The woman involved in the massacre of 14 people at a community centre in the California town of San Bernadino on Wednesday is believed to be of Pakistani origin. Tafsheen Malik, 27, was born and raised in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia before moving to the United States to join US-born …
Read More »#Bebstyle: Meet the mom-of-two creating maternity fashion for British Asian moms.
From 10 Downing Street through the Palace of Westminster all the way to the High Street, Britain’s Indian and wider South Asian communities have long been courted and serviced by all segments of British society – from politics to fashion. But it appears that there is one area where British …
Read More »#Fodder: South Asian jihadis are a bit rubbish, claims Islamic State.
Islamic State has attracted lunatic jihadis from across the world but, it appears, that some are less loonier than others, depending on one’s perspective. Experts have long believed that the murderous militant group give preferential treatment to western Jihadis and those from the wealthier Gulf Arab states – and not …
Read More »#FarFromHome: On stony ground – South Asian cricketers find Saudi solace.
Even the best groundkeeper’s skills would be lost on this grassless pitch in the Saudi capital Riyadh where Asian expats make the most of an improvised version of cricket. “This ground is full of stones and everything,” said Kiran Ravi, 26, from India, blaming the sandy lot beside a shopping …
Read More »#Trailblazer: Meet the first Asian woman to be made a High Court judge.
A barrister has become the first Asian woman to be appointed as a High Court judge. Bobbie Cheema-Grubb QC will be assigned to the Queen’s Bench Division next month. The 49-year-old was called to the Bar in 1989 and took silk in 2013. She was appointed as a recorder in …
Read More »#Indifference: Are South Asian communities welcoming of special needs children?
Are Asian communities welcoming of special needs children and their families? If someone had asked me this question 5 years ago, I would have said a resounding “no”. It is disheartening, and yet that was my experience. I recall, it was at a Janmashtami festival midnight celebration at the Radha …
Read More »#Silent: Abuse goes unreported within British Asian communities due to “culture of shame”.
Domestic violence and sexual abuse is going unreported within Britain’s South Asian communities because of a “culture of shame”, according to new research. A study, conducted by academics Dr Karen Harrison from Hull University and Dr Aisha Gill from the University of Roehampton, found that many first generation immigrant women …
Read More »#LFF2015: Check out the amazing South Asian line-up at this year’s London Film Festival.
It’s set to be another extraordinary year for South Asian cinema and films inspired by the region and its people at the London Film Festival 2015.
Here are some of the highlights.
Beeba Boys
Acclaimed director Deepa Mehta kicks down new doors with this energetic gangster movie that also explores South Asian family values. Set in Vancouver’s Sikh immigrant badlands, it finds young kingpin Jeet Johar (Randeep Hooda) and his sharp-suited gang the Beeba Boys on the rise. So far, they’ve left a trail of blood in their attempt to take over the local drugs market. However, when Jeet isn’t managing his cadre of dapper toughs, he’s doing his best to be a respectful son to his mother, to follow his religion with as much diligence as his profession will allow, and to hold his crumbling family together.
Read More »#Action: BBC Asian Network staff to strike over further cuts
Staff at the BBC Asian Network are to hold a one-day strike next week over proposed staff cuts, according to reports. The National Union of Journalists revealed today that the action will take place on 19 August in protest at plans to cut two of the Network’s editorial positions in …
Read More »#Inspirational: Labour campaigner becomes UK’s first Asian woman elected Mayor
A well-known Indian community activist originally from the Punjab has become the UK’s first Asian woman elected mayor. Labour councillor Harbhajan Kaur Dheer, 62, was sworn in as mayor of Ealing Council at a ceremony at Ealing’s Victoria Hall on Tuesday. “It is a great privilege and challenge to be …
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