India is a civilisational force, of that there is no doubt. For centuries, India has given the world some brilliant individuals, who have not just succeeded but have also redefined what impact means.
Think of C. V. Raman, who unlocked the mysteries of light, Ratan Tata, who built institutions with purpose, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas who is now reshaping global cultural narratives.
Our nation has a legacy of producing global icons – the Indian diaspora and homegrown visionaries – who have, through adaptation and a future-oriented approach, continued to make a lasting impact on the world.
In the sea of Indian excellence, there are stories that often go untold, unhighlighted. It is these stories that Maneesh Meida, India’s leading diaspora publishing house, has endeavoured to highlight in their publications.
Here we present journeys of three such individuals, who have conquered the global stage through their relentless crusades, be it in India or abroad. They continue to redefine what it means to be a global citizen while staying grounded to their heritage.
They were all featured in Maneesh Media’s flagship publication, Jewels of India – Bharat Ki Shaan, Bharat Ka Abhiman, a global Indian coffee table book.
Kailash Satyarthi
New Delhi, India
A tireless advocate for children’s rights, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Kailash Satyarthi has dedicated his life to ending child labour and human trafficking. Born in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh, he left behind a promising professional career to fight for unprivileged and vulnerable children. His journey to spark a change in society began during his school-going days, when he constructed a book bank out of discarded textbooks to redistribute among unprivileged children. His Bachpan Bachao Andolan organisation has rescued over 100,000 children from abusive, oppressive and exploitative conditions. He led the 1998 Global March Against Child Labour, which brought over 7 million people from 103 countries, resulting in the adoption of ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour. His advocacy also helped the formation of the New Child Labour Law in 2016 in India. A revolutionary changemaker, he focuses on education, rehabilitation, and leading systemic change to ensure a better future for future generations.
Dr. Kiran C. Patel
Tampa, Florida
A shining example of how professional success can shape industries and translate into transformative philanthropy. Dr. Kiran Patel is a reputed Indian origin cardiologist, living in Tampa, Florida since 1982, and has been instrumental in bringing changes to the US healthcare system. His impactful journey began in 1985, when he offered a complete suite of back-office and strategic services through his MSO (Management Services Organisation) for physicians. His goal was to make health care efficient, accessible, and affordable for the masses. The business quickly evolved into a wide network, spreading across paediatrics, family medicine and cardiology. He then ventured into health insurance by taking over Well Care HMO, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. His vision soon fostered a customer base of over 400,000 members and became the 5th largest Medicaid HMO in theUS. Patel then established an insurance holding company in 2007, garnering over US$1 billion in revenue and serving over 110,000 members. Alongside his wife, Dr Pallavi Patel, he has donated generously to healthcare, education and community development across the US, India, Africa. His work has earned him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman (2019), the highest honour for Indians abroad. He has also received multiple international and community recognitions including the distinguished Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Harshavardhan Neotia
Kolkata, India
This homegrown entrepreneur and a Padma Shri recipient has reshaped India’s real estate and infrastructure landscape. As the leader of the Ambuja Neotia Group, Neotia has played an instrumental role in developing innovative urban surroundings that blend sustainability and functionality. Be it residential complexes, public infrastructures or hospitality ventures, he foresaw the importance of a future-centric approach in urban development, alongside community impact and quality. A rock garden constructed by his aunt in their joint-family home acted as a muse for him to build something similar on a larger scale, for a neighbourhood or a city. After finishing his education at Harvard Business School in Boston, he started his career in his father’s company. Here he learned the ropes of the trade – from dealing with lenders, contractors, site challenges, to designing, market requirements, and more. Today, his leadership has reshaped Bengal’s infrastructure through public-private partnerships and the Udayan project. Harshvardhan Neotia’s work has earned him a multitude of recognition and honorary doctorates.
FAQs
Why did Maneesh Media start the Jewels of India series?
Maneesh Media launched ‘Jewels of India’ to celebrate individual success stories of the Indian diaspora, bringing them together on one expansive platform that puts the spotlight on India’s global rise and the role that its people play in the economical progress and preservation of Indian culture.
Why should I publish my coffee table book with you?With 26 years of experience, Maneesh Media has covered stories of resilience and hard work with close to 3,000 prestigious Indian-origin families. Our 74+ coffee table books have been published across more than 40 countries.
