Indoindians Meet & Greet in Bali Brings Together the Indian Diaspora and Community Leaders
Bali, Indonesia – Indoindians successfully hosted its first Meet & Greet in Bali at Shally’s Italian Dining Restaurant, Lippo Mall Kuta, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, educators, wellness practitioners, and community leaders for an afternoon of networking, collaboration, and community engagement.
The gathering was particularly significant as it coincided with Indoindians’ 25th year of connecting communities across Indonesia, providing a platform for meaningful conversations and new connections within Bali’s vibrant Indian community.
The event was honoured by the presence of Dr. Shashank Vikram, Consul General of India in Bali, who interacted with attendees and shared insights on strengthening community engagement and people-to-people connections between India and Indonesia.
Dr. Vikram, a career diplomat from the 2004 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), brings extensive experience from diplomatic assignments in Portugal, Brazil, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, as well as senior leadership roles in health, tourism, and public administration in India. During the interaction, he encouraged greater community participation and highlighted the important role played by the Indian diaspora in fostering bilateral ties.
Welcoming the guests, Poonam Sagar, Founder of Indoindians, spoke about the organisation’s 25-year journey of building bridges between Indians and Indonesians through community initiatives, cultural programmes, business networking, and information sharing.
The event was hosted at Shally’s Italian Dining Restaurant, owned by Shilpa and Shiv Dave, the visionary couple behind Ganesha Ek Sanskriti, Southeast Asia’s largest Indian restaurant group with more than 20 outlets across Indonesia. Guests enjoyed a delightful coffee break featuring pizzas, bruschetta, bitterballen, desserts, and a selection of beverages while engaging in lively conversations and networking.
A highlight of the afternoon was the introduction of the diverse professionals and entrepreneurs who are contributing to Bali’s growing Indian community.
Among them was Vikram Kalra, founder of iPlanner Bali, a leading event planning and wedding management company known for creating memorable destination weddings and events across Bali. Since 2016, iPlanner Bali has been providing end-to-end event planning, décor, entertainment coordination, and production services for clients from around the world. His wife Sapna was also present.
The tourism and hospitality sector was well represented by Poonam Wadhawan and Raahul Purie of Leaders Destination Management, a premier Bali-based destination management company specializing in bespoke travel experiences, MICE events, incentive programs, and luxury travel solutions across Indonesia.
The travel industry was represented by Nischay Phatak, founder of Balindic Holidays, a promising new travel venture focused on customized Bali experiences, adventure travel, scuba diving, cultural exploration, and sustainable tourism initiatives.
The event also welcomed Marina Abraham, who recently relocated to Bali after many years in Jakarta and is now actively involved in hospitality through her Airbnb venture in Seminyak.
Representing the wellness sector was Monica Mohindra of Ayurvedagram Bali, a unique wellness retreat that combines authentic Kerala Ayurveda with Bali’s healing environment to provide holistic health and rejuvenation experiences. Monica is a long-time Bali resident and hospitality entrepreneur sharing valuable insights gained from more than two decades in Bali’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The food and hospitality industry was represented by Deepak Mehta, founder of Curries N More and Mehta’s Kitchen Ubud, known for serving authentic Indian cuisine and creating memorable dining experiences for visitors and residents alike.
Also present was Sonia Kaur, entrepreneur and founder of Sitara Indian Restaurant, who is widely recognized for her contributions to MSME development and social initiatives. Sonia gained international recognition as the only Indonesian woman recipient of the prestigious 123 Power Women in 123 Minutes Award in India.
BINUS University, an ongoing supporter of Indoindians initiatives, was represented by Naomi Natalia, who introduced the university’s programmes and highlighted opportunities for collaboration with the community.
Other attendees included representatives from Aryaduta Bali and friends of India residing in Bali.
The intimate gathering demonstrated the strength and diversity of Bali’s Indian community. More importantly, it reinforced the value of creating spaces where individuals from different professions and backgrounds can come together, exchange ideas, and build meaningful relationships.
As Indoindians continues its mission of connecting communities across Indonesia, the Bali Meet & Greet marked an important step towards fostering greater engagement among the Indian diaspora while strengthening the enduring friendship between India and Indonesia.
One Community. Many Stories. One Future.
