Passion project shares the voices of Punjabi women in the UK
Anita Goyal, a well-known personality as the CEO and trustee of The Hemraj Goyal Foundation, a patron of Binti International, and Honorary Chair of the FGM Appeal for Barnardo's in the UK, appears to be the very definition of success. Her latest project 'Voices from Punjab' sees her sharing the stories of fifteen Punjabi women who live in the UK, detailing...
We can’t breathe: George Floyd death strikes global chord
The recent death of George Floyd, a 46 year old African American has caused anger and protest around the world. It is not enough to call it a death for it was certainly a custodial murder by the police officers, one of whom was seen pinning Floyd down with his knee. As with Eric Garner murdered by police in New...
Triumph of good over tear-gas: an extraordinary story of Hong Kong Bengali Association’s Durga Puja
‘Wherever you go, a bit of Calcutta will go with you. I know, because it’s happened to me. And every Puja, I am overcome by the magic of Bengal. It’s a feeling that’ll never go away.’ Vir Sanghvi ‘If you want a city with a soul: come to Kolkata’ True that! The Kolkata virus never quite goes away, and the infection...
Satyajit – Ray of hope to Indian cinema
The 2nd of May is the birth centenary of one of the greatest maestros of Indian cinema, the legendary Satyajit Ray. Regarded as one of the distinguished filmmakers of the century - Ray was a Calcutta-born filmmaker known widely for his genius as a one-man powerhouse for his films as the author, lyricist, screenwriter, music composer and graphic artist. Ray...
SHEROES and UK government launch “Women Go Digital” programme to power digital growth for women entrepreneurs and professionals
100 women entrepreneurs to get access to digital transformation training and tools, mentorship and community The UK-India Tech Hub has partnered with SHEROES to launch the “Women Go Digital” programme. The programme offers access to digital tools and skills, mentorship and community to women looking to transform their entrepreneurial and professional outcomes. The Women Go Digital programme is offered for free...
Lockdown Diaries: Mira Kaushik OBE spearheads an online platform to celebrate dance through UK’s performing artists
During lockdown, one of the things we art audiences are missing the most is being able to watch live performances. In the generosity of the universe, many top artists have been performing online for free. However, for London-based producer director and performing arts consultant Mira Kaushik, there was still something missing. “While the desire for viewing performances was being satisfied...
Vikram Hazra’s UK tour 2019: Taking Indian devotional music to the global platform
"See the world through the eyes of the Master" -- HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar The Indian devotional music tradition is centuries old and one of the most versatile, varied, and broad music formats that has been passed down through generations across all provinces of India. One artist, Vikram Hazra has, for nearly three decades now, experimented and succeeded in threading...
Death
Oh death Is it always on time Is it not a resultant crime When dignity is denied When a system fails the time Oh soul Why do you go away I Am a patient Be patient and stay My body is young not fray Oh breath The pulse is beating quite fast It’s slowing do try and last The huff and puff I gasp The support...
US right-wing QAnon conspiracy theories morph after spreading to India
Conspiracy theorists in India are seizing the opportunity to co-opt what in the Western world is better known as the QAnon conspiracy theory. Before his Twitter account was suspended, Indian lawyer Vibhor Anand published some big “revelations” to his 87k followers. Anand shared a tweet with pictures of Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Jacqueline Fernandes, as well as members...
Bending it like Sid Mallya
This interview was originally published at bollywoodjournalist.com in 2016, a few days ahead of the London Indian Film Festival. Naman Ramachandran, a personal friend had written his first film Naman Brahman and Sid Mallya was one of the lead cast. When I started interacting with the PR handling the project, it was really difficult to try to convince them for...
