Of poetry and lockdown diaries

As a writer, raconteur and storyteller, I like to find my material, my stories in the real world. I then imbue them with a setting, a context and characters that find a voice to cut across the real and bring to life a message in my work that needs to be repeated constantly. My most recent work which came...

Inappropriate phrasing spoils Hong Kong’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 2020

This year's International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was held 21 March in Hong Kong. It should have been a proud moment for a community who has struggled hard to overcome the obstacles from institutional discrimination and unfair policies to be where we are, but sadly that was not the case. Let me introduce myself, my name is Jeffrey Andrews and...

Swarnavel Eswaran’s first feature film Kattumaram (Catamaran) gets a standing ovation at BFI during LIFF 2019

Kattumaram (Catamaran), the coming-of-age tale of Tsunami-survivors in a small village where a conservative maternal uncle supports his orphaned niece and nephew while they struggle with their simple but complicated lives, has been very well received by London film-lovers. As a part of the London Indian Film Festival, LIFF 2019, Kattumaram had its European Premiere at the iconic BFI...

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Manchester’s dance students win prestigious award

At a recently held UK-based dance contest held at the Balaji Temple in Birmingham, acclaimed choreographer Sonia Sharma's students won the 1st prize for Best Cinematic Dance in a competition organised by the National Council of Kerala Hindu Heritage, UK. The winning dancers aged between 11 to 14 years represented the Greater Manchester Malayalee Hindu Samajam. The winners - Kirun Biju,...

Saraswat community entrepreneurs to meet at global Annual Conclave in Goa

Saraswat community entrepreneurs and professionals across the globe will assemble to attend the third Annual Conclave of Global Chamber of Saraswat Entrepreneurs (GCSE) on September 17 in Panjim, Goa at the Panjim Gymkhana. At a one day conference In Goa, the GCSE members will rub shoulders speaking Konkani and English representing different Saraswats form Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The Saraswat Bank...

Lockdown Diaries: Saurav Dutt, author of ‘Dear Mr Bachchan’ talks about the joys of lockdown creativity

Now is the time to take the magic of words, music, art, and creativity and to allow them to inspire, comfort and empower you during the mental tests of Lockdown. There is joy in finding magic and solace in the written word, and the most testing of times empowers one to find enchantment among sentences, to flesh out the fabric of...

Ava’s Ark: an animal lover whose passion is her profession

If it's one thing that anyone close to me knows it is that I am an animal lover and, like with most animals, when our happy spirits meet its always love at first sight. As my passion for animals grew, the need to understand their behaviour and patterns grew as well. I decided to get a certification which would help...

Lockdown Diaries: Arya Taware of FutureBricks shares her hands-on attitude to success

I love to start my day properly by making sure I’m awake at 6am. I’ll either go for a morning walk or run everyday before I sit at my desk. I find that routine is everything right now and can help everyone mentally separate the very thin line between personal and professional life. Remaining positive As an entrepreneur and founder, it’s...

Reebok celebrates LGBTQ+ community pride with ‘All Types of Love’ collection and ‘Proud Notes’ campaign

In honour of the LGBTQ+ community and Pride Month this June, Reebok has announced its all-new “All Types of Love” collection and “Proud Notes” campaign, highlighting activists and influencers in the LGTBQ+ community who are fighting for equality every day. The campaign provides a platform for authentic, passionate individuals to share their unique stories and journeys as they are...

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...