Category Archives: NRI’s / PIO’s

INTERNATIONAL: U.K.: Over 30 British Indians Honoured by King Charles in New Year List: Who Are They?

Several prominent Indian-origin people received knighthoods, OBEs, MBEs, and CBEs in the name of King Charles III.

Over 30 Indian-origin academics, economists, philanthropists, medics, and politicians were honoured by Britain in the country’s New Year’s Honours list – issued in the name of King Charles III – for their “incredible public service” in the United Kingdom (UK) and overseas.

Recipients on the list were hailed for contributions in their respective fields, particularly public service, youth engagement, and community work.

Among them, Alok Sharma, an Indian-origin former minister, was given a knighthood for serving as the president of the COP26 summit, which was held in Glasgow, Scotland, in October and November last year.

Sharma, 55, was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and moved to the UK’s Reading when he was five years old. He currently serves as the MP from Reading West and was a Cabinet-level minister in the Boris Johnson government till October last year.

What did the UK say about Sharma’s contributions? In a statement, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said that Sharma had been honoured with a knighthood for his “contribution to combatting climate change through his leadership at COP26” and “driving the UK to agree a historic agreement from individual countries that will have a major impact in addressing climate change in the future.”

List of Indian-Origin People On the List

Apart from Sharma, several British Indians were given high honours by the UK.

British Indians awarded Knighthood:

  • Partha Sarathi Dasgupta, an 80-year-old professor, received a Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) for his contributions to economics and the natural environment.Dasgupta was born in Dhaka and raised in Varanasi, following which he moved to the UK to study at the University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics in the 1960s.
  • Pune-born businessman Ivan Manuel Menezes was knighted for “services to business and equality.” The 63-year-old has been the CEO of Diageo, a multinational alcoholic beverage company, since 2013.
  • Mayur Keshavji Lakhani, Chair of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management and General Practitioner at the Highgate Medical Centre in Loughborough, received a knighthood for his contributions towards “general practice.”Born in East Africa to Indian-origin parents, he moved to the UK in 1972.
  • Indian-origin recipients of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE):
  • Vengalil Krishna Kumar Chatterjee, a professor at the University of Cambridge, was awarded a CBE for serving people with endocrine disorders. The 64-year-old obtained multiple degrees from the University of Oxford in 1982.
  • Ramesh Dulichandbhai Mehta, a Nagpur-born paediatrician, was honoured for his efforts towards “equality, diversity, and inclusion.”The 75-year-old was born in Nagpur and moved to the UK in 1981. He currently serves as the president of the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO).
  • Nageshwara Dwarampudi Reddy, an Indian-origin portfolio director of the Department for Work and Pensions, was honoured for his efforts towards public service.
  • Gurdial Singh Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, received a CBE for his contributions to the UK’s technology sector.
  • The principal of Walsall College, Jatinder Kumar Sharma, was honoured for his services towards education.
  • Jasvir Singh, a family law barrister and chair of the City Sikhs, was honored with a CBE for his contributions towards charity and social cohesion. The Labour Party politician is also the co-founder of South Asian Heritage Month.
  • Keshav Singhal, a professor, was honoured for his contributions to medicine in Wales.

British Indians given the Order of the British Empire (OBE):

  • Nishi Chaturvedi, a professor at University College London, received an OBE for her contributions to medical research. She had graduated from the University of London in 1985.
  • Ravinder Gill, founder of the College of Accountancy, was hailed for his services to higher education.
  • Puneet Gupta, CEO of PG Paper, was awarded an OBE for his contributions to business, charity, and the community in Scotland.
  • Sharon Kaur Jandu, director of the Yorkshire Asian Business Association, was honoured for the contributions towards international trade.
  • Krishna Rohan Kandiah, founder of the Sanctuary Foundation, was given an OBE for services towards refugee integration.
  • Hitan Mehta, executive director of the British Asian Trust, was recognized for his efforts towards the British Asian community.
  • On the overseas list of Army OBEs were Corporal Pardeep Kaur and Acting Major Daljinder Singh Virdee.

British Indians who are given Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs):

  • Among the British Indians awarded MBEs are doctors Minal Bakhai and Jyotiben Shah, for their contributions to medicine and the field of education.
  • Bhavena Patel, senior relationship manager at the Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, was hailed for the services to further education.
  • Nipa Devendra Doshi was awarded for contributions to design.
  • Chef Vineet Bhatia, for services to British cuisine, hospitality, and international trade.
  • Sarah Johal, for services towards adoption and fostering
  • Inderpaul Singh Johar, for contributions towards architecture.
  • Psychologist Aditya Kamal, for his role in health psychology during the COVOD-19 pandemic.
  • Jaspal Singh Mann, director of Simply Shred and Recycle Ltd, for his contributions to environmental protection.
  • Businessman Veejay Kumar Chimanlal Patel, for contributing towards employment and training.
  • Professor Prashant Pillai for his role in cyber security and education.
  • Keranjeet Kaur Virdee, for contributions towards art.
  • And urologist Jyotiben Shah, for contributing to medicine.

Further, Robina Shah—one of Britain’s leading patient care experts—received a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her immense role in the National Health Service.

source/content: thequint.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE: AMERICAN BEAUTY PAGEANT: Surgeries to Stilettos: Dr Piyali Roy Wins Mrs Universe USA 2024, Seattle November 2023.

Unapologetic in her evolution Dr Piyali Roy created an inspirational bench mark for other women to emulate from the multitudinal transformation she underwent in different spheres of life which led to her win at the Mrs Universe Curvy USA 2024 pageant, held at Seattle on the November 11, 2023.

Dr Piyali Roy is a beauty queen in its true sense, besides being a New York University trained dental surgeon, an author, international fashion model.

According to Piyali, her infectious smile, confidence and charm forayed her way into the top 3 of Mrs Universe Curvy USA 2024 after leaving everyone in awe of her creativity and reverence that she displayed while walking down the National Costume Round depicting Washington DC’s state flag and emblem displayed on her while she took on the look of the National Flower herself, The American pink rose. Dr Piyali Roy in her electric blue evening gown displayed royalty and looked majestic, as she walked the ramp leaving all the judges and audiences mesmerised by her attractive personality, grace and oozing charm.

Icing on the top was her on point answer to a question based on domestic violence during the interview round and the finale answer which generated loud applause in the audience, demarcating her as the clear winner of the pageant. Piyali was crowned by the reigning queen Mrs Universe 2023 Meranie Gadiana Rahman in Mrs Universe USA Pageant.

As she steps into the limelight after winning Mrs Universe 2024, Dr Piyali Roy is not just a model or a dentist or an actor; she is an inspiration. A beacon of resilience, showcasing that with confidence and determination, one can transcend boundaries, redefine norms, and truly embody the essence of empowerment and grace.

Today Dr Piyali Roy stands as an example as to how versatility can shape one’s journey. She is testament to the magic that happens when grace meets tenacity, and when confidence becomes one’s guiding light.

Her time at New York University, where she honed her skills as a dentist, gave her insights into the intricacies of human aesthetics. This foundation, perhaps unexpectedly, served as a springboard into the world of fashion. As she transitioned to the runway, the parallels became evident. Just as she would sculpt and perfect a smile in her clinic, she sculpted her presence and poise on the runway. Every detail, from her posture to her gaze, became an expression of her artistry.

The New York Fashion Week runway became a platform where Dr Roy communicated a narrative – of reinvention, courage, and limitless potential. This narrative was further enriched as she collaborated with global fashion stalwarts, from Mumbai’s Rohit Verma to visionary African designers from Paris. Each collaboration, each walk, became a testament to her versatility.

Her win at Mrs Bharat (India) DMV 2023 in Washington DC, USA wasn’t just a title; it was a recognition of her ability to captivate and inspire. That’s not it, Dr Piyali Roy was also the winner of Mrs Universal Petite 2023 Audience Choice Crown in Mexico.

With her spirit and talents, Dr Piyali Roy is exemplifying how one can craft a rich tapestry of diverse yet harmonious paths, leaving an indelible mark of grace, strength, and confidence in every stride.

Dr Piyali Roy’s achievements are testament of her skills, talent and above all her dedication. We are certain that she will continue to soar, while she celebrates this milestone.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: From US to India: Chandigarh Man Sidharth S Oberoi’s Razor-sharp Journey to Crores

From a small inventory room in Ambala where initially Sidharth S Oberoi got only 30 to 40 orders a month to over 20,000 orders a month, he is going places.

Chandigarh boy Sidharth S Oberoi was working as a project engineer in the US when one day he just resigned from his job to start a new company- LetsShave. The 31-year-old returned to India and began working on high quality razor blades with diamond coating. From a small inventory room in Ambala where initially Oberoi got only 30 to 40 orders a month to over 20,000 orders a month, he is going places. Today, LetsShave is spread over 100 countries and the firm has raised $6 million in four years with firms such as Wipro and Korean giants too having stakes in it.

How did this idea strike you and when?

The idea struck me in my university dorm room in America. The frustration of limited shaving options in a market flooded with choices for other grooming products sparked the concept of revolutionizing the shaving industry. But then I was focussing on my studies and I went on to pursue my job as project engineer.

But this idea was still there on my mind. And somehow I kept working on it if I could sign an exclusive partnership with Korean giant Dorco as I was only 22 years old. It took me 2 years to negotiate and convince that I could do it.

Two years went by and I had even begun my job as a project engineer in US then. One day I got to know that the Korean firm had agreed to partner with me on this concept of mine. It was then I resigned from my job and returned to India in 2015 to start LetsShave. And basically the realization that there was a gap in the market for quality razors, combined with my passion for grooming and the desire to bring something extraordinary to consumers, led to the birth of LetsShave.

How did you translate this idea into Let’s Shave finally?

So, it all started from a small inventory room in Ambala and we used to get only 30 to 40 orders a month. The initial months were disappointing as we would hardly make a lakh a month. Today we are making around Rs 3 crore a month with over 20,000 orders. Translating the idea of LetsShave from concept to reality began with a vision to fill the void in the shaving market. Collaborating with the world’s finest razor blade manufacturer, I focused on creating a product that prioritized excellence, precision, and innovation.

How far have you taken this idea?

Today, we have expanded to more than 100 countries. Our business plans abroad are rooted in the belief that grooming should know no borders. Not just this, now even big giants like Wipro and Korean giant Dorco that produce second largest razor blades have stakes in my firm. But major stake which is 70 percent still belongs to me.

Do you think marks matter?

I did my class 11 and 12 from Vivek High school in Sector 38 Chandigarh before pursuing engineering from USA. I have studied at prestigious institutions such as Purdue University, Sapienza University of Rome, and eventually, the Harvard Business School. The diverse educational experiences provided a holistic perspective, blending theoretical knowledge with practical insights.

However, I believe that while academic performance is significant, it is not the sole determinant of success in the entrepreneurial world. Real-world challenges often demand a blend of practical skills, innovative thinking, and resilience, aspects that go beyond conventional academic metrics.

What can Chandigarh do to retain talent?

A dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem through initiatives like co-working spaces and mentorship programmes is needed. Colla-boration between local educational institutions and industries should be strengthened. Better transportation and healthcare facilities will also help.

What help should the government give startups?

Financial assistance through grants or low-interest loans and simplifying the regulatory framework can enable startups to focus on business development. Good R&D, innovation-friendly infrastructure, and regular policy advocacy also help startups thrive.

One thing you like and one thing you want to change about Chandigarh.

I admire Chandigarh’s dynamism and the wealth of talent. The city’s cosmopolitan character and the diverse skill sets of its residents. But I would also advocate for a more robust infrastructure specifically tailored to support startups.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: Who Is Smital Dhake? First British Indian To Win UK RailStaff Award

A data scientist of British Indian origin, hailing from Maharashtra, clinched the Newcomer of the Year award at the 2023 RailStaff Awards in Birmingham.

Smital Dhake, the sole data scientist at Alstom, a major player in mobility, was born in Jalgaon, India, and pursued education at Watford Grammar School in England and later at King’s College London. Now 26, she works from Alstom’s Hatfield office in eastern England. Inspired by her grandparents’ work ethic, she aims to further hone her skills and apply them toward advancing engineering technologies.

“Smital is a fast learner who always finds ways to seek knowledge and grow herself in an exponential manner,” said Mifaz Miftha, Design Group Manager at Alstom.

He added, “She regularly takes on much more complex tasks above her role and delivers them with full commitment and with a high level of accuracy. Her meticulous approach to problem-solving and critical thinking on design have made Smital an asset to Alstom and the wider railway industry where innovation and sustainability are key to growth.”

Dhake draws inspiration from her grandparents, motivating her to dedicate herself to hard work. Her ambition lies in perpetually refining and utilizing her skills to contribute to the advancement of engineering technologies.

The 26-year-old scientist is often said to be an “enormous inspiration” to young women who want to pursue a career in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) category.

Miftha also said, “Smital has used her own time to visit numerous schools promoting careers in engineering and sustainability.”

The RailStaff Awards were initiated in 2007. It aims to honour the remarkable contributions of individuals within the rail industry, acknowledging those who play pivotal roles in sustaining the UK’s railways – spanning from drivers and cleaners to engineers and station staff.

As the sole national accolade program for UK rail personnel, these awards frequently highlight narratives of saved lives, transformed careers, and triumph over adversity.

Dhake joined Alstom’s Digital and Integrated Systems (D&IS) UK signaling division, based in Hertfordshire, to collaborate on the pioneering Modular Advanced Route Setting (M-ARS) system.

This groundbreaking M-ARS system for the UK railway, integrating machine learning techniques like reinforcement learning, utilises real-time data to anticipate future occurrences.

This capability facilitates swift decision-making to resolve conflicting train movements, consequently amplifying railway efficiency.

Alstom has indicated that its M-ARS system is presently undergoing the approval process by Network Rail, with Smital playing an instrumental role in this evaluation. Once approved, the M-ARS system will be implemented across various prominent rail projects.

source/content: timesnownews.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: BEAUTY : Indian American medical student Rijul Maini from Michigan crowned Miss India USA 2023

Rijul Maini, a medical student from Michigan, has been crowned Miss India USA 2023 at the annual pageant held in New Jersey.

During the event, Sneha Nambiar from Massachusetts was declared as Mrs India USA and Saloni Rammohan from Pennsylvania won the title of Miss Teen India USA.

This year marks the 41st anniversary of the pageant which is the longest running Indian pageant outside of India.

It was started by New York-based Indian Americans Dharmatma and Neelam Saran under the banner of ‘Worldwide Pageants’.

Maini, a 24-year-old Indian American, is a medical student and model. She aspires to be a surgeon and hopes to serve as a role model to women everywhere, a press release said.

Greeshma Bhat of Virginia was declared first runner-up and Ishita Pai Raikar of North Carolina was the second runner-up.

According to the organisers, 57 contestants from over 25 states participated in three different pageants – Miss India USA, Mrs. India USA and Miss Teen India USA.

Winners of all three categories will be getting complimentary air tickets to take part in Miss- Mrs.-Teen India Worldwide organised by the same group.

“I am very much thankful to Indian community around the world for their support over the years,” said Dharmatma Saran, founder and chairman of ‘Worldwide Pageants’.

source/content: millenniumpost.in (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: RESEARCH – CANCER: Berhampore boy Anirudha Chatterjee runs a lab finding Solutions to Cancer in New Zealand

An awardee of the prestigious Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, the epigenetics expert aims to spread his research for the welfare of cancer patients

When Aniruddha Chatterjee, assistant professor at the University of Otago, Dunedin, was named as one of the 10 recipients to be awarded a 2017 Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, the first thought was to help cancer patients across the globe including his home country India.

Aniruddha has been working on the Methylation of DNA, which can control the behaviour of DNA code in a cell, crucial for cancer treatment. For someone dreaming of research to support the medical fraternity, the breakthrough in research is no mean feat.

As a 25-year-old intern at an IT (Information Technology) company in Coimbatore, Aniruddha realised his heart lies in research. Not satisfied with the routine IT job, Aniruddha started to explore opportunities in research, with multiple offers pouring in from Europe. The volume of research conducted at the University of Otago and the attractive scholarship prompted him to work in serene Dunedin for his PhD in 2009. “Prof Ian Morrison was the main reason to finalise my decision. He was reassuring and showed complete faith in me. I was allowed to do clinically relevant human projects,” Aniruddha tells Education Times.

The combination of Informatics computers which was new back then was exciting, he says. Furthermore, a scholarship to work with Prof Mike Nicholas and at the New Zealand Cancer Institute were irresistible offers that followed.

For a boy born in a family with modest means in Berhampore, West Bengal, who studied in Bengali-medium government schools, the journey was glorious. Aniruddha’s father, a government school headmaster, ensured a strong academic environment in the house, resulting in brilliant academic achievements of his children.

Aniruddh worked on a few projects after completing his BTech (Biotechnology) from Osmania University, and master’s from VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology), Vellore. After facing the initial struggles involving adjustment to the local culture, battling homesickness, and embracing the research process, Aniruddha went on to achieve Rutherford Discovery Fellowships administered by Royal Society Te Aparangi in 2017, which offered funding of $800,000 to be used for research for five years.

The fellowship fund helped him set up the Chatterjee labs at the University, which is now a platform focusing on epigenetic alterations in cancer metastasis. The lab consists of 15 researchers from India, Iran, and Nigeria, working on tackling bowel cancer which is a dreaded disease not only in New Zealand but also all over the world. Aniruddha along with Dr Euan Rodger and Dr Rachel Purcell had their findings published in iScience, which explains the research that identified a feature that allows bowel cancer to spread to the liver.

“It is a very promising area to work on as it tackles cancer in many ways. I am happy that the research is of great significance in India and other parts of the world,” says Aniruddha. Population-specific epigenetic data is very limited and the more we generate, the more we can understand disease (cancer in this case). The research is of significance as it will help the patients in early detection, monitoring and timely treatment, adds Aniruddha.

“Our lab combines cutting-edge next-generation sequencing, computational analysis, and experimental work to decipher the role of epigenetic code in cancer, focusing on DNA methylation,” says Aniruddh.

Chatterjee lab is studying DNA methylation levels in cancer cells and patient tumour samples and it has the potential to understand the aggressive nature of cancer and utilise the knowledge for patient benefit. The researchers are working to assign function to every single methylation change that could occur in a cancer cell so that ultimately epigenetic changes could be used to predict and prevent disease. “Our work will contribute to detecting cancer early, predicting treatment response and providing new ways of treating cancer to improve patient outcome,” says Aniruddha, who aims to expand his work by collaborating with Indian researchers.

source/content: timesofindia.indiatimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SCIENE & TECHNOLOGY / RESEARCH: Indian-origin Professor Brajesh Singh of Western Sydney University ,Australia Honoured with the top Microbiology ‘2023 Dorothy Jones’ Award

An Indian-origin professor from Australia has been awarded the 2023 Dorothy Jones Prize for using microbiology to make a significant contribution to understanding of terrestrial life and preservation of global ecosystem.

Brajesh Singh, a global expert in the field of microbial functional ecology from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment in Western Sydney University, was presented the award at the British Medical Association (BMA) House in London last month.

Singh’s fundamental research provides solutions to global challenges, including environmental degradation and food insecurity.

This has been done by identifying the quantitative relationships between soil diversity and ecosystem functions and exploring how these are impacted by natural and anthropogenic pressures.

Findings from his research, identifying the causal link between soil microbial and faunal soil biodiversity and key ecosystem functions and services, have advanced crucial areas of ecosystem science, according to a Western Sydney University release.

The research findings have also informed multiple policy decisions at regional, national, and global levels, including providing key recommendations for bilateral engagements in agribusiness and trade between Australia and both India and the European Union.

He has developed innovations to boost the efficacy of existing microbial products and provided new tools for manipulating soil and plant microbiomes for an array of industries across Australia and the world, the release said.

Singh is currently working with multiple government and intergovernmental bodies, including the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), to train farmers, consultants, and policy advisors in sustainable agriculture, and in the Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition, he works with the UN FAO’s Global Soil Partnership to boost the resilience of farming systems and ensure environmentally sustainable food security measures globally.

Having spent ten years honing his knowledge in Scotland before relocating to Australia, Singh also advises the European Commission on enhancing productivity in the bioeconomy.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science; the Soil Science Society of Australia; the Soil Science Society of America, the American Academy of Microbiology, and a Humboldt Research Awardee.

Named after Dr Dorothy Jones — who served as President of Applied Microbiology International from 1989 to 1991 — the prize is part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards, which celebrate the brightest minds in the field promoting individuals and research shaping the future of applied microbiology.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SPACE: First Indian Woman at NASA on Mars Rover Mission Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy shares her Inspiring Journey

Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy came to the United States 13 years ago with a dream to work at NASA.

A lot of children in India harbour a dream of working for the American space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), some day. A woman from India had the same dream and she fulfilled it by becoming the first Indian citizen to operate a rover on Mars, a mission that involves collecting samples to bring back to Earth.

Indian researcher Dr Akshata Krishnamurthy took to Instagram to share her inspiring journey to NASA. She said she came to the United States 13 years ago with a dream to work at NASA and lead breakthrough science and robotic operations on Earth and Mars.

Many people dissuaded her and told her it was impossible as a foreign national on a visa and she should have a plan B or change her field completely, she wrote. But she didn’t listen to anyone and persevered until she found a way.

She did her PhD at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was hired full-time at NASA. But it didn’t come easily as she had to knock on hundreds of doors to get hired.
“Today, I work on multiple cool space missions including the Perseverance rover collecting samples to bring back to Earth. No dream is ever too big or crazy. Believe in yourself, keep those blinkers on and keep working! I promise, you’ll get there if you work hard,” she wrote further.

Posted three days ago, the video has amassed over 7.62 lakh views and left netizens inspired.
“Women like you are an inspiration to the aspiring female youth leaders!!” a user commented. “That is super amazing! Thanks for making us aware and proud!” wrote another. “The fact that you still represent that Indian flag,” said a third.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Scientist Prof Urbasi Singh, 1st Indian Scientist to get Canadian Excellence Research Chair (CERC) Award, Wins USD 8 million grant

Prof Urbasi specialises in quantum science and her research interests span cutting-edge topical areas such as quantum communication, quantum computation, quantum optics and quantum fundamentals.

Prof Urbasi Singh from the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) laboratory at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bengaluru, is the first Indian scientist to be awarded Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Photonic Quantum Science and Technologies.

She won a grant worth $8 million, opening possibilities for international interactions in academia, industry and other sectors developing lab-to-market innovative models — for building a future ecosystem based on quantum technologies.

Prof Urbasi specialises in quantum science and her research interests span cutting-edge topical areas such as quantum communication, quantum computation, quantum optics and quantum fundamentals and information processing.

Her lab is one of the first in India to manufacture and establish the usage of heralded and entangled photon sources towards various applications in quantum technologies. 

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIAN ORIGIN LEADER IN LONDON: Delhi Man Tarun Ghulati, London Mayoral Hopeful, Wants To Run The British Capital City As A CEO

After Indian Origin PM, the UK may soon get Tarun Ghulati as next London Mayor who wants to ‘improve’ the capital city by way of strengthening the police, affordable housing, ‘uplift’ all Londoners.

Tarun Ghulati, 63, is fighting tooth and nail to become the next Mayor of London as the contest for the coveted post heats up before the May 2, 2024 election date with several key hopefuls from Britain’s leading political parties in the fray. Ghulati, a finance pro and “proud Hindu with Sanatan roots”, has plans to run the British capital city as a “CEO” by “improving” and “uplifting” the lives of Londoners with an enhanced police, affordable housing and abolishing “unpopular” rules brought about by incumbent Sadiq Khan.

Ghulati, a father of two who claims to be a “global citizen” working across geographies from Delhi to Mauritius and Qatar to the UK, entered the chaotic British political scene around 2021. In 2009, he was successful in obtaining the citizenship of that country, which since then has become his home. However, Ghulati has been living in London for the past two decades. He arrived there on a work permit by banking giant HSBC, Ghulati’s former employer.

But it has not been easy for Ghulati, who inevitably as a person of Indian origin and being a person of colour had to face hurdles in the initial years, which he had been able to win over eventually. He is the first Indian to run for this post in the history of the UK.

“I have been the same person every day for the last 40 years. I am disciplined. I get up early and I have the plan for the day ready. I am extremely punctual. I tend not to look over my shoulders and feel the envy or the pain of what others are doing. I have my own journey which I follow. I am known for being trustworthy and straightforward … As far as I am concerned whilst there will be concerns and hindrances down the way, I have a clear plan to make sure that I bring the smiles back and the mojo back for London,”  he told ABPLIVE during his recent visit to India.

Dressed in an impeccable blue suit, Ghulati spoke about how he overcame some of the obstacles, gate-crashed into London’s political theatre and now vying for a place for himself as an independent candidate amid a tightening mayoral race of London.

“Like anybody else, I have faced hurdles and turns-off being initially an Indian and perhaps later on because of my colour but I have not faced racism overtly because I have always been somebody whom people have recognised that I will not be cowered down by any sort of hindrances … I do know people in high places, whether it’s members from the House of Lords or politicians I do meet them. That helps in understanding the local issues and opportunities,” he averred.  

‘Want To Be A Mayor For Everybody’

Ghulati began working actively in London’s political scene during the days of former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“I felt that to beat the London Mayor Sadiq Khan you need someone who is not only able to bring investments, is a global citizen, but somebody who has the gravitas to take position. The budget for London that the London Mayor handles is roughly about $21 billion Sterling. I would like to run it as a CEO runs a business with a good dashboard with the right sort of people running it,” he underlined.

“I want to be a mayor of London for everybody,” said Ghulati, eluding to some of the controversial policies laid down in the British capital by Khan such as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which was launched in 2019, that is over and above the £15 congestion fee.

“Imagine if you are a businessman in a cost of living crisis, where people are wondering whether to heat or eat and at the same time there are a lot of middle income people there who need to be uplifted … I sincerely believe that the freedom of movement is as critical as the freedom of speech. So I want to abolish ULEZ on day one,” he added.

Ghulati’s other objective is to push security and safety through increased Police deployment in certain neighbourhoods where crime rates are high and opening of more Police stations.

“Whilst I am a Londoner and I spent nearly two decades there and call it home, I am also a global citizen. I am also proud about my Hindu heritage, Sanatan roots … I am here for everybody,” he said.

Khalistan Vandalism, India-UK FTA

Being an Indian-origin, Ghulati vows to work towards strengthening the bilateral relationship between the UK and India, be it addressing the growing concerns in New Delhi over the resurgence of Khalistan terrorism in London or whether it is pushing for the India-UK trade pact, or Free Trade Agreement (FTA) towards a meaningful conclusion.

“Indian flag being disrespected is not accepted at all. In those sorts of things, the London Mayor Sadiq Khan should have been more proactive, there should have been intelligence. People are not being parachuted there out of nowhere, there was a group of people coming towards the High Commission, so there should have been preventive action taken. In matters like these more action could have been taken not only to prevent but avoid an escalation too,” he said.

Ghulati added that the London Mayor was “sitting on the fence” when the incident happened.

While incidents of vandalism of the Indian High Commission in London by Khalistan supporters has become a regular affair, tension between both countries peaked in March this year when a Khalistani protestor pulled down the Indian Flag flying atop the High Commission and was not even stopped once by the Police present there.

On the issue of having the India-UK FTA, Ghulati said he is already working on getting the pending pact concluded. As a member of the London Chamber of Commerce he has brought a business delegation to India in August to foster business and trade ties.

“When the FTA is signed, and I know we are on the last legs of that particular trade agreement, it would pave the way for me in playing a role there as the London Mayor plays a key role in fostering businesses and we facilitate there entry into London and give them the support so that they can hit the ground running,” said Ghulati.

source/content: news.abplive.com (headline edited)