(September 23, 2025) Under the warm glow of Dubai’s skyline, Gulf News rolled out a red carpet of ideas for the exclusive UAE launch of The Global Indian: A Hero’s Journey. More than the book unveiling; the event was a celebration of dialogue and the evolving identity of Indians abroad. Editors, journalists, and invited guests gathered for the literary showcase that blended a keynote address, a fireside chat, and the much-anticipated launch of visionary entrepreneur Xavier Augustin’s book.
Xavier Augustin is no stranger to bridging worlds. As Founder and CEO of Y-Axis, he connects Indian talent with global opportunities, helping students, professionals, and families chase dreams across continents. His Y-Axis Foundation, partnering with EducationUSA offers free guidance to students heading to the United States, while his Know More School initiative drives digital literacy in classrooms back home. As the publisher of TheGlobalIndian.com, he has long celebrated the inspiring journeys of Indians everywhere. Before making its Dubai debut, his book received an equally warm welcome at its Hyderabad launch, signaling the growing resonance of its message.
Xavier Augustin at the fireside chat during the launch of his book in Dubai
Armed with a master’s from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business and Executive Education from Harvard Business School, his international perspective fuels both his entrepreneurial vision and the insights behind his book.
Celebrating a Hero’s Journey
The Global Indian: A Hero’s Journey doffs its hat to Indians who have made a mark across the world while inspiring others to become the best version of themselves.
In the foreword, Dr. Devi Shetty, chairman and founder of Narayana Health, offers a fitting prelude to the book’s ethos when he writes, “Solutions to India’s greatest challenges can come from anywhere, provided we cultivate our people to think globally and serve locally.”
This is precisely what author Xavier Augustin sets out to show through vivid stories of successful Indians, neatly organized sections, and interactive worksheets that encourage readers to reflect on their own personalities and ambitions.
Xavier Augustin during the Hyderabad launch of The Global Indian
Mapping the Global Indian path
What does the Global Indian journey look like? For many, Augustin notes, it might begin as simply as standing at the US Consulate for a student visa. While that is often the first step, the real measure lies in how individuals make their mark on the global map. Consider Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google), Neal Mohan (YouTube), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), Arvind Krishna (IBM), Leena Nair (Chanel), and Ajay Banga (World Bank). They are only the tip of the iceberg. Augustin backs this with striking data: “Since 2018, Indian-origin entrepreneurs have been at the helm of 72 out of the 358 unicorn startups in the U.S. These unicorns hold a combined $195 billion in market value and generate thousands of jobs.”
A Global Indian is a bridge between India and the world, someone who thrives in global cities but stays deeply connected to their roots.
Xavier Augustin
Even as debate around the coveted H-1B visas continues, Indians secure nearly 70 percent of them, becoming catalysts of change and earning the world’s respect as India’s brand ambassadors “one relationship at a time.” This, Augustin explains, is where the Hero’s Journey truly begins—doing something out of the box within a familiar environment.
Xavier Augustin at a Y-Axis office
Why become a Global Indian
The book addresses the essential “why,” distinguishing between ‘outcome’ and ‘become’ and urging readers to build a personal “framework for success.” Following the hero’s journey, Augustin argues, its not just about personal gain but also about giving back while experiencing the magic of growth.
Timely and relevant, the narrative explores how the American dream has become harder to reach, shares lessons from Canada, and highlights a shifting gender equation, reminding readers that going abroad is not a passport to success but a challenge to excel wherever you land.
Personal transformation is a recurring theme. Augustin illustrates it through Satya Nadella’s evolution from quiet contributor to visionary CEO. Data enriches the text without overwhelming it; for instance, the World Bank notes it can take two decades in India to achieve the salary jump, which an overseas job offers instantly.
Augustin’s own journey adds authenticity. He recounts studying in the U.S., returning to India, facing brand struggles, and ultimately refining his approach to establish Y-Axis. His candid reflections on the insider–outsider debate highlight his belief in India’s immense potential.
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Defining Indianness and charting impact
The book invites readers to ask, “How Global Indian are you?” with worksheets that probe what Indianness means personally. Augustin explores how Global Indians become insiders and why their voices resonate as changemakers, again offering space for readers to record their thoughts.
A sweeping chronicle follows, tracing Global Indians across decades, from pre-Independence pioneers to new-age innovators, and highlighting key events and their impact. The closing section shines a spotlight on extraordinary figures such as M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, Dhirubhai Ambani, Ratan Tata, Indra Nooyi, Narayana Murthy, Dr. Devi Shetty, Satya Nadella, Rishi Sunak, Gitanjali Rao, Kalpana Chawla, and C.K. Prahalad, distilling lessons from each story.
A Global Indian has a dual mindset — they see the world through an Indian lens and India through a global one. They operate in both worlds, bridging cultures, industries and economies.
Xavier Augustin
The finale of the book reflects on the broader Global Indian impact as India rises in global rankings and technology reshapes work. With AI, geopolitics, and humanoids transforming the future, Augustin leaves readers with a provocative challenge: It’s no longer about where you will work, but what you will build.
Xavier Augustin with Gulf News interim CEO Vijay Vaghela during the launch of his book in Dubai
A launch that mirrors the message
Before reaching Dubai audiences, where an intimate gathering of editors, journalists, and special invitees marked its UAE debut, the book was warmly launched in Hyderabad. Rich in data, personal insight, and interactive tools, The Global Indian is both a guidebook and a call to action. It urges every reader to embrace transformation and ask: ‘Are you ready to be a Global Indian in the truest sense of the word? ‘ As the world grows ever more interconnected, Xavier Augustin’s message serves as a compass for anyone eager to leave a meaningful global footprint.
