On Episode 37 of #LearningStories we chat with Siddharth Bothra Siddharth is a Chartered Accountant and Finance Professional with 6 years of experience in the industry. Apart from his day job, he is incredibly passionate about the stock markets. He writes a blog where he engages in fundamental analysis of listed companies called 'Investing in India'. He wants to help people build their financial acumen by learning how to invest in the markets. He is curious about how to achieve financial freedom in India and hosts two podcasts on Spotify to find answers to his questions that are called 'Vyapar' (Business) and 'Bazaar' (Markets). And he has a fire in his belly to keep learning new things. You can follow him on twitter @siddybeee.

On Episode 36 of #LearningStories we chat with Arun Mulloth. He is a Sports Management Professional and Engineer from India. Arun is currently Head of Business Development for Gagan Narang Sports Promotion Foundation-a non profit that runs Gun For Glory-India’s premier Shooting Academy. His job is to engage in partnerships and collaborate with central and state government bodies as well as private institutions to promote the academy and athletes that train under it. The foundation has produced over 150 International athletes in the Olympic sport of Shooting-winning 332 medals. Prior to this role he was Chief Operating Officer at VeloCT, a multi sport academy where he managed multiple verticals including Football, Cricket, MMA and Shooting. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Management from SMRI, Kochi and a Bachelor in Computer Science Engineering from College of Engineering, Chegannur. He is passionate about developing the sports ecosystem in India and is a former football player and competitive shooter himself.

On Episode 35 of #LearningStories we chat with Dwayne Dias. He is a Marketing Research Professional and aspiring Social Entrepreneur based in India. Dwayne was born and brought up in Oman but is now based in India. He moved to Mumbai to complete a Bachelor in Accountancy and Finance. His professional career converted him into a market research professional. He has worked with top brands like Nielson and L'Oreal Paris. Dwayne is also a Type 1 diabetic. He actively tries to advocate for chronic conditions and is passionate about busting myths and spreading awareness on Type 1 Diabetes. He has also been active in the social entrepreneurship segment ever since he moved to India and does pro bono consulting for social enterprises in his free time. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwaynedias/.

On Episode 34 of #LearningStories we chat with Goutham Jayaprakash. He is an Entrepreneur who co-founded Just Shawarma and Just X. Goutham grew up in Bahrain. He then moved to Bengaluru to complete his Bachelor in Commerce degree from Christ University. He also pursued a Chartered Accountancy qualification simultaneously. However he was always interested in Business because of his grandfather's stories that he had heard over the years. In 2014, he co-founded a quick service restaurant brand called Just Shawarma with his friends from college. Now the company is called Just X, where they are focusing on building multiple brands in the QSR industry. He loves playing badminton and cricket in his free time. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/goutham-jayaprakash/

On Episode 33 of #LearningStories we chat with Aniket Varankar. He is a CUA certified UX designer with a natural inclination towards designing user friendly solutions to meet business goals keeping in mind the technical feasibilities. Between 2007 to 2013, he completed a Bachelors in Information Technology and a Masters of Computer Applications from India. He started his career as a .net developer with a Healthcare IT solutions firm in Mumbai but moved to the niche field of UX back in 2014. He recently completed 10 years in the field of UX design. His work on a day to day basis involves understanding customer and client requirements, refining the same, conducting user research, identifying market segments which lead to defining personae of relevant end users to plan an efficient design strategy. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aniketvarankar/.

On Episode 32 of #LearningStories we chat with Thomas Koshy. He is an Entrepreneur who founded #Flekt and #EntraMechatronics. He is also a mechatronics graduate from SRM University. He was smitten by the entrepreneurial bug right out of college and experimented and dabbled with multiple businesses, but always found an opportunity in the #salon and #grooming industry. Learning everyday, he is inspired by a quote that drives him from a movie called Circle starring Emma Watson. When her charctaer was asked what is your biggest fear in life, the answer was 'unfulfilled potential'. Thomas is aiming to be better everyday and reach what he feels is his potential. With #Flekt, he wants to transform an untapped 1000 year old industry with #innovation and #salontechnology. You can follow him on Instagram at @thomas_koshy94 and @flekt.india.

On Episode 31 of #LearningStories we chat with Dr. Aakash Lengde. He is an orthopedic surgeon. He is as much of an artist at heart as he is a doctor. Although he grew up in the U.A.E, he is now practicing in India, combining his love for the human body with his passion for movement and healing. He completed his MBBS from KLE University and his Master of Orthopaedic Surgery from Nitte University. When he is not in the OR or consulting with patients, you'll find him beatboxing, creating digital art, or capturing life through his lens. Fitness isn't just a hobby for him it's a way of life, and he is deeply invested in the science of sports medicine and recovery. He is excited to share a bit of his journey as a Doctor in India, his thoughts on the intersection of art and science, and everything in between. You can find him online at https://www.instagram.com/doc.legend/.

On Episode 30 of #LearningStories we chat with Nikhil Kurhe. He is a computer engineer and entrepreneur based out of Pune, India. Since 2019 though, Nikhil has been building an Open Data company called Finarkein and they've been instrumental in building, scaling and driving adoption for the next wave of India's Public Digital Infrastructure around Open Finance, Health & Identity. As the co-founder and CEO of Finarkein, Nikhil now wears multiple hats and each new day brings a new learning experience. Nikhil is also a proud cat dad, plays hours of badminton weekly, a voracious reader and extremely curious around all things human behavior, decision making, game theory and generally around what makes us and the world tick. You can find him online at https://twitter.com/formatterr.

On Episode 29 of #LearningStories we chat with Manish Khushalani. Manish is a Cinematographer, Film Director and Musician. He completed his Bachelor of Mass Media from Kishanchand Chellaram College at Mumbai University. He then completed a Conservatory in Cinematography at New York Film Academy. He was recognised as the Best Indie Film Maker for ETUDE - Los Angeles Film Festival 2020. As a cinematographer, his debut feature, ‘Middle Class Love’, directed by Ratna Sinha and produced by Anubhav Sinha’s Benaras Media Works and Zee Studios released on 16th September 2022. You can find him online at his website at https://www.manishkhushalani.com/.

On Episode 28 of #LearningStories we chat with Shagufi Habib. She is a Year 2 B.Ed. Teacher Candidate at Western University in London, ON. She graduated from York University (Toronto, ON) with an Honors B.A. in English Literature. Her interests include reading, cooking, watching films, and spending time with her family. As an aspiring educator, Shagufi aims to empower students to find their strengths and create positive change within themselves and subsequently, the world around them. She considers herself a lifelong learner and looks forward to what the future holds. You can find her online on Twitter at @MsHabib_S.

On Episode 27 of #LearningStories we chat with Priscilla Matthews. She is a third year medical student at McMaster University. Before medical school, she completed her Bachelor of Medical Sciences and Master of Management of Applied Sciences at Western University. In her spare time, Priscilla enjoys running her own small art business, CillaCreates, spending time with her dog, and exploring new places. You can find her creative work online at https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/CillaCreates.

On Episode 26 of #LearningStories we chat with Surel Ingale. He is a musician and music producer based out of Mumbai. Taking forward the music legacy of his family into the 6th generation, Surel is a versatile musician who has especially shown his expertise in the field of film scoring and background music composition. Having completed his formal education in music from the prestigious Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Los Angeles, he has worked on a variety of projects originating from both India and United States. Surel is a classically trained Piano player who has been very active as a music educator for a long time. Surel’s music leans a lot towards orchestral arrangements and composers like John Williams, Alexander Desplat and Hans Zimmer have been a major influence on his musical style. Surel loves spending time nerding out on the latest music production softwares and instruments and is always up for a chat with anything related to music or food! You can find his work at https://www.surelingale.com.

On Episode 25 of #LearningStories we chat with Divieta Sahajwala. She is a dancer currently living in New York City. She graduated from the Certificate Program at Peridance Center in the Ballet/Contemporary track, in June 2021. With a background in Odissi (Indian classical dance form), Jazz, Contemporary movement and street/commercial forms, she has now started to venture out into Ballroom dancing as well. A performer and an instructor, she hopes to take on various venues of dancing in one of the capitals of dance in the world! You can follow her journey on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/divieta207/.

On Episode 24 of #LearningStories we chat with Karishma Galani. She has spent the last decade in the educational technology space. With a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, research at MIT’s Media Lab, and time spent teaching coding and entrepreneurship at an international school, her passion for education grows each day. Having founded two startups using artificial intelligence to enhance a child’s learning, Karishma has travelled the world for her work: from Boston, San Francisco, Singapore and Bombay. As of June 2022, she lives and works in London, UK, as COO of an edtech startup called Educai.io. Here she works to leverage AI to personalise the maths tutoring experience for children. You can follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karishmagalani/.

On Episode 23 of #LearningStories we chat with Grachel Monis. She is a teacher, mother, wife, voracious reader, avid anime watcher, closet writer/ amateur poet, artist (exclusively for loved ones) and ‘enthusiastic eater' code: for PCOS struggler. She is a full time wife & boy mum and is currently an IB Business Management and IGCSE Global Perspectives teacher by day. She has corporate experience in department coordination, Business Development, Marketing, Copywriting, PR, social media account management. She completed a Bachelors in Commerce (major accounting and management) at university. Having studied in 3 curriculums - IGCSE, Maharashtra state, CBSE across 3 countries over 2+ decades - it's safe to say that w/ and w/o volition it's been a fun ride wherein she was 100% Grachel across all trades and walks of life thus far.

On Episode 22 of #LearningStories we chat with Dhananjay Yellurkar. He is a Chief Risk Officer, Long Distance Runner and Author. He graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Electronics from Karnatak University and a Master of Business Administration from North Eastern University. He then worked in the Infrastructure, Finance and Risk industry for over thirty years at companies like NIIF infrastructure Finance Limited, IDFC Infrastructure Finance Limited, L&T Infrastructure Finance Co Ltd, Crisil Risk and Infrastructure Limited, ICICI Bank and Ernst and Young. At the age of 46 he had to undergo a open heart surgery, after which he then decided to take up long distance running. He has now run a marathon on 6 continents and documented his inspiring journey in the book, Fuel for My Journey. You can follow him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhananjay-yellurkar/.

On Episode 21 of #LearningStories we chat with Michelle D’Costa. Michelle D'costa is a poet, podcaster, Human Resource professional and editor from Mumbai. She was born and raised in Bahrain. She is trained as a Human Resource Professional with a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration degree. However she has always been an avid reader and writer and recently made the professional transition to the publishing and editing industry. Gulf (Yavanika Press, 2021) is her debut poetry chapbook. She co-hosts one of India’s top author interview podcasts titled, Books and Beyond With Bound where she has interviewed over 40 prominent writers and thinkers. Her fiction and poetry can be found in several journals like Litro UK, Berfrois, Out Of Print, The Bombay Literary Magazine and many more. Her poetry was longlisted for the TOTO Award For Creative Writing (2021). In her free time she loves teaching and mentoring writers. You can find Michelle’s writing on her blog at https://michellewendydcosta.wordpress.com/.

On Episode 20 of #LearningStories we chat with Jujhar Singh. He is a business technology professional by training and a chef by passion. He is currently in culinary school working towards his dream of becoming a chef and restaurateur. He grew up in Oman and Bahrain and is currently based out of Ottawa, Ontario. Jujhar completed a Bachelor's degree in Business Technology Management from Wilfrid Laurier University. He worked as a Sales and Business Development Representative for two years after that program. That being said, he believes his culture and his background have long brought him to this moment to be in this hospitality sector. He is currently enrolled at the culinary school - Le Cordon Bleu in their year long Grand Diplome program and wants to be a chef and restaurateur. You can follow Jujhar’s journey on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jujhar--singh/.

On Episode 19 of #LearningStories we chat with Shreya Vajpei. She is a lawyer by training and education. She currently works with the Innovation team at one of India's biggest law firms. She completed a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the Army Institute of Law in Mohali. In addition to working at some of India’s top law firms, she also closely tracks the evolution of the legal profession and is the Prime Mover at Prolawgue.com. Prolawgue is attempting to democratize the information around the new-age careers and skills for the lawyers in APAC region. She works at the intersection of law and everything else and focuses on identifying, building, and promoting better technology and process solutions with the aim of improving the practice of law. You can find Shreya on Twitter at @shreya_vajpei.

On Episode 18 of #LearningStories we chat with Kiran Reddy. He is a lawyer, social entrepreneur, activist and community builder who is a big proponent of pursuing Voluntary, Nonprofit and For Profit engagements in parallel. He pursued and completed a law degree from the Symbiosis Law School in Pune, India from 2008 to 2013. He has spent the last eight years working in the space of leadership development, community engagement and grassroots capacity building with organisations like Helm of Eight, Risevertise Media, Start Up Grind, Headstart Network, Catalyst 2030 and Students for Liberty. You can reach out to Kiran on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibereddy/.