Diwali – a victory of light over dark
Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights, celebrated every year in autumn. One of the most poplar festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. This will be our first Diwali in Hong Kong, and Diwali this year is around the same time of our term-break, so we hope...
Sheer coincidence or a repeated trend of Delhi riots during US Presidential visits
This story is a personal opinion piece by our contributing writer, inspired by the Delhi riots. It was first published in AltMedia News on the 29th February 2020. There is a stark, almost eerie, sense of déjà vu between the sequence of events leading to then US president Bill Clinton’s 2000 visit to India and the recently concluded President Trump’s...
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...
Life and works of Dr BR Ambedkar discussed in UK Parliament
Federation of Ambedkarite and Buddhist Organisations UK along with Lord Harries of Pentregarth, organised a meeting and academic discussion entitled "Dr BR Ambedkar - His life and work" at the House of Lords on 7 May. It was a day dedicated to discussing the legacy of Dr BR Ambedkar, the father of the Indian constitution. The meeting was chaired by Lord...
Delicious ambiguity drives dancer to greater heights
She is a Gold medalist in her Masters in Bharatnatyam dance, an actor, and a lawyer. Suhani Dhanki Mody, an established silver-screen actress, has recently relocated to London after her marriage and plans to concentrate on her career as a Bharatnatyam Danseuse. A lawyer from the well-known Government Law College at the University of Mumbai, the multi-talented Suhani has...
A bowl of traditional Goan Vonn to celebrate Easter
Growing up in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai in India, I very unwittingly was initiated into our rich heritage of Goan and Indian traditions. Goa - The Portuguese ruled over this beautiful state of sun and gorgeous beaches for almost 450 years up until 1961! That meant that our Goan cuisine and the states religious beliefs had Portuguese influences as...
Celebrating excellence of Bengal across the world in the UK
20 July, 2022 will mark the third year of the Bengal Pride Awards at the House of Commons, London, dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the Bengali ethnic community from India and Bangladesh. The Bengali community has been, for decades, contributing to growth not just across South Asia but right across the globe. This is nowhere more evident than in...
Surviving the Nepal earthquake in 2015: a memoir of a calamity
This is a topic I have written on countless times in my life. And over time, although the topic has remained the same, the days and the events have changed. During my school years, it progressed from the day I got scholarship in fifth grade board exam to being placed at the top of the list in HSC 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...
British Asian Trust’s anti-trafficking programme in India saving hundreds of children
When ten-year-old Sadhil was brought to the Tabaar centre in Jaipur, India, his body was scarred, his face swollen and he desperately needed food and medicines. Sadhil was rescued from a bangles-making factory in Jaipur, where he suffered unsurmountable torture as a bonded child labourer. Sahdil grew up in one of India’s poorest states, Bihar, where nearly 40% of the population is...
