Top tip Click on the play button to stay on the website

As temperatures soar across the UK, one can’t help but feel that they have entered an alternate reality that includes Baywatch fanatics and Londoners who have lost all ability to cope with the changes in temperature. Sticky tube rides and tempered glares have replaced the traditional solemn look on the faces of weathered commuters.

However, what could be seen as an anomaly can quickly turn in to a darker reality. As crops start to suffer and we see an increase in demand for our already stretched reservoirs, we turn our attention to the impact of climate change and the recent parliamentary discussion that was forced through by the brave actions of a dear friend, Angus Rose who staged a 37-day hunger strike. I am also joined by Chris Desai, founder of The UOcean Project, as we discuss startling facts that should concern us all and what led him to develop a project that could hold the key in reducing needed Carbon emissions.

About Chris Desai:

Chrisna Jagdish Desai, known in the industry as ‘Chris Desai’ was born to a working-class family in Leicester, United Kingdom in the year of 1988 to an English - European Mother (German / Scottish / Irish) and a Political Refuge Father of- Ugandan (Indian / Gujarati) decent. This was a love marriage which was frowned upon deeply within both of their respective communities at the time. Chris grew up in a multicultural working-class home being exposed to the Eastern and Western culture from a very young age in his home county of Leicestershire and by traveling to India, opened his eyes to the world at large. Leicester was described as the " Melting Pot" of the United Kingdom and he believes this has been an integral crux of his life today. Fascinated by the natural world and exploration, he went against the grain of being studious and quickly excelled at everything creative and outdoors, such as running, athletics, flying and sailing, he was determined to explore the entire planet in his lifetime with his deep love for the ocean and natural world. His creative talents developed in these early years including design, literature, poetry and music, which was nurtured by his mother.

Through an amalgamation of these talents and cultural experiences, Chris began writing songs and producing music at the age of 14 about his adventures and beliefs. By the age of 21 he became an industry known, touring and recording artist and found himself in talks with major recording labels such as Sony Music in London. Shortly after his music career began, he also entered the fashion world and developed a love for high fashion and couture which flourished over the next decade.

After a highly successful decade in music and fashion, he realised the damage the fashion industry was causing to the planet through travelling with his work and then finally being highlighted on a sailing trip he embarked on which lasted over 2600 miles. He then continued to gain his captaincy qualification of Yachtmaster Offshore.

During this trip, there was a pinnacle and meditative realisation in which Vayyu® was conceived. On his return to land, he set about creating a British, organic and sustainable luxury fashion brand called Vayyu®, which would re-invent sustainable, ethical and organic fashion in the industry today. Vayyu was awarded the second most ethical brand in the United Kingdom in 2018*, taking its designs and inspiration solely from nature and the deep truths found within oneself. Chris then extended the reach of his positive impact by establishing it's own registered environmental charity called The Vayyu Foundation® to repair the damage caused to the world by commercial industry. The first project to be brought to life was The UOcean Project®, this became a rapidly spreading movement across the planet in its first 2 years and now has over 50 chapters globally with a mission to remove #1BILLIONKILOS of marine - ocean plastic by 2030.

The UOcean Project® has a clear mission statement to Clean, Protect and Restore the world’s oceans by 2050 through clean ups, education and legislation. Since 2018, the movement has inspired thousands of individuals to take up the baton of conservation and has successfully removed millions of pieces of plastic from global canals, rivers and seas.

Bio provided by Chris Desai

About the Global Indian Series:

My name is Rajan Nazran Chief Explorer for the Global Indian Series, the official platform for people of Indian origin (PIO), because let’s face it, we are everywhere!

For almost 15 years we have travelled across the globe covering 58 countries to date whilst exploring the kaleidoscope of our remarkable 50 shades of brown community.

Voyaging to the edges of the Amazon, facing Ebola in West Africa, being held hostage in Eastern Europe, tapping rubber in Malaysia, drinking chai with Heads of State and sharing laughter with local fishermen – I have been there, looking for us!

Our purpose is simple, to build a living encyclopaedia of the human experience of the community and a safe mooring ground for open discussions, whether you are an NRI, Indian Diaspora, person of Indian origin (PIO) or a fan of South Asian anthropology, what we do is bring people and communities together.

We do this by plunging into the human experience of being a person of Indian origin (PIO), taking a second look at the countries we now call home and tackling the conversations we need to know more about.

Through our range of award-winning original content (print, podcasts, events and TV) and fascinating discussions, our impactful stories and platforms have spearheaded national and international conversations that have brought people together.  Our work is featured in global brands including The Indian Express through to the CNBC network.

How to get involved:

Interested in getting involved in building the world’s largest living encyclopaedia on the community? Whether you want to become a patron, buy us a chai in a new location or have your story shown, simply get in touch via our website, we would love to hear from you. www.globalindianseries.com

Social media:

You can reach Rajan via

Global Indian Series (@rajannazran) • Instagram photos and videos

(1) Rajan (Singh) Nazran | LinkedIn

Global Indian Series - YouTube

Special thank you to TAIZU for the music

Episode: 122

Presenter – Rajan Nazran

Producer –Global Indian Series/NazranRoth

Guests in order: Angus Rose

Chris Desai

Other content you may like:

If you liked this podcast, you may enjoy the following:

PODCAST:

https://globalindianseries.com/the-carnival-of-national-identity-made-in-trinidad-with-dr-kirk-meighoo/

https://globalindianseries.com/the-caribbean-season-st-lucia-and-identity-with-dr-stephen-king/

THE HISTORY OF INDIANNESS | THE SUGAR WAR (globalindianseries.com)

ARTICLE: “This is not India” Muzi Hlengwa and the danger of identity politics in SA (globalindianseries.com)

IS IT MY INDIANISM, MY INDIANNESS OR JUST ME BEING INDIAN THAT I AM PROUD OF? (globalindianseries.com)

Lest we forget. The Coolie Odyssey (globalindianseries.com)

https://globalindianseries.com/st-kitts-and-nevis-with-india/

We produce content that inspires purpose, passion, and community. If you like what we do, please do share, like, subscribe and comment. It helps massively with online algorithms.

-------------------------------

Support change: A little favour to ask-We believe true freedom is to be able to act without fear or favour and that identity is not a “brand” to be abused, politicized, or reduced for personal gain. As Global Indians, the need to work together is greater now than ever before.  If we want to see real change, we need to create a better society for all, tackle injustice and plunge into the many aspects of what the human experience truly offers.The Global Indian Series has been built to be a platform of integrity, fairness and to remain fiercely independent of political influence. We are the first in the world to connect with every echelon of society with all human voices being treated equally.  We are the first to have travelled physically to locations far and wide, often putting our own lives on the line to bring forward stories that deserve to be told.  Whether it’s through our Podcast that delves into the human experience behind identity, our articles and features that cover key events we need to know, or live based events that tackle topical discussions, we have been there to support a better community and planet.Despite the high costs and time needed to maintain our work, we continue, because we know our work has helped more people understand what is happening within the communities across our planet, why it matters, and how, together, we can demand progress.  We challenge head-on, the silent divisions that have crept into our collective consciousness and how to tackle key issues that often go neglected in mainstream media.How you can help:Please share our work: By collaborating with others who share our values, our combined voices make change, with many more becoming inspired to take meaningful action.Subscribe to the platform:Many from across our community have decided to subscribe to our platform. It helps us grow which in turns attracts like-minded supporters. If you have not already, we would appreciate you subscribing to our newsletters and following our social media accounts. It is free and supports our journey.