Tribute to the champion of multi-culturalism Burjor Jal Avari MBE – 1938 to 2019
Burjor Jal Avari MBE, my brother was a pioneer in fearlessly promoting multi-culturism in the UK. His true moment came in 1987 following the race riots in various towns and cities of the UK. He passionately felt that the peace and tranquillity of the UK society must somehow be continued to be preserved by drawing together lessons from history....
Legendary Child: Lanah P
Global Indian Stories caught up with the multi-talented Lanah P, an Anglo-Indian actor, singer, and comedian who has appeared on stage, television, and even been a disco diva. Proud Lanah had a half-Irish, half-Bajan mother and Indian father who’d lived in South Africa. A wonderful and diverse heritage. But how did they react to having a child who’d go on to...
KASHISH 2020 to screen India’s first gay film ‘Badnam Basti’, lost and found after 49 years
Register for KASHISH 2020 at http://mumbaiqueerfest.com/attend/ Director Prem Kapoor's 'Badnam Basti', India's first gay film released in 1971, only to be lost to obscurity for around five decades, and found in a Berlin archive, will be screened at KASHISH 2020. Considered as one of first Indian films to explore same-sex relationship, Badnam Basti was made in 1971 and features a...
Diwali – a beautiful festival
Diwali is a beautiful Hindu festival, it's a festival of lights. On Diwali, we light candles and decorate the house with flower decorations, rangoli, clean cushions, and festive lights to show that lights always overcomes darkness. This amazing festival takes place in the time span of October to November, when the weather starts getting nicer and cooler, especially in India. We've...
Why everybody should read the Harry Potter series at least once in their lives
The Harry Potter series is renowned across the world for its good writing and fantasy world. But it also teaches us a lot of life lessons and helps us understand the importance and the power of love and friendship. Here are some lessons which the Harry Potter series taught us. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes: This is an underlying...
Bengali film Brihonnola garners great response at KASHISH 2021
BRIHONNOLA Dir: Dibyadoot Roy Chowdhury 117 min | 2018 | India | Bengali, Hindi | Narrative Feature Screened on Friday Aug 20th at KASHISH 2021 Inspired by true events, a Bengali feature based on people of different sexual orientation "Brihonnola, one body; two souls,” was one of the three Indian feature films screened at KASHISH this year. The film received good response for its hard-hitting...
Satyameva Jayate, Laissez-aller and India
When distant memories have crystallised in time, frozen, a story can begin. When the whiffs of half-forgotten glories rustle through the leaves of the Tree of Life, say the Kalpavriksha or Shajarat al-Kholoud or Etz Chaim, the poetry of existence commences. Tales and bardic narrations that trip and traipse and wander around, as if in a stupor, in the by-lanes...
Grand launch of the 2019 Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Glasgow
The ancient Hindu festival of Raksha Bandhan that celebrates the love between brothers and sisters was celebrated this year among the Armed Forces and Scotland Police to symbolise their work of protecting (raksha) the UK borders and the civil society, thereby showing gratitude and brotherhood among the organisations and civilian groups. Organised this year by the Hindu Forum of Britain...
Publisher of “The House of Commons Book of Tribute Messages to Nelson Mandela” gets in more supporters for ending poverty
At a recent cultural programme evening Nrutyotsav, organised by Sarjan Nartan Academy, the Founder of "The House of Commons Book of Tribute Messages to Nelson Mandela" and organiser of the Nelson Mandela Book Charity Balls, Nic Careem, invited Jasu Vekaria MBE and Suryakanth Jadva to leave a hand-written message in the book. Famed choreographer and dance teacher Neha Sachin presented...
Lockdown Diaries: Intolerance against Afghan Sikhs in a time of pandemic damned by Sikhs across the world
The world is reeling from a global coronavirus pandemic. Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul, went into lockdown for three weeks, beginning on 27 March. Residents are supposed to stay at home and avoid all non-essential travel. With bigger problems in the world, you might think that there would be some tolerance and understanding in these times, but clearly not. I am...
