Rahul Nangare, First Secretary (Trade) – a tenure of protecting heritage and championing diasporas
Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better, and this cannot be more true than of Rahul Nangare, the First Secretary (Trade) at the High Commission of India (HCI) in London. Rahul received the prestigious 'Specially Distinguished Record of Service Award' from the President of India for his outstanding work over a prolonged period of service,...
World Mental Health Day 2020: music-based charity Sangeet Foundation supports mental health issues among South Asian diasporas
UK-based charity Sangeet Foundation aspires to provide “Happiness through Music”, with the help of upcoming and renowned heroes of music, by addressing issues of mental well-being. For me, happiness is a state of mind. Peel a layer and it is about mental health. Over the past year, we have worked with other charities, special needs schools, universities, and organisations that address...
World Mental Health Day 2020: Trailing Spouse Syndrome
You're faced with an exciting opportunity. Your wife, husband, partner, other half, has the chance to get a new role in another country. Odds are that there is a pay rise involved and new challenges, possibly extra responsibility...for them. Even though some of those things will improve your life too it might lead to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. The...
World Mental Health Day 2020: a tribute to the selfless Sumitra Tevani
In recent months, everyone has been talking about getting used to a new ‘normal’ in a COVID-19 world. In reality, my new normal is learning to live life to the fullest without my beautiful Mummy sending me WhatsApp messages, calling me a gazillion times a day, video calling me but then putting the phone up to her ear, sharing the...
Dalit organisations in the UK demand justice for Manisha Valmiki
The brutal gang rape and death of 19-year-old Manisha Valmiki, belonging to a lower caste from Hathras in the the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, and the police action thereafter has sent shock waves all over the world. This brutality committed by perpetrators from an upper caste, as caste motivated hate crimes, must be condemned in the strongest...
Kumartuli saga 2020: the hands that shape the Gods
The word ‘unprecedented times’ perhaps has found a new definition, since the Coronavirus pandemic hit different parts of the world since December last year. Among all the turmoil caused, the pandemic has changed the Durga Puja festival, the biggest celebrations for Hindu Bengalis around the world, where they gather for five days to seek the powerful matriarchal blessings of...
An ode to SSR – terra firma amidst the constant churning
The world as we have known over the last few decades is rapidly sublimating into a concoction vigorously churned in a mystic cauldron composed of natural, super-natural and possibly artificial entities fighting for reason in this battle for eternal survival. Such is the feisty nature of this perpetuity, that the age-old practices and procedures have given way to the...
Parin Somani – a life dedicated to others
Parin Somani has been a busy woman. On the surface, she is an accomplished academician, educator, lecturer, author, and motivational speaker, but this is only a fraction of her achievements. Over her 31 years of professional experience, she has been a TV presenter at Ahmedabad Doordarshan, a radio presenter at All India Radio, author of multiple recipe books, and been...
Cary Rajinder Sawhney continues to champion the power of cinema to help BAME/LGBTQ communities
When there are problems with the world there are those who muddle through and then there are those who feel driven to change things for the better. Cary Rajinder Sawhney MBE is currently busy with the latest editions of two unique film festivals in London this month which aim to improve life for both the BAME and LGBTQ communities. Cary is the...
IIW Celebrates 74th Indian Independence Day with a patriotic musical evening and ladies cricket
Inspiring Indian Women had a double whammy this year for the celebration of 74th Indian Independence Day for the Indian diaspora with two back to back events, Aisa Desh hain mera on the 15th August 2020 and IIW All Ladies Ambika Trophy Cricket Championship on the following day. Aisa Desh hain mera Ye Desh Hain Mera, a tribute to the Armed...
