Coronavirus – beware the fear
I am a Mum. I have two daughters and I worry for them. Usually it's the typical apprehension about whether they will grow up healthy and have jobs which will sustain them, not only financially but also satisfy them emotionally. Today I'm worried about coronavirus, but not in the way you might expect. I recently saw a story online, on...
Edinburgh’s community spirit is back with a bang for Dusherra 2021
Social distancing, wearing masks, sanitizing hands seemed to be a distant past as Edinburgh residents prepared for the Dusherra event this weekend - 17th Oct 2021. Although, I don’t mean literally. Track and Trace was very much evident at the venue and the sides of the marquee were kept open for more than 50% so that enough ventilation was...
Art exhibition brings traditions to life for future generations
The end of July saw London basking in sun, but also basking in the creative talents of Sushma Johari Madan. An exhibition called “Ancient Belief or Science” was held at the Nehru Centre in London, UK which gave the public a chance to see paintings which embodied and exemplified the ancient beliefs, stories, traditions, and myths of India. Each work...
Serum Institute of India racing to be the world’s first with a coronavirus vaccine
The vaccine candidate developed by Serum Institute of India (SII), in partnership with American Biotechnology firm Codagenix, has progressed to the pre-clinical tests phase, i.e. the animal trial phase. HIGHLIGHTS Serum Institute of India recently announced that vaccine candidate COVID-19 is expected to progress to human trials phase within 6 months Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest vaccine...
Alka Bagri shares her excitement as LIFF’s title supporter for the seventh year
The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) 2021 is set for it's Gala Opening Night on the 17th June in London, with a positive, power-packed documentary Women Of My Billion (WOMB); in a back-drop of a rather grim Covid scenario in India. LIFF this year is poised to premiere the very best of new indie films from the Indian subcontinent with...
Foodies – Zaman Restaurant
It's easy to miss Zaman, a restaurant situated in the basement of the Old Qubec Street in the heart of the city's cosmopolitan hub. The restaurant was named after the former chef, Mahmud Zaman, rebranded to cater to the Sportsman Casino's global clientèle, located one floor above the restaurant. The multi-award-winner Head Chef Mahmud Zaman has left to join the Palm Beach...
Krishna in the land of Islam – a story of two devotees and their unfaltering faith in him
Turkey is a secular country, but 99% of the population are Muslims. According to some spiritual groups, this poses a challenge for other religions to co-exist within the country. The teachings of Sri Srila Prabhupada has, despite the limitations penetrated into the heart of Turkey and ISKCON continues to draw Muslims as devotees. Unlike many countries in Europe and in...
A momentous trip exploring the Stans
Abhimanyu Narayanmoorthy and his friends wanted a trip that was off the beaten track, somewhere special. With only a short timeframe to spend away they decided on Central Asia, colloquially referred to as "the Stans" because it's made up of the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Abhimanyu begins his story, explaining how the decision...
Same-Sex Marriage Rights a hot topic at KASHISH 2021
KASHISH 2021 panels discuss histories, religion & marriage equality for LGBTQIA+ community The 12th edition of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festival, is underway from August 19th to September 5th 2021 screening 221 films from 53 countries over 3 weekends. During the weekdays the festival is programming several interesting panel discussions and filmmaker Q&As. On...
Back in cinemas, the 2021 London Indian Film Festival
In a challenging year for India and South Asia, the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival and its sister festivals in Birmingham and Manchester, will be a love letter to the homelands, continuing to premiere the very best of new indie films from the Indian subcontinent and diaspora, from 17th June to 4th July 2021. Supported by the British Film...
