Salaam Bahrain August 2022

August 2022 - VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3

Sindhu

India's

Golden CWG Hour ONAM SPECIAL: BAHRAIN'S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

On the Milestone Occasion of the

76th Indian Independence Day Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav

The Chairman, Management & Staff of UNEECO extend warm greetings and congratulations to the People of India.

Universal Electro Engineering B.S.C.C

Bldg # 389, Road # 1507, Block # 115, HIDD Main Line : 00973-17826644 Fax No : 00973-17827090 Web : uneeco.com Email : uneeco@uneeco.com

Unique Power Switchgear W.L.L

Bldg # 1308, Road # 1516, Block # 115, HIDD Main Line : 00973-17826941 Fax No : 00973-17826592 Web : uniquepowerswitchgears.com Email : unique@uniquepowerswitchgears.com

Breathing new life into the ancient heritage of Indian textiles

Come, join our celebration of a Fashionable India!

Vestirebh

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vestirefashion

vestirebh.com/shop

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Ramesh Renganathan Managing Director

Patriotic Greetings from the Managing Director, Management & Staff of SANTY EXCAVATION & CONSTRUCTION COMPANY W.L.L

on the occasion of the

76 th INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY OUR SERVICES Earthworks, All Type of Excavation and Backfilling Works.

Artificial Beach preparation.

Civil Construction works Midrise Buildings.

All Types of Infrastructure Works.

Roadwork, Asphalt Works, Landscaping & Interlock Paving Works.

Land Reclamation, Stone Pitching and Rock Armor.

(Slope Protection) Works.

Sheet Piling and Dewatering Works.

Fencing works.

Electrical cable Trench Civil Works.

Supply All Types of Construction Filling Materials.

“To provide our customers with the most cost effective solution and assist them to achieve their objectives” Flat 00, Villa No. 0029, Road No. 0033 ,Block No. 0439 North Sehla PO Box: 38893, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel: +973 17401013 Fax: +973 17401014 Email: santy@santyconstruction.com

www.santyconstruction.com

LONG LIVE INDO-BAHRAIN FRIENDSHIP

Note from the Chairman Indians all over the world are marking their remarkable achievement of building a thriving democracy from a country that was a patchwork of beliefs, a mosaic of cultures and yet, held together by a vision of themselves as part of ceaselessly flowing stream of civilization.

Freedom came to many parts of the world after WW2 but the Indian freedom struggle, is remembered with reverence, as a lesson that only India and a Mahatma could teach the world – on disarming the greatest military power of the world with the simple and fearless campaign of non-violence and peace. Gandhi’s Satyagraha changed the history of South Africa decades later, when the great Nelson Mandela drew inspiration from his teachings and chose forgiveness and building for the future over revenge.

Today, India is an economic superpower and wields enormous clout in the politics of the world. For us in Bahrain and especially for my generation, India is something of a lodestar. We grew up listening to our parents and grandparents talk of India as a country closely intertwined with Bahraini history, our trade and commerce and also the core development tools of education and healthcare and where the Geological Survey of India conducted the first-ever scientific survey of the land in 1908 (which was later the basis for the search for freshwater springs and oil in Bahrain).

Why, Bahrain too celebrates August 15, in a way – on this day, Bahrain declared the start of its journey as an independent and modern nation and forged a new destiny for itself, based on the timeless values of universal oneness, harmony and tolerance which the Al Khalifa leadership underscores.

May the two countries prosper and continue their friendship always.

Capt. Mahmood Al Mahmood

wishing India a glorious Independence Day

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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HIGHLIGHTS

August 2022

COVER STORY

India@75 - New goals, new dreams

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AMBASSADOR SRIVASTAVA SPEAKS In a wide-ranging interview, Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava talks of the growing strength of the India-GCC and Indo-Bahraini ties, the vibrant Indian community and what the future bilateral goals are.

HUM BHI HAIN JOSH MEIN India’s dazzling success at the Commonwealth Games was not an overnight miracle. Years of hard work, planning and a new approach to sports and sporting talent has made it happen.

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AMRUT ITIHAAS

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AMRUT AWAAZ What does the 75th Independence Day celebration mean to Indians and friends of India in Bahrain? We bring you the thoughts and aspirations of a cross-section of the community’s prominent men and women.

Two inspiring stories capture the spirit of the freedom struggle and the uplifting reaching of modern India to bring development to all. One is the story of Usha Mehta, India’s underground radio newscaster during the Quit India movement and the other is the news story of how 750 girls across villages and small town India joined to build a microsatellite.

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INDIAN TRIBALS FIND A VOICE The election of India’s first tribal woman leader to the post of President of the nation has turned the spotlight on India nearly 700 different tribes. They represent a mosaic of ancient culture and wisdom but also face severe developmental challenges. We try to decipher how one can understand them.

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SUMMER FUN

chalets to hire, kids’ zone, activities area, food and bar, dolphin watching, fishing trips and more.

They also have special packages for parties and corporate gatherings. Passport or ID needed to enter.

BUDAIYA BEACH PARK Location: Budaiya Timing: 24 hours Lifeguards: No lifeguards needed as no swimming is allowed.

Charges: Free Facilities: It is quite a popular little public beach with a children’s park, a ballpark, and lots of food stalls. The beach usually gets crowded during the weekends.

YOUNGISTAN Bahrain’s best beaches

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CUISINE Kerala’s changing kitchen rules Onam is round the corner and Bahrain’s Kerala community always pulls out all stops to welcome King Mahabali. But there is more to Keralan cuisine than the lavish Onasadhya and we met some young chefs who are redefining the menu with old tastes and new.

KARBABAD BEACH Location: Karbabad, Near Seef Timing: 24 hours Lifeguards: No Charges: Free Facilities: This beach is not for swimming, but families can enjoy picnics and nice walks along the seaside.

Nothing makes a summer weekend complete like a trip to the seaside. Bahrain is discovering beach culture, complete with beach sports and the revival of some amazing coastal spots. We bring you all the deets on the best public and private beaches.

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Jerada Location: Four hour boat ride from Manama Facilities: There aren’t any facilities as Jerada is actually a small strip of sandy beach, which disappears at high tide – so, you need to know the time to go. Several companies offer packages that include boat ride, activities et al.

CELEB CHAKKAR

Private beaches

FOUR SEASONS BAHRAIN Location - Bahrain Bay Lifeguards: Yes Facilities: The 160 metre white sandy beach along the shore of the Four Seasons Hotel. It’s got a children’s water-based playground called The Dhow which boasts many slides and a gigantic water bucket to keep the kids enthralled.

Charges: The day pass is BD25 on weekdays and BD50 on weekends.

THE RITZ-CARLTON BAHRAIN Location - Seef Lifeguards: Yes Facilities: The Royal Beach Club at the Ritz Carlton offers plenty of leisure activities including jogging trails, fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools and a hammam apart from the beach.

Charges: Day passes are priced at BD25 per person for weekdays and BD50 per person for weekends.

Like us on

@SalaamBahrain

@Salaam_Bahrain

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he end of August will herald the golden showers of the konna flower which signals the advent of the Malayalee month of Chingam. The grand festival of Onam comes during the first part of this month and is celebrated across all communities with splendid feasts and floral decorations.

In Bahrain, the Malayalee community has a tradition of wonderful cultural celebrations and feasts – the banana leaf Onasadhya – prepared by visiting chefs and local restaurants.

The Malayalees make up over half the Indian community in Bahrain and have made a name for themselves because of their innovation, administrative capabilities, artistic endeavours and entrepreneurship. The Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam too celebrates 75 years of being the beacon of social togetherness for the Malayalees and the oldest Indian club in the Kingdom.

Our special feature for Onam will focus on some of the outstanding Malayalees who have contributed greatly towards lifting the image of the Indian community and showcased their abilities as leaders. In choosing these names, we have tried to highlight those who represent a different category of Malayalees – all of us are familiar with the veterans who are still active in the community. This list seeks to go beyond the familiar and respected names to add to the growing tribe of Bahrain’s Magnificent Malayalees.

Sekhar Sethumadhavan Prescription for Growth 10

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

Dr. George Cheriyan

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Healthcare Visionary

Raji Unnikrishnan

Ramachandran A Giving Heart

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An Electric Success

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A bridge between people

48 Dr. Babu

Pambavasan Nair

Premjith Narayan

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Photographer Extraordinaire

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Dr. Ravi Warrier Guru Devo Bhava!

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t is a pleasure to greet my compatriots on the occasion of the 76th Independence Day. As expatriates, this is a day we celebrate as a marker of our country’s progress and at Salaam Bahrain, we have been publishing special editions tracking the growth and the dynamism of India. Parallel to this are the inspiring narratives of the NRIs among us who have risen to great heights through sheer hard work, have served the community and contributed richly to the progress of Bahrain.

In this issue, we have chosen to herald the festival of Onam, which is a rebirth of sorts for the Keralan community, with a special look at some of the Malayalees who have shaped the Indian community and brought laurels to their State.

Whilst we are no doubt familiar with the names of stalwarts and veterans of the community, these exceptional leaders too have recharged society with their energy and ability to bring a new perspective to development in Bahrain as well as in India.

This year’s Independence Day is special in so many ways – not only is it the 76th since that magic day in 1947 when India celebrated freedom, but we are also marking the return to normalcy after the troubling days of the

pandemic. Individuals and businesses are putting their best foot forward – of course, we are distracted by the challenges of other crises such as climate change and war, but the victory over the pandemic is fresh on our minds and fills us with hope that we can work together and overcome these tests.

The best thing about Bahrain – and I speak as one who has spent four decades here – is that the community is so close-knit and our Bahraini brethren are so open-minded and open-hearted about building a new world with us all.

Of especial significance to the Indian community was the generous grant of land by HRH the Crown Prince and PM, for the building of a traditional Swaminarayan Temple. It is a promise that takes forward the vision of HM the King for an inclusive and harmonious Bahrain.

It is this approach of togetherness which generates stories of triumph and inspiration and we at Salaam Bahrain consider it our privilege that we have been bringing these to you for the past sixteen years.

Happy 76 – for a country as ageless and timeless as India, this is but a new youth!

P.K. Ravi

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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Happy Independence day LUCKY.COM.BH 12

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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76th

Independence Day Greetings from the Management, Principal, Staff, Students and Parents of

New Millennium School

“Nurturing Responsible Global Citizens” +973 17272700

nmsbahrain

www.nms.edu.bh

BUILDING 399, ROAD 3009, BLOCK,330, BUGHAZAL, MANAMA, KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

SALAAM SOCIETY

)VIVL 3]UIZ QV[XQZM[ [\]LMV\[ _Q\P TQNM [\WZa IVL IKILMUQK \QX[ His life-story has been made into a superhit movie and in real-life, the legendary educationist Anand Kumar of ‘Super 30” fame proved just as charismatic. As a speaker for Salaam Bahrain’s ‘Conversation’ series of TEDstyle talks, he addressed a full house at the Indian School Bahrain, inspiring students and adults alike.

Chief Guests Ambassador Piyush Srivastava and Her Excellency Shaikha Rana Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council set the tone for the keynote address with a call to the students to make time for giving back to the community and also outlining the shift in priorities in education as the workplace of the 21st century changes.

The event was part of Salaam Bahrain’s regular TED-style talk shows presenting contemporary Indian thought trends. It was presented in association with The Indian School Bahrain and supported by the Bhavan’s Bahrain Indian School, Al Noor School and New Millennium School. The Power Sponsors were UNEECO, Lulu Hypermarket, Zayani Motors, Bahrain Financing Co and GDN. Co-sponsors were BKG Holdings, NFS Group, KIMSHealth, Mega Mart, Dadabhai Travel, Al Hilal Hospital and VM & Brothers.

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INTERVIEW

“India’s role and contribution have a real weight and value in the international arena - our close and friendly relationship with GCC countries has seen constant upward trajectory.”

Ambassador Piyush Srivastava of India On the occasion of the 76th Indian Independence Day, Ambassador Piyush Srivastava spoke to Salaam Bahrain about the pivotal role of Gulf Indians and India’s growing prestige on the global stage 1. Excellency, our warmest wishes on this special occasion.

Now that the world is emerging from the crisis of the pandemic, what is the role of Gulf Indians in helping the Indian economy find steady growth? After all, West Asia and the GCC have emerged as important players in India’s ambitious $5 trillion growth vision.

Indeed, this region is important for our global trade as well as the target of achieving a US$ 5 trillion economy. Our close and friendly relationship with GCC countries has seen constant upward trajectory over the past few years. It has diversified beyond traditional sectors, and now include maritime security, robust trade and investment collaboration especially in the sectors of technology, energy, food and agro products, engineering goods, infrastructure, health, and education.

In the last financial year, India’s trade with GCC countries has risen sharply to over US$ 155 billion, registering an impressive growth of about 75% compared to last year.

The role of Indian expatriates has always been significant. It is a known fact that Indian expatriate workforce is respected for its work ethics, integrity and apolitical approach. Around 10 million Indians live and work across the Gulf, sending big chunk of remittances to India.

Indians own large businesses across the region and are involved in almost all sectors of economy. Their contribution to economic development of their host countries and India, as well as in promoting bilateral and regional trade & investment ties has been recognised by the leadership of these countries as well as India.

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2. We are nearing the completion of the celebration of 50 years of Indo-Bahrain diplomatic ties – what would you say are the milestones in this diplomatic journey and how did the celebrations help to prepare for the future bilateral vision?

The year-long celebrations of Golden Jubilee of establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Kingdom of Bahrain kickstarted in October 2021 in a grand manner. India was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Bahrain in 1971. I must though add that our bilateral ties are historical, rich and diverse, dating back to thousands of years. There are several milestones in this journey.

The visionary Leadership of our two countries have guided our relations through regular dialogues and bilateral visits.

Even during the pandemic, the high level interactions, bilateral visits and meetings of structural mechanisms continued. Now with COVID restrictions being considerably eased everywhere, we expect more bilateral visits and interactions, including high level visits.

The Indian community in Bahrain has been an integral part of Bahrain’s developmental journey. The continued strong bonds of friendship between our peoples provides depth and resilience to our bilateral ties. Indian merchants have settled in Bahrain from close to two centuries. Many Bahraini businessmen and dignitaries travelled to India and stayed in Mumbai and other places for business and study. Bahrain hosts 200-year old Shreenathji temple which was the only Hindu temple in the region at that time.

August 15, 2022

Congratulating all Indians on the

76th Independence Day

INDIA | BAHRAIN | SAUDI ARABIA | OMAN | UAE | QATAR

In recent times, the path breaking visit of His Majesty the King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to India in 2014 laid the roadmap for our present bilateral collaboration. His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s visit to India in 2012 gave strong push to our trade and economic ties.

The historic visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Bahrain in 2019 provided momentum to our partnership and diversified it into new and emerging areas.

Our two countries have established structural mechanisms of regular consultation and dialogues on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, as well as signed a number of MoUs/Agreements in key areas. Our two countries achieved their highest-ever bilateral trade of US$ 1.65 billion in last financial year. Bahrain joining International Solar Alliance this year will open up further avenues of bilateral as well as multilateral collaboration in renewable energy sector.

3. Indian-run medical facilities dominate the Bahrain private medical sector. In addition, Indian alternative medicine (Ayurveda) is also well-represented in Bahrain.

The health sector including traditional medicine has been an important component of the deep-rooted and multifaceted bilateral cooperation between India and Kingdom of Bahrain.

The first Indian doctor, Dr. Bhandarkar arrived in the Kingdom as early as 1920s. I am sure, many in Bahrain would still be familiar with his name. Today, the Kingdom’s health sector has a strong presence of over 8000 healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses and technical staff.

There is also significant Indian investment in this sector with presence of large Indian hospitals including KIMSHealth, Apollo, and diagnostic chains such as Thyrocare. There is also good presence of the Indian alternative medicine sector including in Ayurveda, yoga and homeopathy in Bahrain.

This sector has acquired significance, particularly in the post COVID-19 scenario. Bahrain has a strong healthcare sector and favourable regulatory environment. Indian healthcare sector including traditional medicine and pharmaceutical industry are among the leaders in the world. There is thus complementarities and strong possibilities of further collaboration in this sector. This is being propelled by the regular meetings of government level institutional mechanisms as well as private sectors of both countries.

4. What are other Indian sectors that will grow in Bahrain in the coming months?

In addition to health, the outlook for trade and economic cooperation between our two countries is very bright in diverse sectors of IT, Fintech, big data, space, entertainment, construction and infrastructure, education, food security, energy, technology, start-ups and Govt. SMEs. I want to give you some numbers to put this in perspective. Our bilateral

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trade in FY 21-22 has registered an increase of over 55% compared to last year, and reached its highest ever value of US$ 1.65 billion. Indian investment have grown over 35% in last three years. Over 3000 companies are registered in Bahrain with Indian partnerships.

5.Increasingly, Bahrain MSMEs are seeking support from Indian companies and to do business in India. Is there any plan to link India’s vast expertise in this field to Bahrain’s start-ups?

You are right. This is a very important sector. The Economic Vision 2030 as well as Economic Recovery Plan 2022-26 of Government of Bahrain place a lot of emphasis on development of SMEs and start-up sector in Bahrain. Indian SME sector is well-developed. Further India is a major startup hub in the world with more than 75,000 start-ups and around 100 unicorns.

There has been positive movement in furthering our bilateral collaboration in this sector. This figured prominently in the recent virtual meetings between the concerned Ministers of our two countries. The strong delegation from Bahrain SMEs Society will be participating in the 8th India International MSME-Start-Up Expo & Summit to be held later this month in New Delhi. We are also working to encourage collaboration in start-up sector among the youth of our two countries as well as for starting India-Bahrain start-up Bridge.

6. India is celebrating 75 years of Independence. What are the significant achievements of India?

75th anniversary of India’s Independence is a significant milestone in the history of our nation. The whole nation is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the glorious journey of 75 years of progressive India, and its rich cultural heritage and traditions. India’s tremendous strides in socioeconomic development and in all spheres of economy – from traditional areas of agriculture, industry, education and health to high-tech areas of IT, Artificial Intelligence, medical and pharma, space, defence and renewable energy is there for all to see.

As a democratic polity, pluralistic society, innovative economy and a culture of unmatched diversity, India’s role and contribution have a real weight and value in the international arena. Our principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ i.e., ‘the world is one family’ was clearly visible in our efforts in the global fight against COVID-19 pandemic, in which India provided vaccines, medicines and other medical assistance to over 150 countries across the world.

India is at the forefront of fight against climate change and has emerged as a first responder in the crisis situation from natural disaster to the pandemic.

India’s economy is also well poised. India has the largest young skilled talent pool and is among the fastest growing major economies of the world.

Founded in 2007,the Bahrain India Society is committed to promoting economic and cultural ties between the two countries. To be a part of the story of two friendly nations, join hands with us!

Call us on +973 3831 1166 for details of membership and events. www.bahindsociety.org

An iconic image of Avinash Sable breaking the Kenyan dominance over the 3000m Steeplechase. An Indian pushing the Kenyan to the limit with no one else in the frame , missing the gold by a heart-wrenching 0.05 secs.

Hum bhi hain josh mein!

What better tribute to India’s youth and zest than the recent CWG triumph in new areas?

Here is a behind-the-arena look at the work that went into crafting this success.

BY SONORITA CHAUHAN-MEHTA

T

he Indian contingent was really in full ‘Josh’ at the CWG as they bagged medal after medal in disciplines most people hadn't even heard about (What even is Lawn Bowls?) or considered the possibility of an Indian winning a medal on a global stage in.

Avinash Sable’s silver in the 3,000-metre steeplechase was the first-ever by an Indian and so was Tejaswin Shankar’s bronze in the high jump.

Eldhose Paul and Abdulla Aboobacker’s 1-2 in the men’s triple jump is unprecedented. To find a medal winner in the men’s long jump before Murali Sreeshankar’s silver, one has to go back to 1978, the year Suresh Babu won a bronze in Edmonton.

By finishing third, Annu Rani became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the javelin throw at the CWG. Though the medals of Priyanka Goswami and Sandeep Kumar in the 10,000-metre race walk were in a non-Olympic category, they are still special.

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We came home with a respectable 61 medals and although not the highest tally – that was 101 medals in 2010 – but considering that usually 60 percent of our medals come from shooting and archery - the two disciples that were absent from Birmingham, it is a respectable total with the added bonus of conquering new disciplines and the timing was perfect for an August 15 party.

So what created this massive change in Indian sports where we have begun to excel in various track, athletics and other sports that have not been traditionally popular in India?

Some experts say that the Indian contingent’s excellent show at 2010 CommonWealth Games was the turning point for Indian sport, after which players started getting recognised and private sector funding and investments started pouring in. This was immediately reflected in India’s performance in the London Olympics with two Silver and four bronze medals.

Corporate backing

Tejaswin Shankar - high jump

Government Push The support of autonomous bodies like the Sports Authority of India, Athletics Federation of India and private entities like Inspire Institute of Sports and the Reliance industries Limited with their Reliance Foundation Youth Sports programme have formed partnerships and invested in building a grassroot movement as well as supporting talented athletes.

TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) is a flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports which is an attempt to provide assistance to India’s top athletes. The Scheme currently supports 104 TOPS Core Group athletes across 13 sports disciplines and Hockey (M and W) teams and 269 TOPS Development Group athletes across 12 sports disciplines.

Anurag Thakur, India’s Information, Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, in a media interview said that he believes that Indian sports will have even better days ahead.

He foretells a meteoric rise on the world stage with more champion athletes emerging from the Khelo India system, as the Government focuses on modernising sports infrastructure at the grassroots while providing scientific training to young athletes, all with the help of technology.

“We have identified areas of improvement across disciplines so that India betters its performance in comparison to Tokyo 2020. Had things gone our way in a couple of more events like shooting and wrestling, we would have bagged a few more gold medals and been closer to the top 20 countries in Tokyo itself. Our job is to ensure that India’s athletes go to these competitions with the best possible preparation; my ministry is leaving no stone unturned in this endeavour.

We have constituted an athlete-centric Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) under SAI to oversee all critical matters pertaining to our elite sportspersons. We are also organising competitions across sporting disciplines for the players to have maximum match-day exposure. For example, we are conducting dedicated Khelo India Women’s Leagues across nine disciplines — hockey, archery, weightlifting, cycling, boxing, swimming, wrestling, volleyball and judo. Through these leagues, more than 23,000 women athletes will participate in these competitions.”

In the private sector, the Inspire Institute of Sport is a cutting-edge sports academy located in Vijayanagar, Karnataka, which stitches together state-of-the-art facilities and sports science, and has some of the finest coaching minds from across the world to guide Indian athletes towards competing better at international level. IIS is funded by some of India’s biggest corporate giants including - JSW group, Kotak Karma (the CSR wing of Kotak Mahindra Group), Indusind, Citibank, JCL, Bridgestone among others.

There are 24 donors associated with IIS. In fact, of the 21 athletes IIS supported, trained and sent to Birmingham, 13 brought home medals. The most notable among them is Avinash Sable who was also the only Indian representative at the 3000 steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics. Sagar Ahlawat ( boxing-Silver), Mohammed Hassmuddin (boxing - Bronze), Sandeep Kumar ( 10,000m walk - Bronze), Eldhose Paul and Abdulla Aboobacker (Triple Jump - Gold and Silver), Deepak Punia (Wrestling Gold), Tejaswin Shankar (High Jump - Bronze), Sakshi Malik (wrestling - gold), Bajrang Punia (Wrestling - gold), Ravi Dahiya (Wrestling - gold), Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump Silver) were the other medallists who trained at the IIS. And recently India’s most valuable company, Reliance India Limited announced two key long-term partnerships before the CWG 2022 - with the Indian Olympic Association and the Athletics Federation of India.

The push is led by Nita Ambani, who is also being called the 'First Lady of Indian sports' by the media for being the driving force behind the vision of India's successful bid to host the 2023 IOC session in February. The International Olympic committee will be meeting in India after 40 years.

"The Olympic Movement is back to India after a 40-year wait!

I am truly grateful to the International Olympic Committee for entrusting India with the honour of hosting the IOC Session in Mumbai in 2023," said IOC Member, Nita Ambani.

?PI\ Q[ \PM 7>-8' The IOC has created the OVEP as a practical set of resources to educate young people on the Olympic principles of excellence, respect, and friendship.

The program's goal is to spread this values-based education in order to assist youngsters to become active, healthy, and responsible citizens.

In its first year, the programme aims to impact 32,000 children enrolled in 90 schools in the cities of Bhubaneswar and Rourkela and, once in full swing, it will reach around 7 million children. The state of Odisha intends to take OVEP to all its schools and higher education institutions in a phased manner, thereby enabling its young population to truly take on board the Olympic values.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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"This will be a significant development for India's Olympic aspiration and will herald the start of a new era for Indian sport."

However, Nita has been silently taking massive steps to align India's future with the Olympic spirit for many years now. Since 2017, the Reliance Foundation has invested in the development of athletics through the Reliance Youth Sports Foundation programme which reaches 5500 educational institutes in more than 50 districts.

In 2018, they set up Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics HPC with the Govt of Odisha which has shaped several national and international medallists. And in May 2022, Nita Ambani helped create and lauded the launch of India’s first ‘Olympic Values Education Programme’ (OVEP) by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Odisha.

Ambani emphasised that OVEP combines the twin powers of education and sport in instilling the core values of Olympism.

“India is a land of great opportunities and infinite possibilities,” said Nita Ambani.

“We have over 250 million children in our schools, brimming with talent and THE TRIPLE JUMP TAKEOVER! potential. They are the champions of tomorrow, the future of our nation."

IIS athletes Eldhose Paul and Abdulla The IOC Session in India should bolster the country's ultimate Olympic objectives Aboobacker bag gold and silver in #Birmingham2022. with a sports ecosystem that encourages and empowers the youth to polish their abilities and bring worldwide honours.

As the public-private partnership in sport strengthens, perhaps we can see a seismic shift in the Indian mindset that values studies over sports and extracurricular activities and Paris 2024 will give us more Neeraj Chopras to celebrate and for our youth to emulate.

AMRUT AWAAZ

“Ours is a celebrated rapport between two nations with common dreams and goals” )JL]TZIPUIV 2]UI Chairman Bahrain-India Society

I

always consider the make-up of the Bahrain-India Society (BIS) as truly representative of the synergy between our two countries. Ours is a young organisation – founded in 2007, we have been working for just over fifteen years now to bring together the strands of understanding and mutual respect in economic as well as cultural matters. We have as members, Bahraini and Indian businesswomen and men, entrepreneurs, CEOs, CFOs and professionals who represent the deep potential that exists to further relations between us.

Both Bahrain and India share a friendship and warmth that spans centuries. Ours is a celebrated rapport that is inscribed in the pages of history – from the seals and clay tablets of the Dilmunic and Indus Valley civilisations to the more recent trading outposts of the Indian community in 19th and 20th century Bahrain, the late-20th century thrust of Indian manpower and professionals who helped to shape modern Bahrain to the present day when we stride together as equal

partners in the progress of our two countries.

In all this, we in the BIS represent the new era of our relations. Bound by a familiarity and respect for the Indian democratic experiment and sharing common values of interfaith harmony and peace as espoused for generations by the Bahrain leadership, we are committed to serve as channels for better understanding, co-operation and growth.

I look forward to welcoming more like-minded people to join our ranks. There is much important bilateral work to do and, given the strength of Bahraini-Indian ties, plenty of opportunities to do it in. We have excellent relations with the Indian Embassy and the Ambassador Mr. Piyush Srivastava is a truly receptive Patron.

Well, 75 years is but a ray of light in the floodlit plains of timeless history that India has emerged from to take its place among modern nations today. I look forward to many more years of working for Bahrain-India prosperity.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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AMRUT AWAAZ

“NRIs must discover the beauty of India beyond their own home-states and share this with the world to generate > 3 :IRI[MSPIZIV 8QTTIQ understanding and world peace.”

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awardee (2017) Chairman National Group of Companies

I

n the history of a nation, seventy-five can seem fairly young – especially when the country in question is India and can lay claim to a recorded antiquity spanning millennia. As Indians born in a free country, my generation tasted the milk of freedom from the start. We were lucky to have access to education, healthcare and also the ability to travel in search of our chosen careers.

I believe that Indians in the Gulf are the product of two cultures – the first is the nurturing support of India which gave us the intellectual resources to whet our imagination and the second, the backing of the Gulf countries where the leadership, the people and the laws, all helped to transform our dream of playing a role in the progress of both countries, into reality.

In recent years, I have personally experienced the warmth with which India has included NRIs from the GCC in its growth and development. The Government of India conferred upon me the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2017, in recognition of my efforts to serve the best interests of my country of birth, India and the land that I work in, Bahrain. Gulf Indians have been consistently honoured for their role in strengthening Indo-GCC ties.

Since 2014, the geopolitical and economic importance of the GCC has been emphasised by our Prime Minister who even visited Bahrain. His Majesty, King Hamad has led from the front with decisive leadership to encourage this. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has also brought new vision to match the leadership of Indian PM Narendra Modi to build upon these ties.

The 75th Independence Year has been marked by the achievement of the election of a tribal woman leader as President of India – it is symbolic of Indian democracy’s maturing and the inclusiveness that is bringing together our people across all levels of society.

If you ask me what we NRIs can do for our India, I would say, learn to explore and understand India yourself and share the beauty and the history of our country with the world. Nothing makes the world more peace-loving than understanding others and by visiting and seeing and discovering our India ourselves, we can greatly promote this international appreciation and friendship for our country.

Let us pledge to serve India and Bahrain with our innovation, hard work and dedication. My employees join me in wishing all fellow-Indians a glorious 75th Independence Day. SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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AMRUT AWAAZ

“India’s textile heritage and ‘darzi’ tradition made sustainable fashion trendy before the world caught up!”

6IbQI 5][\INI Fashion Curator MODA VESTIRE

I

am proud to raise the flag of Indian couture in this lovely island of Bahrain with my bespoke label, MODA VESTIRE. Co-incidentally, MODA VESTIRE was launched on August 15 too, in 2018, and my vision was to create luxury clothing that will harness Indian textile and fashion values. Growing up, I have seen my mother and aunts carefully put together their wardrobe essentials, starting from the fabric – silks of Benares, Lucknow’s famed chikankari, Kashmiri Himroo – and then working with the family darzi to transform them into beautiful clothing. When I entered the world of couture, I realized that this approach was what most people called designer wear and it produced unique, one-of-a-kind garments that are timeless and can be passed down the generations.

But the world of luxury and fashion too has changed in the past decade. We still want beautiful things that speak to us of beauty but we are keenly aware of the intangible price we pay for them. In fact, I would say that India, with its amazing traditions of hand-woven textiles and the instinct of Indian women and men to rely of the neighbourhood tailor for their

26

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

core fashion needs, teaches the world many things about how to make sustainability an everyday habit.

There is, of course, a growing “readymade” market in India for everyday wear. But old habits are difficult to completely let go – if one finds a beautiful swatch of fabric in the bazaar, every Indian has access to a favourite tailor who will run up a lovely garment for her/him. This is unimaginable in the West, where ‘bespoke’ is limited to men’s suits on Savile Row! In the past decade, there has been a rise in the knowledge and awareness of the origin of textiles and fashion – when I curate my collections for VESTIRE, clients want to know the provenance of the fabric and the specific design philosophy that I use in styling a garment. As one of the few Indian women involved in the luxury clothing market with an independent label, I am so happy to represent my country’s design and fashion philosophy and textile history to my discerning clients.

Indian fashion continues to be a sustainable story.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

27

AMRUT AWAAZ

“We are part of an exciting emerging landscape of a new Bahrain” :IUM[P :IVOIVI\PIV Managing Director Santy Excavation & Construction CO WLL

O

n the glorious occasion of the 75th Independence Day of India, I have immense pride in greeting all my fellow-Indians – Vande Mataram!

It is indeed an “Amrut Mahotsav” as the Government of India named this date – India has come a long way from the days of the freedom struggle and today India has emerged as an economic and political powerhouse in the world. For me and the millions of Indians who live and work in the GCC, the growing closeness between our motherland and this region is a boon. It is possible only because of the favorable West Asian foreign policies of the PM, Shri Narendra Modi. It encourages us to contribute more to the progress of our adopted home, Bahrain, with our skills, commitment, hard work, and hardearned investments.

The Santy Excavation & Construction Company WLL was founded in 2007 and is part of the exciting emerging landscape of a new Kingdom of Bahrain. Our areas of specialisation include excavation, construction, infrastructure, earthworks and oil & gas off-shore works. We have many major projects to our credit – Bahrain’s new urban development projects such as Diyaar Al Muharraq, Danaat Al Lawzi and Salman Town have all been served by our expertise and experience.

Indeed, our Chairman, Ismael Hassan Ali Al Sayegh aptly says, “We entered the Bahrain construction and earthworks 28

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

market at the right time and as a result, we have been riding the reclamation and construction boom wave ever since our company’s inception.”

Santy owns its own crusher plant with a massive storage yard which produces high quality materials for our own projects and for external clients. Our heavy construction machineries and equipment are part of our assets that support our contracting activities and are also available for rental services.

Our resources include a multinational team of over 400 professionals and workers, and a fleet of specialized industrial heavy vehicles. With ISO 9001: 2015 and ISO 45001: 2018 certifications, we bring excellence and quality above all else to our work.

At Santy, we care greatly for employee safety and welfare first – I always remember the fact that I myself have risen through the ranks from a very humble beginning and I know that every person comes to the Gulf with dreams of a better life. Having had the good fortune to make it to the top, I am committed to serving the Kingdom of Bahrain which helped me to progress, as well as my homeland India, which inspires me to work honestly and with commitment. Above all, I strongly believe in treating and supporting every fellowworker as a person who is seeking the same goal of happiness, family welfare and progress like me.

"Bahrain supports the empowerment of all women, expat and national." ;PIZUQTI ;PM\

Hon. Chairperson BCICAI & Manager, Internal Audit & Risk Advisory Protiviti Bahrain

I

t is a sunrise year for Indian women, what with our new President being a woman who represents the ancient wisdom of tribal India of such wisdom - and accomplishment, because it must have taken so much thought and building of consensus and team work to reach this position.

This is indeed the case across the board for Indian women.

Armed with education, faced with equal opportunities and powered by ambition, we have firmly taken to the skies. I have been in Bahrain for almost 15 years and I there has been a paradigm shift in the overall profile of women in Bahrain.

As far as Indian women are concerned, the country has not only provided them a safe, happy and secured life but also helped them grow and flourish. Women here have the luxury of convenience and time and Indian women have made the most of it. They are integral part of work force in Bahrain today with many Indian women at the helm of affairs in the corporate world. Many India women have become founders and entrepreneurs setting up their business from small to big, from fintech to finance, from blogging to baking. And for this, we must thank the open market and government

policies which support empowerment of women including expats in all fields and makes them feel a part of Bahrain’s growth story.

As a part of this narrative, I am honoured to be heading the Bahrain Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (BCICAI) as its first woman Chairperson – it is the culmination of serving on the BCICAI Board for five years previously in various capacities. There are more than 100 Indian women CAs in Bahrain but only about half of them are our members. This year we have plans to get these women out from their cocoon and make them part of the BCICAI learning process. Also, the pandemic has posed more professional concerns to women members specially the married ones, who have either taken a sabbatical or opted for shorter working hours to take care of their family and children. To help them get back in the mainstream, we will be having more programmes and sessions especially for upskilling and reskilling our women members.

Professional concerns of the women CA are no different from women in any other profession be it work life balance,

AMRUT AWAAZ managing children and career, pay disparity, etc. Actually, and workshops. As I take over the reins of one of the largest my predecessors have already made the career goals and organized professional body of accountants in Bahrain post growth of women CAs and their overall inclusivity a part of pandemic, we have our own challenges and hurdles. A major BCICAI’s objectives. For instance, the BCICAI launched many one is getting sponsors back on board especially when the women specific initiatives like changing the constitution businesses are still not completely recovered from the effects making Chairman role more gender neutral by changing of pandemic and we have to find ways to conduct events with it to Chairperson; a separate wing ‘WICAB’ (i.e., Women limited resources. Another challenge is to manage logistics Indian Chartered Accountants in Bahrain) has been set up of conducting the events in physical form when people are which regularly conducts exclusive events for the women still reluctant to leave the comfort of their homes. However, who otherwise miss out on the regular events/seminars with our theme for the year, Sankalp, Samarpan Abhyuday, due to multiple commitments donning multiple hats; C2A which means ‘dedication and determination leads to rise’, Toastmasters club is another initiative sponsored by ICAB this Executive Committee will leave no stone unturned to Toastmasters club of BCICAI where women from various overcome these challenges and to take the BCICAI to cross professions and interests Communicate To Achieve (C2A). Last new horizons. but not the least, for last two years BCICAI has been dedicating Having discussed the challenges, it had its own pros as well. the month of March exclusively for its women members who We have witnessed the highest digital transformation during have been strong contributors in the Chapter’s success and this period with technology being the game changer. We at have been at forefront in almost all the major achievements BCICAI will also continue to leverage on this technological of Chapter. revolution. Though Bahrain Chapter will gradually move the Over the years, gender diversity in the finance industry has activities to the physical form, the hybrid model is here to improved, with studies reporting that women make up to 40% stay. BCICAI will continue to have some events in virtual mode of the finance workforce. But then there are few challenges which has its own benefit of cost and time and advantage to more peculiar to women in the finance field. While there are get best speakers and courses from around the globe virtually. more women in finance than ever before, women hold fewer leadership, executive, and board positions than their male counterparts who dominate this field.

Finance has seen one of the highest genders pay gaps than any other industry. Also, the world of finance is infamous for its long hours which becomes a significant barrier to women flourishing in this field. Especially during the pandemic, employment plummeted more for women vis-a-vis men, with the biggest gender differences assessed for married women with children. So, to conclude, far more needs to be done to create an atmosphere that empowers women in the workplace, including more inclusive company policies, flexible working hours, work from home option, etc.

In this context, it is worth noting that Bahrain is regarded as one of the illustrious locations for women including expat women and has been listed among the top nations for quality of life. Thanks to the efforts and inclusive policies of Government of Bahrain and the efforts of This is a historical year for BCICAI as it elected its first Woman Chairperson CA other organizations like Supreme Council for Sharmila Shet to lead the newly committee to serve the Chapter with its full vigour Women, Bahrain Businesswomen’s Society, for the term 2022-23 commencing August 1.

Bahrain Entrepreneurship Organization etc., Front Row (LtoR): CA Shribharathi Maheshkumar, Excom Member; CA Nisha Sharma today Bahrain has many women in top ranks Kotwani, Secretary; CA Sharmila Shet, Chairperson; CA Aswathy Udayarajan, Excom across different organizations and also has Member. highest percentage of women founders and Second Row (LtoR): CA Ankush Malhotra, Excom Member; CA Flenil D’souza, Joint entrepreneurs than any other country.

Treasurer; CA Ekansh Agrawal, Joint Secretary; CA Sthanumurthy Viswanathan Moving forward, I can proudly say that BCICAI Meera, Vice Chairperson; CA Clifford D’souza, Treasurer; CA Sumeet Khopkar, Excom Member and CA Abhishek Gupta, Excom Member was quick to adapt to the changing scenario during the pandemic with virtual conferences 30

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

SALAAM SOCIETY

.ITKWV [WIZ[ QV ;Q\ZI Minister of Industry and Commerce, Zayed Bin Rashid Al Zayani inaugurated the new industrial showroom of Falcon Trading WLL, a family-owned business established in 1985 in the Sitra industrial area. Chairman Yogesh Bhatia welcomed VIP guests including Chairman of the BCCI, Sameer Nass and other dignitaries. The company showcased its latest product innovation and technology in tools, construction, lifting, welding, Industrial Safety and PPE.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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EDUCATION

3,+ -L]KI\QWVIT ;]XXWZ\ +MV\ZM" A student's guide to college admissions and career path KDC Educational Support centre was founded by Narinder Kapoor, an IITian, who has more than 40 years experience in the field of education who started his life in Bahrain as a lecturer in University of Bahrain and went on to became an Honorary Board Member of Indian School Bahrain in the year 1980. His passion for making quality education a priority for a better tomorrow for the world, translated into KDC Education Centre where there is a space for Testing and Career Counselling Pursuits and providing Academic Support (coaching for core subjects) all under one roof. All this with the help of teachers who are highly qualified and experts in their subjects with Msc and PhD degrees. KDC Educational Support Centre is built on three Narinder Kapoor with a faculty member at KDC pillars of ASPIRE. ACHIEVE. INSPIRE that will help you achieve your career goals.

KDC provides students with efficient assistance namely: i. Academic Support - We coach our students to help them excel in qualifying examinations for core subjects like physics, chemistry, maths, biology, economics, business studies, accounts etc. ii. Assessment for Career Pursuits - Psychometric analysis that enables students to choose the best fitted, most fulfilling and enjoyable career path. iii. Counselling for Career Pursuits - We guide and work with the individual to determine a potential choice based on the psychometric analysis reports. iv. Assistance for College/University Admissions - Provide an opportunity for the student to get a college / University admission irrespective of the circumstances.

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AMRUT ITIHAAS

=[PI 5MP\I

- India's First Radio newscaster She started India’s first underground radio station which functioned from secret locations in Mumbai and was the first Indian ‘radio voice’ broadcasting uncensored news

U

sha Mehta, born on 25th March 1920, was a freedom fighter who is remembered for starting India's first radio station and was its first radio jockey.

The 'Congress Radio' was a clandestine and underground radio station that operated for about three months during the Quit India Movement of 1942 and functioned from different locations in Mumbai.

Usha organised the radio station with the help of ham radio operators. The technicians and the equipment were supplied by Nanik Motwane of Chicago Radio, Mumbai.

Eminent personalities like Dr Ram Manohar Lohia were also associated with the Congress Radio.

On 14 August 1942, within a week of launching of the Quit India Movement, the Secret Congress Radio, went on air, with Usha Mehta broadcasting this announcement: "This is the Congress Radio calling on (a wavelength of) 42.34 meters from somewhere in India."

To elude the authorities, the organizers moved the station's location almost daily. Ultimately, however, the police found them on 12 November 1942 and arrested the organizers, including Usha Mehta. All were later imprisoned. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a wing of the Indian Police, interrogated her for six months, offering her inducements such as the opportunity to study abroad if she would betray the movement. However, she chose to remain silent and would not reply to any of the questions, not even to save herself.

After the trial, she was sentenced to four years' imprisonment at Yeravada Jail in Pune.

In March 1946, she was released, the first political prisoner to be released in Bombay, at the orders of Morarji Desai, who was at that time the home minister in the interim government.

Although the Secret Congress Radio functioned only for three months, it greatly assisted the movement by disseminating uncensored news and other information banned by the British-controlled government of India.

Secret Congress Radio also kept the leaders of the freedom movement in touch with the public.

Reminiscing about those days, Usha Mehta described her involvement with the Secret Congress Radio as her "finest moment" and also as her saddest moment, because an Indian technician had betrayed them to the authorities.

Early Life

Born in Saras, Gujarat, Usha participated in her first protest at the age of eight against Sir John Simon. "The first slogan I shouted was ‘Simon Go Back’", she had said in an interview.

Usha's father was a judge under the British Raj. He therefore did not encourage her to participate in the freedom struggle. However, when Usha was 12, her family moved to Bombay, making it possible for her to participate more actively in the freedom movement. She and other children distributed clandestine bulletins and publications, visited relatives in the prisons, and carried messages to these prisoners.

Usha grew up highly influenced by Gandhi and became one of his followers. She made an early decision to remain celibate for life and took up a spartan, Gandhian lifestyle.

The Union of India conferred the Padma Vibhushan on her in 1998.

In August 2000, Usha died peacefully at the age of 80, survived by her elder brother and three nephews. One of her nephews, Ketan Mehta, is a noted Bollywood filmmaker.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

33

KNOW INDIA

Droupadi Murmu is the first person from India's designated tribal communities to be elected president. She is the youngest and first individual born after India's independence in 1947 to have been elected president.

1VLQIV \ZQJIT[ ÅVL I ^WQKM

They are the original inhabitants of India – the ‘Adivasi’. Yet, their rich culture has been ignored and the people of the 645 tribes of India stand marginalised.

BY MEERA RAVI

T

he election of Droupadi Murmu as the President of India has sparked a new curiosity about the varied and fascinating tribal culture that links contemporary India to the ancient prehistory of the land.

There seem to be two blanket views about tribals: one that they are all primitive forest-dwellers in need of help to get “civilised” and another, an appalling lack of knowledge about tribal culture and history beyond what we see faked in movies!

34

Mainstream heroines

Truth is, tribals have been a part of the mainstream history and the mythic subconscious of the nation for long – there have been tribal freedom fighters who fought the British and later, tribal parliamentarians too albeit not enough in number to amplify the voices and concerns of these earliest dwellers of our country. The Constitution of India has recognized tribal communities in India under ‘Schedule 5’ of the constitution. Hence the tribes

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

recognised by the Constitution are known as ‘ Scheduled Tribes’ - there are around 645 distinct tribes in India.

In fact, Odisha, where Droupadi Murmu hails from, has a long list of eminent tribal women leaders such as Mukta and Sumoni Jhodia. Sumoni Jhodia was the unofficial advisor on tribal development from 1993-95 to the erstwhile chief minister, Biju Patnaik.

Another example was the Padma Shri awardee, Tulasi Munda. Making the most of women’s reservation was

Saraswati Hembrum, a tribal personality from Mayurbhanj district. She started as a sarpanch (village council head) and went on to win three terms in the state Assembly from 1980 to 2000. She was also the first tribal woman to be given ministerial charge.

Frida Topno, who was a gazetted state government officer, won the Lok Sabha (LS) seat in 1991 and again in 1996 from Sundargarh district.

Sushila Tiriya, from Mayurbhanj, went to the Rajya Sabha twice (in 1994 and 2006) from Mayurbhanj and once to the LS. Interestingly, Frida and Sushila held graduate degrees and were deeply committed to social work.

There is an active Ministry of Tribal Affairs which set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Served by one Minister and two Ministers of State, all of whom are tribals themselves, the Ministry seeks to provide a more focused approach on the integrated socio-economic development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The tribes of India claim a vast expanse as their own and their cultural imprint on Indianness way deeper than the rest—with many of them seen as

Indian PM Modi dons a tribal head dress in the North East during a campaign stop.

descendants of the subcontinent’s original inhabitants. Spread over the length and breadth of the landmass, mostly in forested and mountainous country, they are a heterogeneous set, varying greatly in language, culture, means of primary livelihood and state of development.

The different tribes have their own distinct culture, ways of life, mythology and spiritual beliefs. It is true that many tribes are forest-dwellers to this day

but far from it being a disadvantage to them, it has helped them to preserve a valuable body of wisdom about forests – the wild life, herbal medicine and a granular understanding of flora and fauna that is the envy of botanists and zoologists. Long before sustainability became a trendy way of living and much before climate change forced us to re-examine our lives and reach for a gentler, environmentally sensitive way of living, tribals were already walking that path. A deep awareness of nature and a respect for all life around them informed their way of life.

If you want to get off the beaten track and explore India’s tribal culture, there are tailormade packages with evocative names such as “Far and Wide Travels” and “Tribal Tours” from IndianHoliday. com and IHPL Tribal Tours in India which has tours with imaginative names such as ‘Mizoram Cultural & Nature Tour’ or ‘Enchanting Arunachal Tour’ or the two-in-one ‘Tiger & Tribal Tour’ among others.

Southern tribes

Lest you think that India’s tribals are all residents of the NorthEast, West and Eastern India and that the South has no tribals, there is a detailed seven-volume study The elaborate Chhau dance is a tribal cultural gift from North-East India

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

35

KNOW INDIA total, south home‘Castes to 104and tribal communities. published in India 1909,iscalled Tribes There is large variation population of Southern India’ about in thethe social groups ofsize and distribution of these communities.

TheofKurumba Madras Presidency and the princely states of the Nilgiris, the Irula snake-catcher tribes in and Travancore, Mysore, Coorg and Pudukkottai. around Chennai and Chengalpattu, the Koya or In total, south India is home to 104 tribal Koithur of Andhra the Halakki Vokkaliga of communities.

TherePradesh, is large variation in the Karnataka, size the and Maladistribution Pulaya of Kerala population of theseand the Siddi who trace their back Bantu tribes of communities.

The ancestors Kurumba of theto Nilgiris, South East Africa. The tribes Siddi in have the Irula snake-catcher andplayed aroundsignificant roles in and the politics of the the subcontinent.

The most Chennai Chengalpattu, Koya or Koithur famous Siddi, Malik the Ambar, effectively controlled the of Andhra Pradesh, Halakki Vokkaliga of Ahmadnagar in the Deccan.

Hethe played a Karnataka, theSultanate Mala Pulaya of Kerala and majorwho role,trace politically and militarily, in Indian Siddi their ancestors back to Bantu history by limiting the penetration of the Mughal tribes of South East Africa. The Siddi have power into the Deccan Plateau. played significant roles in the politics of the subcontinent. The most famous Siddi, Malik Ambar, Festiveeffectively mood controlled the Ahmadnagar Sultanate in to thestrike Deccan. a major If you want our He on played your own, you can check role, politically and militarily, in Indian history out some of the key tribal culture festivals suchbyas the limiting the penetration of the Mughal power Hornbill Festival in Nagaland (December)the Nagoba into theinDeccan Plateau.

Jatara Telengana (January) or the National Tribal Dance Festival which is organised by the government of India every February – this year, there was a Festive mood special edition of theour festival organised as part of the If you want to strike on your own, you Independence Day celebrations in Vishakapatnam in can check out some of the key tribal culture June. festivals such as the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland Which are the hubsJatara of India?

You can meet as (December) thetribal Nagoba in Telengana many as 32 tribal communities in Jharkand, (January) or the National Tribal Dance Festivalsuch as the Munda, Oraon, Ho, Chero, which is organised bySanthal, the government of and Gond.

Some of the major tribes in Chhattisgarh include India every February – this year, there was Gonds, Murias, Halbas, Dorlas, Bisonhorn Marias, a special edition of the festival organised as Abhujmarias, Bhatras, Gadbas, and Baigas. part of the Independence Day celebrations in When divided into sub-sects, these make up almost 42 Vishakapatnam in June. tribes.

The state is also home to the popular Ramnami Which are the tribal hubs of India? You can community, who gettribal the communities word ‘Ram’ inked all over meet as many as 32 in their bodies.

Jharkand, such as the Munda, Oraon, Santhal, Known forand its built beaches, Ho, Chero, Gond.heritage, Some of pristine the major tribes and incredible wealth of natural resources, Odisha in Chhattisgarh include Gonds, Murias, Halbas,is home to several tribal communities.

You can travel to places Dorlas, Bisonhorn Marias, Abhujmarias, Bhatras, like Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Balangir, and Sambalpur Gadbas, and Baigas. When divided into sub-sects, to getmake a glimpse of the42 tribal lifestyle in Odisha. these up almost tribes.

The state is also In Rajasthan, you can meet the Bhils, who Garasias, home to the popular Ramnami community, Damors, Sahariya, and Sansi tribes.

These get the word ‘Ram’ inked all over their bodies. tribes have their own of unique traditions, Known for its builtset heritage, pristine beaches,festivals, music, and modes of artistic expression.

Next door, in and incredible wealth of natural resources, Gujarat, you can meet Vadiara Rabari and Odisha is home to several tribal communities.Bharwad tribescan and the Ahir.

You travel to places like Mayurbhanj, In Nagaland, the Konyak tribals are heavily Koraput, Balangir, and Sambalpur to get a tattoed and wear in traditional warrior dresses and attractive glimpse of the tribal lifestyle in Odisha. tribal necklaces.

Don’t miss exploring the In Rajasthan, you can meet the Bhils, Garasias, tribal heritage Sahariya, of Nagaland the tribes.

KohimaThese Statetribes Museum Damors, andatSansi Arunachal Pradesh boasts the highest concentration have their own set of unique traditions, festivals, of scheduled tribes in India.

It’s oneNext of the last music, and modes of artistic expression. remaining outposts of India where tribes still live in door, in Gujarat, you can meet Vadiara Rabari a primitive existence.

They depend on their land for and Bharwad tribes and the Ahir.

30 36

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

?144 8:-;1,-6< ,:7=8),1 5=:5= 0-:)4, ) ;=:/- 16 <:1*)4 ,->-4785-6<' Notwithstanding their rich cultural role in India’s sociological history, it is true that tribals were not materially well-served by modern India’s developmental progress. Although comprising nearly 9% of the country’s population – that’s 10.45 crores of people - tribal communities have, in fact, perpetually been neglected and exploited with limited to no space in the national political system. Those belonging to tribal groups are generally poor and lack access to healthcare and education in remote villages.

Despite efforts in the past to include tribals in national politics through affirmative actions such as the reservation of seats within the country’s Parliament and assemblies, the victory of Droupadi Murmu to the Presidential post is a huge step not only towards mainstreaming but also empowering the tribal population of the country who have existed or have constantly been pushed to the fringes. With Murmu’s calibre and agency, the chequered history of India’s tribal people now stands a chance to enter the public discourse.

Much has been made of President Droupadi Murmu’s personal life where she faced immense tragedy, losing her two sons and husband early in life. However, not enough is said about her activism and her understanding of how she, a tribal woman, came to navigate the corridors of political power and achieve change.

President Murmu began her activism as a teacher, teaching free of cost in Rairangpur from 1994 to 1997 and has struggled her way up in politics to reach where she is today. Her political acuteness made her join the BJP in 1997 as a part of which she served as a member of the legislative assembly twice and once as a minister in Odisha, before being sworn in as the governor of Jharkhand on 18 May 2015.

And unlike her preceding presidents from marginalised and minority backgrounds who seldom echoed the concerns of those belonging to their communities, Murmu has had a considerable contribution towards the upliftment of society by hearing the voices of her own people. For instance, as the first female governor of Jharkhand during 2015–21, she returned two controversial bills—the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act—in view of the widespread agitation from tribes after the state sought to dilute their rights over their ancestral land. During her presidency, then, there remains much to be optimistic about.

The President of India, being specially empowered under the Constitution for the protection and upliftment of the scheduled tribes, can actually do a lot for them-over and above what the government is already doing. Thus, President Droupadi Murmu’s rise to the post of Head of State should be seen as a politics of recognition which can make resistance heard.

Siddi dance

Gond painting SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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Terracotta crafts of Bastar

In Nagaland, the Konyak tribals are heavily tattoed and wear in traditional warrior dresses and attractive tribal necklaces.

Don’t miss exploring the tribal heritage of Nagaland at the Kohima State Museum Arunachal Pradesh boasts the highest concentration of scheduled tribes in India. It’s one of the last remaining outposts of India where tribes still live in a primitive existence. They depend on their land for livelihood and maintain a harmonious relationship with nature. Prominent tribes in Arunachal include Mishmis, Singpho, Nyishis, Lisu,

Rabari women doing embroidery 38

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Weaving Crafts of Mishing Tribe

Monpas, Sherdukpens, and Apatanis. Among these, the Nyishis are the most populous tribe of Arunachal Pradesh.

Similarly, tribals living in isolated and regal harmony with nature can be observed in of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Strait Island is home to The Great Andamanese tribe. Another important tribe is Onges, which is also one of India’s most primitive tribes. They live in Dugong Creek and South Bay on Little Andaman Island. The Jarawas were once known for their hostility but today, they are a friendly tribe, that resides on the western coast of Middle Andaman and South Andaman Islands. The Sentinelese tribe inhabits the small North Sentinel Island.

If you want to remember India’s tribal heritage with love and respect, take time to admire the stunning crafts and art of these tribes. The colourful shawls of Nagaland, the painstaking metal thread sculptures of Chattisgarh and the richly embroidered clothing of the Ahirs as well as the jewellery that has retained the original symbolism and style - bead necklaces from the Wancho tribe of Arunachal Pradesh; sea shell, glass bead and coral necklace from Konyak tribe of Nagaland; Dokra jewellery crafted by the Bhattada section of the famous Gond tribes of Odisha and which gives an antique look and augments well with traditional as well as contemporary styles.

DINING OUT

;XQKM[ :M[\I]ZIV\ I \I[\M WN KWV\MUXWZIZa 1VLQI Spices Restaurant at the Crowne Plaza offers a fresh, contemporary Indian dining experience which highlights tastes from all over India. They have several delicious signature dishes like the lamb vindaloo, Sikandari Raan, uniquely prepared lobster that has that amazing Indian seafood flavour.

The Lamb Shank Nihari, originating in Old Delhi is one of the special signature dishes.

The meat is slow cooked along with bone marrow to give it a distinct and delicious taste. The presence of bone marrow makes this lamb shank curry, really rich, which is why it is one of Spices' signature main courses.

Chef Pramod Biljan, the man behind the exciting fusion of flavours believes that being in the kitchen is all about getting inspired, learning, unlearning and even re-learning to reach his culinary goals and provide guests a new experience that allows them to make memories around the table.

Spices has a business Thali Lunch priced at BD 7 and is available from Sunday to Thursday, 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm. There is also an exciting Friday buffet from 7pm to 11pm BD 13 net including soft drinks. Spices also offer a set menu for parties, gettogether or corporate events.

All fans of the Indian cuisine in Bahrain will be able to enjoy the tasty buffet of Chef Pramod, who applies superb techniques and combinations that have stood the test of time.

This long standing excellence is evident in everything that is served.

For Reservations and queries you can get in touch with Kalpesh Padave, the restaurant manager at +973 3403 042 To get a peek at the Spices spread, check out our interview with Chef Pramod and Manager Kalpesh on Salaam Bahrain’s Facebook and Instagram channels.

)UJI[[ILWZ ^Q[Q\[ )8* NIK\WZa Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava visited the production facility of Asian Paints Berger and was received by General Manager, Gurpreet Singh Sarna.

Asian Paints is one of the world’s largest decorative paints producing companies and with operations in 16 countries and 26 manufacturing facilities. Asian paints have a strong manufacturing base in the Middle East with dedicated plants in Dubai, Oman and Bahrain producing a range of products to cater to Middle East markets. It is also the largest decorative paints company in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

According to Sarna, Asian Paints Berger is the fastest growing company in the GCC - With its established presence in retail markets, strong B2B products and solutions portfolio, the company has been at the forefront of the coatings industry in Bahrain.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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HAPPENINGS

.QZ[\ ;WKQIT 5MLQI )_IZL[ QV *IPZIQV Actor Ameesha Patel & Mandela’s grand-daughter Zolekha to attend star-studded event

I

n a signal of Bahrain’s growing engagement with social media, Saaya Events and Brand Box have announced Bahrain's first 'Social Media Awards 2022'. The awards will honour the efforts and vision of Bahrain’s social media influencers who have nominated themselves or been nominated for it and are being reviewed by an eminent panel of judges.

Over 500 residents and citizens of Bahrain have enrolled for the awards which includes several crucial categories including Best Instagrammer and Best TikTokker.

The glittering awards ceremony will take place on September 9 in the presence of social media influencers from around the globe and special guests, Indian Film Actor Ameesha Patel and social activist Zolekha Madela, the granddaughter of the Nobel Laureate Dr. Nelson Mandela, among other big social media stars from the Asian subcontinent and the Middle East. More than 1000 people including the best 200 influencers of Bahrain are expected to attend the event.

Tickets for the ceremony, which will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, are priced at BD 10. The event is sponsored by Megamart, Nissan, QV Ego Middle East and Latea The tickets were launched by Team Saaya & Brand Box with Dana Zubari, Soniya Janahi, and 80 influencers and delegates from Bahrain.

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BUSINESS TALK

Nawani raises the service bar @ Mega Mart Since taking charge of the well-loved supermarket chain, Anil Nawani has been steering BabasonsMegaMart to new success

T

he Babasons - MegaMart / MacroMart chain of supermarkets is all that shoppers love: well-stocked, clean, with a courteous team and one branch around almost every corner – there are 14 MegaMart and two MacroMart stores across Bahrain today.

At the helm of this essentials retail chain is a veteran retail pro, Anil Nawani. Since taking charge in 2020, Nawani has recalibrated the chain so that it is more responsive to customer needs and changing urban demographics. Thus, shoppers can find the convenience of Express Stores lined up alongside large supermarkets in urban spaces such as the Bahrain Financial Harbour and a revamped Hot Foods section that caters to new tastes with delicious and fresh-prepared treats, an efficient catering service for parties and a great range of value-for-money brands.

In 1993, Babasons, backed by the internationally renowned T Choithram Group of Companies, set up their first grocery store at Salmaniya. The Choitram’s standards of high quality and service soon made Babasons-Mega Mart one of the leading supermarket chains in the Kingdom. Today, the Babasons/MegaMart/MacroMart group is one of the biggest retailers and distribution networks with imports from India, Australia, the UK, the US and South Africa.

“Given the fast-growing consumer demands and market demographics in the kingdom of Bahrain, we as the Babasons group, a part of the T Choithrams conglomerate, have strategised our business in such a way that maximum requirements of all communities are met by providing versatile and extensive product assortment by mixing our purchases,” Nawani says.

“This practice translates to containers being directly shipped from various countries from where our customers hail - mostly from India as well as other countries such as Europe, US, Australia, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines but not limited to these. Since the products are being sourced by us directly and without a middleman, such methods help satisfy market price demands and do not adversely affect our consumer’s buying trends.”

Mr Nawani says the post-pandemic recovery looks strong and promising in the Kingdom. “When we talk of postCovid era, Babasons-MegaMart/MacroMart is now stronger than before and for that, we are grateful to the Bahrain government and the community. As the world returns to normal post-pandemic, we at Babasons/MegaMart.

MacroMart are re-aligning our services, our products portfolio and upgrading our upgrade our stores to better hygiene standards in order to protect our consumers.”

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,: /-7:/- +0-:1A)6 0MIT\PKIZM >Q[QWVIZa Because

Dr. George Cheriyan transformed the pioneering American Mission Hospital into a future-facing medical complex, with state-of-the-art centres across the Kingdom and adapted its delivery of care to the highest modern standards.

Along the way, he shepherded his team through the challenges of changing care standards, new medical technology and the pandemic, navigating the changing protocols and bringing hope and healing to patients. He is a frontliner in the true sense of the word.

Homage to the Gulf

I was born in Kuwait and spent early years there before moving to Calicut. After my medical studies in Kerala and London, I came to Saudi Aramco on a Sabbatical for a year 42

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and decided to stay on. It was the best decision of my life. In 2009, I came to AMH as the CEO and Chief Medical Officer after having been a Neonatologist for over 25 years. Most of my leadership development that prepared me for this role took place in Saudi Aramco where I headed the Quality Improvement of a large complex medical organisation for nearly 5 years. My training and work experience in the NHS in London, Toronto and Saudi Aramco for 18 years prepared me well for this transition.

Bahrain is a perfect place to realize your dreams in having a wonderful work life balance. It is a wonderful melting pot of cultures with warm-hearted people we are able to interact with, especially in the healthcare arena. Of all the different parts of the world I have lived in, I have truly enjoyed living and working in Bahrain the most.

BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES 8IVLMUQK NIKM W‫ٺ‬

Like all healthcare institutions, the AMH too had no rule book for the pandemic as it evolved. We had old records of how the pandemic of the Spanish flu affected Bahrain and how the hospital managed it. But we were fortunate that the Government took the lead and had a centralised system of tracking, tracing and treating affected patients.

The death of Dr Solomon early in the pandemic shook us badly and we had to hold on together to be supportive to each other care for anxious patients. Shortage of nurses and high sick rates were very challenging as protocols kept changing as the pandemic evolved.

AMH in the 21st century

Our vision is for AMH to be a leader in defining the future of healthcare, leveraging technology and providing seamless care into the community and homes of patients. Today, we serve the Bahrain public from five locations. Being a not for profit organizations the goal is not financial growth but growth in serving a wider section of the population with high quality affordable care at point of need.

We are excited about our latest project - a world class,

futuristic hospital to be named the King Hamad American Mission Hospital in A’ali. This was to reposition AMH to what it was to the people of Bahrain over the past decades for the next hundred years. It will significantly improve on our ability to provide tertiary care for our patients and also for patients living in Hamad town, Riffa and A’Ali. Personally, it also gave me the most memorable moment to cherish - meeting with His Majesty and laying the foundation of the A’ali hospital building.

Success mantra

Building trust, transparency and teamwork through integrity and valuing every employee for what they bring to the organization and to see them develop in their roles – I would say these have been the core values that have guided me.

I also derive great strength from the support of my wife who is also a doctor and my two sons and their families.

Indian diaspora deserves praise

I would like to say that it is not just the Malayalee community but the Indian diaspora as a whole has to be proud in the myriad of ways we have contributed to the growth of Bahrain.

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BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

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Because

Dashing, energetic and a businessman of innovation and substance, Pambavasan Nair has several unique achievements to his credit - he is the first expatriate to establish a fullfledged switchgear manufacturing factory in two gulf countries, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Inspired by his parents, he is committed to the community and a well-known philanthropist in the GCC and India.

He is also a keen supporter of cultural and social activities and is a Life Member of the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam, twice President of the Kerala Arts and Cultural Association, a generous ally of the Kerala Catholic Association and founder and chief patron of the People's Forum Bahrain, an association formed in the service to mankind in the year 2008 to extend financial aid to the destitute.

An entrepreneurial heart

This beautiful island called Bahrain has given me immense fame and recognition as an entrepreneur and as a philanthropist. I hail from the small village of Trikkaderi in Palakkad and come from an agrarian background. Proving my potentials as an entrepreneur was a tough ride. From my childhood, I had witnessed many farmers being subjected to exploitation by businessmen. I was against exploitation of 44

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the vulnerable and subconsciously carried a desire to become a businessperson and help the needy.

In India, I had a very bright career, first as a maintenance engineer and later, in sales with some of the most professional and competitive companies in the switchgear business in Mumbai. In 1993, I joined the Saudi company, Abdul Karim Trading and was quickly promoted as Manager.

In 1998, I decided to pursue my long-cherished dream to try my hand at business. With my close friend Radhakrishnan Khalayil, I started a trading company Amad Al Baeed Trading Est. in Saudi Arabia. The company within a short span of 2-3 years was well established in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

As a part of expansion, we then started our operations in Kingdom of Bahrain in the year 2001. Amad was a small shop at Shaikh Hamad Avenue with just 2 employees.

It was an exhilarating time and I was full of energy – I worked day and night and managed to nurture Amad into a professional business enterprise surpassing all the hurdles in the market. Within a year’s time, we shifted to larger premises in Sitra.

Presently I have 4 companies in Saudi Arabia and 4 companies in Bahrain with 400 employees working for me.

Further, I ventured and diversified my expansion plans with JAG Est. which happens to be a Grade 1 electrical contracting

ONAM SPECIAL company in Bahrain. In 2007, I started Ascon Control WLL, a full-fledged switchgear manufacturing company in Bahrain, my dream project.

The Amad success story

I am proud to underline the fact that Amad Group of Companies has an excellent track record in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. To meet the exacting standards and win the approved vendor status for Aramco, SCECO, Royal Commission, SABIC, SATARA, SATROP, etc. in Saudi Arabia is very challenging. In Bahrain Minister of Industry and Commerce, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani inaugurated the 'Ascon Factory' in Askar in too, Amad is approved by the presence of HE the Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava all private and public sector companies, which proves our Dr. Namrata is a university gold medallist and son Vignesh is credibility. In Saudi Arabia, studying electrical engineering in Nottingham, UK. we have received a Letter of Appreciation from Aramco for our excellence in executing their time-bound projects.

Of course, there were many challenges, but I believe what Why Malayalees are special helped us to overcome them was determination, hard work, The Malayalee community is almost 60% of the Indian team work and the ability to visualise future needs. expatriate group. Undoubtedly they are very supportive Early on, we formed separate divisions, classified into Power to each other. There are many Malayalee associations in & Distribution Division; Cable Division; Cable Management Bahrain who encourage our socio-cultural and charitable Division; Lighting Division; Oil & Gas Division; Earthing & activities. They play a vital role in maintaining our inherited Lightning Protection Division. Each division is headed by culture and age-old traditions in true sense. qualified engineering graduates.

I have always made every possible attempt, contributing

Bahrain – transformer of dreams

I genuinely thank the great rulers and the large-hearted people of Bahrain who have provided ample opportunities to the expatriate communities in terms of employment and welcomed entrepreneurs like me so we can accomplish our dreams. It takes indeed a big heart to accept others so well.

In 2021, Ascon Control WLL relocated to its own premises at Al Mazraa Industrial Park, Bahrain. It represents my investment of BD.1.8 Million (around Rs. 36 crores). The new premises was inaugurated by Minister of Industry & Commerce, Zayed R. Alzayani and the Indian Ambassador HE Piyush Srivastava

Family

My parents, late Sri Madhavan Nair and late Smt Chandramma are my inspiration. My wife Kala, is a Mumbai girl with roots in Kerala. We are each other’s strength for the past 26 years. Our children have made us proud – daughter

towards social cultural commitment, as an Indian and of course as a Malayalee back in India and also here in Bahrain. During the pandemic days, the Kerala government requisitioned my 100-bed Sankar Hospital for two years’ time as a quarantine centre for taking care of the COVID-19 patients and NRIs who returned to their hometown. I regularly contribute towards the great initiatives by the ICRF also and support anybody in need of health or education funds. Further, during the pandemic days when many people across the globe lost their jobs and had considerable salary deductions, I ensured that in my company there wasn’t any job termination and that all staff were given salary without any deduction.

Whether housing aid for the homeless or education or health aid for the needy, I don’t restrict my charity works to any boundaries. I am ready to do whatever in my capacity. And that’s what we as humans must follow - do whatever we can to help others.

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BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

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ONAM SPECIAL Because

Raji has built her work as a journalist around her ability to amplify the voice of people less heard in the hubbub of life.

Her articles highlight community issues and serve as a bridge between people in power and the ordinary women and men in the street, interpreting situations, decoding narratives that tell of pain and triumph and help tie the loose threads in the tapestry of life.

She also uses her authoritative presence in the community to support causes dear to her heart, especially lending her voice and strength to women working to help each other.

A late journalist

For as long back as I can remember, I have wanted to be a journalist. I grew up at a time when I could lay my hands on 14 to 15 different newspapers at the libraries – I always loved reading community reports and global politics. I felt their power and I wanted to write like that. Although it was not yet a common career option for women, I studied journalism but put my career on the back-burner for motherhood – since my husband too is a newspaper man, the odd timings meant one parent had to be there for our daughter.

At some point in life, I felt it was not coming my way and I thought journalism had almost slipped off my hands – but at the right time, I got a break at the Daily Tribune, when I took up the role of a full-fledged reporter after over two decades of my qualifying as journalist. Yes it happened – all thanks to a God who sees the desires of your heart and honours them, in His time.

Having become a journalist, I felt duty-bound to use my pen to become the voice of the voiceless and take the concerns of the vulnerable to the ears of those who could help.

I have covered numerous stories, and most of them are on regional politics, community affairs and health, though I also cover other beats including sports, arts and business.

But those that would ever remain close to my heart are the stories of the pangs of people – beyond stories, they are life. There are several stories which I wrote on heartbreak, separation, poverty, desperate pleas for justice etc.

Given the large expat population in Bahrain, there were many travel ban related stories that I covered, all legal, as per law of the land - unfortunately most of the time the victims fall prey to situations and circumstances. One which is close to my heart is that of American octogenarian Fred Donnelly, who could not leave Bahrain for 13 years due to a travel ban following a dispute over a massive financial loan taken by him and his former Bahraini and British partners from a local bank. His dream was to fly home to receive free medical treatment – he was an ex-US army man.

Within hours of the report being highlighted in print, the bank lifted the ban which was such a joy! I still remember his wife Julie not being able to speak as she was sobbing at the impossible turning real overnight– none of us thought

it would happen! And they were all set to leave within a month. But sadly, Fred did not make it. He died in his sleep at his Saar home days before their trip to the US –he died without fulfilling his last ambition – it broke me.

Writing from the heart

I 'feel' every story that I pen especially those on people and lives. Some are pretty heavy that I have to try hard to keep them from affecting me emotionally. Over the years I learned the art of striking the balance.

Ethics and transparency are essential to journalism and I stay by these. I try my best to present facts; I ensure that I am convinced about what I'm writing. I would try my best to weigh both sides / all aspects of a subject before I write.

And, I accept my mistakes – they do happen despite all efforts – I am fine with saying a sorry and making amends the best possible way.

It is such a joy to see that what we wrote could help someone - and this is such a responsive occupation. I receive brickbats as well as bouquets! It takes little to please a journalist, you know. Just a simple thank you for coverage or an email saying “I want to help the person whom you write about in the paper” all these make my day. There is a gentle, elderly woman with speaking and hearing challenges, who writes an email to me on all my reports without fail – she has been doing it since 2017. I feel so happy every time I read her emails. Such moments of inspiration are what I consider the highlight of my career.

Bahrain moments for a lifetime

Bahrain is a country where every encounter lifts you – whether it is a public response to help somebody in distress after an article appears or a community celebration that sees many nationalities coming together to demonstrate the unique spirit of Bahraini one-ness.. for me, my meeting with His Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Safriya Palace at a reception hosted as His Majesty received the Bassiouni Report is a memorable occasion - I still remember His Majesty's simplicity - the heartwarming smile - it made me feel so bproud to be part of a land ruled by such a fatherfigure!

Equally unforgettable is the moment when I first met the Crown Prince and PM, HRH Prince Salman at the Formula One paddock - the same warmth, the elegance – it makes you feel blessed to be the resident of a nation that is governed by a stately leader like him!

The Malayali spirit wins

I'm a proud Malayali. Yes, I would vouch for the general nature of the community - cooperative and supportive. And I think this is all the more true when we are far from home.

My experience in Bahrain over the span of two decades plus is that the Malayali community in the kingdom has lived tall and true to this nature of ours.

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BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

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Because

Premjith Narayan has made us all part of his global vision by sharing his talent as an amazing, award-winning photographer. More importantly, it also makes the world look at the Bahrain Malayalee community with respect and admiration.

His family belongs to Thrissur, Kerala, but Premjith was brought up in Mumbai by his entrepreneur father.

He later completed his engineering studies in Thrissur. In Bahrain for the past 25 years, Premjith is the Sales Director of GENERAL ELECTRIC (GE) the Power Generation giant.

Photography – a way of life:

Photography is not just my hobby – it’s an emotion! For 36 years I have been trying to decode the world around me through my camera lens and there has not been a single day which I did not enjoy what my eyes said hello to my lens. I’m also an astronomer and an astro-photographer, and have captured many celestial objects and events which were always once upon a time ‘imaginary’.

I have always been dextrous. Brought up by a very industrious father I’m not only an engineer by profession but also by aptitude.

My interest in photography are varied. I have travelled far and wide to capture the natural wonders and 48

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

ONAM SPECIAL beautiful landscapes. Apart from the nocturnal scenes of popular places around the world and the heavenly spectacle ‘Aurora Borealis’, I’m also into sports like F1, ski races, ice polo, sailing etc.. I did some aerial photography too mostly chartering choppers & helicopters covering key landscapes of a particular country.

Most unforgettable photo-shoots:

I would rate the stunning Aurora Borealis photo shoot in 2012 in Finland’s bitter -30 and -40 degree winter and an adventure inside a volcano, going down 400 feet inside the Earth as my two most unforgettable photographic moments. The riskiest was when we set out to photograph whales in the Norwegian Sea. We managed to sight two ‘humpback whales’ and we went as close as 10 meters to get some good close up shots.

A wrong step and we could’ve been thrown overboard if they had so much as flipped a tail!

Secret of Success: • • •

Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. For success to happen you need courage, determination and lots of commitment.

‘Know your equipment well - let the camera be a part of your body and let that listen to you rather than be commanded. Take photography seriously.

Share knowledge generously, mentor beginners and rejoice in others’ success – it keeps you grounded!

About his many awards:

To get international media attention is always a challenge be it the astro, Formula-1, nocturnal or landscape photography. This demands creativity. I am always thrilled when my photography entry is picked from out of thousands around the world by prestigious organisations such as National Geographic, the BBC and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. You see, the subject is often the same – astronomical phenomena or a sports event or a natural scene. To be chosen as the best – often as the only Asian or Indian amongst thousands of entries from around the world – is not just a testimony to my effort but it encourages me to keep striving for new perspectives.

My family clicks with my camera!

My wife Suja and sons Jathin and Nithin are all huge supporters of my passion. Jathin is himself an award-winning photographer. As for Suja – well, she’s uncomplaining about the fact that I find the moonlight more romantic when seen through a camera lens!

Bahrain in my heart

Bahrain has certainly helped me catapult my photography talents to its pinnacle. First and foremost is the F1 sport. If it has not been for this beautiful country of the pearls, I would never have had the opportunity to hone my skills in this sport, which, to me is most challenging in terms of capturing immaculately the speeding effects of the cars.

I am proud that my shots have been recognised worldwide and I was the first Indian to be featured recently in a UK photography specialist publication.

Many of my astro shoots be it the eclipses, transits of planets, planetary conjunctions or the super moons captured from different spots across Bahrain have found its way into BBC magazines, National Geographic and many astro websites globally.

Why Malayalees are special

One thing I have observed that there is the “your tribe” space that the Malayalees have carved out in the social scenario in Bahrain – any person can find his clan to get tucked into, if s/he wishes to. The artists, performers, the authors, the singers, the movie enthuse, sport lovers – you name it, there is an energetic group out here – which is amazing. Also the spirit of oneness that they exhibit is phenomenal. Celebrations of festivals like Onam running over months is a testimony to this.

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BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

ONAM SPECIAL Because

Not many know that Sekhar S is the pioneer who brought Ayurveda and its associated treatments to Bahrain, persuaded the government to recognize this ancient healing care and helped quietly to make Bahrain a centre for alternative medical tourism.

A remarkable achievement for a man who is neither an Ayurvedic doctor nor an entrepreneur but who rewrote the Kingdom’s Ayurvedic experience, opening the floodgates for a number of well-run, professional clinics of this discipline.

Sekhar must also be commended for his firm business philosophy that he will never seek to profit from the illhealth of others and offering the best care at the best cost.

A heritage of medical wisdom

I come from a family steeped in medical wisdom, both Ayurvedic and allopathic. The founder of Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala (AVS), Vaidyaratnam PS Varier was my mother’s granduncle. My mother’s grandfather was an illustrious modern medicine doctor, Dr. PK Warrier who was conferred the title of Rao Bahadur.

When my granduncle became a doctor, his father Rao Bahadur told him, “Son, you have entered the great hall of healers. Do not ever look to make money from pain and suffering. Do not make your profession a marketable commodity, however great the temptation.” Similarly, my great grandmother told her son, “Remember your father has put in over 30 years of hard labour and established a reputation of uncommon skill in patient care. More than that he has a reputation for unassailable honesty and incorruptibility. Keep his name unblemished.”

Being from that lineage, I firmly believe that I am duty bound to be guided by those words without the slightest dilution. While pricing my products, as well as maintaining the quality, this is foremost.

My maternal uncle used to say, “I feel so happy to see people coming in wheelchairs and stretchers walking back after our treatment. This feeling of contentment is more than the money you may gain from this venture.” I find those wise words true now.

Banking on business sense

I initially chose a career in banking and later, came to Bahrain and joined a leading group here. Since I was from the AVS family, many entrepreneurs approached me to set

up an Ayurvedic centre. However, I felt confident to do so only with my partner, Radhakrishnan, whom I met by chance around 2002. I set up the Bahrain operations of Kottakkal Ayurvedic Centre and Kairali Ayurvedic Centre in Bahrain in the year of May 2003 and today I am the Group Managing Director. In December 2004, buoyed by the success of our Bahrain venture, we set up the Muscat centre in and in 2006, I started operations in Sohar.

Many uncles who held key positions in AVS was of course wary of my entrepreneurial skills. They were also worried about its acceptance in an alien land and run into legal contraventions. I can only say God was kind to me.

I must add that I had the unswerving support of my wife Anitha Sekhar who is my partner also in the business. Our only son Dr. Aswin Sekhar is also of scientific mind – he is a well-known accomplished astro-physicist.

Bahrain start – a stroke of luck

I think our starting in Bahrain was a stroke of luck. The Ministry of Health has been unfailingly supporting about the project - I had full support from all the top leaders, from Dr. Najeeb Jamsheer to Dr. Mariam Al Jalahma in the regulator’s side.

We started this venture under the patronage of Shaikh Ebrahim bin Hamad Al Khalifa. His blessings and the unstinted support from his managers is a key factor to our growth.

The secret of my success is the perfect partnership in Bahrain and Oman, with Radhakrishnan and our seamless understanding for 20 years.

I would say 24 long years in Bahrain is vivid and one big, memorable episode in my life. I always say that in India you find Indians, in USA Americans but in Bahrain you find everyone right from Chinese, Korean, Indians, Germans, Americans. Bahrain is so compact - if it took one day to finish a job elsewhere, in Bahrain it would take an hour.

Dr. Abdul Rehman Bu Ali once said, “We are a tiny nation geographically, but we have a large heart to accept different cultures and nationalities.” And that is an apt description of Bahrain which we are enjoying everyday.

Why Malayalees are special

The Malayalee community is our source of strength. They take pride in referring different nationalities to our centre.

I mean they have a sense of belonging to Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala in India. They are our true ambassadors.

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

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Because

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Dr. Babu Ramachandran brims with the healing touch of compassion. Reaching out to people in need comes as naturally to him as restoring the health of his patients. He plays a significant part in the community through his many roles, the most important being as family practitioner and Head of the Amwaj Medical and Wellness Center of the American Mission Hospital.

A native of Thiruvananthapuram, he is the current Chairman of the Indian Community Relief Fund, a welfare organisation which looks after the needs of the most vulnerable Indians in Bahrain with the support of the Indian Embassy. He is also very active in the Toastmasters’ circle, a well-known quiz master and the President of the Indian Medical Association.

Community work is a way of life for me

I try my best to build and maintain relationships. I give respect to others and listen to what my team members say. I believe that is also why I derive so much joy from community work.

My work as Physician Head of Community Outreach Activities – AMH, brought me into close association with the ICRF. The ICRF LIFE (Listen, Involve, Foster, Engage) initiative, launched in 2014, a mental well-being project which I am coordinator for, also paved the way for more involvement with the community.

Besides this, I have managed to keep alive my interest in the craft of public speaking through the Toastmasters and also conduct quizzes for community events. And finally, since I have been here for nearly 25 years, I also work with the medical fraternity – there are so many Indian doctors in Bahrain – to nurture the sense of community and continued learning which is so important.

A friend in need

The ICRF functions like a beautiful symphony with 200-plus volunteers who have no vested interests and achieve successes with the support by the Embassy of India.

These cases have ranged from repatriation of mortal remains of people who lost their lives after spending many years – sometimes decades - away from their families. Other cases include those with debilitating diseases, who have to return to India for further treatment.

It is a real joy when we hear back from them that the timely help provided by ICRF has enabled

SALAAM BAH BAHRAIN | August | 2022

ONAM SPECIAL them to return to the mainstream of life. The sense of satisfaction which I feel while helping a compatriot in need, cannot be expressed in words.

A lighthouse of hope

I believe that the 24-hour helplines that the ICRF ran during the pandemic were literally lifelines during a time of fear and uncertainty. There were those who were contemplating ending their lives and distress calls were attended to and proper advice given to comfort them.

One case of a group of young fishermen who were stranded here comes to mind. They were 20–26 years old and desperate to return to India. With the coordinated effort of the Embassy of India and LMRA, ICRF was able to send them back. They were overjoyed when they returned and sent their messages of gratitude to us.

During the pandemic, the ICRF started a food support initiative and distributed dry rations to more than 20,000 families. This initiative continues even today.

People who lost their jobs and were faced with huge loans to repay or even something as simple as an outstanding telephone bill - we could get the telecom companies to reduce the outstanding amounts and the financial contributions from the community helped a lot of people to finish off their debts and return home.

Travel assistance also has been offered to many people during the pandemic to return to India. This too continues.

Building awareness for the future

community about financial discipline and to avoid being cheated. Many Indians come here without properly knowing about their jobs and several are trapped. The need of the hour is to educate Indians who come into Bahrain regarding proper job contracts and health benefits.

Many workers are unaware of their rights and responsibilities. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, the authorities especially the Labour Ministry, LMRA and Emigration are quite receptive to the needs of the expatriates.

My greatest strengths

My greatest strength is the American Mission Hospital where I work, and my family which supports me. The leadership of AMH has always given me a free hand, enabling me to engage in community work. My community service is carried out without compromising on my clinical duties. My wife supports me a lot, my two sons and our daughters in law always “have our backs” as the youngsters say, and this is a great strength for me.

Why Malayalees are special

There is a very large number of unsung heroes in the Malayalee community here. Their names may not be heard and many don’t seek the limelight. During the pandemic, we saw this concerted effort by different Malayalee groups who were not held back by barriers of caste, religion or political affiliation. Malyalees are quite large-hearted and don’t discriminate when Indians from other states or even foreign nationals seek assistance. I salute all of them.

One of the greatest challenges is to create awareness in the

SALAAM SOCIETY

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There are those who believe that women don’t need to be taught to speak but a group in Bahrain believes that practice adds polish and finesse to the spoken word. The C2A Toastmasters Club is an all-ladies group which meets on alternate Fridays of each month. The President, VP Education and Mentor are persistent in emboldening all members of the group to take up various roles and give prepared speeches.

“C2A Toastmasters Club provides a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth,” said Club President Priyanka Purohit. Interested in attending a meeting or knowing more about C2A...

Contact TM Varunica Kasinath on 38342131.

Seen here is the newly-elected Board with immediate Past President Anjali Gupta.

BAHRAIN’S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

,: :)>1 ?)::1-: Guru Devo Bhava!

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

ONAM SPECIAL Because

A fine educationist for half a century, Dr. Ravi Warrier has left an indelible mark on the minds, hearts and lives of thousands of students who have passed through his classroom. He is a passionate teacher who dedicated himself to a career in education early in his life. Principled and a visionary, he will fight for what he believes is right for his students even if his opponents are the parents themselves! This has endeared him to his colleagues and students and won him deep respect.

Early start

I was born in Haripad in Allepey District as one of ten siblings. Although money was a struggle, my parents revered education and ensured that all of us were educated up to graduation level.

Ironically, when I expressed the desire to become a teacher, my parents were not too happy. My father dreamed of me becoming an IAS officer and forced me to attempt the IAS exam. I did so and it was only after I failed twice that he agreed to my training to become a teacher.

My desire to become a mathematics teacher was inspired by a brilliant maths teacher Mr. Baby Abraham, who taught me 3 years. I believe strongly that a teacher leaves a lifelong mark on the student – it was certainly true in my case.

I came to Bahrain in 1983 and started my career here as teacher at two community schools. I served there as Vice Principal too before I joined the Quality Education School as Principal – I have headed the school for the past 12 years.

During my 15 years as a principal, 12 years as vice principal and 23 years as a maths teacher I have faced many ups and downs but I believe I have always been able to win my way because of my firm conviction in my chosen course of action.

I remember once, about 10 parents stormed aggressively into my office and threatened me, asking me to withdraw a smooth and progressive system implemented in a school. I stood firm and despite lots of struggle from a set of parents and a few members of management, I finally implemented the same.

I get a lot of support from my wife, a retired English language teacher who understands the pressures as well as the joys of the profession. We have one daughter who is married and we have a grand-daughter too.

Understanding is key

Teaching is a mental trapeze act. You have to be friendly but firm, you have to balance strictness

with compassion and understanding and give as well as evoke respect. You have to understand the minds and moods of the youngsters whom you teach.

Bahrain’s best practices

The far sightedness of two generations of rulers of Bahrain has helped to shape a very progressive approach for the education sector. The education ministry has implemented a serious study of curricula of various countries and implementation of good practices from their studies have brought in amazing changes in the field of education here.

Today, the Ministry of Education has excellent facilities, more trained personnel and keeps up to date with education trends globally.

With all these developments, Bahrain now has a proud legacy of 100% literacy for all youngsters and many public and private schools have opened – there are so many different avenues of study and training, scholarships to study abroad and investment in Bahrain’s human resources.

Attitude of gratitude

I think if I look at my life and work, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to mould so many students and guide so many students and parents in the life-shaping decisions of choosing the right field of education for their children in the universities in Bahrain and abroad. As a teacher, I value the trust invested in me and have often counselled parents and others about their personal and other issues.

Finally as I conclude let me thank God for His blessings during my long 50 years of journey in the field of education. On August 8, 2022 I begin my 51 st year in the field of education. Please accept my gratitude to everyone who had been a part of my journey. 38 years in bahrain made me a full fledged senior educationist and I made many good friends here…

Why Malayalees are special

Malayalees are among the most helpful people.

A lot of charity work is done by community leaders through ICRF & in collaboration with many Malayalee associations. As a member of the ICRF for several years I have been witness to their generosity towards those economically- challenged students of the Indian School for many years.

Another interesting aspect is that we nurture a multitude of talent in our children, many groups organise onam celebrations keeping our culture and arts alive and thriving.

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?MLLQVO JMTT[ NWZ :W[PIV IVL -TQbI Bahrain boy Roshan wed the love of his life, Eliza in a beautifully arranged ceremony in the Saar home of his parents Raj and Rekha Boloor. The vermillion mandap and floral décor provided the festive wedding backdrop while the Boloors thoughtfully arranged a Bahraini vibe for the Sangeet to share the warmth and culture of the Island of Pearls with Eliza’s Polish relatives. The bride, with her heartfelt joining in the ceremonies, won all hearts, as did Roshan, who looked every inch the happy groom.

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+PIVOM WN /]IZL QV \PM 3MZITI 3Q\KPMV Around Onam time, everybody pulls out an OnaSadhya recipe collection. We decided to go forward and check out the exciting fusion of contemporary and traditional that is re-shaping Kerala’s food trends.

By BINDU GOPAL RAO

B

efore chillies were introduced into Indian culinary practice by the Portuguese around the 16th century, our mainstay was the Kerala pepper. Sought after the world over, the spice (along with many other precious Kerala spices) transformed kitchen preparations all over the world and triggered a fabulous exploration of the sea routes, bringing new knowledge to completely unrelated 58

areas: astronomy, ship-building, medicine, science, languages and religion. Birthed with a stunning array of ingredients from a lush land, perfected at the confluence of culinary traditions from around the world, the gourmet heritage of Kerala is a delicious ode to the ancient history of this fertile land.

And now, an imaginative young group of new chefs are building an

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

exciting repertoire of Nouvelle Kerala Cuisine, founded on old recipes, lost in the transition to a newer and more impatient age. The trending term is “hyper-local cuisine” – recipes and ingredients that are used in tea shops, toddy shops, homestyle food and highway shacks and which speak a distinct culinary language of that particular region or even village stretch.

CUISINE +PIVOQVO <QLM[

state.

“When it comes to Kerala cuisine, many are under the impression that the big hitters such as biryani or parotta are all there is to it. But once you start exploring, you realise what an enormous universe this is. What we wanted to do (at Kappa Chakka Kandhari) was present the food that we’ve grown up

These cuisines are wrestling to find their position in a market which is flooded with Arabic-influenced cuisines – because of the sheer numbers of Malayalee immigrants working in the Gulf region for over sixty years now. Smaller outlets offering these hyper-local cuisines are now opening in larger cities and as highway restaurants. ‘Madhuvettante Chayakkada’ (Brother Madhu’s Tea Shop), ‘Veettile Oonu’ (homemade lunch) and menus are limited with only a few specialty dishes which are Chef Regi Mathew, Culinary Director & locally very common and Co-owner, Kappa Chakka Kandhari doing very well.

The trend has found a new voice in the work of rising gastronomic stars like Chef Regi Mathew, Culinary Director & Co-Owner Kappa Chakka Kandhari (Chennai & Bengaluru), food blogger Lejna Ramachandran, TV celebrity chef Suresh Pillai who shot to fame as a contestant from India on MasterChef UK and a long list of chefs in the diaspora who have taken Kerala cuisine abroad and fashioned a new approach to retain the authenticity of the regional taste while TV celebrity chef Suresh Pillai working with non-traditional ingredients. Gifted chefs like Jomon Kuriakose, the Executive Chef at LaLiT London, England has been Non-veg set menu at Kappa Chakka Kandhari) putting payasam, duck mappas and adding a twist eating at home. So, we conducted in-depth to the regular dishes with innovative plating research for almost three years across the and visual appeal. His Kappa Meen Curry, for example, is a great favourite, served with entire state, visiting around 265 houses and 70 toddy shops. And we found a wealth a beautifully balanced slice of seared red of recipes that most people outside the mullet (instead of the Malayalee sardine), a mound of cassava mash and warm fish curry. state would have no clue about,” says Chef Mathew.

In Kerala, the process has meant the 5aZQIL 1VÆ]MVKM[ re-discovery of traditional recipes with Kerala cuisine has been witnessing a massive painstaking attention to local ingredients, food history and methods. Regi Mathew and change in the past decade. The key factors Lejna Ramachandran, Food blogger reshaping the kitchens of Kerala are the Gulf his partners, for example, traced over 800 Malayalees – whether still in the GCC or as recipes in a network of kitchens across the SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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LEJNA RAMACHANDRAN’S

Panchara Paata INGREDIENTS • • • •

2 eggs ½ cup Jeerakashala rice 2 nos banana 2 tbsp sugar

PREPARATION Step 1: Wash and soak rice for three hours. Grind it to a smooth dosa batter consistency.

Step 2: To the batter, add the two eggs and around 2-3 tablespoons of water.

Step 3: Pour oil halfway in a saucepan and heat it. The size of your saucepan will determine the size of the panchara patta. Beat the batter till it froths. Skim off the froth and keep it aside in a vessel.

Step 4: Once there are around five ladles of froth start pouring this froth into hot oil. The froth should disintegrate and spread in the oil. Keep beating the batter, collecting the froth, and pouring it in the oil.

Step 5: Pour the froth in layers till the panchara patta is around 1-1½ inches thick. Gently poke a wooden skewer into it and gently try to move it. A well-made panchara patta will rotate easily.

Step 6: Once it starts turning golden brown gently take it out with a wooden skewer and try to strain as much oil as possible.

Serve the panchara patta with banana and sugar. Crush the panchara patta in the banana and sugar, mix well and relish.

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returnees, they bring a familiarity with Arabic cuisine and a preference for richer ingredients to their woks; the recent pandemic which encouraged especially the millennials to turn to ordering out and the rise of social media with its army of food bloggers, food influencers – and most importantly, food stylists, who have turned the tables on the traditional approach to plating even a heritage dish like Avial.

While Malayalees have always preferred their traditional home-cooked fare over restaurants, the meteoric rise of Arabic restaurants across the state is proof of how much influence Arab cuisine has had.

“Historically, the Arabs, Portuguese and the Dutch have brought their foods to the land, and this has resulted in unique dishes whether it was the Biryani or Mutta Maala in the Mappila cuisine or the Meen Moilee of the Syrian Christian cuisine. Today, you find Mandi and Khushka and the now ubiquitous shawarma as a mainstay in many restaurants in Kerala,” says Nazaneen Jalaludheen, entrepreneur and granddaughter of Ummi Abdulla, a respected author of several Malabar cookbooks.

Wherever they migrate to, whether within India, to the Gulf or to the West, the Malayalee palate craves authentic home-cooked food. Lejna Ramachandran, a Mumbai-based Malayalee food blogger, documents her food experiments on her Instagram page @lejnakitchen and says social media has “..given rise to home businesses that cater to these specific needs. Ordering in food is a trend that caught up during the pandemic with national players like Swiggy and

other local delivery businesses ready to oblige. The pandemic helped a lot of people explore cooking and this has enabled a lot of home chefs to look at a culinary career. They have started catering services from the comfort of their home and it is received well as the need for hygienic home-cooked meals is always in demand.”

Deepu Joseph, Sous chef, Conrad Bengaluru says, “Using fresh ingredients and Improvised plating techniques, has helped Kerala cuisine to try few fusion tricks whilst keeping taste and flavour intact.” He also credits a new class of women pro chefs like Master-chef Latha K. and non-Malayalee culinary stars who helm five-star specialty kitchens in the tourism-rich state, for not only mastering the

complexities of Kerala culinary techniques but also spicing up the modern Kerala kitchen repertoire.

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The fertile soil, the undulating coastline and thick pockets of forestation as well as a long and ancient history of sophisticated civilization all mean that Kerala cuisine offers a multitude culinary styles, tastes and textures for the vegetarian and the meat-eater – in fact, meat and seafood are relished throughout Kerala. Owing to its strategic sea ports and spice trade, the state’s cuisine has been influenced by various cultures like Arabic, Portuguese, Jewish, Indonesian, Syrian and Tamilian cooking.

Today, new age chefs with their knowledge, are exploring smaller though newer formats. As a result, there is an emergence of smaller cafés, bakeries, and home baking establishments that are adding a whole new dimension to the gourmet culture of the state. More local ingredients are being used to promote sustainability, and fresh seafood and meat from local sources help bind the flavors better.

For example, adapting to the Indian palate, hamburgers are now being substituted with mutton and water buffalo meat patties.

“Easy availability of raw material through online platforms and retail stores have made it easier for the home chefs to experiment and offer new dishes. Post the pandemic, home chefs have begun catering food for smaller events and for home deliveries. They specialise in traditional food which is their area of comfort and expertise. Customers, too, are more comfortable ordering from home chefs as they believe this offering cooked in the home kitchens are healthier and of a reliable quality,” says Chef Mathew.

Clockwise from top right: Chatti Chor, Toddy Shop Memories Set Menu, Pazhan Kanji, from Kappa Chakka Kandhari

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CUISINE .WWL [\WZQM[

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While on one side, ready to eat foods and Traditional Kerala cuisine relies heavily on coconut fast foods are gaining popularity for the sake and indigenously available vegetables including of convenience, on the other side, there is a tapioca and bananas. If you look at a regular lunch, focus on health and an associated increase in it will include some greens (usually stir fried), a fish exploration of traditional foods that mothers, curry/fry, red rice and a moru curry (buttermilkand grandmothers cooked and an interest based curry) and a sambhar or a kootu, all of in the stories behind these dishes. For which are available from local sources. “While instance, people are interested in the cooking time may not be very high, the knowing what kind of foods are preparation time can be tedious (especially for cooked during monsoon season and a household where the workloads are very the reasoning behind them and how high for both spouses). Tasks like grating it influences the body and mind. coconut and cutting certain vegetables Millennial chefs are bringing a lot can be time consuming and are more creativity and innovation being replaced by frozen grated to the table by enhancing the coconut and pre-cut vegetable food presentation and garnishing alternatives available in stores. techniques to make the food look So, while the food consumed daily instagrammable. At the same time, has largely remained the same, the they are also deeply aware of the food process of preparation has undergone history and authenticity of a dish and change,” adds Jalaludheen. Kerala food its taste. is all about a mix of both ancient and modern “Social media and YouTube food culture have cooking techniques, fresh ingredients, diverse had a significant influence, especially on home cultures, and usage of the best coconut oil. cooks. Food influencers have also impacted Jerson Fernandes, Executive Chef, .][QWV .QTM[ the way people consume and imagine their Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach everyday dinner menu. I believe that chefs are Cooking techniques like smoking, searing, experimenting across cuisines, and this will braising, slow cooking and the like have result in some unique flavours. Malayalee cuisine has always always been practiced in Kerala. But it is being practiced been influenced by foreign foods,” more professionally due to says Nazaneen Jalaludheen. the advent of professionally Jerson Fernandes, Executive trained chefs. Chef Suresh Chef, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Pillai has beautifully shown Beach, believes that Kerala how the method of searing cuisine is getting a modern can be incorporated in a makeover. “Plating styles, recipes, traditional dish, giving birth to presentation, and the whole his very famous Fish Nirvana. thought process of Kerala food There is a slow but steady are being re-looked at by giving change in the presentation of it a twist in taste and flavour. classic dishes; the techniques Animation in food has become are becoming better keeping integral to every cuisine, impacting the fundamentals of the not just Kerala cuisine but every cuisine the same. single cuisine worldwide. The “There are many chefs who same food served today looks have gone abroad and more modern and enticing not trained in the kitchens of just because of how it is presented bigger, busier hotels and but also because of how it is they have returned with perceived. Kerala food is today on the updated knowledge of the world map; thus, fusion food technique and trends. That is in Kerala cuisine seems to work getting incorporated in the well, especially with dishes from Clockwise from top right: Chatti the Gulf region, which are highly meen Kozhi Curry- Kappa Chakka influenced by the Kerala culture Kandhari and vibe.”

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Nazaneen Jalaludheen, Entrepreneur and food influencer

food and it is getting refined, but it still stays rooted in tradition. In terms of impact on Kerala cuisine, it is only on the technique and the plating.

The introduction of the steak houses and the burger joints are very noticeable additions to the food scene in Kerala, and a pointer to the fact that more Keralites are open to trying new and different cuisines and methods,” says

Yogender Pal, Executive Chef, Grand Hyatt Kochi and Culinary Specialist, South West Asia.

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The new trend is more focused on ‘back home’ cuisine.

Everyone loves to keep a small kitchen garden even if it means just a couple of potted plants on their balcony. Every Malayalee house, anywhere in the world will always have a curry leaf plant. People have also started understanding the benefits of using local ingredients. There is also a noticeable movement of returning to cook using traditional cookware, earthenware, and cast-iron vessels. People are increasingly seeking comfort in familiar food and there has been a huge movement of returning to their roots with food. Recipes of grandmothers are being replicated in modern homes and thanks to social media these are coming into the limelight and reaching many more people. The most striking thing about Kerala cuisine is that it thrives on using the produce closest to where one stays. Most of the dishes are slow cooked in traditional cooking utensils - it stays true to the

CHEF REGI MATHEW’S

8ZI_V Kizhi INGREDIENTS • • • • • • • •

20 nos. small prawns 100 grams sliced shallots 25 grams chopped ginger 20 grams chopped garlic 25 grams chopped green chilli 2 sprigs curry leaves 25 ml coconut oil 1 cup grated coconut

• • • • • • •

¼ tsp turmeric powder ½ tsp chilli powder ½ tsp mustard seeds 2 tbps Kudampuli water (Malabar Kokum, soaked in water) Salt to taste Juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp freshly ground pepper powder

PREPARATION FOR THE PRAWN FILLING: Step 1: Wash and clean the prawns/shrimps well, and marinate with little turmeric powder, lemon juice and salt and set aside.

Step 2: Heat the coconut oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. When they crackle, add the shallots (small onions called pearl or ‘sambar’ onions), ginger, garlic, green chilli and curry leaves and sauté until the onion turns soft and transparent.

Step 3: Add chilli, turmeric powder and pepper, sauté well, then add marinated prawns and cook till 3/4th done, then add grated coconut and kokum water mix, check the seasoning and remove from fire and prepare the Kizhi.

FOR THE KIZHI: Step 1: For the Kizhi, take eight medium sized round cut banana leaves and blanch gently over a warm tawa. Spread little coconut oil over each banana leaf and put 4 pieces of prawns in the centre with the masala.

Step 2: Hold the edges of the banana leaf and bring them up together and tie the top of the banana leaf with fiber from the banana stem (or some stout thread) to form bundles.

Step 3: Steam for approximately 10 minutes and serve hot.

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CUISINE heritage. The techniques used are still authentic and traditional.

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The women professional chefs are a big part of the culinary fabric of Kerala. The ladies preserve the traditional old recipes and keep them alive across generations. Chefs from other parts often take inspiration from the cuisine in terms of flavor profiles and techniques and use them to create contemporary dishes. Change is the only constant. The new breed of chefs are abreast with the happenings around the world and track new trends as they are active on social media. This helps them identify and experiment with flavours and dishes.

“Though the domestic kitchens are inevitably ruled by women, the professional kitchens still are largely male-dominated in nature. Chef Latha K, the first woman chef in Kerala gives women a hope to join and excel in the hotel industry.

Women chefs have a deep knowledge of their roots and the indigenous methods of cooking and recipes.

Home chefs like Abida Rasheed who comes with an Chef Latha K, first woman chef in Kerala abundance of knowledge and expertise in Moplah cuisine, are aware of the trends in the food industry while sticking to her roots. This helps to take forward a legacy of food steeped in history and culture which is also adaptive to recent times,” says Lejna Ramachandran.

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Most of the Kerala vegetarian dishes are made with minimal ingredients and aren’t cooked for long, thus retaining the nutrients and freshness. This is evident in the recipes of the traditional Ona Sadhya.

Most of the dishes have less than 5-10 minutes cooking time. The vegetables used in the day-to-day

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cooking are ones that are commonly found and sourced locally. “But with the focus on careers completely shifting away from agriculture it has become difficult to source these vegetables and thus the state has become dependent of the neighbouring states for the same. Also, the food habits have changed with the arrival of ‘super foods’ like broccoli, avocado, blueberries etc. The change in culture and food habits has led to heritage food taking a back step and almost becoming forgotten. Mutta Maala is a dessert from Malabar. It is a dish that has Portuguese influences, it is adapted from Fios de Ovos but tweaked to suit our palette. This used to be the main dessert served during Puthiyapla Thakkaram, or the feast for the groom. Today it is only made in a few homes and is not found commercially as the process to make it is cumbersome,” says Lejna Ramachandran.

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The varied flavours include an excellent selection of desserts and one such is ‘Pradhaman’ meaning ‘Number One’ and as the name suggests this is the key/star dish of any Sadhya in Kerala. At any Onasadhya Ada Pradhaman and Chakka Pradhaman are perhaps the most popular and favourite.

As Fernandes says, “Kerala food is one of my favourites as it’s super rich and uses the freshest and purest of simple ingredients just like the culture, history, and traditions of Kerala. I always make an active effort to indulge in this cuisine whenever I get the time and opportunity.”

Having said so much, are you ready to sample a slice of Kerala?

Photo Credits: Ashok Raj, Sanjay Ramchandran, Vinayak-Grover.

Bindu Gopal Rao is a food writer and blogger.

You can follow her on www.bindugopalrao.com Instagram: bindugopalrao

An interesting story on the origin of Chakka Pradhaman finds mention in a folk song ‘Mannan Pattu’ that was written based on ‘Chilappathikaram’, a Tamil classic dating back to third or fifth century BCE. In the song Kannaki, who goes by the name Deviyaal is searching for her lost husband. The jackfruit tree which knows of her husband’s whereabouts informs her by breaking its branch and revealing him hiding. Deviyaal is overjoyed and blesses the tree with lots of children.

These children are jackfruits and hence for every celebration jackfruit is made into a sweet dish.

For Onam, the jackfruit is used to make the Chakka (Jackfruit) Pradhaman. During Onam, Chakka Varattiyathu is cooked with coconut milk and Marayoor Jaggery [this variety of jaggery is specifically used for its dark colour, purity and because it does not have any salt in it). “Once the Chakka Varattiyathu is cooked on a slow flame, it attains the desired consistency. Nuts and raisins fried in ghee are used to garnish it. Pradhaman is different from payasam as the former is double cooked. In the case of Chakka Pradhaman, first the chakka varattiyathu is made and then it is cooked with coconut milk and jaggery to make Chakka Pradhaman.

“Jackfruit Pradhaman is a time-consuming preparation but since the ‘chakka varattiyathu’ is prepared well in advance, it makes cooking this Pradhaman a lot easier in the final stage. Jackfruit grows in abundance in Kerala, practically in the backyard of every home in the state. Because it often ripened and got wasted as there weren’t many takers in the earlier days, grandmothers would cook the Chakka Varattiyathu like a jam and store it to use for festive cooking later,” says Mathew.

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SALAAM SOCIETY

6W]ZMMV M`PQJQ\[ 8ISQ[\IVQ NI[PQWV PIVL _WZS The Bahrain Women’s Union social lunch saw some serious glamour when textile queen Noureen Naeem of Noureen Fashions organised an exclusive fashion show. Present at the event was Shaikha Mariam bint Hamad Al Khalifa, who was the Chief Guest, Chairperson of the BWU, Ahlam Rajab and key organiser Fathiya Al Koheji.

The focus was on traditional Pakistani dresses with elaborate hand work and the show was much appreciated.

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

PROMOTION

4]KSa¼[ OWTL Z][P Q[ WV Starting from 1 st August until the end of September all new customers who activate a new Lucky SIM as well and all existing customers who simply renew their Lucky package will have the opportunity to win gold. During the promotion, there will be multiple winners of 2.5g gold and one grand prize winner of 100g gold bar at the end of September.

Lucky, powered by Batelco, is a Prepaid product brimming with incredible features. For only BD7.5 per month, inclusive of VAT, consumers will receive a number of benefits that are updated daily, including 1GB of data every day, 100 minutes of local calling, and limitless TikTok. In addition, users of Lucky can make 10 minutes of free daily international calls to their loved ones in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Nepal. “Last year’s Lucky’s Win Gold promotion was a big success, and due to the popular demand, we are thrilled to bring it back with even more rewards,” Noel Silveira, Sales Manager for Lucky, stated, “We strive to suit the expectations of our consumers by always updating our options, consistently delivering exceptional internet and mobile services, and hosting regular promotions to provide additional enjoyment for everyone.” Customers are encouraged to visit the Lucky Shop in the Batelco Commercial Centre in Manama or any of the hundreds of approved Lucky resellers across Bahrain to get a Lucky SIM.

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Summer Time is Beach Time!

It’s summer vacay time, with the long weekends when every fun-loving family heads off to the beach– and Bahrain has recently caught up with beach culture and the Kingdom’s beaches have gotten a much-needed makeover. Which beach to go for a swim, a picnic, fun water activities – we’ve got you covered. Here’s Salaam Bahrain’s comprehensive guide of the public and private beaches in Bahrain and the fun things you can do there.

BY SONORITA CHAUHAN MEHTA

Public Beaches ABU SUBH BEACH/ DIRAZ BEACH Location – Budaiya Timing: 24 hours Fees: Free Lifeguards: No lifeguards needed as no swimming is allowed.

Facilities - There is a kids play area as well as food trucks to make it an enjoyable time for the entire family.

It is a long stretch of public beach where swimming may not be possible but lovely picnics are. Go to the beach for a walk along the sand and enjoy the wind blowing in your hair. It is one the best ways to have a peaceful time away from all the hustle and bustle of the city.

BILAJ AL JAZAYER Location – Zallaq Timing: Open from 8AM to 6PM daily Swimming hours ( as with most public beaches) are from 8AM to sunset only.

Lifeguards: Yes, during official beach opening hours Charges: Entrance Bd 3 per adult. Charges apply for access to cordoned off areas with sun beds.

Facilities - Windsurfing, paddle boarding, Jet skis, beach yoga, volleyball and host of other fun water activities are available on a per hour chargeable basis. Food trucks and coffee shops are dotted around the beach area. Showers and changing rooms facilities are available.

WATER GARDEN CITY BEACH Location - Near Water Garden City, Seef Timing: Open from 8AM to 6PM daily Swimming hours ( as with most public beaches) are from 8AM to sunset only.

Lifeguards: Yes, during official beach opening hours Charges: BD2 for adults, BD1 for kids over 4-years-old.

Facilities: This small-ish beach is packed with fun, there are several water activities that can be enjoyed on a per hour chargeable basis such as jet skiing, Towboats and paddle boards among

others. They also have a kids area for the children to enjoy themselves.

MARASSI BEACH Location - Diyar Muharraq Timing: 9 am to sunset Lifeguards: Yes Charges: Weekdays: BD3 Adults, Kids Free Weekends: BD5 Adults, Kids BD2 After 6pm: BD2 Adults, Kids Free Facilities: It is a pristine white sand beach with restaurants and fast food outlets. Clean and beautiful, dotted with sunbeds with umbrellas and a VIP Chalet, Marassi is one of the best-kept public beaches in Bahrain.

GOLDEN BEACH Location: Durrat Al Bahrain Timing: 10 am to 10 p, Lifeguards: Yes Charges: Packages include a BD 5 standard package per person that has only beach access and BD10 VIP package that has both.

Facilities: Very impressive selection of inflatables in the water which is great for both adults and kids to play around in. The pool area has a small kids wet-play area with a bucket of water which is a delight for children. The beach is slightly expensive considering it is a standalone beach.

ARAD FORT BEACH Location: Near Arad Fort Timing: 24 hours Lifeguards: No lifeguards needed as no swimming is allowed.

Charges: Free Facilities: Great for picnics but swimming is not possible. Also features a paved area for walking and built in barbeques.

AL DAR ISLANDS Location: Al Dar Island/Southern Governorate Timing: 9am till 9 pm Charges: Tickets, including the boat ride, are BD5 on weekdays and BD8 at the weekend. Kids aged five to 15 pay BD2 and BD4.

Facilities: 400m of sandy beach with huts and

SUMMER FUN chalets to hire, kids’ zone, activities area, food and bar, dolphin watching, fishing trips and more.

They also have special packages for parties and corporate gatherings. Passport or ID needed to enter.

BUDAIYA BEACH PARK Location: Budaiya Timing: 24 hours Lifeguards: No lifeguards needed as no swimming is allowed.

Charges: Free Facilities: It is quite a popular little public beach with a children’s park, a ballpark, and lots of food stalls. The beach usually gets crowded during the weekends.

KARBABAD BEACH Location: Karbabad, Near Seef Timing: 24 hours Lifeguards: No Charges: Free Facilities: This beach is not for swimming, but families can enjoy picnics and nice walks along the seaside.

Jerada Location: Four hour boat ride from Manama Facilities: There aren’t any facilities as Jerada is actually a small strip of sandy beach, which disappears at high tide – so, you need to know the time to go. Several companies offer packages that include boat ride, activities et al.

Private beaches FOUR SEASONS BAHRAIN Location - Bahrain Bay Lifeguards: Yes Facilities: The 160 metre white sandy beach along the shore of the Four Seasons Hotel. It’s got a children’s water-based playground called The Dhow which boasts many slides and a gigantic water bucket to keep the kids enthralled.

Charges: The day pass is BD25 on weekdays and BD50 on weekends.

THE RITZ-CARLTON BAHRAIN Location - Seef Lifeguards: Yes Facilities: The Royal Beach Club at the Ritz Carlton offers plenty of leisure activities including jogging trails, fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor pools and a hammam apart from the beach.

Charges: Day passes are priced at BD25 per person for weekdays and BD50 per person for weekends.

CORAL BAY Location - Near Marina beach Timings: 9am to 8 pm Lifeguards: Yes Charges: Entry is BD8 on weekdays and BD10 on weekends. Kids aged five to 12 pay BD5 during the week and BD8 at weekends.

Facilities: It is a cozy little sandy nook to enjoy with the family, while the kids play at the beach, the adults can also try the pool and DJ. The food is served from the several outlets within the facility and is usually very reasonable. The beach is a favourite of the US navy personnel.

LAGOONA BEACH RESORT Location –Janabiya Lifeguards: Yes Charges: A day pass costs BD15, BD10 for kids up to 12 years, under-fives go free.

Facilities: This private beach offers a wide range of recreational activities from waterskiing and wakeboarding to the Seabreacher – a unique vessel that can dive, jump and roll like a dolphin and is a great place for a fun outing with the family. Timing: 8am to 8pm.

SOFITEL BAHRAIN ZALLAQ THALASSA SEA & SPA Location –Zallaq Lifeguards: Yes Charges: Day passes cost BD15 during the week and BD30 at weekends.

Kids aged four to 17 years get a 50 per cent discount and underfours go free.

Facilities: Situated at the very edge of Bahrain, this big beach with sunbeds and a large pool with a kids’ entertainment area offer privacy and many hours of entertainment for couples and families alike.

ART ROTANA HOTEL & RESORT AMWAJ Location –Amwaj Lifeguards: Yes Charges: Adults: BD25 net weekdays & weekends Kids: BD10 net weekdays & weekends Couple:BD40 (Male &Female) Family: BD50 (2 Adults & 2 Children) Facilities: Situated in Amwaj, the 150 m private beach area is perfect for relaxing staycation, it also has temperature controlled pools and an indoor waterpark - The Kid’s Paradise which is ideal for kids of all age groups, with over 75 square meters of indoor play area which is a pirate themed water park making it the perfect dream escape for any child. They have activities ranging from aqua fun, movie time, craft making and much more!

NOVOTEL BAHRAIN Location –Shaikh Hamad Causeway Facilities: Relaxing at this man-made beach in the luxury of the hotel enjoying a view of the Bahrain Skyline – that’s life. The property also includes a large temperature-controlled pool and a kid’s play area.

AMRUT ITIHAAS

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hey were a group of 750 girls. Many were the first in their families to reach high school and the schools that participated were rural outposts and government schools in small towns. Yet, these girls managed to build a microsatellite that would have almost taken its place in the skies except for a launch glitch.

Still, that is not to take away from the amazing achievement of the ‘Azadisat’ story. These young boffins worked with their physics teachers and ISRO mentors, learning about sensors and programming on computers and coding, even though they had to struggle with slow internet and often, computer breakdowns – or shared computers. The girls were invited to Sriharikota to witness the launch of their microsatellite as part of India’s celebration of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav. Although not all made the trip – some families were still wary of sending their daughters that far from home – it was an experience that will shape the lives of these children.

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The Azadisat team, headed by Dr Srimathy Kesav, reached out to 350 individual rural government schools across all the states in the country, finally coming up with 75 teams from 75 schools, including a Chennai-based juvenile home. The team was unable to reach any institution in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

“Someone joked the girls were going to the moon,” laughs Kirti Mudgal, Physics teacher recalling the day, the team of 10 girl students from a school based in Raman Reti Vrindavan, left for Sriharikota. “It is for the first time that the girls were getting an opportunity to watch the space launch. There was so much excitement, and wishes were pouring in from all quarters.”

For 14 years old Siddhi Gaikwad from New English School in Kolhar Budruk, Maharashtra, it was a moment of great pride. Her father works as a labourer, and it is for the first

time she is getting to travel so far. “I’m the first girl in my family to sit on a plane, and come so far. Parivaar ki pehli ladki huun. Bahut khushi hai,” she says over the phone from Mumbai, from where the school team boarded the flight to Chennai.

Brimming with curiosity, Siddhi, who mainly converses in Marathi, has already prepared the questions she plans to ask the scientists at ISRO. The preparations had been on since the day ISRO announced the launch date for the mission.

For the last six months, this all-girls team from 75 schools has been working on developing 75 payloads in their school laboratories amid challenges posed by internet issues, and closures due to pandemic. Students were provided with Arduino kits, and taught coding through online classes, and supported by their teachers.

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While it proved to be a dream-like opportunity for most students, some of their classmates eventually could not join, after their families did not let them travel so far. Out of the 10 girls selected for the project from her school, Pritha Aggarwal, a class 11th student from Haryana’s Ambala district was among the only two who could make it.

Elaborating on her experience of working on the space project, she says, “We learnt coding for the first time. The kit provided to us by Space Kidz India was very new. But we

learnt a lot along the way, how sensors work, programming on computers. We now know how satellites actually function. There were online classes, and practical sessions that we attended apart from our regular classes, which helped us complete the project.”

Many of these students already had access to Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools, which helped them get a start, shares Shobha Dhiman, one of the teachers from Ambala, “But it was still a new, and challenging experience for both the teachers as well as the students. So many other students wanted to be a part of the project, but only 10 were selected.”

A key aim of AzaadiSAT was supposed to be to demonstrate the LoRA (Long range radio) transponder for creating spacebased LoRA gateway, and the indigenous nano-satellite subsystems built by students. The satellite also includes a radiation counter to measure the ionising radiations, and study their effect on the sub-systems if any; a magnetometer, gyroscope, and a host of basic, experimental science instruments.

It also carried a selfie camera, 35,000 children’s names, 108 art pieces about India made by children aged 8-12, a recording of Rabindranath Tagore’s original rendition of the Indian national anthem, and an original space-themed Hindi song.

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3QU ;MRMWVO IVL 3QU 5QV 3a] _IZUML \PM PMIZ\[ WN “A Business Proposal” NIV[ _Q\P \PMQZ [_MM\ NZQMVL[PQX On August 4, Kim Sejeong took to Instagram to thank Kim Min Kyu for sending a thoughtful gift to the set of her current drama “Today’s Webtoon.” She posted several adorable photos of herself posing with the truck and its cute stickers. The banner on the truck uses Kim Sejeong’s character name On Ma Eum (which also means “with all my heart”) as a pun and it reads, “I support the cast and crew of ‘Today’s Webtoon’ with all my heart.” The stickers read, “Way to go, ‘Today’s Webtoon’!”

Kim Sejeong showed her affection for Kim Min Kyu by writing, “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Thank you, oppa. Because of you, I’m filming with strength. I feel so proud.”

=XI[IVI ;QVOP ÅTM[ TI_[]Q\ IOIQV[\ 5Q[[ =VQ^MZ[M 0IZVIIb ;IVLP] Upasana Singh of the Kapil Sharma Show’ fame, who is also a well-known producer in the Punjabi film industry, has filed a lawsuit against Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu. Harnaaz was a part of Upasana's Punjabi production Bai Ji Kuttange and allegedly promised her 25 days for the promotion of the film.

However, Upsana says that once she won the crown, Sandhu did not pick up her calls or give her dates for the promotion of the film even when Upsana shifted the release date to accommodate her.

Singh added that, “I sent her a notice that if she doesn’t give me dates, I will file a case because I lost my distributor and I had to take a loan of Rs 1 crore 60 lakh to release this film only because of Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu, as people stepped back when she did.

I was fooled by her.I could never imagine that she could do this to me.”

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ash Raj Films’ last couple of movies have been a dud, could this be the reason for this bold move from filmmaker Aditya Chopra? Adi is all set to make his debut as a director on Broadway with the iconic Dilwale Duhaniya Ke Jayenge-inspired ‘Come Fall In Love - The DDLJ Musical’. The news has set social media on fire with scornful comments pouring in as Raj is being portrayed by a not-sowell-known British actor Austin Colby who has only about 10K+ followers in Instagram! Kajol’s role will be essayed by slightly better known Shoba Narayan who recently played Princess Jasmine in Aladdin for Broadway.

Raj of DDLJ is one of India’s best loved romantic heroes and this was the role that catapulted SRK into the big leagues.

Now did you know that a white hero was Adi’s original plan and that he had wanted Tom Cruise to portray the role as he wanted the movie to be an Indo-American project.

However, the story had to be reworked as Yash Chopra

didn't approve the decision. It’s been 30 years and finally Adi is fulfilling his age-old ambition with the musical.

‘Come Fall in Love’ with all new English songs by Indian composers Vishal & Sheykhar has allowed me to revisit my original vision for DDLJ, and share with audiences this love story between an American man and an Indian woman.

While Aditya Chopra helms the musical features a book and lyrics by Tony-nominee Nell Benjamin and choreography

by Tony winner Rob Ashford. The cast also has Irvine Iqbal (Aladdin) as Baldev and Rupal Pujara as Lajjo.

While this is India’s first Bollywood-movie-turned-Broadwaymusical, it is not, however, the first Hindi movie to be turned into a musical. Mughal-e-Azam was turned into a musical by Feroz Abbas (of Tumhari Amrita fame) after the 1960’s classic was re-released in colour in 2004. They received a lot of critical acclaim.

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MEERA RAVI

EDITOR’S VIEW

S

omething exciting is happening to the workscape around the world – yes, in Bahrain too. We are meeting an increasing number of young Indian women who have left home and are seeking jobs in foreign lands and faraway shores (sometimes these shores can be within their own country but so far from home that they are foreign – think of a Kerala girl in Delhi or a Manipuri girl in Tamil Nadu) all on their own.

Yes, I know the first migrants in the early 20th century included nurses and teachers, invariably single women who later brought their brothers and husbands to join them. We hear so little about these pioneering women who underpinned the healthcare and educational engines of the region.

But now, the new generation of millennial Indian women are differently qualified and have a different approach to their careers. The women I am meeting are finance and I.T. professionals, hospitality industry managers and marketing mavens and what makes them part of a new wave is that these twentysomethings are at the start of their careers and still bold enough to come away from their homes and sharpen their career skills in a new land. Like the young men used to come together in the ‘80s and ‘90s, they seek out the sisterhood of working women in new countries and fashion a life of companionship and support, living together in apartments, clubbing together in the evenings and making their way up the corporate ladder on their own steam.

Their lives and careers are not dependent on what one young lady called “CBMC” – ‘circumstances beyond my control’ (read: marriage or crushing economic need) and they are claiming the previously gendered privileges of young men to travel and enjoy independence and make their mark in the workplace for the sheer joy of being themselves.

To welcome these steely butterflies into our society is such a wonderful way to celebrate 75 years of Indian independence. As the nay-sayers will point out, there are miles to go before we even hit 80 in five years.

But in the meanwhile, Indian women are painting the sky with their aspirations. A group of 750 school girls from rural schools and small towns put together an 8 kg microsatellite that was selected to mark the launch of India’s 75 years of independence. The children of blue-collar workers and farm labourers, many were the first in their families to reach high school and at a time when STEM education for girls was being promoted to narrow the gender gap in science studies and R&D, Indian girls were getting a taste of life in the space centre!

And the cherry on the cake has been the electing of the first tribal woman to the position of President of India. The drums of change are beating, my friends, let us dance to the rhythm of a nation that is 75 years young!

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

Congratulations on the occasion of the

76th

Independence Day

Indian Curriculum :

British Curriculum:

Bahraini Curriculum:

SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

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SALAAM BAHRAIN | August | 2022

August 2022 - VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3

Sindhu

India's

Golden CWG Hour ONAM SPECIAL: BAHRAIN'S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

August 2022 - VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3

Sindhu

India's

Golden CWG Hour ONAM SPECIAL: BAHRAIN'S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES

August 2022 - VOLUME 13, ISSUE 3

Sindhu

India's

Golden CWG Hour ONAM SPECIAL: BAHRAIN'S MAGNIFICENT MALAYALEES