The Indianness Podcast | Insights from Indian Business Leaders, Indian Founders & High-Performing Indian Americans

What does it take to improve healthcare for millions while staying true to your values? In this episode of Indianness, Sanjay Puri speaks with Dr. Meena Seshamani, physician, healthcare leader, and public servant, about her journey from the daughter of Indian immigrants to shaping healthcare policy at the highest levels. She reflects on leadership, public service, her Indian heritage, and the importance of empathy in creating meaningful change. A thoughtful conversation on purpose, resilience, and making a lasting impact.

From the Golden Temple in Amritsar to the House of Lords in Westminster, Baroness Sandy Verma's journey is one of resilience, service, and breaking barriers. In this episode of the Indianness Podcast, she joins Sanjay Puri to reflect on growing up in Britain during decades of racial tension, her family's entrepreneurial legacy, her path into politics, and becoming the first South Asian woman to sit on the front bench of the UK Parliament. An inspiring conversation about identity, leadership, and creating opportunities for future generations.

In this episode, Sanjay Puri speaks with Rahul Roy Chowdhury, former CEO of Grammarly and one of the key leaders behind Google Chrome. From Calcutta to Silicon Valley, Rahul shares a non-linear journey shaped by curiosity, bold pivots, and building products that impact billions.

They explore his early bets on AI, lessons from working with Sundar Pichai, navigating the rise of ChatGPT, and why communication remains the most underrated career advantage.

Bhaskar Chakravorti’s journey spans St. Stephen's College, Bell Labs, McKinsey & Company, and The Fletcher School at Tufts University — shaping global thinking on AI and digital transformation.

In this episode, Bhaskar Chakravorti shares insights on policy, “Small AI,” and why real change goes beyond logic into human context.

A sharp, thoughtful take on the future of technology, economies, and decision-making.

On this episode of the Indianness Podcast, host Sanjay Puri speaks with Bhaskar Chakravorti about his remarkable journey from Delhi to global academia and policy.

From Bell Labs and McKinsey & Company to building the Digital Evolution Index at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, he reflects on technology, leadership, and global change.

Chakravorti also shares why digital inclusion and “Small AI” could shape the future of emerging economies like India.

A conversation on mentorship, contextual intelligence, and bridging ideas with real-world impact.

In this special compilation episode of The Indianers Podcast, we bring together the most moving moments from our conversations with remarkable Indians across the diaspora. From career-defining failures to breakthrough reinventions, these stories go beyond success — revealing what it truly takes to build a life abroad while carrying home within you.

In this deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Ram Sareen, CEO and Founder of TUKA Group (TUKATECH)—a pioneering force in global fashion technology and the man behind one of the world’s most influential CAD-CAM apparel software companies.

Born in India and raised in a family of garment manufacturers, Ram’s journey is anything but conventional. After immigrating to the United States, he washed dishes for $2 an hour, was expelled from seven schools, survived a cardiac arrest at 45, and went on to build the last standing American fashion CAD-CAM technology company.

This is not just a business story—it’s a raw, honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, values, leadership, and purpose. Ram opens up about failure, humility, respect, and his belief that true success lies in learning, earning, and returning.

In this episode, we explore:

~ How being labelled “too disruptive” became Ram’s greatest strength

~ Surviving a near-death experience and redefining leadership

~ Why respect and equality are non-negotiable values in business

~ The role of education in shaping global Indian success

~ What it truly means to disrupt an industry with purpose

This conversation is a masterclass in life, leadership, and legacy—especially for entrepreneurs, immigrants, creatives, and anyone building something meaningful against the odds.

👉 If this episode resonates with you, like, share, and subscribe to the Indianness Podcast.

💬 Tell us your biggest takeaway in the comments.

Resources Mentioned:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tukatech/

In this deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Ram Sareen, CEO and Founder of TUKA Group (TUKATECH)—a pioneering force in global fashion technology and the man behind one of the world’s most influential CAD-CAM apparel software companies. 

Born in India and raised in a family of garment manufacturers, Ram’s journey is anything but conventional. After immigrating to the United States, he washed dishes for $2 an hour, was expelled from seven schools, survived a cardiac arrest at 45, and went on to build the last standing American fashion CAD-CAM technology company. 

This is not just a business story—it’s a raw, honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, values, leadership, and purpose. Ram opens up about failure, humility, respect, and his belief that true success lies in learning, earning, and returning. 

In this episode, we explore: 

• How being labeled “too disruptive” became Ram’s greatest strength 
• Surviving a near-death experience and redefining leadership 
• Why respect and equality are non-negotiable values in business 
• The role of education in shaping global Indian success 
• What it truly means to disrupt an industry with purpose 

This conversation is a masterclass in life, leadership, and legacy—especially for entrepreneurs, immigrants, creatives, and anyone building something meaningful against the odds. 

👉 If this episode resonates with you, like, share, and subscribe to the Indianness Podcast. 

💬 Tell us your biggest takeaway in the comments. 

Resources Mentioned: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tukatech/ 

In this episode of The Indianness Podcast, host Sanjay Puri sits down with Dr. Soumitra Dutta, Founding Dean of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and creator of the Global Innovation Index and Network Readiness Index. Dr. Dutta’s journey from academia to global leadership has been defined by innovation, impact, and a vision for digital transformation. Together, they explore how India’s global diaspora is shaping the future of innovation, governance, and AI policy — one transformative idea at a time. 

5 Key Takeaways 

• 🌍 How Dr. Dutta’s work on the Global Innovation Index became a global benchmark for over 100 countries. 
• 🧠 Insights into the intersection of AI, policy, and culture — and why “sovereign AI” matters for the Global South. 
• 🎓 Lessons from leading global institutions like Oxford and Cornell, and the mindset behind transformative academic leadership. 
• 🤝 Why collaboration between policymakers, technologists, and educators is key to ensuring responsible AI adoption. 
• 💡 Dr. Dutta’s reflections on Indianness — how values, resilience, and curiosity shape the Indian global identity. 

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to The Indianness Podcast for more inspiring conversations with global changemakers. 🌏✨ 

Resources Mentioned: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumitra-dutta/ 

What does it take to rise from an average student to becoming a visionary CFO in healthcare? In this in-depth conversation, Parinda Gandhi opens up about her extraordinary journey on the Indianness Podcast. 

• Early struggles & immigrant family life in Cleveland. 
• The importance of parental influence on spirituality, culture, and education. 
• How she turned setbacks—like being underestimated academically—into opportunities for growth. 
• Why embracing networking and adaptability transformed her career path. 
• Her perspective on imposter syndrome, failures, and trusting instincts as a leader. 

💡 This is a must-watch for aspiring professionals, leaders balancing cultural identities, and anyone chasing meaningful growth. 

Resources Mentioned: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/parindagandhi/