i’m janak and i take blurry photos

Reflections @sohohouse 1 year ago, I accepted the role to join the Inclusivity Advisory Board at Soho House. I joined the Board to help creative souls and spaces bridge differences and connect more meaningfully. How do we curate and implement strategies to integrate cultural diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Soho House’s global and hyper-local operations and also holding the company accountable through social responsibility. I sometimes hesitate to use the words “diversity, equity and inclusion”, “ESG”, and “social impact” as a catch-all term. Even the words diversity, equity and inclusion were strategic ways to point to inequities in a less troublesome way so that individuals in groups that have been privileged by racism wouldn't be frightened away from addressing the (in)explicable imbalances in almost all contours of our growing global and hyper-local societies. How do I use this role to positively disrupt space and create meaningful experiences and opportunities for those who like myself when I first joined as a member in 2018 felt “out of reach”? Out of reach because I always felt like an outsider but that soon turned into belonging by my friends @anandahuja and @rheakapoor who endorsed my application to show me a new world is possible to be myself. To be continued but I’m super charged for what is to come as I step into year 2 with my wonderful and super smart (and more than passionate) colleagues. 🙏🏽 to @herrglass and @jamilafaye you’re my inspiration each day to continue the good work and social impact in these spaces.

just a small town boy from denver - honored to have been invited by His Majesty The King for global leaders in climate and sustainability lead up to @cop29_azerbaijan - big love and hug to @jamilafaye - future is still bright 💫🧿

no more exams 📚 #phdone #DrPadhiar 📸#oxfordgradstudy

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heard it was a bank holiday

{still} in London ft some cool homies

could be a haiku

not at coachella

Introducing ‘IS THIS SEAT TAKEN?’ — a supper club series brought to life by @sohohouse , @atolapapers & @1497org . An intimate gathering of founders, creatives, investors, and those shaping industries across tech, culture and business within the South Asian diaspora. The people reimagining what comes next. At its core is something simple: connection — the force that moves this community forward, and gives spaces like this their meaning. This marks the first chapter of a global series spanning London, New York, India and beyond. Founded to uplift South Asian talent through its flagship Feature Film Lab, @1497org is now expanding that spirit across fashion, music, tech, and more. From the tablescape to the drinks in hand, every detail was curated by @atolapapers — a platform celebrating the next generation of makers through limited-edition homeware collaborations. Cocktails were crafted by @kaveridrinks , an unfiltered liqueur rooted in the rituals of India and a respect for mother earth. Co-hosts: @aishwaryaa04 @jpads91 & @radhikasomaia Table linen: @atolapapers X @joshua.india (coming soon) Photographer: @aryan.pankhiyani Film: @sanvirchana Florals: @jeb_jagne #IsThisSeatTaken #AtolaPapers #1497 #KaveriDrinks #SupperClub

Is this seat taken? inaugural edition in London at @sohohouse 76 Dean Street was an emotional one. I’ve been planning this hopeful series almost three years since I had the privilege of joining the Soho House Inclusivity Advisory Board thanks to @jamilafaye and @iamchrisglass_ - it became materialized last year with planning non-stop through the generous support of @josiekschiller and Rajat Dhawan (CTO Soho House) - I was introduced to Soho House by @anandahuja @sonamkapoor @rheakapoor - a space I knew nothing about. In fact, a PhD student at @oxford_uni and foreign to the notion of it all, but I quickly found a home. Introduced graciously by @anandahuja @iamdeepkailey became a friend and confidant and trusted me to bring her organization @withoutshapewithoutform to the Farmhouse (and now since has expanded to NYC and London Houses). It was my moment of how can I use my role as a Board Member and Committee Member to create spaces within spaces. Opportunity. Platform. Community. Impact. Significance and Meaning. I hope this global series is more than that - a space for emerging South Asian talent, changemakers, innovators, creatives and leaders who will pave the legacy for others to continue to disrupt the status quo. It’s been tough being away from my immediate family for nearly a decade in the UK, but I know it’s moments like this that I’ll continue to cherish and make the move worth it. I turn to humanity and purpose that guides my North Star and I hope the takeaway is “the seat” - that opportunity - will always be open in a world we presently live that is constantly changing and in flux. I don’t take this platform for granted and as @imranamed who I deeply regard rightfully said: It is in our struggles we find purpose. I want to thank my dear friends and collaborators @aishwaryaa04 @radhikasomaia @1497org @atolapapers @joshua.india @kaveridrinks @vaunsarna insanely beautiful flowers by @jeb_jagne and two brilliant talents @aryan.pankhiyani who photographed the event and @sanvirchana who filmed special moments. Onwards 💫🫶🏽🙏🏾🙌🏾

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