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People of India

From tuk tuk drivers to maharaja’s, street vendors to some of the world’s leading business people, India has a fascinating array of characters with one thing in common, India. On my travels I have been privileged to meet a whole host of invariably interesting, sometimes quirky, occasionally hilarious characters that help make up the melting pot of diversity that is India. With my People of India Project I have asked a broad selection of my friends and colleagues for five minutes of their time, to answer 15 questions as quickly as they can, their immediate reactions not considered 'interview responses,' in order to gain a sense of what their country means to them. I hope that you enjoy this unique collection of personal insights.

Sustainable Travel: An Interview with Shiva Dhakal Founder of Community Homestay Network Nepal.

  A year ago today, I set off to Nepal on a consultancy project as part of the work we do with Indian Experiences. A few weeks earlier, I had been introduced to Shiva Dhakal, found of Royal Mountain Travel Nepal and Community Homestays Nepal, a true visionary who wants to change how travel to…

The Women of India – Bhavna Menon

Bhavna Menon graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts from Delhi and later, moved to Mumbai to pursue her post-graduate studies in Journalism. She is currently employed with Last Wilderness Foundation, an NGO working towards wildlife conservation, as a Programme Manager and has a particular affinity for leopards. Last Wilderness Foundation (LWF) an organisation that…

The People of India Project – Kartick Satyanarayan

Kartick Satyanarayan is a well-known wildlife conservationist, who has been tirelessly involved in wildlife conservation, animal welfare and nature protection for over twenty five years. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS and heads the Wildlife SOS anti- poaching unit, Forest Watch. Kartick manages Wildlife SOS as CEO and oversees 10 wildlife rescue…

People of India – Anand Sankar

Anand Sankar set up Tons Trails as a means of promoting off-beat travel in one of Uttarakhand’s most beautiful and undiscovered regions, offering tourism that is 100% locally run, socially responsible, sustainable and culturally immersive. Here are his 15 Questions in 5 Minutes: 1. Who you are (naturally!) Daydreamer. Period. 2. What inspired you to create…

People of India – Vaibhav Kala

Adventure courses through Vaibhav’s blood – he is integrally responsible for opening up remote Himalayan valleys to adventure tourism, and has helped open up Indian river running like none before – with rivers like the Tons which was first run in it’s entirety 19 years ago,the Siang (Upper Brahmaputra), Subansari, Lohit in Arunachal Pradesh and…

The Women of India – Radhika Kumari

Radhika is a product of Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer and an English Literature graduate from Delhi’s St. Stephens’ College. Radhika has been channelling her professional energies into the field of rural development for the last decade. She has focused her work on developing programs on poverty alleviation and non-farm livelihood enhancement. This responsibility implies…

The Women of India – Neha Arora

“Neha Arora, is the founder of Planet Abled, which provides accessible travel solutions for people with disabilities. She worked with companies like HCL, Nokia & Adobe before taking the plunge to start Planet Abled. Born to parents with disabilities she experienced challenges in travelling. One such experience, became the tipping point for her to leave her…

People of India – Priyanka Devi Gupta

 Priyanka has been practicing Sivanandas’ Hatha Yoga since she was 17. She spent months in ashrams teaching and assisting, yet wanted to deepen her awareness and understanding of the breath and embarked on a journey of Vipassana meditation.  She has continued to explore other forms such as Acro Yoga,  Kundalini, Jivamukti, Anusara, Partner and Yin Yoga….

People of India – Bikram Grewal

Bikram Grewal is an ornithologist, author, birdwatcher and conservationist from Delhi, India who has written several guides to Indian birds. His father was a senior civil servant in the Indian government. He has been working with governments and private groups to promote Eco-tourism in Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal and Nagaland. His 2002 book Birds of India…

People of India – Sumant Batra

A lawyer of international repute, social commentator, thought leader and creative innovator, Sumant is a many-faceted person with accomplishments in diverse spheres. He romances with life, lives his dreams and thinks through his heart. A cultural champion, museum owner, collector and writer, Sumant Batra is the founder and architect of a number of innovative creative…

People of India – Kiran Manral

Kiran Manral is, amongst many other accolades, the author of five excellent books, she is on the planning board of the Kumaon Literary Festival, Chair of the Women Unlimited Series of the Taj Colloquium, a mentor with Sheroes and Qween, and is an advisor on the Board of Literature Studio, Delhi. Having (almost) met her for the…

Delhi Diaries: About Kalpana

“But you have to get a maid, you can’t survive without one!” This was the refrain I heard many times on moving to Delhi last time and one which I realised was very, very true. I was promptly found Flopsy by my landlady who was ultimately usurped by Kalpana –  for that debacle,read  https://memsahibinindia.wordpress.com/2013/11/15/dealing-with-house-staff-part-2-flips-flops-at-50-paces/ and that’s who…

People of India – Rajah Bannerjee, Tea Planter

India is full of eccentric characters spanning from the mildly to the massively.  Rajah Bannerjee falls into this bracket, though I won’t say where. Inspirational, energetic, entrepreneurial, fascinating and a delight to spend time with.  He is a fifth generation tea planter at Makaibari Tea Estate near Kurseong, the first purely organic tea plantation in…