the party ticket on Ahmadabad number of Patidar social and religious significant role in mediating peace (East) Lok Sabha constituency in organizations in Gujarat. He is also talks between the Gujarat Government the year 2019 Parliament elections. known as a Hotelier with whom Prime and agitating Patidar Anamat However, the party had already Minister Narendra Modi had traveled Andolan Samiti (PAAS), during the given the ticket to the then-sitting to the United States for the first time, Patidar reservation stir in the state MLA Hasmukh Patel from the way back in the year 1993. in the year 2015. same constituency.

So, renowned Non-Resident Indian That apart, he was politically, Capsuling the background of C. K hotelier C. K. Patel having crossed associated with Bharatiya Janta Party Patel’s life one can say that he has sixty-five summers of his life has recently been elected unopposed as the president of noted Gujarati Diaspora group, Vishva Gujarati He is also known Samaj. In fact, he was elected on 8th February immediately after the as an Hotelier term of Krishnakant Vakharia, his with whom Prime predecessor, had come to an end. Minister Narendra Moreover, he is the former president of the US-based National Federation Modi had travelled of Indian - American Associations. He to the United States is also associated with top Patidar organizations like Umiya Dham for the first time, of Unjha, Khodaldham of Kagvad way back in the near Rajkot, Umiya Dham of Sidsar in Jamnagar district, Sardardham year 1993. Mr. C. K. Patel with Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi

High Flyers 50 | 111 now no doubt excelled nay surpassed Gandhian philosophy of “No Violence”. So and then in the year 1974, he went to himself in all his achievements till this date call it a pure coincidence or destiny that he California to do an MBA in industrial and is now rightly known as “The Pride was also born on the same date as that of management with a promise to his native of Gujarat” which is omnipresent in his Mahatma Gandhi’s (father of the nation) people that one day he will definitely return blood. In fact, he is very emotional and full date of birth namely that of 2nd October from the USA and with help of his by then of sentiments in his heart for his parents to Keshav Patel and his spouse Jyotiben accumulated Knowledge, Network and (for their pure and selfless love for him as Patel in the village of Shahpur and then Networth he will definitely help not just one their respected blood flows in all the veins since he was just that high he had started person but all the youngsters of his native of his body), for his village, for his town in assisting his father on his agricultural land. place to stand on their own two feet. He also tandem with his city of Ahmadabad in lieu This started giving him the feeling of being wanted to make his village people strong, with its people especially the youngsters a down-to-earth guy who was totally capable, self-dependent, educated, and residing therein. Indeed he is proud of his attached to his roots. While extremely modern in their father’s lineage and deeply immersed with still assisting his father, he outlook. He was extremely an immense liking for the family’s age-old continued with his studies Then with the dedicated towards the gifted culture, since his birth. in the various schools of advent of the constant betterment and Shahpur, Kadi, and other welfare of the people of On the other hand, one can safely vouch for neighbouring towns and Olympic game his native place, besides the factual truth that he is indeed a man finally acquired his zoology his patriotic love for his with a firm belief in the policy of “Simple in California, degree from Ahmadabad’s motherland was totally living and high thinking” so much so that M G College of Science. He in the year driven deeply in his blood. even the so-called “American Multimillion was indeed a very bright Dreams” failed to lure him and tempt him 1984, he was Needless to say that out student as if Goddess in their folds even with their Multimillion there along with his studies Saraswati (The Goddess crowned with Dream projects in lieu with their high he also started indulging of Knowledge) had herself profiled lifestyle. As the love of his country, the ultimate title in a small scale business really blessed him. India is deeply ingrained in him, in his of “Hotel Tycoon of dairy and becoming blood, to the extent that even after making Later on, he had expressed moderately successful and America his workplace for twenty-five long his keen desire to go abroad C. K. Patel” by the year 1977, he decided years he just simply and politely refused to the United States of to become a hotelier by to accept the American citizenship laid America (USA) for further purchasing a Motel named out on a platter for him. And then he just studies. Luckily his father and his Mota El Sarrantino and very soon Goddess Laxmi returned to his native land to serve his fellow Bapu (uncle) Ambalal Mukhi understand (The Goddess of wealth) also blessed him men, especially the younger crowd as he the significance and most importantly the immensely and beyond imagination so had promised before embarking on his importance of higher education in a foreign much so that he ended up purchasing four American journey such was his dedication land, so they held a meeting of their Samaj more magnificent Hotels of America within and love for the fellow human beings of (Society), the villagers, and then with their a span of two years. his native land. help and also help from several village Then in the year 1978, C. K. Patel got married sponsors, especially the Mani and the In reality, he is very fond of writing and and found his lovable spouse in Ritaben, Madhu family of Kerala village also ended reading, besides he is a strict follower of the and in the future, Ritaben Patel ended up With his Better Half up making all the financial arrangements With Family

112 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 113 the building of many more such Hotels. to President George Bush to President Bill Not only this he is also responsible for Hotel Clinton as he was invited as a special guest Ocean Sun in the series of five-star Hilton in all their inaugural ceremonies, in fact, Hotels in the Dena point in California and he was also a very, very special guest in a very soon he also garnered the fame of the Charity Dinner hosted by President Barrack first-ever Indian to enter into the arena of Obama thrown to celebrate nay felicitate constantly buying or constructing and even ex-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. running such five-star hotels. He has been a president, Chairman, advisor Soon enough he was known as the first- including holding many other prestigious ever successful businessman to enter into posts in most of the Indo - American this arena namely the Hotel industry Society around the globe. In fact, he has and later on in the year 1984, he in order been felicitated time and again by many to move ahead with his contemporaries, dignitaries and important people all also succeeded in establishing a around the world. “Southern California Hotels and Motels But he always had this keen desire to return Association” in California. to his motherland India, to his native place Incidentally speaking he happens to be the Shahpur. So handing over the reins of his Mr. C. K. Patel with the Ex-President of United States, Mr. C. K. Patel with the Ex-President of United States, Ronald Reagan first-ever Indian businessman to establish business in America to his Son Sagar, he Mr. Bill Clinton and his wife the Hilton Hotels in California. Then under returned back to India in the year 1993 and his tutelage thousands of Indians from his straight away got immersed in the various native place migrated to America and then social causes. To elucidate all his social in order to fight for the rights of their jobs work till this date is well-nigh impossible and other survival needs he really raised a even after using reams and reams strong opposition against the Americans of papier-mâché. in tandem with the American Indians In And as a parting shot one would like to use fact thousands of Indians on the basis of his Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words of invitations are now settled in America. For praise for C. K. Patel, “I know C.K Patel, since this unique struggle for his fellow Indians, more than three decades and I still think he was literally hailed by the print and that C. K. Patel is a very enthusiastic guy electronic media and by one and all in fact always running around to serve people’s everyone who matters, thereby spreading causes without bothering about anything his fame not only in America but also all else. He is a very nice guy without harboring over the globe. any malicious ego or no ego whatsoever blessing him with three lovely children was crowned with the ultimate title of business. So C. K. Patel after being successful He also proved to be an important link at all. Even after earning millions through namely a son named Sagar and two “Hotel Tycoon C. K. Patel” as from that time in the Hotel business ended up building between the Americans and also between his hotel business. He is still the same C. K. daughters named Neev and Payal. onwards the Hotel business and even the twenty more big hotels. Then having by the American Indians settled out there. Patel, a down-to-earth guy with the simple Hospitality business Industry flourished and now acquired the real estate license he Then with the advent of the Olympic He deserved all the honors bestowed on attitude of simple living and high thinking.” prospered more and more like nobody’s started his own construction company of game in California, in the year 1984, he him right from President Ronald Reagan

114 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 115 Fatema Agarkar In Pursuit of Excellence

Fatema Agarkar is a woman who With close to 2 decades of has donned many hats, apart from experience in education, Fatema is being a mother to a 15-year-old the recipient of several honours and and wife to popular cricketer Ajit was adjudged Education World’s Agarkar, Fatema is an Educationist top 50 young educators in 2014, & Founder of Agarkar Centre of and is also the recipient of several Excellence (ACE) is an organization awards for outstanding contribution that emphasizes on inculcating to education in 2013, 2015. She sports as a part of their daily also won the Young Indian school curriculum. Achiever’s Award 2021.

Fatema is an award-winning Fatema started her career in the educator, a de facto Principal, corporate world with Banking & Trustee, Managing Director to Media before she shifted her interest name a few. She is an avid blogger, to education after completing her recognised as a parenting expert, Master’s in Business Administration and is currently authoring books apart from her B.ED and ECCE on educator resources & parenting. and began her journey in the She is a consultant to many schools corporate world. both national & international (set She also volunteers her time to up close to 40 pan India) but is also several non-profit initiatives such on the advisory board of several as the Ray Foundation and was organisations, she’s passionate recently appointed as Advisor “You cannot about skilling teachers, designing to WICCI’s Eldercare initiative, content that is relevant for students, always control the enabling opportunities for senior and working with changing citizens. As Vice President of Early outcomes, but you mindsets through parenting Childhood Association (ECA), workshops, school improvement Fatema is also the Mumbai Territory can control your initiatives & student engagements. reactions to it.” Head for Association of Primary

High Flyers 50 | 117 Education & Research (APER), forums During college, she was the President and she didn’t have any goals but the desire comprehend, pricing challenges, manpower told them about the futuristic ideas and the that bring early childhood and primary Chair of a magazine and part of the social to embrace new ideas, learn from others, management, and eventually client transformation that came along with them. educators together. culture, and that continued when she went etc., stemmed from there. She realized that servicing - sometimes their expectations However, achieving this was no mean task. to the University. The turning point in her she could experiment and take a few risks are not what was agreed. Her milestone Commerzbank, Times of India, and A lot of research went into learning and also career came when she returned to India and her first educational venture gave her achievements were the three education Egon Zender International as diverse countering challenges with a positive and and realised that she could experiment and the confidence that she could set the pace startups. While the first one was a funded organizations were the perfect foundation growth mind-set. There were obstacles but take a few risks. Her first educational venture because she learned quickly on the job and company the rest two were completely before she was involved in the set up of three she overcame them with élan. She says gave her the confidence to forge ahead. was appreciated for the changes that she bootstrapped. The goal of being an premier K-12 national and international that it has been a rewarding and fulfilling brought to the system. entrepreneur was always on her mind. With schools in Mumbai. Having gathered Right from her younger days, Fatema experience. Fatema lives by the motto “You the help of Stakeholders and owners of the tremendous experience as a result of was a focused individual; her teachers As an entrepreneur, of course, the road to cannot always control the outcomes, but school, she set up parents, teachers and managing schools with which she has been reveal that she was always serious about success was peppered with challenges be you can control your reactions to it.” associated, Fatima now partners Gitika to learning and capitalising on it. Back then it mind-sets that didn’t accept or cannot create more opportunities for stakeholders in the education space with a passion for teacher training, special needs, and sports. Pioneering, “out of the box” and a risk-taker, Fatima’s love for children defines her passion for the team she leads.

Recently, Fatema was also recognised as ‘One of the Top 50 Indian Leaders Who Can Revive Education by the prestigious Education World in 2020. She’s all about creating disruptions and futuristic ideas! She Loves writing, sports, reading, traveling, and above all street food!

Fatema grew up in Mumbai along with her older brother who was into sports. A bright and conscientious student Fatema’s interest lay in books. She watched her father building his business and branch into global markets. She studied in Queen Mary school and completed her ICSE at Grade 10 and then enrolled in the prestigious Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics (University of Mumbai) for graduation, topping State & University. She later went on to complete her master’s in Business administration and Finance. She was planning to do her MPhil research but somehow life took over and she could not complete it.

118 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 119 AmbiPalm Racing to save lives

Making a difference, differently is something that holds very dear to their hearts and this statement the world would hear on a regular basis from them. The reason for that is Kameron, Doris, and Leonard, even though are different human beings, have one thought in common and that is to have an impact in their society and “just do their bit” to help humanity.

The reason they use the term “Making a difference, differently” is because the difference that they can make differently is through their intention which is to serve the community.

The dream is to create a positive impact not only for the current generation but for the generations to The dream is to come. The burning desire to leave a create a positive mark in the community gave birth to the idea of AmbiPalm. impact not only This started with Doris and Leonard, for the current one day on their way to their office, were discussing how can they generation but for play a role in helping their fellow the generations to human beings in the smallest way of contributions as this was something come. -AmbiPalm they always wanted to do from a very Leonard

High Flyers 50 | 113 provider then they have to make a call will always be available in your “palm” to that Ambulance provider and after when you need one. providing all details, etc. one is dispatched to They developed a business model that the location. The TAT (Turnaround Time) for would be able to fund itself in the months to this entire process can take up to anywhere come but more importantly, bring forth the between Forty Five minutes to an Hour. As intent that they want to help people. we all know, a lot of times, this timeframe costs very dearly. The masterminds of AmbiPalm was incorporated on 12th AmbiPalm brainstormed and came up with September 2020 as a Private Limited the App which would solve this pain area for company and go by the legal name of people in our country. AmbiPalm Health Private Limited.

What sets AmbiPalm apart The AmbiPalm App was from our competitors is officially launched on 26th that we do this with the AmbiPalm was October 2020 in Sheraton mindset of helping people incorporated on Hotel, Hyderabad. The and making a difference App was launched in in our society. 12th September Hyderabad and Bangalore. The idea of AmbiPalm is 2020 as a In the second half of to ensure that not a single December, the App became patient who is in need Private Limited Live in Kolkata and within a of an ambulance, fails to company month in Raipur as well. find one but can get one and go by the AmbiPalm has laid out an with a click of a button. expansion plan and their Our system is designed legal name intention is to cover every 2 with robust algorithms Tier and 3 Tier city in India that are put in place to of AmbiPalm to start with and thereafter ensure an Ambulance will Health Private explore the neighbouring always be near you when countries as well. you’re in need. Limited. AmbiPalm plans to become With internal funding from ‘A One Stop’ App for all one of their Directors, Mr. medical needs. Kameron Abraham who is a US citizen, the ball got rolling in putting together In addition to the Ambulance and Blood young age considering the background they struck their heads. “Why can’t they create that would be available to all AmbiPalm that than during these times of medical Development, Marketing, and Support features, development is in full swing of grew up early on. During their discussion, an App where they can have patients find users, whether someone needs blood or emergencies when there are life-threatening Teams who would execute the tasks at other critical features like Ambi-TeleDoc, Leonard told Doris, based on their past ambulances with a click of a button?” This they want to be a donor, availability will situations or even non-critical situations. hand for a successful launch. Ambi-Pharm and Ambi-Labs. These experiences and from what they’ve seen would remove unwanted time taken and never be a challenge. This helps us join the features will help them become a single In a country where people are still of old This got them thinking, planning, and and heard in India, people have always more importantly, release stress during community as One Big Family. solution provider for all medical needs school, thought process is still wherein thereafter executing this idea. They chose struggled to get an ambulance on time. those times. Along with the ambulance within one platform. Since they always wanted to create an for them to get an ambulance, they have the name AmbiPalm because they Failure to get one on time a lot of times feature, they’ve added a Blood donation impact in society, what better way to do search on Google for a nearest ambulance want to set a belief that an ambulance have been fatal. This is when a thought feature as well which is a free of cost service Kameron

114 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 115 Ambi-TeleDoc as a feature will help patients They believe that for any model to succeed, get online consultation from the comfort stakeholders which are their customers of their home. A patient can get onto our need to be given the utmost priority. App, find the relevant doctor and schedule They want every customer who uses an appointment for the consultation their services to have a 5 Star experience based on the time slots given. It would be whether it be the Ambulance Services, a video conference feature so that proper Free Blood Services or the upcoming new examination can take place providing the services as well. best required results. Their intention is to build a large AmbiPalm Ambi-Pharm is another feature which Community that would look out for adds value to our App. Patients looking each other and support in time of need for medicines can search for the required when one arises. quantity from our App and the same will be delivered to them in the quickest of time. Their Vision is to become the This helps patients get quality medication “911 of the World”. through the fastest mode with the ease of a They encourage you to download their App few clicks on their App. This saves cost and and use their services so that they are given time and ensures your medication reach an opportunity to live up to their promises. you safely and with ease. This can also act as an extended feature of the Ambi-TeleDoc Remember, AmbiPalm is here to stay, and as once the consultation is done and if there like they always say, “We will Always be are medications that need to be taken, the RACING TO SAVE LIVES!!” Doctor/patient can place a direct request immediately during the consultation or after, for the prescribed medicines to be delivered to their home.

Another amazing feature that is being added to our App is Ambi-Labs. This is a feature where a patient can have samples collected and delivered to our partnered labs across the city for tests to be done and the reports shared to them directly through the App and through other forms of communication that the patient opts for to receive them.

All these features put together will make AmbiPalm a defacto App for all medical needs.

Their main focus area during development or even now during execution will always been ‘Customers First’. Doris

116 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 117 Chahat Aggarwal A Unique Blend of Talent

Young and dynamic Chahat Amritsar. She had a flair for learning Aggarwal is the founder and CEO and creativity, winning awards all of Impact Study Biz that helps throughout from preschool to senior businesses build brand and growth year. After high school, Chahat moved strategies to become money- to Sydney, Australia to pursue her making assets. Chahat has a wide higher education in Art and design, array of experiences in a variety of where she continued to excel as the fields and has adorned the roles highest scoring student each year of writer, speaker, trainer, director and also won the “Student of the among many others. Year Award”. It was an experience that opened up fresh perspectives She is someone whose wide array of and an exposure that brought her experiences in a variety of fields fuels closer to her journey as a successful her quest for the best. With a dynamic businesswoman. Her time there taught experience and winning the titles of her more than what was in the pages writer, film director, trainer, designer, of books and to look at the world management consultant, branding from fresh angles. Being someone expert, marketer, and strategist, who has established a position for Chahat has marked the level of huge herself despite the challenges, Chahat abundance in her life. Her experience is a perfect example for success that teamed with understanding with a follows when determination and firm foundation on fair play and equal inspiration fuel passion. Chahat firmly opportunities paves way for a work The highest scoring believes in taking up challenges and culture that Is a blend of uniqueness working with a sense of deep faith in student each year and determination to achieve more. one’s potential to impact and change. Chahat was born on 14th October 1989; and also won the She implores women to break out of Chahat was a proactive and judicious the confines of norms and to always “Student of the individual from an early age she went move forward with a reflective ‘ why’ to Sacred Heart High school for girls in Year Award”. which can simultaneously answer

High Flyers 50 | 119 and question every single query and make for 2 years before leading the brand in on to be the top 10 Women Entrepreneurs you are not giving up on in your personal human being. So when we grow we grow way for more opportunities and create their Amsterdam and London as Head of Global of India by Forbes India. She was also life to run after the professional goals that together, spending time with family, friends, own stories. Chahat is a superb team player. Brand for OYO Vacation Homes. known as the Most Promising Women you have so passionately built up. It is surely and yourself is as important as building a Her leadership is something that is based on Entrepreneur of the year 2020 by Aspiring difficult to manage both things but the one billion-dollar company. These experiences paired with her firm belief teamwork and a fusion of skills and talents. She Magazine. She won the Entrepreneur who can is the one she calls a successful in fair play and equal opportunities led to of the year 2020 by Indian Achievers Chahat won a beauty pageant in 2012; she the creation of Impact Study Biz, a journey Forum. She won the Editor’s Choice Award’ was crowned winner of Miss June 2012. that continued to create an impact that lasts International Competition of Poets and Post her journey in Australia, she returned with an impression of genius. Library, Sydney, the Student of the Year, to India and attended IGNOU - Maya Impact Study Biz is an ingenious Victory College of Design, Best Stop Motion Academy of advanced cinematics for 3 amalgamation of Business and Brand Film, Eeksaurus studio, Bronze for O2 festival, years in Mumbai to study film making. Consulting that provides the infrastructure Bhawans, college, first place in Literary arts, Thanks to her hard work, she won awards for companies to thrive in the global market. Bhawans college and was also the Star that underscored her potential for creativity Founded in 2018 with the mission to unlock Performer of the quarter, OYO and knack for innovation the true potential of innovative startups Thanks to her hard work, she won awards After completing her education, Chahat to become market leaders. The company that underscored her potential for creativity began the journey of her career as Head helps businesses build and execute brand and knack for innovation. It was these of Communication and Branding at ANTZ and growth strategies to become money- experiences combined with her passion AGE Technologies. She then worked as a making assets. It is a masterful blend of that paved the way for Impact Study Biz, Management Consultant at Sookshm for a practical thinking and strategies teamed the pedestal that upheld her position as a year, helping businesses run their operations with innovation and prudent perspectives. leader and woman full of inspiration. effectively. Later she joined Brands of Impact Study provides strategic consulting Desire, a brand agency as a Senior Brand within a budget for startups and SMEs. It Chahat had a long road to success. All the Consultant where she managed over 20 works with companies and helps them goals she had set to achieve whether it was client brands. After a strategic negotiation achieve their business, marketing, and getting the job or expanding her business certification from Yale University, she joined growth objectives. in the UK didn’t happen overnight. It took OYO, a hospitality startup in India. months of hard work. She had to wait The company’s sole mission is to create a over 3 months to get OYO and wait over 4 Financial capital was a major issue for her positive impact in this world by helping months to expand her business in the UK, while setting up the business. She didn’t brands meet their full potential. Impact from the day she actually wanted. Chahat want to start her company with debts, so Study offers simple and sustainable has learned to live with the fact that the she used up all her savings to set up her solutions like New Product Creation, Go-to- timelines you set for yourself don’t matter, business. Due to limited capital, Chahat had market Strategy, Rebranding/Repositioning, what matters is achieving your goals and to come up with new innovative solutions for Growth Strategy, Brand Development, working relentlessly to get into them. operations and was very conscious of whom Business-Brand Strategy, Financial Metrics, to hire. Her team comprises of a bunch of and In depth-market research. Her work mantra is “Success is the balance excellent ladies who bring in their best at between economics and peace”. One must Chahat has won many honours and every task they do. be balanced in their thinking and actions awards for her performance along the way. towards their personal and professional Chahat was an integral part of growing In recent times Chahat became Goldman goals. Hence Chahat has always been the OYO brand from $250mil to $10bil. She Sachs 10,000 women, program alumni. She focusing on her goals This is because led the company’s global expansion and was awarded Business Woman of the Year focusing on just one, isn’t what she calls product creation of OYO Hotels and Homes 2020 by Business View Magazine; she went success. There has to be peace of mind that

120 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 121 Sonu Sood The Super Hero of India

Sonu Sood is an Indian actor, producer, in the Telugu blockbuster Arundhati. election Commission for his social work model, and philanthropist who works In 2010, he garnered the Apsara during the COVID-19 pandemic. The predominantly in Hindi, Telugu, and Award for Best Actor in a Negative spice Jet airways also paid a tribute Tamil films. Sonu Sood an engineer Role for Dabangg. He then established to him by hailing him as the Indian by profession started his career in his own production house Shakti Hero for his social work. They posted the South film industry with the film Sagar Productions, which is named pictures of Sonu Sood on their aircraft. Kallazhagar in 1999. Thereafter he after his father, Shakti Sagar Sood in On 25 July 2020, a video of a farmer’s has been doing many Tamil, Telugu, 2016. The actor was also chosen as daughters ploughing a field, like Kannada, and Hindi films. He did the number one celebrity by a UK bulls with a yoke on their shoulders, many films in the South thereafter. magazine in Asia recently. went viral over social media. Sood However, Sonu decided to shift his Despite being an actor Sonu gained quickly sent the family a tractor. On sights to Bollywood. He did a bit of more widespread popularity for his birthday on July 30 last year he role in Bollywood but it was his role his philanthropic work during the launched a website and app called in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva that made Pandemic last year in 2020. Sood Pravasi Rojgar to help migrant filmmakers sit up and notice him. helped thousands of stranded Indian workers find suitable jobs amid the Sonu went on to become popular In July 2020 migrant workers to reach their homes pandemic. On 19 February 2021, Sood for his roles in films like Shaheed E during the lockdown last year by launched an initiative ‘Ilaaj India’ he arranged a Azam (2001), Yuva (2004), Aashiq arranging buses, special trains, and platform to provide healthcare services Banaya Aapne (2005), Jodhaa Akbar chartered flights for them. He was for needy people. chartered flight (2008), Bbuddah... Hoga Tera Baap hailed as the National Hero. to bring home (2010), Shootout at Wadala (2013), Apart from his Philanthropic work, Happy New Year (2014). Sonu also In July 2020 he arranged a chartered Sonu continues to act in movies. He over 1,500 Indian did a Chinese film Kung Fu Yoga flight to bring home over 1,500 Indian will soon be seen in Yash Raj Films students stranded (2017) opposite Jackie Chan and Rohit students stranded in Kyrgyzstan Prithviraj along with Akshay Kumar, Shetty’s Simmba (2018). (Moscow) during the pandemic, flying then there are two South movies them from Bishkek to Varanasi. His one is Acharya with Chiranjeevi in Kyrgyzstan In 2009, he received the Andhra charity during the pandemic was a Telugu film and the other is a Pradesh State Nandi Award for Best (Moscow) during lauded, and he was hailed as a real- Thamizharasan a Tamil movie. Villain and the Filmfare Award for Best life hero in India. He was appointed the pandemic Supporting Actor – Telugu for his work “the state icon of Punjab” by the state

High Flyers 50 | 123 Pahlaj Nihalani A Staunch Filmmaker

Pahlaj Nihalani is an esteemed Indian film producer. He was the former Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the President of the Association of Pictures and TV Programme Producers for 29 years until he resigned in 2009. He was born into a business family, where his father had a yarn business. Since Mr. Nihalani was a schoolboy, he was extremely fascinated by the Film Industry. He would bunk his classes and go watch films. This did not go unnoticed by his father who decided that he would pick him up from his school and put him to work in the family business. Unfortunately, he lost his father at a young age, in the year 1960 to cancer. Around the same time, Nihalani himself had been diagnosed with a tumor and he was convinced he would have a short lifespan like He was the former his father. That ended up becoming his motivation to fast-track all the Chairman of the work he wanted to accomplish in his lifetime. He decided to work at Central Board of whatever business he could get his Film Certification hands on and got himself the capital and experience he needed. He credits (CBFC) a lot of his success during that time to

High Flyers 50 | 125 the goodwill his honest father had built in editor, actor, everyone wants their film to do His strong sense of community also always the market. That translated into a trust that well, so they spend all their time and energy kept him working for the masses. He was given to him by his father’s virtue and and love to make that happen. He says he believed that his leadership qualities gave he considers himself indebted to him for makes films for creative satisfaction first and him responsibility and interest in politics. He that beginning. not money and that makes him happier started working for Prime Minister Narendra than anything else would. Modi before he was CM of Gujarat. He His interest in films had never waned, so wrote songs for his campaign and made as the next step, he decided to get into Nihalani has a lot of love and pride for his sure he lent his support whenever he could. film distribution. He had been handling industry and wanted to make films that This interest in charity was sparked at a smaller films and was really excited about connect with the common man. He would young age in school. He continued that Phool and Pathar. But, that being a really want the films to entertain and have good by starting Umang, the charity for police expensive film for the time was a risky music and family values without vulgarity. families. He also would get the industry endeavor, so his family made him decide He considers himself very lucky that he together when the country was going against it. When the film ended up doing succeeded in all his endeavors because of through a crisis. During the Bhuj earthquake, well, he decided that he needed to make God’s grace. He believes that hard work he raised 4.5 crores from the industry to help more independent decisions and trust and faith in your ideas take you a long ease the suffering of Gujarat. his gut first. This made way. But in the end, it’s him take risks and trust all up to your destiny. Our Nihalani considers staying cool, calm and his knowledge. He had He believes that fates are decided by the collected in the time of stress as one of the been still doing business hard work and great screenwriter above primary indicators of success. He is satisfied in plastics, medical and what we should do with his decisions, still in love with his wife equipment, etc. But in 1971 faith in your is just obey and do our after 53 years, and proud of all his children. he decided to stop all other ideas take you a work righteously to the This he considers his greatest joy. If you endeavors and focus solely best of our abilities. He can remain humble and grounded when on films. He opened an long way. has immense faith in his you have the success that is when you office in Tardeo and started industry which is why he have truly made it. He considers a couple of producing as well. He is a worked hard to legitimize years around 98 as a time when he let his strong believer in destiny it with the government. In success get to his head. It was a time when and believed that he needed to forge his a time when everyone was talking about everything went wrong, but he kept trying, own path ahead and not stay encumbered the mafia’s involvement in Bollywood, kept getting over the hurdles one at a time, by the family business. He produced and he worked hard to prove that it was only got rid of his ego, and stayed true to himself. distributed numerous films. He would work a distasteful few who were part of that He considers that a lesson in knowing your with people who were passionate about nexus and the industry as a whole was place in the world, knowing that you are their craft and didn’t look at films just as a not corrupt. He worked to get multiplexes just an instrument acting out your fate. He way to make money. He enjoyed launching in India and get status for the industry by doesn’t want to retire. Retirement ages you new people and finding like-minded artists adding regulations and stopping piracy overnight according to him and he wants to work with. He finds great joy in the with the help of the government. He to work till he has breath in his body, not family-like work environment that films has faith that all the maligning that the for money, but for the satisfaction of a job create. He would work with people who industry is facing right now will go away well done and a life well-lived. To leave a gave him that time and feeling that his when people realize there are bad people legacy where his children get the same family would. Nihalani believes that every everywhere, but the industry as a whole is goodwill because of his work that he got film creates a family, where everyone stays a dream machine that provides livelihoods from his father. together despite differences. The chai wala, and joy to countless people.

126 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 127 Sakshi Malik The Indian Glory

Sakshi Malik needs no introduction as Sakshi was born on 3 September, 1992 she scripted history by becoming the in Mokhra village of Haryana’s Rohtak first woman wrestler from India to bag district. Her father was a bus conductor an Olympic medal and the only fourth with Delhi Transport Corporation, and female athlete from the country to climb her mother Sudesh Malik, a supervisor to the podium at the biggest sporting at a local health clinic. Sakshi inherited event in the world. Overall, Sakshi has the wrestling skills from her grandfather won India’s fifth wrestling medal in the Badlu Ram who was a popular wrestler. Olympic Games and it was India’s 25th She took a keen interest in Wrestling medal in Olympic Games. The young at the age of 12 and under the able Indian Freestyle wrestler won the bronze guidance of her coach Ishwar Dahiya, medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Sakshi trained herself at an Akhara in the 58 kg Category, becoming the first Chhotu Ram Stadium, Rohtak. Indian female wrestler to win at the Achieving her dreams was not easy as Olympics. She is a part of the JSW Sports her Coach faced protests from locals over Excellence Program, along with fellow his decision to train a girl to fight a lot of female wrestlers Vinesh Phogat, Babita boys in a region where wrestling as a Kumari, and Geeta Phogat. sport was not for girls. But Sakshi went Sakshi Malik has many medals to her on training and was determined to win name. She had previously won the gold. Seeing her dedication, her parents She was also silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth stuck by her side and ensured that their awarded the Games in Glasgow, and the bronze daughter could achieve her dreams. medal at the 2015 Asian Wrestling In 2014, Sakshi won the gold medal in Championships in Doha. She was also Padma Shri in 2017 the 60 kg category at the Dave Schultz awarded the Padma Shri in 2017 - the International Tournament. From here - fourth highest fourth highest Indian national honour onwards it was no looking back for the and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in Indian national young Malik. It was the 2014 Glasgow 2016 which is the highest sporting Commonwealth Games where she won honour honour of India.

High Flyers 50 | 129 her quarterfinal bout against Edwige Ngono Championships in Tashkent, she faced Anta Luo Xiaojuan of China but was beaten 4-5 Malik qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics by Eyia of Cameroon by a 4-0 margin. In the Sambou of Senegal in the Round of 16 and won by fall verdict. She came back strongly in the defeating China’s Zhang Lan in the semifinal semifinal, she faced Braxton Stone of Canada the bout 4-1. At the 2015 Asian Championships second round to beat Munkhtuya Tungalag of of the 58 kg category at the Olympic World whom she defeated 3-1 to assure herself of a in Doha, Qatar, in a total of five rounds in the Mongolia 13–0, before losing in the third round Qualifying Tournament in May 2016. At the medal. Her opponent in the final was Aminat 60 kg category, Malik battled through two to Yoshimi Kayama of Japan. She was able to Olympics, she won her Round of 32 bouts Adeniyi of Nigeria who defeated her 4–0 in rounds to finish in the third position and claim clinch the bronze medal in the fourth round, against Sweden’s Johanna Mattson and a closely contested bout. At the 2014 World a bronze medal. In the first round, she faced beating Ayaulym Kassymova of Kazakhstan. Round of 16 bouts against Moldova’s Mariana

Cherdivara. After losing to eventual finalist repechage medal playoff, and became India’s The 29-year-old who has completed her Sakshi Malik tied the knot with fellow Indian Valeria Koblova of Russia in the quarterfinal, first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal. master’s degree in Physical Education from wrestler Satyawart Kadian on April 2, 2017, and she qualified for the repechage round where Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak is settled down in her hometown of Rohtak. Her Sakshi represented ‘Colors Delhi Sultans’ she defeated Pürevdorjiin Orkhon of Mongolia currently employed with Indian Railways exploits have served as inspiration for the next in the second edition of the Pro Wrestling in her first bout. She won the bronze medal in the commercial department of its Delhi generation of female wrestlers. League held in January 2017. She has also after an 8–5 victory over the reigning Asian division, in the Northern Railway zone and is been featured in the women’s day campaign champion Aisuluu Tynybekova of Kyrgyzstan, a part of the JSW Sports Excellence Program. called #Every Woman Strong for her despite trailing 0–5 at one stage, in the In September 2016, she was appointed as the sponsor JSW Group. university’s wrestling director.

130 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 131 Ruskin Bond “Padma Bhushan” Magician Storyteller

An Indian author of British descent, to Mussourie to be closer to the children’s literature in India, he was Ruskin Bond was born in Kasauli to publishers in Delhi, happy to just awarded the Padma Shri in 1999 and a father who taught English to the make a basic living doing the work the Padma Bhushan in 2014. He has princesses of Jamnagar Palace. When that made him happy. In the 190s been the introduction to reading for his father joined the Royal air force, when Penguin set up in India, they children all across the world, weaving Ruskin and his family went to live at approached him to write some books. magical tales that transport them to his maternal home in Dehradun. He His interest in supernatural fiction led another dimension altogether. spent his childhood at a boarding him to write his most popular titles like school in Mussourie and later Shimla, Ghost stories from the Raj. He always in New Delhi with his father and after considered himself Indian, his long his father’s passing, with his mother history with the country made him and stepfather in Dehradun. His Indian in a way that race would not schooling was from Bishop Cotton have. He started writing at 17 and has School in Shimla, where he started often said he would have continued writing really early. He wrote one of to write even if he wasn’t making any his first short stories, Untouchable, at money doing it. the age of sixteen. After high school Most of his writing is influenced by he moved to the Channel Islands his life in the hill stations in India, his and London, where he continued life through the colonial, post-colonial, He started writing writing, winning the John Llewellen and post-independence phases of Rhys price for his first novel, the semi- at 17 and has often India. He considers himself a visual autobiographical, The Room on the writer who imagines entire worlds said “he would Roof. After it got published he decided like a movie when he writes. His to move back to India. have continued lonely childhood turned his focus on He freelanced for a few years from writing and then later in life writing to write even if he Delhi and Dehradun, sustaining for children made him understand wasn’t making any himself financially by writing short them better and live a childhood stories and poems for newspapers again through those writings. For money doing it.” and magazines. He then moved his exceptional role in the growth of

High Flyers 50 | 133 Ramesh Taurani Music Business on his Tips

Ramesh Taurani is one of the principal media industry veterans. He is the co-owner and managing director of one of the most successful corporate houses in the country in the field of films and music. Tips Industries limited is one of the biggest music labels in the world and has produced music and films for over two decades now. They also deal with film production, film promotion, and film distribution. Taurani is both the Managing Director and the Executive Director of Tips since 2005.

He was born into a middle-class Sindhi family in 1961. They had a shop called Jai Hind Electronics in He considers Bombay in the 1980s which dealt in watches, radios, gramophone records, honesty and and pre-recorded audio cassettes determination as of HMV, MIL, CBS, and Oriental. He also completed his graduation in very important Bachelors in Commerce from the qualities when Mumbai University around that time while working. They became working towards the number one wholesalers for western India when Taurani was and achieving any about 18 years of age. He then saw goal. the market in the production and

High Flyers 50 | 135 sale of programmes on the LPs. That’s got them all the experience they needed of soundtracks for about 50 Hindi movies, thick and thin, the capacity to remain were also commercially viable and he has when they founded Tips. They produced to go ahead and then started producing where the soundtrack of every movie costs optimistic helped him get over all the highs had great success in achieving just that. His programmes in Hindi, Marathi, and Sindhi films on their own. They came up with about a million in USD and another million and lows of his career. He remembers the advice to anyone who wants to achieve which generated great responses. Looking innovative marketing ideas, like putting dollars is used for promotion purposes. They hard times when they had been implicated success in their lives is to keep moving ahead at the response they decided to get into up hoardings promoting the music in the also later streamlined their business and in the tragic death of Gulshan Kumar. Their over all obstacles with good intentions, to music production. That’s when their first movie. This marketing genius led to them started IPO which helped them grow a trust in the due process of the judiciary and stay positive, and to not let setbacks throw major music release in Bollywood, “Patthar churning out big releases like Raaz, Race, lot as a company. faith in the truth got him over this tough you off. This ability to keep his focus on ke Phool” hit the market. In 1990, Tips set up Soldier, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Ajab time. These setbacks couldn’t keep Taurani the work he does and remaining relevant Taurani credits his optimism and hard its first manufacturing facility at Palghar, Prem ki Gazab Kahani, etc. Tips owns down because he kept faith in his honesty by being the most innovative in his field is work as the push behind his success. He Maharashtra. Tips has a vast collection of about 3,500 titles, out of which around ten and in the country’s judicial system. He the reason he is the business genius we all considers honesty and determination as albums with songs in most of the Indian have had 10 million and 15 have grossed believes his one ambition was to make want to emulate. very important qualities when working languages. Along with film songs, they over 5 million in sales and about 20 have films that people liked, that did well, and towards and achieving any goal. Through also produce devotional songs, Indian pop, a million. They also hold the copyrights instrumentals, Indian folk, Ghazals etc.

Tips has the highest number of platinum and gold discs compared to any other record label in India. They also have their dedicated set of distributors handling only Tips products. Its distributors promote and sell to over a thousand wholesalers who then sell to over 40000 retailers. This method of doing business is novel for India and brought great success to the company. Taurani is personally involved in producing musical software, purchase of audio rights, and coordinating with artists. Tips also has its International offices located in the United States, Dubai, and England where it operates via its licensees and also distributes in South Africa, Israel, and Malaysia. Taurani knew the risks involved every step of the way in this journey. But he had faith in his primary forte which was music and that made them confident of the decisions they took to take the company forward.

Once they had made their mark in the music business, the next step was getting into the production of films. They started with co-producing smaller movies and getting into film distributions for movies like Raja Hindustani, Coolie No. 1, etc., which

136 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 137 Ganpat Kothari Weaving the path to Success

Ganpat Kothari is the founder and chairman of Kothari Fabtex, one of the biggest fabric manufacturers in the country. They are market leaders in the production of cotton blended fabrics. Their promise of total quality and reliable service at great prices puts them ahead of all other competition in their field with pioneering experience over 30 years and a strong base in Spinning, Weaving, and Processing. Mr. Kothari was born in Barmer Rajasthan, where his father was working in an umbrella factory. Since he was the eldest of four brothers, Kothari felt the onus of bettering their financial situation fell on him. He knew that his parents were struggling to fund He moved to the education of all four sons, so he moved to Bombay in 1984 Bombay in 1984 after passing his 12th standard after passing his examinations with flying colours. He moved to Bombay to work 12th standard and finish his studies at the same time. He worked in a clothing examinations with market and simultaneously flying colours. pursued his graduation through

High Flyers 50 | 139 distance learning. He graduated in 1986 and business started growing in no time. In 1993 his brothers took over and made sure that were working pan India by 1998. By 2000 continued to send money home to educate his brother joined his business. He sent him the business did not suffer. The sense of they had set up four plants in Rajasthan his younger brothers. His strong sense of to Rajasthan from where they sourced their purpose that had brought him to Bombay and had branched out in Tamil Nadu to purpose came from this responsibility that fabric and he started handling that part. to help his family was also roaring in his produce thread. They became the biggest he had taken on himself. His dream was to Their business began growing and soon in brothers as they too put in all their efforts producers of Rubia cotton. Their sales today give his family a better life and that fueled 1994, they put up a small processing unit. into growing their small business from the reflect the massive growth they were able to his passion for work. That’s when his other two brothers joined ground up. The family worked hard together achieve in a short time span. They produce him. One of them a CA and the other an and in 1995 they set up another plant in about 30 lakh meters of cloth every month In 1989 he started his own trading company. engineer, the four brothers worked hard Bhiwandi, where they started to produce and since most of it is pre-booked; they He would buy and sell as his pocket together and took the company to new and process fabric. This brought down costs also sell that huge amount each month. allowed and managed to start the business heights. Mr. Kothari remembers how when and helped them sell at cheaper rates. Their They are proud of their ‘made in India’ tag. with very little capital investment. His hard in 1993 he was bedridden for a year, but sales started going up day by day and they Their innovativeness has left competitors far work quickly bore results and his small

behind with exports to all parts of the world various directions. The Kothari Group now to succeed. Money is important for comfort make him a philanthropist who is always – USA, London, Kenya, Dubai, South Africa, has diversified to include the import of but it isn’t the end all be all. Visualizing a looking to help others. He considers social Nepal, Sri Lanka, etc. olive oil, production, publication, finance, goal and then working towards it is all work as a way to reach immortality. If you and investment. This diversification in their that is needed. Because there is no end to help others and their lives are in some way Kothari credits his family’s support as being business has brought them even more man’s desires, it is only through actions and bettered by you that is akin to never die. He instrumental in his success. The brothers all success, which is a testament to the work intentions that you can find satisfaction in believes that we all must share what the worked hard together, taking over different put in by the entire family. a job well done. Instead of wanting more, world has given to us with others and that parts of their business, like investments, a focus on your work, spirituality, family, the service of the underprivileged should be financing, real estate, processing, spinning, Kothari considers intention, honesty, and and helping others brings you closer to true everyone’s true calling. That is what will give etc. This helped the company grow in hard work as the essential qualities required success. Mr. Kothari’s spiritual leanings also us peace and help satiate our soul.

140 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 141 Rama Mehta A Well-Known & Expert Nutritionist

Rama Mehta is a certified nutritionist Rama Mehta shifted to Kuwait five for her Health is a prime concern as years back, she was indeed surprised we all want to be healthy, disease- and also heartbroken to find most free, and live a long life. Health has of the Indians suffering from various many parameters for Rama Mehta lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart from a healthy diet, regular exercise, diseases, cancer, high-stress levels. So spiritual growth, social and workplace Rama Mehta continued her work in balance, and environmental the online space and decided to help wellbeing. Rama Mehta feels that as many people as possible. Years of each parameter requires us to improve working with diets, food, and diseases, and change with changing times. and weight concern had made her Change is something we all desire yet acutely aware of the role of stress it is difficult. Working for many years in the rise of lifestyle disorders and as a nutritionist made Rama Mehta also to the fact that prescriptions are much more aware of this struggle and ineffective and have little influence as even pushed her to look for ways to she feels that we live our stories every support all those who wish to improve moment and the master storyteller Rama Mehta has their health. So as a nutritionist she is life. Our stories evolve as we keep basically focused on Indian diets and taking steps forward. Each client clients all over more plant-based diets and cultivate whom she met had a very distinct the world like the habits of eating more vegetables story with the same goal of better and fruits to reduce the inflammatory health. So Rama Mehta’s quest to India, Kuwait, UK, response in the body and manage make change easier made her more Canada, the US, lifestyle challenges with better curious about behaviors and writing behaviors and attitudes and a better poetry made her aware of the role Ireland, Dubai, environment. Rama Mehta has clients of creativity in better mental health. all over the world like India, Kuwait, So Rama Mehta started exploring Bangladesh, and UK, Canada, the US, Ireland, Dubai, and accidently came to know about Egypt. Bangladesh, and Egypt. In fact, when psychodrama. Psychodrama is a tool

High Flyers 50 | 143 to enhance our creativity and our response people got interested to explore the drama using creativity, imagination, planning, or any part of the world. As she wants to On coming clean as to what success ability to hold oneself together when life to different situations in life and come up and the health connection. Rama Mehta owning responsibility develops leadership share a strong message with everyone that ultimately means for her Rama Mehta decides to test you or pamper you, rest all is with a better solution or way forward. had received wonderful feedback and a qualities in each person and they lead Health can be as simple as we choose it to expressed her parting shot, “Success is the living the journey called life.” deep impact of drama on their behaviors. change from the front. So Rama Mehta be and when we are looking towards the Moreover, Rama Mehta witnessed and In fact, Rama Mehta was also invited by has observed a deep impact on behaviors change we need to go beyond words and experienced tremendous behavior change radio Kuwait Bangla to talk about how and attitudes towards health after drama transforming our stories by acting them out. while studying psychodrama. In fact, she we can develop healthy eating habits in workshops. Rama Mehta also started her started applying its tools in her practice. Rama Mehta ended up giving brief glance school-going children, how to make meals own podcasting in Hindi titled AAO BAAT So she went one step further and decided at her background of her growing up years more nutritious, and the impact of drama Karen. It was an effort to make everyone to put up a drama using stories of her she averred, “Being a banker’s daughter on health behaviors. Rama Mehta believes share their thoughts in a very safe and clients. She ended up finding an initiative one lesson I learned quite early was in shared human experience and the nonjudgmental space and connect with named “Rangmanch se healthy”, a accepting change and adjusting to the new impact of that sharing on the group to be others. Besides Rama Mehta is also an company or initiative to promote healthy environment and people around us after more open towards change. The key area author of a poetry ebook called Khidkiyaan. behaviors, using drama and bring about every three years dad would be posted to where drama impacts the health behaviors A book she had ended up, writing and got change. She even managed to create a a new place. My childhood was spent in are Creative challenges to inspire: Using a published during a lockdown. Khidkiyaan: team of 20 people. She gave four of them various cities and small towns of Haryana. true-life incident creating a story, a script, lockdown Ke Darmiyaan. She also writes on a storyline and motivated them to write When I was 8 years old my dad got posted designing a social media clip, performing, Medium as a writer for various publications. the script. None of the team members had to a Sainik school at Kunj Pura near Karnal. and giving a strong message to improve any experience with writing, acting, or That apart Rama Mehta’s latest project We were only two students in my class. health. Rama Mehta also feels that we performing on stage. After they finished under “Rangmanch se healthy” now The Sainik school campus was famous for learn best when we act out our thoughts the script, Rama Mehta prerecorded all concentrates on working with children lots of snakes. I still remember an incident and actions as it deeply impacts our minds the dialogues and some of them became suffering from cancer, diabetes, and HIV to when a green-colored flying snake got into and changes behaviors. voice artists. They soon started practice. In make them write stories, perform drama our class and with great care and efforts, fact, Rama Mehta had no clue how and Rama Mehta’s thoughts on Imagination: online and motivate each other with the school staff moved us out of the class. where she will stage this drama but she Imagining, visualizing possible solutions solutions that they think are the most I learned that day that fear does freeze us kept on working. One of the team members’ while working in a group, brainstorming, effective. Rama Mehta is also talking to but if we don’t’ not move it can kill us, taking husbands helped them to print the tickets and collectively make decisions. Planning: Camp rainbow and St. Jude child care needed actions can only save us. I was an and they booked a hall for the drama. They Creating a plan of action, deciding roles, services. She is hopeful to collaborate and introverted child, fond of listening more and sold the tickets and recovered the cost. And selecting music and dance steps, integrating help these children and their parents. speaking less. Being a hosteler taught me to ended up, performing the drama “Sapno Ke ideas, and working as a team Exploring be independent and taking small decisions Lastly, Rama Mehta nominates himself for Pair”. It was highly appreciated and people and refining: The biggest learning is which set our course and teach us to own the “Indian Achievers Award” as she thinks even gave wonderful feedback about the operating as a group and being open to responsibility. that our health and environment are the impact and the message of the drama. So each member’s idea to refine the act and most urgent and pressing issues at present. Reliving some of her happy memories Rama Mehta managed to put the drama promote deep bonding within the group. The answers lie in not only changing our associated while achieving her goals Rama with zero financial investment, and then she Owning responsibility: each member owns behaviors but doing so with creativity, Mehta goes into a briefest descriptive mode, got invited by the Kuwait chapter of “The the responsibility to share work, finances, connection, and working together to help “Every a moment, where I succeeded to institute of chartered accountants of India” selling tickets, and learn the magic of each other in this journey. Working in an stay with the present moment, has been an on their annual general meeting for a talk disciplined work. Performing: to present your online space makes her reach vast, though achievement and cherished. Other times its on nutrition, and Rama Mehta put up the work and perform in front of an audience. she is not able to help people on a vast scale efforts and step forward towards controlling 2nd show of “Sapno Ke Pair” at Copthorne It works deeply on self-confidence, yet she keeps on looking for opportunities my mind and thoughts.” Kuwait. It was highly appreciated. Since enhancing abilities, and satisfaction of to increase her reach and help many more then Rama Mehta kept on doing small helping others creatively to enhance health. country fellows whether they are in India drama workshops with her clients and Developing Leaders: this entire process of

144 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 145 Kirtee Siingh The Brightly Lit Entrepreneur

Born on 1st April, Kirtee Siingh is a Mumbai-based Lighting designer, consultant, and ace entrepreneur. His impressive profile includes being the CEO of Foxworks Lights and Head Designer at Kirtee and Associates. He has to his credit designed some of the most beautiful bungalows owned by Bollywood stars and top business tycoons. His genius is also behind some of the most beautiful award- winning nightclubs, restaurants, and gymnasiums. He is the go-to lighting magician, with many tricks up his sleeve. He started his career with Kalpataru Group in Mumbai and soon made a name for himself, thanks to his innovative ideas. He is a student of mathematics, architectural lighting He started his design, and business studies. These skill-sets all have merged together to career with make him a genius at his job, resulting Kalpataru Group in in awe-inspiring designs. His love for Alexander Mc Queen and skulls Mumbai and soon showcase the edgy side of his design language, so does his love for Rock made a name for and Heavy Metal music. His love for himself, thanks to machines, engineering, and design is his innovative ideas. also apparent in his love for superbikes

High Flyers 50 | 145 and cars. He loves working on complicated Pune University India, and a Master’s was in 8th standard. So with his parents at time, but thankfully he found a way to get that there are errands we are good at and on his craft and kept on persevering and machines and truly enjoys every step of Degree in Architectural lighting design from work and him alone at home, his anxious to his passion. Initially, he had no clue that we enjoy doing. All we need is the right doing his bit. This made sure that success the exploration, from general maintenance Hochschule Wismar Germany. mind started dismantling every electronic lighting could be a career until he started entrepreneurial spirit to recognize it and didn’t go to his head and failures didn’t bring to an engine rebuild. The laurels in his good possible in the house, be it T.V., or any working with Kalpataru Group and tossed make that a reality. him down. He doesn’t believe in measuring Kirtee Siingh came from a working-class cap include various degrees, Bachelor lighting fixture. By the time he was in the the idea that lighting could be a future his career in milestones but rather just family. His father was as Director at the He is a nature lover who worships the of mathematics from Fergusson College tenth standard he was rebuilding electrical business for them and that’s where the in trusting and loving the journey your health and family welfare department and sun every morning and believes that the India, a Post-Graduation in International fuses for all his neighbors. At first, he wanted journey began. His childhood had lit that passion takes you on. his mother was a judge in state consumer universe got him where he is. There were Business from I.M.D.R. India, a Master’s to do his graduation followed by an MBA, spark of interest in him and he found a way court. His elder sister got married when he hurdles in his journey as with any others. Kirtee Siingh remembers being a spoilt Degree in Marketing Management from which was the exciting career choice of that to turn it into an entire career. He believes But his belief in destiny and his calling made brat who was only interested in fun, but sure that he took it all in his graduation in Mathematics side and focused on how and realization of enriching and entertaining He started responsibilities changed all life could be. To him, working part- that. He started working success means attaining part-time and studying. a state of mind where time and Thus studying for 10 hours one achieves an absolute followed by 7 straight hours realisation of the fact that studying. Thus at work became a daily this universe will serve you studying for 10 schedule of his life. He still with abundance and you laughs at the fact that he are up for only good things. hours followed used to carry a pencil to He considers his journey his bathroom so he could to have been an enriching by 7 straight solve a sum on the walls experience. But it has also hours at work during his shower. come from prioritizing He was in no hurry to and working hard. became a daily succeed and knew it would When he was starting schedule of his take some time, but he to work his primary loved the work so it never goal had always been life. seemed hard or daunting. money propped up by his His love for his work, observations in school where he studies patience, and faith made the hardships with some of the richest kids in the city. But roll off his crest. He gives entire credit to the the more money he made, the more he universe for showing this path to him and realized that it cannot be the primary goal thus if he ever had to redo anything, he of one’s life. This made his passion for work would do it the same way with no changes come alive and take over. He concentrated and no regrets.

146 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 147 Talat Aziz Ghazal Maestro

Talat Aziz is one of our most popular legendary Ghazal singers. He was born on 11 November 1956 in Hyderabad. His father was a respected Urdu poet and writer. The family house was a cultural hub when Mr. Aziz was a young boy. Famous artists like Janisar Akhtar, Balraj Sahni, and Meena Kumari would come to their house after Mushairas and there would be a Mehfil almost every Saturday in their home which was known for exceptional hospitality. He was exposed to various different artists and art forms at that young impressionable age. He was extremely fond of music from that early a time, but never thought he’d ever make it a profession. His father arranged for him to be trained in music by Ustad Samad Khan and later by Ustad He got to play with Faiyyaz Ahmed Khan. During his schooling, his passion for a lot of cricketing music got overshadowed by cricket for a while when he was picked up by a legends like Nawab National coach who was impressed Pataudi in those with his pace. He got to play with a lot of cricketing legends like Nawab cricketing days. Pataudi in those cricketing days. He

High Flyers 50 | 149 spent six hours a day practicing and still him. It was named “Jagjit Singh presents found time to continue his music lessons. Talat Aziz”, which was just to be the first Somewhere around that time, he met of many successful releases. He had also the brilliant Jagjit Singh who took him to met Khayyam who promised to ask him to Bombay, where he realized that music was sing when he had the right movie in mind. where his heart was set. The moment that That’s when he got his first playback song changed his life was to come in 1977 when for the legendary “Umrao Jaan” with the he was in Toronto visiting relatives. He had song “Zindagi jab bhi teri bazm me laati done some small shows and earned a little hai hume”. He then also got a chance to bit of money which became his first taste sing live with Lata Mangeshkar for the of professional music. He was taken to a movie “Bazaar”. “Daddy” by Mahesh Bhatt Mehfil where he would meet his idol who became his first film where he sang all the he had only heard so far. In that room was songs for the movie. He also composed for the incomparable Mehdi Hassan. He got the serial “Sailaab”, where Jagjit Singh sang introduced to him and after he had heard one of his compositions, officially bringing him and spent some time with him the things full circle. By then he was touring all miracle happened, Mehdi Hassan Saab over the world and singing for movies and asked him if he would like to learn from him. releasing albums one after the other. He Mr. Aziz couldn’t believe his luck. He tied was also asked to act in some serials and the ganda which is the ceremonial thread also a film with Mahesh Bhatt showcasing binding teacher and pupil of Ustad and his versatility as an artist. He remembers shagird. This solidified his relationship with fondly about performing for the then PM the man who would not only be his teacher Atal Behari Vajpayee in a private mehfil but also a father figure and a friend. They for his closest friends. The PM heard him toured together in 1989 in India and abroad for more than two hours and then sat right and shared the stage, which became a next to him and chatted as friends. These classroom for him. moments that peppered his life made his career the bright star that it is. He also He then moved to Bombay where he considers his wife his guiding force. Bina started to make friends in the music circle. Aziz his wife is a famous painter who he He remembers going to India’s primary calls not just his backbone but the kafiya to music label HMV’s offices with Anoop his radif, which is the part of the ghazal that Jalota to try and get an audition. Those makes the other complete. He considers her were his struggling days where happiness his strength, his backbone. His two sons, one was having Rs.50 so he could go to Martin’s actor and one lawyer turned photographer Dhaba and have his favorite chicken is also his source of pride. They are the music vindaloo and rice. He could have given up that keeps him going. He is also giving back the struggle and been more comfortable by teaching the Mehdi Hassan School of back home but he chose to stay for his singing in online classes which have been dream. He never got that audition, but soon an increasingly satisfying and successful he was signed with Universal music for venture. So we can hope to have more three years. He released his first album in soulful music coming our way. 1980 which he had Jagjit Singh compose for

150 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 151 Shekhar Naik “Padma Shri” Real Inspirational Determination

Shekhar Naik born on 7 April 1986 is an by getting him into the school and now In 2001 Shekhar Naik won the man of the Indian blind cricketer and the captain of it was his responsibility to decide what series award in an under 18 tournament, the Indian national blind cricket team. he wanted to do and do well. He was which played a big role in him getting He is a right-handed batsman and also completely taken in by the game, playing him selected for the world cup in 2002. a wicketkeeper who captained India to all day and watching matches even He went on to be named man of the victories at the T20 blind cricket world cup when he had exams. He lost his loving and tournament in the 2006 world cup and in 2012 and the blind cricket world cup in devoted mother after six months of being would then go on to be made Captain in 2014. In 2017 he was awarded the Padma in the school. Losing both parents at such 2010. He scored 134 runs in 58 balls against Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour. a young age could have broken anyone. England and won the inaugural T20 But, Mr. Naik chose to deal with his grief by world cup in 2012 and then led the team Mr. Naik was born in a nomadic Banjara working even harder. to victory in the 2014 cricket world cup. In family in Arakere in Southern Karnataka. 2017 he became the first Blind cricketer to He was the son of a farmer and his mother He practiced hard and waited for be awarded the Padma Shri, which just and 15 other members of the family were tournaments with bated breath. He would goes to show that any and all adversity has visually impaired. Mr. Naik was born envision his future and play out all his no choice but to bow down in the face of completely blind, but when he injured his dreams. His hard work soon paid off and in great determination. head after a fall at the age of seven, doctors 2000 playing state-level cricket he scores realized that his eyesight had the possibility 136 runs in 46 balls. This helped him get of getting better. He was taken to a health his confidence up and get selected for camp and then subsequently operated on the Karnataka team. His first professional in Bangalore, restoring 60% of his vision in hurdle came when during a coaching his right eye. camp his love for cricket became difficult for the first time. He had to wake up at His mother would take him to school and 5.30 am and spend the day on a grueling leave him there to grasp what he could, schedule. But as all other hurdles life but after his surgery and the unfortunate threw at him, he decided to bear it and passing of his parents, he finally found the use it to his advantage. He got selected as In 2017 he was right education for him at the Shri Sharada the opening batsman and his first time Devi School for the blind at Shimoga in playing in a stadium; he scored 249 runs in awarded the 1997 as an 11-year-old in grade 1. He started a one-day match. He was doing extremely playing cricket at this school. He told his well professionally, but he now had to Padma Shri, India’s mother of his desire to play cricket, a victory take care of himself. He worked during the over all the times that the kids in his village vacations and with that money continued fourth highest had teased him and not let him play. His to support himself. civilian honour. mother told him that she had done her job

High Flyers 50 | 153 Akshay Kashyap Achieving Global Dreams

Akshay Kashyap is the founder and Managing director of Greenfuel. He is an Advisory Committee member of ARAI for CNG Application, Member of ACMA-STDC (Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India - Sustainable Technology Development Committee), member of IM-TAG (Inter-Ministerial Technology Advisory Group) with Govt. of India for Electric vehicles. Also, Advisory Board member of Sidhu Labs, the USA on advanced Li-Ion batteries and a member of The Entrepreneurs' Organization, New Delhi.

Greenfuel was awarded as “The largest and most innovative company for CNG vehicle components” by the Ministry of Road and Transport in the year 2014. He was recognized by India Today and awarded for “Make in Greenfuel has won India Emerging Entrepreneur Award” in the field of Automobile for the year “Technology First 2018. Greenfuel has won “Technology First Runner” in EV at ASSOCHAM Runner” in EV at in 2019. Recently Greenfuel has won ASSOCHAM in “Supplier of the year” at the TATA 2019. Motor Vendor Meet 2019.

High Flyers 50 | 155 Akshay began his schooling in Bishops now completed over 1.5 billion kilometres warranty return. These are distinctions that India, there were primarily buses that were standards of these components. When he School Pune till Class 5th standard. His in the field without a single failure of the are unique to our company and cannot be made by OEMs and they had problems came back to India, I saw an opportunity father was in Thermax till they moved product. The second milestone must be of claimed by anyone in India. The biggest with their fuel systems. Akshay had worked here where the industry was at a nascent back to Delhi when he started his father Greenfuel being selected as a key supplier to hurdle the company ever faced was to with a company in the USA for 3 years, stage and felt that he could provide products started their own Business in Piping Maruti Suzuki in the year 2010, where they change the mindset and preset notions that where he got great exposure to vehicles that are well-priced, extremely reliable, and and Power. Akshay graduated in 1996 have now supplied over 8,00,000 products exist in the customer’s minds — CNG and using CNG systems across the world and with a zero-defect rate. from Gyan Bharati School Delhi. He without a single case of product failure or electric are about the future. In 2006, in was also involved in preparing the safety- excelled academically in school and was good at most of the sports. Akshay was very attached to his mother. His Great Grandfather started the first company in India for Geometry boxes called “Globe”. The brand became the benchmark in the industry for geometry boxes and manufactured over 10 million geometry boxes annually.

Later Akshay Kashyap achieved a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engg. from Florida Institute of Technology, USA, and graduated “With Honors” in the year 2001. He also attended a short-term course on “Elevating Finance and Operations from The Wharton School”. He worked for 3 years in Cleveland, Ohio. Later in 2006 October, he started his own Entrepreneurial venture, Greenfuel Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd with his own capital of Rs. 25 lakhs and five employees. The primary objective was to Engineer and supply components for vehicles running on natural gas (CNG). In 2016, Greenfuel ventured into designing & manufacturing Li-ion battery packs for e-mobility & Energy Storage. Today the company has over 140 employees and a Market share of 37% in CNG components.

Akshay Kashyap aims at creating a positive impact on the transition of Mobility to a net Zero Carbon future. Their first achievement was getting the order of the Tata Marco Polo Low Floor buses from the Delhi Government. These buses have

156 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 157 Dr. Harbeen Arora A woman of Strength and Intergrity

Dr. Harbeen Arora is a multifaceted A business leader with a great personality. A Thought Leader, affinity for philanthropy, culture, Global Icon & Visionary for Women, and peace, Dr. Arora has vast Businesswoman, Philanthropist, experience with promoting: Author, Humanitarian, Spiritual ancient heritage of traditional Seeker, and Compelling Speaker handlooms and crafts; tourism, arts she exudes strength and simplicity and culture; international trade & through her work. ties, business collaborations, and partnerships; conflict resolution Dr. Harbeen Arora is the Founder and peacebuilding. She is the of ALL, WEF, SHEconomy, and author of three books on the WICCI. With a powerful global subjects of creative living, human network of 250,000 women and values, and higher education viz. supporters across 120 countries and *Creative Living: Discovering your growing toward ‘Mission Million,’ Beautiful Path and Lifestyle toward these international platforms and Happiness and Well-being; *The ecosystems enable women and Seven Sacred Sai Values Innate leaders from all walks of life to Dr. Harbeen Arora in Every Human Being: How to expand business opportunities and Apply Them in Our Daily Lives for enhance personal influence through is the Founder Happiness, Peace and Well-being; networking for personal and and *Dawn of a New Vibrant India. of ALL, WEF, professional growth while being SHEconomy, and inspired by some of the world’s most Born in Delhi in a humble Sikh successful entrepreneurs, authors, family in 1974, Harbeen grew up WICCI. With a thought leaders and celebrities with great focus on education, through a mammoth movement values and spirit of service. She powerful global of “Sisters Beyond Borders,” completed her Bachelor’s degree network of 250,000 for our greater exchange and in Economics from Delhi University “Business Beyond Borders and achieved a Masters from women King’s College London University

High Flyers 50 | 159 and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art connected worldwide including 60,000 (RADA), and PhD from Sorbonne Nouvelle, in India. Harbeen says that her guiding University of Paris III. spiritual mantra is “Love ALL, Serve ALL.” For her success is about awakenings She had working parents who raised and openings, about finding doors. With Harbeen and her brother with values her never say die attitude Harbeen has of education and responsibility. They managed to conquer the world through her inculcated various virtues like no gender bias grit and determination. and hard work in their children and were made to share their chores. Hence Harbeen Dr.Arora is also the Chancellor of Rai always grew up to be an independent University in Ahmadabad, Rai Technology woman. She was taught to balance University in Bangalore, and Jharkhand Rai responsibility and team work at an early University in Ranchi, India. The universities age. She also learned about the importance focus on educating youth from underserved of having endless reserves of positive energy sections of society especially in fields of and resilience. When Harbeen faced farming and agriculture, empowering local gender bias in the outer world it came as a livelihoods and capacity building. She is shock to her but this germinated thoughts of also the author of three books: on higher working and doing something for women in education, human values, & creative living. her later years of life and to understand the Harbeen Arora is also the founder of depth of discriminatory biases that withheld BIOAYURVEDA, organic health, and women in economy and society A seeker wellness enterprise. She also leads ventures who was passionate about working and in hi-tech agriculture, organic farming, and learning she set out to achieve her dreams. sustainable living. It was finally in 2000 that realization struck her when she did her M.Phil and PhD from Recognised and lauded for her work across Paris. She did not know a word of French India and Internationally, Dr. Harbeen but managed to pull through with honours. Arora has received many accolades for her relentless and selfless leadership and In 2011 Harbeen finally decided to unite All exalted vision of women empowerment the women of the world with All Ladies with peace, parity, and prosperity for All. League (ALL), followed by the Women She was listed among the top 100 Most Economic Forum (WEF) which has 41 Reputable People on Earth by Reputation global editions across 25 countries. She Poll in 2019. She was honored by the also instituted business and industry Evolutionary Business Council, the USA as chamber Women’s Indian Chamber of a Global Impact Leader. She was honored Commerce & Industry (WICCI) that gives by the President of Egypt at the World policy recommendations to the government Youth Forum 2018. She has been felicitated from time to time which is now a global for Excellence in Women Empowerment by e-commerce marketplace for our global the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce community, SHEconomy. and received the National Award for Social Through her work, she now has a network Entrepreneurship and Education by Gujarat of 250,000 women and supporters Chamber of Commerce & Industry in India.

160 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 161 Dr. Megha Sharma

Dr Megha Sharma says that in the finance professional and Religare world of business, there is no male Finvest was the last job as National or female, just an entrepreneur. Strategy Manager (Collections). If you have stepped out of your In 2013, she shifted to Pune and comfort level to face the world as actually took 6 months to decide an entrepreneur, be unique, exploit “What’s Next” and then finally your own potential, and do not use decided to turn a passion for feminism as a tool to gain sympathy traveling into her second career as or success in the business world as a Travel Consultant. She started the this won’t help sustain for long. company Travel Krafterz a travel Dr Megha Sharma, a renowned company specializing in corporate, name in the corporate world hails individuals, and group tours in 2013. from Chandigarh, a traditional In 2017, she co-founded a start- Punjabi family. She has been an up “Toogle” which is a B2B tech iconic figure for the corporate world aggregator which connects the in women’s entrepreneurship. She unconnected in the travel industry. always dreamt of becoming an While talking about major independent woman, giving tuitions challenges, she shares that she got to lower grades since she was in bankrupt thrice and despite multiple grade 9. She started working in job offers and no background in Airtel (Telecom Service Provider) as business, she persevered. Now, not a sales executive during her teens “Leadership is not only she is called a Networking and during her graduation and Queen but also “No Madam” post-graduation, she worked for About POWER because she firmly believes that Airtel, Reliance Infocom, and Dell the more No you say the better but it’s about International Services. Having gotten it is because you set the right married while pursuing her MBA EMPOWERING expectations to the people. People in marketing and finance, she later trust her words and what she says. People.” shifted her job to GE Money as a

High Flyers 50 | 163 Apart from Travel Krafterz, Dr Megha charity and noble causes of taking care of 3. Ambika Foundation: -Global Marketing and mother have been instrumental in her Egypt for being a revolutionary in Travel life like common folk. Coming from a Sharma is the Founder/Co-Founder of the 3 underprivileged girl’s education and the Director - Ambika Foundation is a being able to be successful in her endeavors. Industry in 2018. family with no support and guidance, it following start-ups. annual expenses of a sick sex worker for the philanthropic organization formed in 2015, is a testament to her talent and zeal that Dr Megha Sharma has been bestowed with 11. WOW – Multi-Faceted Personality last two years. registered in Odisha that works in the field she reached the Zenith in Entrepreneurship 1. Toogle Travel Pvt Ltd (Titanz) - a Travel the following awards in the last few years. of the Year 2017 of health, nutrition, education, human rights, and Globalisation. networking company In October 2018, Megha started the idea of environment, and upliftment of poor and 1. Awarded, Recognized, and Featured 12. Featured in LAJA, a magazine covering a Travel and Beauty Pageant for women Megha says, “Women Leaders are 2. Vempowerall – A Start-up Safar underprivileged women and children. among India’s Top Professionals and shared Inspiring and Successful stories of from the travel industry under the Brand best decision-makers in providing space with most eminent personalities like Woman Empowerment. 3. XNO world - A digital marketing company “Ms. Travel IKON”. This was the first-ever She has been awarded 3 Honorary greater accountability in the Hon. Shiv Nadar, Neeta Ambani, Gauri Khan, travel beauty and talent pageant in the doctorates for her contributions to society 13. India‘s 5000 Best MSME Awards 2017 of entrepreneurship sector.” “Second Innings” is a concept initiated by and many more renowned personalities. India5000, 2017 Awards Dr Megha Sharma, wherein she is helping entire world, the entire focus of this concept especially in the field of human rights, 2. Indian Achievers among Top 40 the women who left their career due to was to empower the women to explore their education, and philanthropic services. Megha’s Social Associations: - talent and overcome their shortcomings. To under 40 for the year 2020 by The India some reasons or who are going through a These days she is promoting her project groom them in Public Speaking, Personality Achiever’s Club. 1. Rotary Club of Pune Kalyani Nagar, rough patch in their life to be independently of “Cup of Life” which aims to spread Development, Training Skills, and Group Rotary International successful and start afresh their career with awareness in women from different 3. Top Influential Corporate Leaders Discussion, to help in their existing business her network in the travel fraternity. She backgrounds about the importance of – 40 Under 40 by Business Mint – President – 2020-2021 and also make them more confident. Nationwide Awards has enabled over 300+ women in taking menstrual hygiene and menstrual cups. It International Service Director, 2019-2020 the leap to strengthen their careers while She is also part of my NGOs, which are focuses on the idea that menstrual cups are 4. Recognized and Awarded as one of the mentoring them to face all challenges. 2. YLF - Young Leader’s Forum mentioned below:- no longer a product used by the rich, but Dynamic Women Entrepreneurs 2020, (Youth Wing of IMC) can be afforded by others too. She also founded the First TITANZ NGO in 1. CAWSE FOUNDATION: Involved with this Uk, London, at the London Parliament by Core Team – Event 2017, a non-profit education project that foundation for the last three years, she is She has also started RISE (Recommend Swabhiman India Foundation, BBMG Operations, Youth Conclave provides after-school tutoring to children the Global Marketing Director of CAWSE Interview Shortlist Employed) which is a Nobel Awards among other Indian from low-income communities. She also foundation. The vision of the foundation is virtual job fair that aims to help job seekers awardees residing all over the world. Core Committee Member – Youth Conclave. tied up with NGOs in Mumbai and Pune to have a safe environment for children and from specially-abled and unemployed 5. First International Award and Recognition 3. Toastmasters International, District 98 like Asha Sadan and Asha Daan, Mother women from Sexual Abuse and non-sexual segments of the society. – The Tourism Entrepreneurs International Teresa Missionaries and contributed food violence. The mission of the foundation is to Vice President –Education - Stellar She is truly inspired by Neeta Ambani. She workshops and speaker’s session done She also started a legacy project for Mental Women Award 2019 at Nepal. and clothing, and other basic necessities to empower individuals, families, communities, Toastmasters Club, 2020-2021 also has a flair for fashion and lifestyle. through this platform. Currently at 9000 Awareness- “Speak Out” - Rotarians a Call the children and women staying there on and society with prevention and 6. Rotary Vocational Excellence Awards plus members across the globe, V Empower Away. Anyone going through any suicidal Vice President – PR – Stellar Toastmasters Being a self-made entrepreneur; she has a regular basis. intervention skills to reduce the occurrence 2019 for empowering women in the All has supported more than 5,000 start- thought and wish to talk to a person can Club, 2019-2020. learned everything from her own mistakes of CHILD AND WOMEN sexual abuse and travel industry. ups during the pandemic. She brings to the In the recent movement of “Me Too”, she call Rotarians from 18 countries who had only yet managed to gain laurels in almost heal its psychological, social, sexual, and 7. Serial Entrepreneur of the Year – Women Member – Toastmasters United, 2020-2021, table over 10 years of corporate experience in started the concept of “Me Durga” wherein taken a pledge to hear the person and be all sectors. She has overcome many hurdles physical consequences. Category – Business Mint, Goa, 2019 First Online Club in D98 and First Club in customer retention, strategy planning, and they highlighted the success stories of a friend to him. and gained recognition through her smart India with members from multiple districts relationship management. women entrepreneurs in the travel industry 2. Kendriya Manav Adhikar Suraksha 8. Brand Icon Awards 2019, Leading work and skillsets. Dr Megha is a proud mother of a 9-year- from across the club. who were supported by their family/ Sangathan Delhi (India) – Global Travel Networking Organization in India – She says “If you are passionate about old son. Having been a National Level As managing partner at V Empower, All friends/industry colleagues, showcasing Marketing Director: - Kendriya Manav Toogle Travel Pvt Ltd 4. Life Member of BIA – Bombay what you do, it brings out your best” She fencing player herself, she encourages her is India she uses its unique networking how the travel industry is a safe and diverse Adhikar Suraksha Sangathan is a non- Industries Association has earned global recognition for her son to be active and follow a sport-driven 9. Awarded as Top Women in Travel platform wherein they connect start-ups industry for women. profitable, non-religious, non-political trust dedication and commitment to women schedule. She believes in balancing work and Events in Woman’s Glory Award 5. Ambassador for SDG Choupal which is to service providers and not only network, in Rajasthan which promotes the Human equality and women empowerment in the Megha believes that whatever she is and personal life as a doting wife and loving Pune Edition 2018 backed up by WHO and UN. connect, or bond, but also empower them Rights Protection Act which was passed by entrepreneurial space. today is because of society and hence she mother at home and encourages an active to groom themselves through various In the end, we would like to say that gives back to society by contributing to the Indian Government in 1993. 10. Honoured by Global Tourism Council in and holistic lifestyle. Her supportive husband Megha has developed a flair for being a woman of choices rather than accepting

164 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 165 Dr. Santosh Sonawane A Visionary Leader

Dr Santosh Sonawane, is a dynamic He was honoured with a National management professional, a Award of Young Entrepreneur with visionary leader, a charismatic Gold medal in 2015 in New Delhi. entrepreneur and one of the youngest He has published various articles on leaders of the GMV Group and the Management in many national and creator of GMV India. international accredited Magazines.

Dr. Santosh Sonawane is a doctorate As a part of GMV India’s, CSR activities in Work Life Leadership, Mechanical his team had donated food to migrant Engineer and MBA from Mumbai workers and Sanitizers & PPE kits to University. He carries over 18 years Sion hospital in a 3-day drive during of industry experience with large April. In recognition of our efforts, successes on International grounds. we received Covid 19 Warriors- He was the only sponsored student Janaseva Puraskar and Certificate by of his B-school for doing Internship in His Excellency Hon/ble Shri Bhagat Japan. He is also a merit rank holder Singh Koshyari “The Governor of in Scholarship Exams of 1982. He is a Maharashtra” at Raj Bhawan, Covid 19 Warriors- Marathon Runner who participates Mumbai on 27th Nov 2020 by The in TATA HALF MARATHON every Department of Community Medicine Janaseva Puraskar year in Mumbai. & Social Service Department of Sion Hospital. Dr. Sonawane has been He has worked with companies like and Certificate by extremely humbled by the honour Raymond, Gala Precision and H received by GMV India; he says “it His Excellency Hon/ & R Johnson. He was heading makes him happy that the team has 50:50 JV with US based company been receiving such appreciation ble Shri Bhagat of Raymond Ltd. He was Associate and recognition.” Singh Koshyari Vice President with Gala Precision Engineering Ltd. He was heading Dr. Sanotsh Sonawane completed his “The Governor of Gala’s Shanghai Unit in China. Mechanical Engineering and MBA Maharashtra” from the University of Mumbai. Being

High Flyers 50 | 167 a bright student his parents were supportive After he completed his Management it a profitable & debt-free organisation. He to ‘Stretch your Limitations’ to get the most and to develop them as future leaders. the fastest-growing markets in real estate of his future endeavours. He was the only studies in Operations, Santosh Sonawane developed successful footprints in South-East out of any situation. The joy of learning is and infrastructure, hydraulic elevators He is also a staunch believer of IQ, EQ & PPF sponsored student from the Business School got a chance to work internationally, in Asia, UAE & Bahrain. GMV India is the most where he received his values. Most of his were readily accepted because of their (professional, personal & family goals). In to have done an internship in Japan. Shanghai, China as an Assistant General successful subsidiary of the GMV Group. happy memories are from his growing benefits over conventional ones. Slowly his opinion every person has a multi-faceted Manager for Gala Precision Components up years and notable achievements that and gradually, they created a network of He achieved - a merit rank in the In the same year GMV Pvt. Ltd. also received role to play in the society. Your aspirations Shanghai Limited. This gave him the huge have happened over the years for the distributors, which has created opportunities Maharashtra Government Scholarship “Rashtriya Udyog Sanman Puraskar” along & dreams are the professional facet; your exposure to the mindset of the international companies he has worked with. Many of for many entrepreneurs. Examination in the year 1982. He wrote with a Gold Medal from “ISIID” at the individual growth & development are the companies & an insight especially towards these happy memories are associated with multiple articles of management which 17th National Seminar as an “Outstanding personal facet; your family & dear ones or He says “Success is a struggle; it will not Chinese works culture which is very awards and appreciation, received while were published. At the age of 20, he Contribution to National Progress and World your community is the family facet. Each come overnight but when it does you won’t apt in developing new technologies & leading GMV India. implemented the ‘Clean & Build India’ Peace” in New Delhi, on 16th Dec 2015. side must be balanced to lead a happy life. realize it. Achieving one feat on top of the products. This Chinese experience helped which was undertaken at Nerul Navi Dr. Santosh Sonawane believes in being other needs hard work. It looks easy sitting him in evolving as ‘Global Business His motto is that “If goals are driven by the When GMV was new to India, the concept Mumbai. He later completed his Ph. D in a team-player and is hugely influenced on the CEO’s seat, but what goes behind it Leader.’ Later, he was promoted to AVP passion to help others, they become more of hydraulic lifts was unknown. Educating management topic of “Leadership in Work- by movies such as Lagaan and Chak de is determination, a never give up attitude, Operations in the same company due to his meaningful”. More than the goals, he says people about the benefits of hydraulic lifts Life Balance”. He also is a passive Marathon India. His passion is to learn and teach yep that is success. Personal Growth and strong performance. he has enjoyed the process of achieving over conventional lifts seemed like a task. Runner who participates in Tata Half team management by playing under junior acceptance of who you are.” the milestones. He says that his Marathon Another challenge was to set-up a web of Marathon every year in Mumbai including Much later he went on to join REP India subordinates to understand their perspective runs have taught him an important lesson distributors throughout India. India is one of various other Marathons. that is a Raymond subsidiary as the UNIT Head (General Manager). Here he found Dr. Santosh was very determined in Setting a challenging job to set-up an entire plant New Business Units, securing employee of automobile components right from loyalty and Forging a strong business construction to start of operations. It was an relationship with external business factors. uphill task to manage the contractors & get During his professional assignments, everything done within the set budget. But he has helped companies to earn he successfully managed to get everything immeasurable Profits. done on time & within the budget. It was an He is very passionate about helping immense learning opportunity for him. businesses grow & setting them up in new In May 2012, I joined GMV Spa as an geographies. He genuinely loves helping Executive Director & was given the entire others achieve their goals. As a business responsibility of handling GMV India mentor, he has seen and experienced the PVT Ltd. Hydraulic elevators were a new difference and the benefits, this support concept in India at that time. Later In 2016, has made to the people. He believes that I was promoted to CEO of South East Asia, such passion extends directly to all his Gulf and India. customers. He believes that ideally to grow you need people in your business that are But Dr. Sonawane was not satisfied. He was passionate about what you do and deliver. more interested in the concept of ‘Make When they are clear about what their in India’ via our Global Product- Local purpose is and how it fits into the business, Distributor which we call GLOCAL. So, he this thought in young minds makes him extended our local reach in India in different happier to help them. states. The first invoice was raised on 11th Jan 2013 & the company has achieved a CAGR of 48.31% in 20-21. He has managed to keep

168 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 169 Tenith Adithyaa The Young Trendsetter

Tenith Adithyaa is a man who has without the use of any chemicals Being part of the global scientific donned many hats at a very young makes a viable material alternative community, he functions as an age. Tenith is a serial innovator, for both plastic and paper which international jury and an academic Scholar, teenage scientist, researcher, greatly reduces climate change consultant overseeing scientific software developer, motivational and plastic epidemic which bagged innovations. Autogenous Deep speaker, science campaigner, ‘International Environment Award’, Intelligence AI and Altruu Social professional coin collector and above the highest honor for environmental Network are also his brainchildren. He all he holds a Guinness world record works and led an invitation to has bagged international reputation and is a teacher at the age of 20, who Parliament of Netherland. and numerous awards for his scientific has made 19 inventions. contribution and social services.. Just 22 year old this young lad from Tenith has achieved great heights as Virudhnagar (Chennai) is an Indian Starting his scientific journey at the CEO of Tenith Innovations. Not entrepreneur and at the same time is 2nd grade, Tenith spends most of only that he is Founder of Altruu also an inventor and social activist. As his time in his lab to come up with Social Network, Founder , Lets the founder of the social innovation various solutions and innovations that Innovate Youth Movement, also a movement ‘Lets Innovate youth’, could help the society at large. While President of International Science he empowered more than 89,000 lying on the hospital bed, he told Federation, Chairman of Altruu youths worldwide since 2010. For his parents, ‘Science needs sacrifice’, Innovation Centre his contribution in science, he was which frightened his parents so much awarded as the first ‘Innovation that they never allowed him to work Tenith started experimenting at Scholar’ of India, the highest honor for with chemicals thereafter. But, truly the age of 6 and created his first Just 22-year-old grassroots innovators and professional dedicated to his passion towards invention at age 10. He developed inventors in the nation. He is the first science, he continued his research. this young lad 19 inventions under the age of 18 Indian to receive the ‘International including the world’s first cellular So far Tenith has won 21 International Young Inventor Award’, the highest from Virudhnagar enhancement technology to create Awards, 10 National Awards, 14 State honor for civilian inventors. He was also organic augmented biomaterial. Awards, 5 international awards and (Chennai) is awarded ‘International Youth Creative ‘Banana Leaf Technology’, an eco- holds a Guiness World Record. Award’, the highest honor for civilians an Indian friendly tech that preserves leaves under 30 by Kingdom of Bahrain entrepreneur. and organic biomaterial for a year

High Flyers 50 | 171 Eknath Bhushan Paraskar Budding Author in the Making

Dr. Bhushan Eknath Paraskar is a The young budding author has in Bangkok, Thailand. Glamour’s and young engineer, an author, social multiple world records to his name. Lifestyle Award 2018 from FNX India, activist, chairman of Ontime World He has been awarded the Bronze Mumbai. Selected for top 100 record Media. He has the record for being Medal REX Karmaveer Chakra in holders of 2018 from the Medico-Social the youngest author to write an 2019. He has been nominated for division of India Book of Records at engineering book Modern Electric PADMA Shri Award 2021, Nominated Sant Hirdaram Medical College of Traction; ISBN 13: 978-81-933509-1-1’ at for Bharat Gaurav Award 2020. He Naturopathy and Yoga Sciences, the age of 23 which was published also received the Genius Author of the Extraordinary Talent Award 2018 by DnyanPath Publication on Year Award 2019. Padma Award 2019 from Geniuses World Record. February 14, 2017. for Padma award Quiz competition. Vidya Bhushan Purskar 2019 from The India Star Personality Award Born in Akola district Maharashtra ParasKavya& Kala 2019 from India Star Book of Record, on 28th August 1993, Eknath Global Ratna Award 2019 from Janjagruti Sanstha, Mumbai. The completed his diploma degree Global Concord Foundation, Mumbai. Gandhi Peace Foundation of Nepal in Electrical Engineering in 2012. Eknath has also been nominated has appointed Bhushan Eknath Thereafter he decided to take a for the Author Academy Award, Paraskar as the International Gandhi degree in Electric Engineering and Columbus, Ohio. Peace Ambassador for India for hence he continued to study from his social work. 2012 to 2015 and received an honorary He received India’s Rising star Award doctorate (PhD) from Global Concord 2019, India Star Icon Award 2019. University, Maldives. India Young Achievers Award 2019. India Golden Excellence Award 2019. Eknath has always been persuasive Nominated for International Award He has the record about his career and has been Conference on Multidisciplinary constantly working hard in this Research And Award - 2019 (ESM- for being the field. At the young age of 23, the 2019) at KU Home, Kasetsart University, engineer decided to write a book on youngest author Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand. Modern Electric engineering and to write a book on ever since then there has been no Nominated for Global Citizen Summit engineering. looking back for him. (GCS 2019) at Trang Hotel Bangkok

High Flyers 50 | 173 Dr. Nishant S Mehta Striving for Excellence

Nishant S Mehta is a practicing the Certificate of Appreciation by Chartered Accountant, Serial the India Book of Records to be Entrepreneur, and Mentor. He is also the only person in India to have a Prolific and Passionate Speaker, the combination of CA, LLM, and Traveler, and Passionate about MBA in India at the age of 31 Toastmasters International, Rotary years and 6 months. International, CII – Youth Wing of Since he belonged to a conservative CII -Young Indians, and Mumbai Marwari family, he found it difficult & IMC – YLF and loves to lead in to convince his dad for a job in nation-building projects. He is also KPMG. In a span of 6 months, he appointed as the International was offered the job of Assistant Partner for India at WBAF (World Manager – Internal Audit three Business Angel Investment times for Aditya Birla Group. Finally, Forum). And also, as the Consul he joined a firm as a Chartered for Mumbai Entrepreneurs Group Accountant with a salary of Rs. at Inter Nations. 5,000/- per month. Dr. Nishant Mehta started his career Young and restless Nishant quit his he was not able to pursue Science job and started freelancing for other which was his favorite subject. CA firms. He was eager to do much However, he joined the H.R. College more in life. He rented a small office His success mantra in Mumbai and chose to become a of 100 sq. ft. Finally, he got his first Chartered Accountant (CPA of India). is Simple, Stay client who was his ex-boss. Initially, he failed but he later passed Committed to Your out as one of the top 100 students. The turning point in his life came But Nishant was not satisfied with in 2001, he got the opportunity and Work and you can his CA degree, he continued to do a was appointed on the panel for achieve whatever Bachelors’s and Masters’s Degree the topmost foreign bank In India in Law and MBA in Finance. He and he was the youngest CA on you want. has been Honored & Awarded board with them.

High Flyers 50 | 175 In four years, he realized that his 90% of training on various skill developments so accolades and awards. Nishant has received Appreciation by India Book of Records International Service Director, 2019-2020 and Legal, and Investment Banking. He revenue was due to one client and then he that they can earn a livelihood. He has the Honorary Award for Contribution to to be the only person in India to have the Non- Medical Director, 2018-2019. has been awarded as the Dynamic realized he needed to grow and accomplish been the Global Director – Financial & Legal Social Service by NJF Foundation, Sri Lanka, combination of CA, LLM, and MBA in India Entrepreneur of the Year, 2019, India, He has been the YLF - Young Leader’s and for this, he had to expand his horizons. Head Kendriya Manav Adhikar Suraksha July 2020. He has been the Indian Achiever at the age of 31 years and 6 months. He Business Mint. Key Note Speaker at Forum (Youth Wing of IMC). Chair – He started his journey of building his own Sangathan Delhi, a non-profitable, non- among Top 50 under 50 for the year 2020 has Moderated YI Leadership Talk Series #StartAb – A Initiative Collaborated by Event Operations, Youth Conclave and empire. Today, he has a long list of clients religious, non-political trust in Rajasthan. – The Indian Achiever’s Club. He has also with eminent speakers like Gauri Kirloskar, Josh Talks & Facebook, 2019 Brand Icon the Charter President of Rotaract Club of who trust and appreciate his work. Promote the Human Rights Protection been Recognized and Awarded as one of Ankush Nijhawan, Yashraj Akashi, Shweta Awards 2019, Leading Travel Networking Government Law College – 2001-2004. He Act which was passed by the Indian the “Leading Chartered Accountant in India” Shukla, Sona Nambiar, Ruchika Mehta, Viraj Organization in India - Toogle Travel Pvt His success mantra is Simple, Stay has been the Volunteer of TEDx Gateway – Government in 1993. 2020, UK, London, at the London Parliament Sheth & many more. Ltd. India ‘s 5000 Best MSME (Micro, Committed to Your Work and you can Speaker Curation Team and the President by Swabhiman India Foundation, BBMG Small & Medium Enterprise Award) - in achieve whatever you want. He started He has been actively involved with this Besides he has been a member of the – Toastmasters United, 2020-2021, First Nobel Awards among other Indian the Chartered Accountant, Category, a diary and wrote his bucket list and this association to protect Human Rights for Rotary Club of Mumbai Coastline, Rotary Online Club in D98 and First Club in India awardees residing in countries like the 2017. WOW Award – Financial Wizard of helped him to accomplish all the goals. His Men, Women, and Children. International during 2020-2021. Member with members from multiple districts from USA, Nigeria, New Zealand, England, the Year 2017. Best Enthusiasm Member, motto in life is “Strive for excellence.” With of Rotary Action Group on Mental Health across the club. He is the Global Director – Financial & Legal Ireland, and India. He won the Excellence Toastmasters, District 98, 2016-2017. Best this Motto, his company NSM has spread its Initiatives (RAGMHI) – Only 6 people Head - Ambika Foundation a philanthropic in Fintech & Banking Audits, Business Mint, Nishant has also Moderated YI Lockdown Council Member, Toastmasters, and wings not only in India but also in various from India are part of this Group. Buddy organization formed in 2015, which works 2020, Honored & Awarded Certificate of Series with Eminent Speakers on Finance, District 98- 2015-2016. parts across the globe right from Pune, in the field of health, nutrition, education, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida in India to Singapore, human rights, environment, and upliftment Australia, Dubai, London, Riyadh & Bahrain. of the poor and underprivileged women He also has associates in Oman, Kuwait & and child across the globe. It registered the USA in the last 21 years. in ODISHA, India. He has served YII With a passion for Startups and having a -Young Indians Mumbai (Youth Wing natural flair for Entrepreneurship Nishant of CII) for the last 6 years in various roles Mehta has been instrumental in starting and designations; as Chairman – YUVA, the following startups in various industries 2021-2022, Core Team – Climate Change as Founder and Mentor “Toogle Services – 2021-2022, Chairman – YUVA, 2020- Pvt Ltd (Titanz)” - a Travel networking 2021, Chairman – Innovations, 2019-2020, company, “Fashion Connect” - Aggregator Chairman – Special Projects, 2018-2019, for Fashion Industry, “Purple” – A Social Chairman – Learning & Development, 2017- Networking Platform. 2018, Chairman – Gift an Organ – Young Indians Mumbai. Yi has created a platform Today he is the Global Financial & Legal for young Indians to work towards realizing Advisor of CAWSE foundation. The vision of a dream of a developed nation. It has a the foundation is to have a safe environment growing, inclusive membership across for children and women from Sexual all geographies and demographics with Abuse and non-sexual violence. CAWSE over 3200 direct members in 54 chapters, foundation’s vision is a safe surrounding for and 29500 students YUVA members from every child and woman safe from sexual colleges. The Yi membership includes young assault, violence, abuse, exploitation, and progressive Indians between the age group gender equality. He has been actively of 21-45 years. involved with this association for the last three years for women empowerment In his 21 years of his career and three years and uplift of women by providing them as an entrepreneur, he has won many

176 | High Flyers 50 High Flyers 50 | 177 Vijay K Banda Security Magnate

Mr. Vijay has 25 years of experience revolution at our doorsteps, Mr. Banda Per his Sathguru ‘True Success’ in the lucrative field of information sensed that it was the right time to cannot be just individual success technology. He is an Author, Mentor, author a self-help book that could but needs to be inclusive and must Eminent speaker across various target the youth of India with, Skill contribute to other’s success too. Per technology and leadership forums. He Up India: 4 Mantras for Future Skill this divine guidance, he recognized has worked with various Fortune 100 Readiness. This has recently become the importance of converting his companies across the globe, spanning Amazon India’s bestseller. His day experience and competency into 5 different countries, including 12 job has been working as Sr. Director, service by mentoring the youth in years in the USA holding multiple Cybersecurity, Qualcomm India. India, leading to the formation of leadership roles across companies Through this experience and expertise, YesMentor. YesMentor is a platform spanning Automotive, Government, he is also guiding India’s MSME on that connects industry SME’s Banking, and Telecom verticals. He has Cyber securities best practices. Mr. to youth for active and focused a master’s degree in computer science Vijay hopes that all these efforts will mentoring as is required. Vijay’s goal from Wayne State University, Detroit, realize the goal of a more robust and is to mentor 10 Lakh+ youth across USA, and a bachelor’s in mechanical self-reliant India. India on Future Skill Readiness in engineering from Bangalore the next 5 years contributing to the Vijay’s core competencies are University, India CISSP and ITIL V3.0 increased available pool of Skill-Based in building and leading high- and 4.0 and ITIL Service Operations. professionals satisfying in some way performance delivery teams involving his desire to give back. After living in the states for that long, cutting-edge technologies in the areas Mr. Vijay decided to move back to his of Cloud, Cyber Security, ERP, and He plans to write a series of articles motherland to be closer to his parents Custom Applications covering Oracle in the coming months to help both and his cultural roots. He has harbored and Microsoft Technologies. His aim youths and young professionals of a strong desire to mentor students is to convert competency into service India become future skill-ready. What in schools and colleges, so he could thereby mentoring and coaching he aspires to do is to achieve the goal Vijay’s goal is to gather deep insights into the current youth in India towards a stronger and of transforming them into powerful mentor 10 Lakh+ education system and the resulting greater India. skill-based professionals aligned to the youth across India skill gap. With the technological future of work.

High Flyers 50 | 179 Advait Kolarkar Young one walks on the rainbow bridge

A toddler’s charm often lies in expressions These raw artworks sparked a solo Here, he has already set a standard by – the good rounding of first words, exhibition in Pune when he was merely being the youngest artist. gestures, and smiles. For Advait, it began two-and-a-half-years old. His first The journey so far sounds like it is being with a smattering of colors. Even before curators spent months observing him; the drawn towards tailored stardom. But he could form his first word, he made organic flourishing of his art, the ethics in reality, Advait is just a humble kid his first artwork on the kitchen floor with of his space, and the unabashed natural with a shy demeanor. He never forgets food colors. Mind you! He was just a whole process. Once these paintings to smile. He articulates his sentences couple of months old then and this was were up, they found buyers and softly and never vies for attention. It is his first tryst with art and a veritable widespread appreciation. It was the first perhaps this modest quality that adds to beginning of a young career. time that he was hailed as a prodigy. the winsome skills. This calm demeanor, Born in Pune, India, Advait has flourished Advait and his family then moved however, harbors raw passion that the with colors. Back home, he had waged to Saint John, Canada. A migratory world is steadily witnessing. a war on the walls with his imagination, movement for young ones is often until his mother slipped in a canvas and jarring, but it wasn’t for this young artist. range of colors towards him. Advait If anything, a maturity seeped into his developed a method for himself that paintings with his subjects attaining transpired effortlessly from mind to a cosmic quality. This bold shift made paper, and quite literally so. He often a noise melodious enough to attract The globetrotting feels up colors on his skin and then attention in the country. Soon, his etches them on the canvas. By now, he collection found its way to another solo won him the Global knows several color shades by heart and exhibition called ‘Colour Blizzard’. Once Child Prodigy his skillset extends to various tools. again, the media flocked, appreciated the prodigal pursuits, and reported on These imaginings began with childhood how paintings were sold for thousands Award in 2020, fascinations of dinosaurs, flora, and of dollars. He achieved a distinction and fauna, and of course space. While where he was marked a place for himself among the realizing these magnificent works, he world’s youngest artists. selected from understood how depth matters to the artist’s soul. In an effort to do this justice, The dazzle of this success was bright among 15,000 he would pick up inanimate objects – enough to call for the next goal – The marbles, toys, and so on – and paste Unites States. The four-year-old is now participants them between his paintings. ready to take on New York Art Expo.

High Flyers 50 | 181 Koppillil Radhakrishnan “Padma Bhshan” Man over the Moon

Literally, a man over the moon, Koppillil Space Centre (2007-2009) and Director of and development engineer of electro- He has held several key positions in ISRO Radhakrishnan is a Fellow of the Indian National Remote Sensing Agency (2005- mechanical devices. While at Vikram and was one of the key people behind National Academy of Engineering; Fellow 2008) of the Department of Space. He had Sarabhai Space Centre as its Director, India’s Chandrayaan-1 moon mission. of the National Academy of Sciences, a brief stint of five years (2000-2005) in he oversaw five successful launches of Radhakrishnan received the Padma India; Honorary Life Fellow of the the Ministry of Earth Sciences as Director PSLV including the development of its Bhushan Award for contribution to Science Institution of Engineers, India; Honorary of the Indian National Centre for Ocean high-end version PSLV –XL that lofted and Engineering, especially in the field of Fellow of the Institution of Electronics Information Services (INCOIS). Chandrayaan-1 in October 2008 as well Space Science and Technology in 2014. and Telecommunication Engineers, India; as the formulation of the Indian Human Born on 29 August 1949 Koppillil He recently published his autobiography Member of the International Academy of Spaceflight Programme. Radhakrishnan hails from Irinjalakuda in My Odyssey: Memoirs of the Man Astronautics; Fellow of the Andhra Pradesh Thrissur district, Kerala. After his schooling During his leadership, ISRO received the behind the Mangalyaan Mission. Academy of Sciences; Honorary Fellow of at the National High School, Irinjalakuda, 2014 Gandhi Peace Prize; the 2014 Indira Penguin Random House India published the Kerala Academy of Sciences; Fellow of he did two-year Pre-degree studies Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament his autobiography Co-authored by the Indian Society of Remote Sensing; and (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry) at Christ and Development; the 2014 Knowledge Radhakrishnan and Nilanjan Routh, Fellow of the Indian Geophysical Union. He College, Irinjalakuda. He studied Electrical Economy Network KEN Award; the 2014 in November 2016. is an accomplished vocalist (Carnatic music) Engineering at the Government Engineering CNN-IBN Indian of the Year-Lifetime and Kathakali artist. College, Thrissur and acquired a BSc (Engg.) Achievement Award; the 2014 Global Game Presently, he is the Chairperson of the degree in First Class with Honours from Changer Award by the Marico Innovation Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Kerala University in 1970. He did post- Foundation; and the 2013 CNBC-18 India Technology (IIT), Kanpur, and Chairman of graduate studies in management at the Business Leader Award-BRAND INDIA. the Standing Committee of the IIT Council Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Radhakrishnan had a stint of five years besides being Honorary Distinguished in 1974-76. He obtained a doctorate from the at the Ministry of Earth Sciences to set Advisor in the Department of Space/ISRO. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, up, Indian National Centre for Ocean in 2000, for the thesis: ‘Some Strategies He is an Indian space scientist who headed Information Services (INCOIS). In the for the Management of Indian Earth the Indian Space Research Organisation aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Observation System’. (ISRO) between November 2009 and disaster of December 2004, he emerged December 2014 as Chairman of Space Radhakrishnan joined ISRO in May 1971 as the Project Director to set up the Indian Commission, Secretary of the Department at the Space Science & Technology Centre Ocean Tsunami Warning Centre. of Space, and Chairman of ISRO. Prior to at Thiruvananthapuram (the present this, he was the Director of Vikram Sarabhai Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre) as a design

High Flyers 50 | 183 Clyde Daniels Aiming High

Clyde Daniels is not only the Managing implemented marketing plans. Clyde The frequency of focused meetings Partner Riverstone Networking Services enjoys meeting new people and learning increases as the one-on-one interactions but he is one of the most dynamic about their lives and backgrounds. He are arranged on a monthly basis. They entrepreneurs and also has the ability easily finds common interests with meet potential buyers as the research to make people comfortable and happy strangers and tends to make most team constantly keeps a close watch around him. Clyde is a team maker and people feel comfortable. He finds this skill on the current and upcoming projects always has put others before himself. especially advantageous when kicking & selects the right set of Builders & Clyde Daniels has dedicated his life off projects with new clients. Architects who may be potential buyers to creating commercial and genuine and specifies for their brands. Clyde has always believed that At partnerships to help businesses grow. River stone Networking Services, they Get Screening & Segregation services With 20 years of experience in this have always aim to accelerate the because if you are targeting specific business, Clyde Daniels specializes in Construction & Building Industry Architects and Builders who take up earning the trust of others. As a Head towards growth, business sustainability Residential, Commercial, Mixed-use of Department, he’s mainly worked for and provide them with fast, effective projects, we ensure that we match medium & large-sized companies in the networking solutions to assist clients Builders and Architects based on the Media and Entertainment (Multiplex) with the sale, promotion, and growth same before fixing up the meetings. & Exhibition sector. Throughout his of their product. Our mission is to career, he has maintained a strong create a one-stop for building material record in recruitment, training, and manufacturers to connect with top Having network motivating staff to achieve sales and architects and builders from across India business objectives. for a one-on-one meeting along with the of 700+ Architects assistance of our in-house representative. In all of Clyde’s past positions, he has & Builders from consistently increased business to its Their network of 700+ Architects & across India highest sales performance metrics Builders from across India makes relating to lead generation and more. He them one of the leading organizations makes them one has successfully discovered new niche providing these services in the landscape. markets and strategic partnerships for Clyde has always said that working with of the leading companies of all sizes, refined product them will have improved Business due strategies, increased brand reach, organizations. to a high frequency of focused meetings: reworked brands, and developed and

High Flyers 50 | 185 High Flyers 50, a supplement of

Edited by Ravi Kumar

Editorial Team Shaheen Raaj Shama Bhagat Ipshita Sargam Bali

Design & Layout Concept Anirban Paul

Coordination Farida Lokhandwala

Film & TV Trade Preview RNI No. - MAHENG/2009/28491, Regd. No. -101048 Printer, Publisher, Owner- Ravi Kumar Published at 32, Idea Square, 2nd Floor, B 42, Off New Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai- 400053. email: [email protected] Mob: +91 9619495838 Website: www.highflyers50.com

Published in 2021 Price of Hardback: ₹1100

DISCLAIMER © All rights reserved, Reproduction or interpretation of any matter published in this book, in part of whole or in any language or format without the prior permission of the publisher, is strictly prohibited and will be liable for legal action and cost and consequences thereof. The views expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily concur with the views of the editor. However if anyone has grievances over any matter published, they can send in their reactions and we shall print the same. In case of any dispute, it will be settled only in Mumbai court Jurisdiction, Mumbai for all purposes. The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.

- William James