From bondage to the company boardroom
Indian tea plantation workers swap life of bondage for a seat in the boardroom In a groundbreaking initiative to rehabilitate and include plantation workers in the Southern Indian state of Kerala, Priyadarshini Tea Environs in Kerala's Wayanad region saw the state government give 900 acres of land to the survivors of slavery in 1986. The plantation is seen as a rare success story...
Lockdown Diaries: Director-Producer Faraz Ansari raises funds to support transgenders and daily wage earners in the film industry
The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the worst epidemics that the world has witnessed within living memory. The lockdown imposed by governments across the world has been a huge setback for industries across the world, and for many in the busy Bollywood industry, this shutdown has spelt doom for the thousands making their living out of it. Faraz Arif...
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...
KASHISH 2021: Waves the Rainbow flag at Kala Ghoda with three LGBTQ programs by KASHISH at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, South Asia’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festival joins hands with Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, one of the oldest festivals in India, to bring an exciting line-up of gay, lesbian and transgender focus short films as well as a panel discussion. Sridhar Rangayan, festival director of KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival said, “This is the...
HCI London celebrates BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary with reflections on his life and invaluable contributions
The High Commission of India in London paid tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on his 130th birth anniversary by garlanding his statue in India House on April 14. The Indian High Commissioner, Gaitri Issar Kumar was present, along with community leaders and other diplomats. Born on 14th April 1891, the father of the Indian Constitution, Babasaheb, as he was popularly known,...
Home and exile – a cinematic journey of hope and resilience
Homebound for months during the pandemic, I seized the first opportunity to travel beyond my dull domestic frontiers. This unique excursion was facilitated by the three day virtual Asian Women’s Film Festival organized by the International Association of Women in Radio and Television – India Chapter. Having been a student, researcher and occasional teacher of cinema, I could not...
How to successfully build personal and business networks
When it comes to networking, it’s not just about making a great first impression — it’s about making a lasting one. After all, networking is all about building meaningful relationships. Although this article talks about business relationships, some of the advice can be applied in your personal networks too. For instance, body language is always something to be aware of...
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...
Rahul Nangare, First Secretary (Trade) – a tenure of protecting heritage and championing diasporas
Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better, and this cannot be more true than of Rahul Nangare, the First Secretary (Trade) at the High Commission of India (HCI) in London. Rahul received the prestigious 'Specially Distinguished Record of Service Award' from the President of India for his outstanding work over a prolonged period of service,...
Ethical and inclusive fashion drives London Organic’s Founder
We live in age that is thankfully becoming more aware of the need to be sustainable, ethical, and inclusive. These are all qualities that Saumen Kar, Director at London Organic, brings to his fashion, beauty, and public relations firm. London Organic strives to help those who want to break into the fashion world. We're not just talking about designers though,...
