Lockdown Diaries: The importance of exercise during lockdown and beyond

When compared to the spectre of death and global economic collapse, gym closures seem pretty low on the list of calamities caused by the pandemic, but exercise is particularly important now because it boosts us physically and mentally. Physical activity helps to keep our immune systems working effectively as it flushes bacteria from the lungs and airways, increases white blood...

Lockdown Diaries: Reflections of an Oxford shut-in

Something lockdown has given us all, in perhaps more quantities than we know how to deal with, is time. And as I find myself currently living alone, with my housemates having returned to their family homes, I have had all that time to myself. I had expected this to attract some sympathy - but the more sympathy I received,...

Local group helping to save the wildlife of London’s River Thames

The Thames has a long and murky history. It wasn't just the main thoroughfare to move products and raw materials all along its length, but it was also used to dump industrial waste, among other things. In 1957, the Natural History Museum declared that the river was biologically dead. However, over the years there have been many improvements, such as...

International Mother Language Day – the challenges with immigration

In 1999, following an initiative by Bangladesh, UNESCO declared that 21 February would be International Mother Language Day, and it's been observed every year since the turn of the millennium. The date has significance because it was in 1952 that thousands amassed in Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka, to protest against the suppression of their native language. Preserving culture The goal for this day...

Raja Bro to screen at Bangalore Queer Film Festival

Raja Bro25 mins | Documentary Short | IndiaDirector: Sridhar Rangayan Kashish's festival director, Sridhar Rangayan, is taking his short documentary Raja Bro to the Bangalore Queer Film Festival which runs 4-6 August 2023. Click here for more information about the film festival. Raja Bro, also known as Raja Bhau in its original Marathi title, is a short documentary film about a...

Teacher turns author to keep Gujarati alive for future generations

Growing up in a multicultural, multiethnic, and multilingual London has been a key factor in shaping my identity. I am British – born and bred. A true Londoner. And I am as Indian as they come. My childhood was an Indian one, from the food, the language, the weekend activities, to the way I interact with people; my experiences have...

Championing Ladies Cricket – the IIW All Ladies Ambika Trophy

The UK is sweltering in a heat wave at the moment, with some of the temperatures being the highest on record for the time of year, but there is also scorching hot action in the Cricket World Cup. The eyes of the world are on those nations who eat, sleep, and breathe cricket, fighting to be the best. However,...

Zoroastrians return to their roots to cultivate a better future

History can be important, particularly when it comes to your ancestry. Your distant past can inform your current culture and identity. Reaching out to touch that past can be rewarding in ways that are hard to imagine, until you finally do it. That's the goal of the Zoroastrian "Return to Roots" programme, to foster community links and a sense...

India by the Bay – celebrating Indian culture in Hong Kong

Co-Presented by Teamwork Arts, in partnership with Asia Society Hong Kong Center and supported by the Consulate General of India in Hong Kong, India by the Bay returns for its sixth edition from February 14 to 19, 2020. The cultural landscape in Hong Kong has developed rapidly in the past decade with new venues, programming, art fairs, music concerts and it was the perfect time to introduce...

Lockdown Diaries: Feeding the feeders – CORO India distributes food supplies to wage earners amidst the coronavirus lockdown

It's been a long time since I sat down to write something. But if one's part of something magical, then that story needs to be told. My story begins with the announcement of the Corona lockdown by the Indian government. We all knew it would come one day, but still we were all shocked when it did arrive. Most of...