Venkat Raman
Auckland, October 5, 2020
Kishan Chavan proposing to Shanell Peterson on September 9, 2020
Indian Newslink readers who are regulars on YouTube may be familiar with Kishanell, portmanteau for Kishan and Shanell, which is creating history in online viewing.
To date, the young couple, from Bay of Plenty, have generated more than 145 million views, claiming the status as the 17th largest YouTube channel in New Zealand.
Shanell Peterson, who creates the YouTube contents with her life partner Kishan Chavan, says that Kishanell is ‘consistently placed within the top ‘Most Influential Channels’ in the country as determined by Social Blade.
“Kishanell also has the largest Tik Tok following in New Zealand with 2.4 million followers. In 13 days, we are projected to hit 1 million subscribers. We are the first New Zealand couple to ever do that,” Shanell said, with justifiable pride.
Kishan with Shanell, his parents Yashwant and Ranjana and family friend Sonu Verma (left)
Variety and Simplicity
Variety and simplicity are the most significant factors that differentiate ‘The Kishanell YouTube Channel,’ from the rest on the visual platform. From fun videos My American Girlfriend Tries Indian Snacks to pranks, there is plenty to view, enjoy and even admire this young couple’s entrepreneurial venture.
Shanell has also deftly used the YouTube to convey her own transition in life – from a young scribe in the USA to a potential daughter-in-law of a traditional Indian family, through such postings as Shanell celebrates Hindu Festivals and Surprise visit to India.
Kishan has also had an opportunity to taste American Holiday although Shanell says that the ‘most successful content to date are the lifestyle vlogs created with Kishan’s parents.’
An exciting helicopter ride-Shanell, Ranjana, Yashwant and Kishan
About Shanell Peterson
Born and raised in a small town in South Dakota, America, Shanell wanted to be a globetrotter and by the time she gained a graduate degree in Journalism from the South Dakota State University in May 2017, she had already travelled to 20 countries and the sting of the travel bug was strong.
She arrived in New Zealand on a one-year working holiday visa soon thereafter.
While her objective was to start an online business, she reached Christchurch to be a part of Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms- known as WWOOF, an international organisation that allows people work on a farm in exchange for free accommodation and food.
Shortly thereafter, she left for New Plymouth where she worked as a waitress at Monica’s Eatery, moonlighting at The Sunflower Lodge.
Kishan and Shanell marked Ganesh Chaturthi on August 22, 2020
It was while working at the latter that she met Kishan Chavan, who had arrived from Auckland to continue his job as a Sales Engineer. That meeting, in July 2017, changed their lives.
Shanell’s love for Kishan and for India are unconditional, which was returned in an equal measure by Kishan and their respective families in America and India.
“I do not subscribe to any religion. I am not a Christian. I am spiritual and after my marriage with Kishan I will label myself as a Hindu. I respect the Hindu customs and traditions,” she said.
Shanell has completed a course in Yoga in Rishikesh, which led to an extended stay in India to visit Kishan’s family. “I love Papa and Mom,” she says, referring to his parents.
“I loved every moment of my stay in India and the visit to Taj Mahal of one of the highlights. I have come to love and respect Indian culture and values. I want to visit India again and learn Hindi so that I can converse with Papa and mom fluently,” she said.
Shanell regards her mother Kari Aulner and father Eric Aulner (South Dakota) as the two most important in her life.’
“My biological dad Shane Nisbet and my stepmom Brandy Nisbet live in Washington State with my half-sister Aislynn and my two half-brothers Gabriel and Liam. I am the oldest of my siblings, but I do consider myself an only child because I have never lived with my siblings. While untraditional, this part of my family is still important to me and I love them very much,” she said.
Kishan and Shanell on Holi Day- March 9, 2020
Solo Channel evinces interest
Her solo presentation Shanell Peterson can be engaging with an extensive range of topics- from achieving ambitions, coping with Covid-19 to Kundalini Yoga and Palmistry.
As a teenager in July 2011, Shanell fostered a penchant for visual expression of people and places, vicissitudes and events and when her first YouTube gained much attention that year, she entertained a dream become a full-time YouTuber.
Kishan and Shanell subscribe to the belief that Love transcends borders, religions, languages and many other man-made barriers. With the blessings of both families, their life journey will be pleasant, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
Indian Newslink joins millions of YouTube subscribers and casual viewers wishing them the best in their professional and married life.
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