Not Namaste Trump but Phir Milengey: H-1B visas suspended, what now?
It looked like things were getting as close as could be between US President Donald Trump and Narendra Modi but a worldwide pandemic and a scourge of resulting unemployment in the States has put a spanner in the works of ‘Namaste Trump’, as an executive order signed this past week will suspend new visas for foreign workers, including the...
Lockdown Diaries: Bamboo House India supports waste pickers, daily wage earners with continued livelihood and aid
'My Waste, My Responsibility' is the mantra followed by Hyderabad-based social enterprise Bamboo House, India. Prashant Lingam, who co-founded the initiative along with his wife Aruna Kappagantula in 2006, moved from making eco-friendly bamboo homes to recycled eco-friendly plastic homes, plastic paver titles and kiosks for street vendors, using tonnes of used plastic garbage that would otherwise end up...
Rumana Rahman: leading diversity, excellence in British American Tobacco
Striving for success is the way to a fulfilling life, at least that's how Rumana Rahman sees it, and when you hear her life story it's clear that it has certainly worked for her. Rumana is the Regional Director of Human Resources for the Asia Pacific and Middle East (APME) region of the prestigious British American Tobacco (BAT) and one of the youngest...
Uttorsori: The Generation Next Festival celebrated virtually over eight hours
The 7th season of Essex Indians UK's flagship event 'Uttorsori: Generation Next Festival' went virtual this year on the 21 June. Started in 2014 to encourage children and young adults to become a part of the cultural heritage and focus on project related to global causes, the event has grown from strength to strength over the past years. The one-of its...
Major grant funds groundbreaking musical project Raga Maqam
Raga Maqam blends traditional Indian Ragas with Maqam, melodies from Arab, Turkish and Persian Music For the first time since its inception four years ago, The India Center Foundation (ICF) has been awarded a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for the production of their ground-breaking musical project, Raga Maqam. This collaborative venture explores the confluences...
Lockdown Diaries: Key life skills to help you survive during the pandemic
As we can all agree, the lockdown period has presented many challenges especially when we are sat at home trying to keep safe. I have spoken to many family and friends through video-conferencing about the challenges that they are facing during the long period uncertainty with social distancing and self- isolation. I thought it would be a great idea...
Sairee Chahal – Founder of Sheroes, the safe online social space that empowers women
Sairee Chalal is a successful technology entrepreneur. She has been a Devi Award winner, as well as winning the Femina Achievers Award, Cartier Award, Editor’s choice for L’Oreal Femina Women’s Award, Business Today and Most Powerful Women in Indian Business. Sairee is also on a mission to change the world and make it a more equal one for women. Sheroes, a women-only...
Romance is in the air with Sajda UK’s mesmerising flute-harmonica concert
The online celebration of Sajda festival has perhaps been designed with the truest Indian spirit – unending and colourful platter of pure love. And one cannot have enough of it. After the massively hit first two shows, the festival is set to lure its audience with soulful melody of Indian flute and harmonica for the next two episodes. Indians...
Stories as tools for life and happiness: a reading of Iain Cunningham’s personal documentary Irene’s Ghost
In these times on COVID-19 spurred enthusiasm for virtual gatherings, I have been involved in a couple of such events over the past week. One was the virtual screening of my documentary film Sweet Malady that was part of the program for the Montage Film Series hosted by the Pompano Beach Cultural Center this month but had to be...
The Yoga World unites for Mental Health: Online Yoga Festival for Mental Health on 14th June
First of its kind world-wide event will offer free workshops and marks importance of mental health and the contribution Yoga can make Berlin, 11th June 2020 - In an unprecedented move to help people cope with the stress and tension that the Corona pandemic has brought along for them, The Art of Living Foundation in partnership with Sri Sri School of...
