AV 75th Independence Day Special Feature

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The changing perception of

India@75 India is 75 years young. The motherland has survived a pandemic, various battles, ups and downs and particularly this year, lost some of its stalwarts in the field of art and entertainment. Navigating floods, landslides, calamities, and unnatural occurrences, India is perhaps the most resilient country in the world.

Justice is delivered, sooner or later, and there is more faith in the judiciary among people than ever before.

Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav brings together Indians in the homeland and abroad together to cherish the goodness, the richness of our culture, the beauty of brotherhood and the valiance of the community. As the globe gradually continues to work towards rebuilding broken homes, economies, societies and also, and people, Asian Voice spoke to British Indians about the changing perception of India and what the future holds for the Living Bridge.

Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL talks about the UK-India relationship, the possibilities of living the dream of seeing an Indian-origin person become the UK’s prime minister; Oscar award-winning producer Guneet

India is now considered a positive force in the world

Lord Rami Ranger CBE

O

n 15th August 2022, 1.4 billion Indians will celebrate India’s 75th Independence Day with pride in how far India has come in just 75 years. At this time India has become the 4th largest economy in the world and 3rd most powerful military force. Indian space mission has not only landed on the moon but also on Mars. India has become the biggest manufacturer of pharmaceuticals and exporter of IT to the world.

During the Covid pandemic, India produced two billion vaccines for the world. Thanks to India the poorer nation could receive vaccinations for their citizens. Indians are now running most of the blue-chip companies of the world and India is exporting doctors, engineers, IT experts, scientists, teachers, and hoteliers to the world. In other words, Indians are

Women in India have come to lead in myriad fields

Indians have shown themselves to be entrepreneurial

by: Lord Raj Loomba CBE, Founder and Chairman, The Loomba Foundation

by: Lord Dolar Popat, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda, Uganda and DRC

A

Monga speaks to us about the changing paradigms of Indian cinema; Fintech and economy experts explain what’s in store for the UK-India economic ties; youngsters react to Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and Kolkata based Asian Voice columnist Abhiroop Sengupta writes about the other Tagore.

Asian Voice wishes all its British Indian readers, a very happy Independence Day.

shaping the modern world as we see it.

Indian ancient art of Yoga to keep the mind and body healthy has taken the world by storm. The United Nations has declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. India is also contributing soldiers to the UN peacekeeping forces in many troubled parts of the world. India is helping Sri Lanka financially to stabilize its economy. Indian rupees are now accepted in many countries of the world as legal tender. It just goes to prove India's economic might. Some 35 million strong Indian diasporas are now settled in nearly 100 countries of the world. They are not only enriching these countries economically, culturally but also politically.

For the first time in the United Kingdom, an Indian decedent will fight for the highest office of Prime Minister. It just goes to prove Indians are making an enormous contribution where ever they have settled.It is heartening to note that India is now considered a positive force in the world. Everyone wants to do business with India and Indians. India is attracting a record amount of foreign investment. It has become the favourite destination for trade.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has launched many important initiatives like clean India, electrification of every village and bank accounts for every Indian.

The Govt of India is using technology widely to make the life of its citizens easier and better for everyone. I wish my fellow Indians many happy returns of the day.

s India celebrates 75 years of independence it is a matter of great joy and pride to see the nation in the frontline among global economies.

While successive Indian governments have taken bold and innovative steps to put India on the march towards progress and prosperity, the current government under the dynamic leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, through several pioneering schemes, has ensured that India continues to forge ahead despite global and domestic challenges. As founder and Chairman of The Loomba Foundation, a worldwide charitable organisation for widows and their children, I am especially pleased to note how far women in India have come to lead in myriad fields. Srimati Droupadi Murmu’s election as the President of India exemplifies the pivotal role that women in India continue to play in nation-building. Indeed, the role of women in India can be traced back to the struggle for Indian independence, and 75 years of the sacrifices that they made and the foundations that they laid have ensured that modern India is a vibrant, free, and truly democratic country. Long may the nation prosper.

Jai Hind!

I

ndia continues to make improvements in many areas of their country but what has been most remarkable is how many Indians hold significant and influential positions across the world.

Indians have shown themselves to be entrepreneurial whilst not forgetting the importance of community and family.

Their determination to work hard and make sacrifices has led them to become leading figures irrespective of where they find themselves. This has helped shape the view people have of India as its former citizens act as ‘ambassadors’ for the values of Indians and what India is working towards. As a country, it still faces significant challenges with a lot of people still being in poverty but by embracing free trade and championing businesses they have helped to lift millions out of abject poverty. This along with being the largest democracy in the world, continues to shape the perception people have of India.

A Labour Government would drive closer ties with India

Steadily embracing the modern world by: Virendra Sharma MP

“W

by: Preet Kaur Gill MP

s we approach the 75th anniversary, I want to wish Indians everywhere a very happy Independence Day. We must take this important moment to recognise the rich history of one of the most diverse cultures in the world. This diversity is something that should be celebrated.

Over the last 75 years, successive Indian Governments have made a positive change which, is often not quick or easy. India has struck a balance of maintaining its deep traditions, while steadily embracing the modern world as part of a secular society.

This anniversary of independence is a fantastic opportunity for all of us to take a moment to gain a deeper understanding of the lives of others and the global challenges many are facing.

A

hen I first came to the UK, 54 years ago, it was as with so many of my countrymen and women as an economic migrant looking for a better life.

Since then, I have made my life here, married, had children, been elected as a councillor, become a grandfather, and finally elected as a member of parliament.

Britain has accepted me, and I am a British-Indian like millions of others. 54 years ago, the perception of India was of a colony and poverty, but that has changed, only for the better. There were dark points and in 1979 when National Front thugs marched through Southall, we reached the lowest nadir. Perceptions though develop and change, and from jokes about IT telephone centres we have climbed to a friend and partner relationship between India and the UK. 75 years ago the British Parliament, under a Labour government, passed the Indian Independence Act, and now I sit in that same chamber voting proudly as a British Labour MP of Indian origin. The Labour Party recognises the value of the relationship between India and the UK, and just as 75 years ago we acted, a Labour Government would drive closer ties with India.”

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‘This year is a milestone year’ Lord Karan Bilimoria CBE DL, founder of Cobra Beer, Chairman of the Cobra Beer Partnership Limited, Founding Chairman of the UK India Business Council, President of The UK Council on International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and Cochair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students speaks to Asian Voice on ‘Changing perception of India @ 75’.

Shefali Saxena Lord Karan Bilimoria hails from the third generation of his family to be educated in the UK from India. “On both sides, both my grandpa's grandfather studied in the UK. My mother, my uncle and I came in the early 1980s. At that time in the early 1980s, the UK was looked upon as a failing country and the sick man of Europe and India was looked upon as a country that was protected inward looking insular. So neither country was doing well at that time. Look at where we are today. The UK and India are now the fifth and sixth largest economies in the world,” he told Asian Voice.

According to him, the UK with just 1% of the world's population excels in many fields from being the second largest services exporter in the world to London being one of the top two financial centres in the world with advanced manufacturing and creative industries, professional services, the best universities in the world along with the United States of America, four out of the top 10 universities in the world are British universities. “So the UK is doing exceedingly well and has done exceedingly well as a country,” he said.

Speaking further about changing perception of India, Lord Bilimoria said, “Look at where India is today - an emerging global economic superpower where the rest of the world is suffering. Next year, India is projected to be the fastestgrowing major economy in the world. So it is wonderful to see where both countries are today and our relationship is a special relationship we talk about having a special relationship between the UK and the United States of America. I always say we have another special relationship and that is the UK and India.

“And I have personally seen this firsthand over almost two decades since I was appointed as the cochair of the Indo-British partnership by the British government. And my fellow co-chair, Indian co-chair was Narayan Murthy. This was in 2003. With the UK India Business Council, I've seen now that the ties between our two countries are stronger than ever and the potential is stronger than ever.”

According to him, if we

look at the Living Bridge that exists, the 1.5 million people of Indian origin who live in the UK, the largest ethnic minority diaspora in the UK and the most successful ethnic minority diaspora by r&d, it's now at the top in every field in the UK. “You just have to look at the Cabinet table to see the Chancellor, the Home Secretary, the Attorney General, the COP 26, cabinet minister, all of Indian origin and the Home Secretary. So it is it's phenomenal,” he added.

He also stated that in both Houses of Parliament, a number of members of the

today, it should be multi-fold that figure and the target is to at least double trade between our two countries by 2030. I think we can do much more. I think the Free Trade Agreement will be a huge, huge milestone and a huge benefit to both countries to enhance trade, business and investment bilaterally, both ways between the UK and India.

The target is to finish that at least by the end of this year. So I'm very confident and as President of the Confederation of British Industry for the last few years. Just recently I've been playing a part in helping that free trade agreement conclude.”

When asked whether Rishi Sunak will potentially become the first Asian Prime Minister of the UK of Indian origin, Lord Karan Bilimoria said, “I have said I'm one of the first people I said in 2003 when I won the

“Britain is perfectly placed to partner with India on moving forward together to our mutual benefit.”

House of Lord members of the House of Commons are of Indian origin. We are excelling in sport, and we're excelling in academia. For example, the new Dean of the Oxford Said Business School. “I'm a fellow of Oxford University. I could go on Amartya Sen, of course, the Nobel laureate was a master of Trinity College Cambridge. And so, Indians have done extremely well in the UK and some and they are living bridge between the United Kingdom and an India and of course, the trade potential,” Lord Bilimoria told the newsweekly.

He further added, “This year is a milestone year. We are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India for the first time ever, and we've already signed an enhanced Trade Partnership last year.

This year. We started January, the Free Trade Agreement negotiations because the trade between the two countries is only 24 billion pounds and goods and services both ways

Asian of the Year Award, that there will be an Asian as prime minister in my lifetime. And we have Rishi Sunak, now, as one of the last in the last in final to be Prime Minister in a month's time. I mean, this is amazing. I still firmly believe that that will happen. That we will have a nation we will have an Indian origin. Individual who will be prime minister of this country in my lifetime.”

Lord Bilimoria believes that both India and the UK are ancient countries with centuries of history. And yet India is a young country. It is only 75 years old.

“The potential that I firmly believe is a potential for India is just huge. India is on the move. Britain is perfectly placed to partner with India on moving forward together to our mutual benefit. Going forward with our people with this Living Bridge, helping this wonderful relationship build forward from strength to strength,” he signed off.

UK-India partnership built on people Kevin McCole and Kealan Finnegan, UK India Business Council

countries for India Partnership’ and studies, and more recently in FTA subthen access a missions to both broader range Governments. of jobs. The We have already seen bridge of skills significant growth in the The UK and India between our number of Indian students have a deep and wide countries will coming to the UK in recent Kevin McCole relationship, which is grow as a years. In 2020/2021, the UK strengthening and result, and universities and welcomed 84,555 Indian impacting on critical issues higher education institustudents to the UK (the secsuch as trade, development, tions will cement new partond most of any nationalieducation, defence and nerships and research colty), and MRQs will do much security, and healthcare. As laborations. to sustain the positive well as the breadth and richThe benemomentum. This ness of areas of collaborafits go beyond point has been tion, what really makes the education links. recognised by Dr relationship so exciting and Indeed, we at Athulya Aravind, the opportunities so vast is the UKIBC Regional Director, the people. believe that South Asia at the Prime Minister Modi MRQ will spur University of certainly hit the mark when bilateral trade, Edinburgh, who he coined the phrase “the investment described the MRQ Kealan Finnegan Living Bridge” to describe flows and the Agreement as a the close, deep and wide movement of people, “significant enabler for people-to-people connecresulting in more jobs and mobility and joint study tions between India and the prosperity in both counprogrammes for instituUK. Millions of people tries. tions in both countries". move between the UK and The UK and India are, The Bridge is a wellIndia every year – for a variof course, currently negotitrodden route for Indian ety of reasons: tourism, ating a Free Trade students coming to the UK, business, education, visits Agreement, which seeks to and long may this continue home to see friends and grow trade, investment and and expand. However, what family, and all else in collaboration between our I think would show that the between. This movement – two countries. As the 5th MRQ Agreement has really of ideas, relationships, netand 6th largest economies succeeded is that more and works – is a really strong in the world, a UK-India more young people from foundation for an expandFTA would help to create the UK go to study and ing bilateral relationship significant opportunities work in India, making the like the UK and India’s. for both economies by makLiving Bridge a busy twoIn recent weeks, we ing it easier for businesses way route. have seen the living bridge’s to trade and invest within As well as the trade and symbolic manifestation in the UK-India corridor, investment statistics, there Rishi Sunak’s run to become building on the more than are immeasurable intangithe UK Prime Minister, and 550-strong UK businesses ble benefits that result from a practical measure taken by invested in India employing lifelong friendships and our governments that will more than 400,000 people, connections. enlarge and strengthen it in and over 850 Indian compaKevin McCole, the shape of Mutual nies in the UK employing Managing Director, leads Recognition of over 95,000. Reducing the the Advocacy, Advisory, Qualifications. barriers to trade and coopMembership, CommuThe agreement eration would help to crenications and Research between our Governments ate more jobs, develop teams. He also leads the for the Mutual Recognition industry in both countries, UKIBC’s relationships with of Qualifications is hugely and contribute to economic Government bodies across positive for the people-todevelopment. the UK and India, including people connect between MRQ has been an the UK’s Devolved Adminiour countries. Not only will objective for businesses, strations, Department for MRQs help to strengthen students and universities International Trade, and linkages between British for a long time. The UKIBC, Indian States.

Kealan and Indian universities, it is through our government Finnegan, Manager is a pivotal reform for stuconnections, have advocatresponsible for Policy and dents, graduates and ed for this reform for severAdvocacy and leads on employers. al years, including in our Communications and plays Students and graduates 2019 UKIBC report, ‘Higher a key role in UKIBC subwill be able to seamlessly Education Collaboration: missions to the UK and transition between our Future-proofing the UK Indian Governments.

Long may this relationship prosper

by: Reena Ranger OBE and Ameet Jogia MBE, Co-Chairs, Conservative Friends of India

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n behalf of the Conservative Friends of India, it gives us great pleasure in extending our heartfelt best wishes on the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence.

This is a milestone anniversary which reflects 75 years of UK-India relations. The relationship between our two great nations has evolved significantly over the decades.

The bond we share is symbolic of our shared values, vision and history.

Today, India is the world's largest democracy, a tech and economic powerhouse and a vital strategic partner for the UK and we believe there is so much scope for greater collaboration. We are proud that under this Conservative government there are more Indian companies in the UK than in the rest of Europe combined.

All of this is a just small demonstration of the wide-ranging advantages the Living Bridge confers on our partnership, which perhaps was felt most starkly in the exceptional partnership between the UK and India’s Serum Institute, which produced more than a billion doses of the UK developed Oxford University-AstraZeneca vaccine, saving lives across India and beyond its borders – quite simply vaccinating the world.

75 years, the significance of our strategic relationship has never been more important.

In this ever-changing world, long may this relationship prosper.

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up a European-style orchestra comprising of modified Indian instruments.

This set up which was the first of its kind included various sized 'Esraj' to

Abhiroop Sengupta Abhiroop Sengupta is a Kolkata based entrepreneur, fencer, amateur historian and writer. Also a devoted Freemason and Rotarian, he spends most of his free time researching about varied subjects, especially those which he feels did not get their deserved due in the course of history.

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hile the world is well aware of the creative genius of Rabindranath Tagore, the great Bengali poet. But in Victorian Bengal, there did exist another Tagore whose musical capabilities and work as a musicologist had won him laurels from across the world and had earned him the respect of many royalties and respected personalities. His name was Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore and unlike the Nobel laureate who belonged to the Jorashanko branch of the family, Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore belonged to the much wealthier Pathuriaghata branch of the Tagores.

Early Life Both the branches of the family were connected through a common ancestor and for some time even engaged in business collaborations, as was evident in the relationship between The Hon'ble Prosonno Coomar Tagore and 'Prince' Dwarknath Tagore, who were both cousins.

Sourindro Mohun Tagore was born sometime in the year 1840 at Pathuriaghata, Bengal Presidency to Hara Kumar Tagore. His elder brother was Jotindra Mohun, who later became famous as Maharaja Sir Jotindra Mohun Tagore Bahadur and was one of the leading zamindars or landholders of his time. Just like his father who was a noted scholar of music, Sanskrit and other subjects, young Sourindro Mohun started blossoming from an early age and showed a deep inclination toward music. He studied at the Hindu College and developed a deep interest in the history and origin of music on a global scale, something which he studied vigorously.

Globally Respected Rajah Sir Sourindro was a student of both Eastern and Western schools of music and he continued his work through the Bengal Music School and Bengal Academy of Music, both of which were founded by him. He also sent collections of rare musical instruments to museums and royalties around the world. During the Indian trip of the Prince of Wales in the mid1870s, Rajah Sir Sourindro Mohun came up with the unique idea of setting

Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore Manimala

compensate for the western cello and the double bass. This orchestra greatly impressed the touring prince.

Scholarly Work Rajah Sir Sourindro wrote quite a few books during his lifetime. Though most of them dealt with music there were some exceptions as well. Some of his works on music were 'The Universal History of Music', 'English Verses Set To Hindu Music In Honor Of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales', 'Yantra Kosha', 'Victoria Samrajyan or Sanskrit Stanzas On The Various Dependencies Of The British Crown', 'Hindu Music From Various Authors', 'The Twenty Two Musical

Strutis Of The Hindus', 'Fifty Tunes Composed And Set To Music' and so on. Some of his non-musical writings included 'Mani-Mala Or A Treatise On Gems', 'The Caste System Of The Hindus' and 'The Orders Of Knighthood British and Foreign With A Brief Review Of The Titles of Rank and Merit In Ancient Hindusthan(In Three Parts). The diversity of his literary career provides a clear glimpse of the versatile genius that he was in real life.

Honours Alongside honorary doctorates in music from both the United States of America and England, he was knighted by multiple countries including honours from Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Nepal, Venezuela, Hawaii, and France to name a few and was conferred titles by the Persian and British Empire. The gifted Raja's son Prodyot Coomar Tagore was later adopted by Sourindro Mohun's elder brother Maharaja Sir Jotindro Mohun Tagore and succeeded in his vast estates. Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore breathed his last on the 5th of June 1914, the same year when Rabindranath Tagore, a relative of his became the first Asian to win the Nobel prize.

The Indian kaleidoscope: How well do you know India?

1.

The first ever newspaper that was printed in India.

2. The Act that made daughters equal heirs to their father’s property.

3. The first viceroy of India after independence.

4. Which city was labelled as the ‘Urbs Prima in Indis’, the first city of India.

5. This fun board game originated in India as Moksha Patam.

6. This famous monument in India was disguised as a bamboo stockpile during World War 2.

7. This Indian archipelago is one of the last untouched places on the Earth. No one is allowed within three miles of this island.

8. This Indian city is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world, with first settlements happening around 11th or 12th century BC. 9. This lake in Aurangabad, Maharashtra was created by a plummeting meteor about 52,000 years ago.

10. A town in Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth with 11,873 millimetres of rain annually.

11. Which act prohibits the flying of kites without Police permission?

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

With the initiative of distributing menstrual cups, this Indian village will be country’s first sanitarynapkin free village.

This Indian poet, writer and painter was the first non-European to win a Nobel Literature price.

This earliest form of medicine was consolidated 2500 years ago in India.

This player won India’s first track and field gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

The Indian Flag that was hoisted by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15th August, 1947 was designed by __________.

The first women judge in the Supreme Court of India.

‘Tomb of Sand’, the first novel translated from an Indian language to win the International Booker Prize in 2022 was written by ____________.

India’s sheltering of this spiritual leader is considered as the trigger for the 1962 war with China.

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was founded in the year ___________.

Answers: 1- Bengal Gazette, 2- Hindu Succession Act, 3- Charles Canning, 4- Mumbai, 5- Snakes & Ladders, 6- Taj Mahal, 7- North Sentinel Island, 8Varanasi, 9- Lonar Lake, 10- Mawsynram, 11- Aircraft Act of 1934, 12Kumbalanghi, 13- Rabindranath Tagore, 14- Ayurveda, 15- Neeraj Chopra, 16- Pingali Venkkaya, 17- M. Fathima Beevi, 18- Geetanjali Shree, 19- Dalai Lama, 20- 1969

The League of Extraordinary Indians: The Other Tagore-Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore

Did you know? Shammi Kapoor was one of the first users of the internet in India Twitter is obsessing over Shammi Kapoor yet again and it has nothing to do with his illustrious film career. In an interesting turn of events, the Junglee actor was one of the very first users of the internet in India. What’s more? He wasn’t just any internet user out there, he was in the thick of the revolution and the founder & chairman of the Internet Users Club of India.

The information came to light when a Twitter handle by the name of @prstb posted a thread containing thorough research into the techie lifestyle of the actor. With numerous photographs to back up their

claim, the user gives a glimpse into what some of the first independent and private websites looked like along with emails sent across by Shammi ‘Shamsher’ Kapoor addressing the internet users of the country to be more responsible and pleasant.

Moreover, if you thought that the actor couldn’t be any cooler, his blogs will prove otherwise. Shammi Kapoor wrote blogs when they weren’t even a thing. His personal website has blogs about the Kapoor family and it is here that he shared that he learnt all the coding and designing himself.

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‘India is a Maharaja Bhog Thali’ Oscar award-winning and BAFTA-nominated Indian filmmaker and producer Guneet Monga speaks to Asian Voice on the paradigm shift in Indian films, global audiences and pan-Indian cinema.

Shefali Saxena

a market. I generally feel like global emotions are “I come from a very similar, but the more local humble background. So I you are, the more window started by raising money you give to audiences from my neighbour,” about back home. I filmmaker Guneet Monga actually was always very told Asian Voice. Monga’s irritated by India being neighbour Kamlesh seen as the land of snake Agarwal lent her close to charmers. You know, 50Lakh rupees (£50,000). where people have to still Monga studied walk in rain to find a international coGuneet Monga holding the phone booth to make a productions and raised Oscar trophy post the win of her short call. A lot of international film Period End of Sentence money from France while films did that who came to working on UK coIndia to shoot and it used to really irritate productions. Speaking to the newsweekly me because they're really pronouncing the about the changing perception of Indian third world,” she told the newsweekly. cinema, Monga explained, “When I started Monga understands that the diaspora around 15 years ago, the term that was given may not have been able to travel and to us was art-house. It was not ‘parallel’ experience their homeland in the last few cinema. That actually means you don't make years due to the pandemic, but she affirmed money, and means they're not commercial. that India is now rising as a superpower.

So it's a polite way of saying that you make “India is all-encompassing, I would say art-house movies is really funny because, in India is a Maharaja Bhog Thali where there my head, I have always made commercial are all kinds of tastes - there is Khatta (sour), sense. What is a commercial movie? It also there is meetha (sweet) and there is salad stems down from as an industry we are, we and more. are actually a 100% equity-driven industry.

“While there are amazing filmmakers, So any money that is raised to make any like Raju Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali piece of content and movies needs to be doing amazing big-picture Bollywood returned with an interest and with content, it allows us to also co-exist,” marketing and release. There are no Guneet told Asian Voice. government grants for filmmakers.

In 2019 Guneet Monga won an “In fact, we got an industry status and Academy Award, an Oscar for her short film some bank loans started for the crew but in Period End of Sentence. Reminiscing that the 2000s. We've not been seen as an moment, she said, “I have hoped that these industry per se. From an unstructured emotions are universal and that has unorganised sector, we are still at the resonated with an audience of diaspora and nascent stages of being an organised sector. I non-diaspora or non our diaspora is mean financially and financial institute-wise actually very powerful. So we do have the and how it is very aspirational, it is larger big ticket action thrillers and to find saris than life.” and Alps, where we also have global Monga has produced films like The standard independent cinema, which Lunchbox, Masaan and Gangs of Wasseypur comes in every language in India, which is and more recently Pagglait. She said that the in Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi, kind of love that she has received Kannada, Marathi, and that is the India I'm internationally in terms of recognition, proud of. So in the Indian film industry, I'm awards and even box office success has been really proud of it and I'm very happy to have absolutely phenomenal. found my language.”

“So when I travelled internationally and Pan Indian cinema spoke about my films, I used to be termed as Monga believes that the language of Bollywood because we are the Hindi Indian cinema is many languages put language industry. There was an overarching together. She said that it's amazing that term. They say, ‘Oh, you're from people in the North are now able to love Bollywood!’,” she chuckled. and value Malayalam cinema and also the “When they say Bollywood, they actually other way around. mean Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas and “I think it is just the start of bringing our expect costume dramas, or high school country together. I almost say it should music sets. You know all the saris and have happened way before. But now with jewellery and slow-motion shots of chiffon OTT and subscription, there is access and I flying in various locations, Swiss Alps, Yash think Covid kind of accelerated that access, Chopra’s cinema or Bhansali’s cinema. That where people were consuming. And I just is really what defined Bollywood over the think it's a beautiful time to be a part of years, and that is what our definition Indian cinema, especially because now is became,” she added. the time because I actually feel some of the According to Guneet, this generation, best films are happening in Malayalam. And towards the end of 100 years of Indian it's a matter of time before they will be cinema has actually grown up seeing and popular globally on an OTT platform. So it's loving Scorsese, and Ang Lee and seeing a lot really the industry is really coming of age more global cinema. We wanted to tell and taking a shape where there's space for thrillers or dramas to society and not do many more filmmakers, many more people more escapist content. like me to come in. There is money. There is Yet, she mentioned that for The a great career opportunity, and there's time Lunchbox, many asked her why, ‘there is not to do good work.” one song, there is no chiffon flying and there is nothing and it's too real?’.

Understanding the audience sitting far away But how does Guneet Monga the producer understand global audiences sitting in Mumbai? She said that when she started, Netflix and Amazon Prime were not in India. They started opening their offices in 2016-17.

“We are talking about 2009-12. For me, it's I don't think I've ever reverse engineered anything. I don't think I've ever thought about what works at a certain festival or in

“When they say Bollywood, they actually mean Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas”

The integration of the Indian diaspora in the UK is exceptional Dr Swati Dhingra is an reflected in the deep foreign Associate Professor in investment ties between the Economics at the London two countries. British Indians School of Economics, and an have made an immense Associate of the Centre for contribution to these ties Economic Performance at through their participation in LSE. From August 2022, she the domestic economy and by will be serving as an External enabling the UK to punch Member of the Monetary above its weight in the global Policy Committee of the Bank economy.

Dr Swati Dhingra of England.

While the middle class always bears the more significant brunt of an Professor Dhingra spoke to Asian Voice economic crisis, how would you dissect the about the perception of the Indian economy current economic policies and decisions the over 74 years and the role of British Indians UK took during the pandemic? What could in the UK. How do you think India's perception as an have been done better? economy has evolved over 75 years of The UK was a pioneer in terms of Independence? supporting workers through the height of India has come a long way economically the pandemic, something which India could in these 75 years. About half of the have also learned from the UK about. In population lived below the $1.90 poverty line India, there was some protection offered at in the early decades after independence. the very bottom end of the income This number is now estimated to be about 10 distribution through existing poverty per cent. Social and economic reforms have alleviation programmes. But there was a made significant contributions to this, and it substantial share of working people who has ensured India’s place among the top fell into poverty as a result of the pandemic twenty economies in the world. and the lack of social assistance.

But India is still behind other G20 Now new data in the UK is showing that nations in terms of its social safety nets and half a million people have dropped out of the experience with the pandemic work completely and health reasons are part of that story. This hasn’t happened to highlighted the fragility of this system. the same degree in some European Addressing the gaps in health, education and countries. Add to this the learning losses work can unleash huge growth potential and that have occurred among children and the fulfil the aspirations of a young population.

How significant is the role of British Indians youth, and the costs of the pandemic on in contributing to the economy of the UK? potential economic growth start to mount.

For both UK and India, these setbacks need I think the integration of the Indian unwinding. diaspora in the UK is exceptional, and this is

Global players will be looking at India to offer a larger market play Devie Mohan grew up in Trivandrum, group in fintech as it's a subsection Kerala and was always interested in of the wider financial services technology. She took up computer industry. There are very famous engineering at a time when the course and successful women founders, itself was very new and computers not but they only consist of 20% of the available easily in homes. She then fintech founder group; they also Devie Mohan went on to study MBA in IIM tend to raise less investment on Ahmedabad, before moving to the US, average.

Sweden and then the UK. She has also done How do you think more south Asian women executive and short programmes at the can pursue a career like yours? What kind of University of California Berkeley, IMD fundamental approach and perspective must Lausanne and Boston University School of they have?

Management. Mohan spoke to Asian Voice The biggest advantage I had in fintech, about women in fintech and India @ 75. ironically, is the fact that I had dabbled in What does the job of a fintech influencer multiple industries over time. I did not entail? follow a 'typical' career path but chose to take on jobs and roles that appealed to me Fintech influencers are relatively new in and challenged me the best. I had worked in the financial services industry - I think I investment banking, finance, IT, consulting received my first ever mention as one in and non-profit industries before I landed in 2014. It's an amalgamation of several fintech and this multi-disciplinarian different roles - writing, advising, approach and skillset helped me mentoring, speaking and creating thought considerably in finding a foothold in a leadership - all with the aim of influencing rapidly evolving industry. Industries like and guiding the general direction of fintech fintech don't work in isolation - they use as an industry (which is still in the early multi-industry data and expertise, and this is stages of development). I spend a lot of my where generalists like me have a big time speaking at global events and writing or advantage. The fundamental approach I blogging; I use these channels to be a fintech would recommend is one based on learning evangelist and ultimately guide the as long as we are willing to learn quickly, get strategies of all players in the fintech our hands dirty with everything from ecosystem - be it banks, or financial services administrative to strategic tasks and adapt to institutions, fintech, regulators and tech changing environments, we can find success providers. in any field.

In your research and insights that you Where according to you does India stand in derive from fintech, how promising does the terms of the evolution of fintech in the last data look like when it comes to a) 75 years of Independence? investments and economy in general and b) what does it say about women in fintech?

India is already a top 5 country in terms Investments in fintech have grown of fintech investments, startups founded tremendously. Just in 2021, we have seen and workforce size. I think it will have a huge investments of over $100billion in fintech role to play in the future and several UK globally, which is a 200% increase from fintech are now eyeing India as a market for 2020. To put this in context - the first year I its next phase of growth and scale. Especially tracked fintech investments (2014), it was with a recession looming, several global just $9billion had gone into the industry. players will be looking to India to plug in the The growth has been a pleasure to watch. workforce/skillset gap as well as to offer a Women are still an under-represented larger market play.

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Indian women rising Anusha Singh

W

omen have, for ages, fought to shine in a world where men are the central characters. Even when we look back to less than 100 years ago, women all around the world were fighting for their rights. Be it the right to vote, own property or manage their own bank accounts. Some have fought to complete their education only to be told they weren’t needed. Those who did make it fought hard to be taken seriously.

While the situations have improved over the years, women are as yet, at the end of the funnel and are subjected to ridicule. Over the years, many women have taken on patriarchy, lived their lives on their own terms and have set a brilliant example for others all over the world. As India gears up to celebrate Independence, Asian Voice celebrates all those women who are breaking barriers by highlighting the exceptional works of a few who have inspired the world.

Geetanjali Shree.

Geetanjali Shree is a Hindi language novelist and short story writer whose excellent work has helped put Hindi Literature on the Global Map. While it was her novel Mai that catapulted her to fame, it is her beautiful storytelling in the novel Ret Samadhi (Translation: Tomb of Sand) that made her a global face when Shree won the International Booker Price in 2022.

The book became the first novel translated from an Indian language to win the prize.

Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi was the 3rd Prime Minister of India and was the first, and to date, is the only woman to be elected as the Prime Minister of the country. It was under her leadership that India went to war with Pakistan in support of the independence movement in East Pakistan, which resulted in the formation of Bangladesh. She was also the face of the national emergency between 1975 and 1977, a period where widespread outrage was caused. In 1999, Indira Gandhi was named the “Woman of the Millennium” in an online poll by BBC. Dutee Chand.

Dutee Chand is a professional sprinter and a national champion in women’s 100 metres events. She is the first Indian to win a gold medal in 100 metres race in a global event and the third Indian woman to qualify for the women’s 100 metres race at the Summer Olympics. In 2019, Chand became the first Indian sprinter to win gold at the Universiade. Dutee Chand is also the first Indian athlete to openly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Kalpana Chawla.

Born in 1972, Kalpana Chawla was an astronaut and was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. She was a part of the crew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Chawla was a part of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and one of the seven members who died when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Crowned Miss World 2000, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is an actor, singer, model and philanthropist. She is

known to make bold choices in her film career and promote awareness about women’s and environmental rights. She has been working with UNICEF since 2006 and was appointed as the national and global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2010 and d2016, respectively. In 2016, Chopra was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India for her contribution to the arts.

Sudha Murthy.

Sudha Murthy is an educator, Indian author and philanthropist who is the Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation.

She works with the Gates Foundation and is a member of the public health care initiatives. Murthy has founded several orphanages lending a helping hand in rural development and providing schools with computers and other needed supplies. She was awarded Padma Shri in 2006 for her work in social service.

V S Ramadevi. VS Ramadevi brought about a number of firsts in the Indian political environment.

She registered her name as an advocate in the Andhra Pradesh High Court after completing her MA LLB. She was the first lady to become the Governor of Karnataka and the Chief Election Commissioner of India. Ramadevi was the first and is the only woman to serve as the Secretary General of Rajya Sabha.

S I Padmavati. SI Padmavati was an Indian cardiologist. Founder and President of the All India Heart Institute, she established the first cardiac clinic and cardiac catheter lab in India. She was the director of the National Heart Institute and an elect fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences. She was awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in 1967 and 1992 respectively.

Bhanu Athaiya.

Bhanu Athaiya was an Indian costume designer and the first Indian to win an Academy Award. She has also had a historically early career as a painter with two of her works included in the 1953 Progressive Artists' Group show in Bombay. Athaiya has worked in iconic Bollywood movies like Guide, Lagaan and Chandni as a costume designer. She has also worked on international projects with the likes of Conrad Rooks in Siddhartha and Richard Attenborough in Gandhi.

Jhumpa Lahiri.

Jhumpa Lahiri, the daughter of Indian immigrant parents from West Bengal, is an American author known for her novels and short stories.

Lahiri’s work is a depiction of her Indian roots, with most of her stories based in West Bengal, India. Her debut collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies (1999) won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Fiction while The Lowland was a finalist for both the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Award for Fiction. In 2014, Lahiri was awarded the National Humanities Medal by former American President, Barack Obama.

Youngsters feel ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign is superfluous Rupali Shinde This year, India will celebrate 75 years of independence. To promote unity and diversity, the Har Ghar Tiranga- Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav campaign is being run across the country, where people are being encouraged to bring the Tiranga home and hoist it.

The much-talked campaign is garnering mixed reactions amongst youngsters.

As many are psyched about the campaign, some feel this patriotism cannot be judged on displaying flags in home and digital space.

Media student Zarmin Qureshi believes that this campaign will increase the unity among Indians by bringing them closer and is necessary in these stressful times.

Tanisha Kale seconded the campaign adding India has witnessed many changes in political, and socio-economic matters and it must be celebrated.

Meanwhile, Rajeshwari, who is pursuing her master's, finds this campaign a bit performative.

"While these expansive campaigns are carried out to celebrate the glorious history of Indian culture and struggles, I wonder how much we are talking about those citizens of our country who do not have homes and about the prevalent injustices around us that have proven to be a threat to our cultural legacy of harmony. This is quite ironic."

Shreyas Pande, who is a writer by profession, to finds this campaign redundant.

"It is a little problematic when National Symbols like the Flag are used by the government and forced upon us to change our dps and hoist in our homes.

Nationalism is something that comes from the heart and love for the nation should not be forced upon anyone."

Shreyas adds that he fails to understand the motive of this campaign as India is still reeling under rising unemployment, rampant communalism, poverty and a lot of other issues.

"We have improved as a nation on some aspects while getting worse on others. Problems like Manual Scavenging still exist and there are people who are forced to enter the gutters in 2022. It is a false glorification to say we are the largest democracy in the world when human rights violations are a daily thing when the freedom of expression is in danger and people are arrested for speaking the truth."

Speaking on what has changed in India, media professional Aishwarya Pendse says that in 75 years Indians have become more religion centric than development centric.

Shreyas wants Indian citizens to admit that India is not a perfect country as it still lacks in many aspects be it regressive thinking or casteism. Yet, he is pinning hope on youngsters who he believes are becoming aware of the grave issues and will do something fruitful.