#Group housing services in India

[bhushanconsultants]

Real Estate Consultancy Services – Choose The Most Professional Service

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Real Estate Consultancy Services

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Why choose Integrated Infrastructure Consultants?

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[djuvlipen]

Here is an NGO that helps Ukrainian Romani women!

Svitlana’s eyes began to shine with happiness as she entered the hotel room in Odesa. She had never spent a night in a hotel, or any place that to her seemed so beautifully decorated. She had come here to change her life.

Svitlana* was attending a women’s leadership training from CARE and the charity foundation Winds of Change.

Throughout her childhood and adolescence, Svitlana had lived in a compact settlement for Roma families in Odesa region. Women’s health was never discussed there. She didn’t go to school, because she had to take care of her younger siblings.

Only recently, at 28, has she learned to write her own name.

Winds of Change, a CARE partner organization, has been working with the Roma community for over four years.

Roma, also called Romany, is an ethnic group of traditionally itinerant people who originated in northern India but now live principally in Europe.

The word “Roma” means “man” and refers to different communities, including Kalderash in southeastern Europe, Romanichals in England, Sinti in Germany, Italy, and France, Kalé in Wales, Finland, Spain and Portugal, and Gitano from Spain, as well as many others around the world — there are an estimated 400,000 Roma people in Ukraine.

As part of CARE’s Women’s Lead in Emergencies model, Winds of Change is working with the Roma communities in Ukraine to train women to take part in leadership.

‘I dreamed of being an artist’

Svitlana was 15 when she got married. She married her husband “under the Roma law.” They have no legal marriage documents.

“He stole me from my parents, and since then we have been living together,” Svitlana says. “This is how most Roma girls live. [They say] women should only look after children, clean and cook… But when I was a child, I dreamed of being an artist. To paint beautiful patterns on the facades of the house. It’s a pity that I never did.”

Some 80 percent of girls in the Roma community have similar stories. From a young age they help their parents look after younger children, and between the ages of 12 and 15 they are coerced into marriage where they then start their adult life.

Now she has six children.

She dreams that all her children will be educated. So, this year, with the support of the Winds of Change Foundation, three of her six children went to the first grade, and two went to the second grade.

For Svitlana, it was an indescribable joy.

A double standard

“Very often, representatives of local authorities, especially in rural areas, turn a blind eye to Roma needs,” says Yulia Hladka, a Winds of Change representative. “Children may not go to school, because it is their tradition. They are Roma; they are married early and have different ‘duties’” — this is how social services often react to the remarks of Roma human rights organizations. If a Ukrainian woman was in a similar situation, she would have been noticed and social services would have intervened.”

Roma people feel this indifference, even from the medical community. When Svitlana fell ill, the local hospital was reluctant to admit her. It was the same with the pediatrician. He simply recorded the visits in a log, although he did not actually examine her children.

It was only with Yulia Hladka’s help that Svitlana finally decided to see a gynecologist to find out the cause of her irregular cycle and heavy bleeding. But it wasn’t easy, because of ethnic discrimination. Only at a private medical center was Svitlana thoroughly examined and found to have cervical erosion, a damaged cyst, and critically low hemoglobin.

Now she is undergoing a long course of treatment.

A double discrimination

As Winds of Change has learned, changing the lives of Roma women is not always easy. These women have suffered discrimination, and sometimes violence, and are understandably reluctant to trust.

Human rights organizations call the Roma community one of the most discriminated against social groups in Ukraine.

Roma women in Ukraine are subject to double discrimination — on ethnic and gender grounds. They face limitations in various aspects of their lives, such as being compelled to marry at a young age and having more than two or three children. Because their community considers them responsible for caring for younger children, they also have restricted access to education compared to boys. They face challenges in finding employment and accessing healthcare.

Life undocumented

Many problems are caused by the lack of documents, as usually Roma people live in isolation and very rarely turn to government institutions. Women give birth at home and do not even apply for birth certificates. The absence of passports also makes it difficult for Roma to obtain documents, so they cannot receive assistance from the state, and their number in the country cannot be officially counted.

According to Roma NGOs like Winds of Change, charitable foundation “Planet of Good People,” just over a third of Ukrainian Roma are employed. For Roma women, this is often complicated by the fact that they are mothers of many children, so they face discrimination on this basis as well.

This was the case with Svitlana. She has been dependent on her husband’s decisions almost since childhood. All her time was taken up with housework and caring for her six children and her husband’s sister’s 13 children.

“At one of the focus groups, we realized that a very big problem for Roma women is the lack of access to basic services and jobs,” says Yulia. “They usually live in rural areas where there are not many employment opportunities.”

“But even if vacancies do appear, Roma are usually rejected, because of stereotypes and ethnicity.”

“We came up with the idea to create a social enterprise where these women could get hard skills — sewing home textiles and clothes — and soft skills, like communication, psychological self-regulation. We organized a small sewing company in Odesa called Petalenca, where Roma women sew bedding and home clothes. We train them and help them promote their products.”

After the escalation of the situation in Ukraine, many internally displaced women also found their place here and started working together with Roma women. Some women had some stereotypes about Roma before but working together helped to dispel them. Now this company employs Roma and women who have been displaced.

*name changed

They accept donations!

[aimeedaisies]

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in October 2023

02/10 As President of the Riding for the Disabled Association visited Avon Riding Centre, to mark its 40th Anniversary. 🐴🥳

03/10 Held two Investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

With Sir Tim As Patron of the Minchinhampton Centre for the Elderly, visited Horsfall House, Minchinhampton. 👵🏻👴🏻

04/10 In Cornwall Princess Anne visited;

Origin Coffee in Porthleven. ☕️

Camborne School of Mines at the Penryn Campus of University of Exeter, in Penryn. 🔨

St Ewe Free Range Eggs Packing Centre in Truro. 🥚

05/10 As Colonel of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons), attended a Household Cavalry Medal Parade at Powle Lines, Picton Barracks in Wiltshire. 🫡

07/10 With Sir Tim Attended the Scotland vs Ireland Rugby World Cup match at the Stade de France in Paris. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇫🇷🏉

09/10 As Patron of Livability, visited Livability Millie College in Poole. 🏫

As Patron of UK Youth, visited Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Activity Centre in Bransgore. 🧗‍♀️

10/10 Attended a Future of UK Food Systems Seminar held by Crops for the Future at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge. 🚜

As Commandant-in-Chief (Youth) of St. John Ambulance, opened the new Ambulance Hub in Castle Donington. 🚑

11/10 Held two investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

Unofficial, Sir Tim attended the opening of the New Zealand Liberation Museum, Te Arawhata, in Le Quesnoy, France. 🇫🇷🇳🇿

As Patron of Scots in London Group attended a Reception at St Columba’s Church of Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Attended a Blue Seal Club Dinner at the Cavalry and Guards Club in Piccadilly, London. 🤵‍♂️

12/10 As Patron of the Campaign for Gordonstoun, chaired a Cabinet Meeting at the Lansdowne Club, London. 🏫

As Patron of English Rural Housing Association, attended a Parish Council Rural Housing Conference at Eversholt Hall, Bedfordshire. 🏡

Visited the Aircraft Research Association in Bedford. ✈️

As Grand Master of the Royal Victorian Order, attended Evensong and a Reception at The King’s Chapel of the Savoy, London. 🎶

14/10 Sir Tim represented Princess Anne, Patron of the Wiltshire Horn Society, at a dinner on the occasion of their centenary. 🐑

15/10 As Member of the International Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, attended the first day of the 141st International Olympic Committee Session in Mumbai, India. 🇮🇳

16/10 As Member of the International Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, attended the second day of the 141st International Olympic Committee Session in Mumbai, India. 🇮🇳

Attended an IOC Reception at Jio World Centre. 🌏

17/10 As Member of the International Olympic Committee, and Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission, attended the third day of the 141st International Olympic Committee Session in Mumbai, India. 🇮🇳

Visited the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Bombay 1914-1918 Memorial at the Indian Sailors’ Home, in Mumbai. 🪖

Attended a reception at the residence of His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India in Mumbai. 🌏

Unofficial Sir Tim attended a memorial service for Lord Lawson (former Chancellor of the Exchequer) at St. Margaret’s church in Westminster ⛪️

19/10 Hosted a Reception with the King, Queen and the Duchess of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace to thank those who contributed to and were involved with the State Funeral of The late Queen Elizabeth II and with the Coronation of Their Majesties. 🥂

With Sir Tim, As Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps attended the launch of the Corps History Book at the National Army Museum in London. 📚

With Sir Tim, As Patron of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, attended the Trafalgar Night Dinner at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London. 🤵‍♀️🤵‍♂️

20/10 Opened Cutbush and Corrall Charity almshouse accommodation in Maidstone.

Opened the Royal British Legion Industries Centenary Village, Greenwich House, in Aylesford, Kent.

As Patron of the Butler Trust, visited HM Prison Elmley.

24/10 Held an Investiture at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

As President of the English-Speaking Union of the Commonwealth, delivered the Evelyn Wrench Lecture at Dartmouth House in London. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

25/10 In Scotland Princess Anne visited;

The International Society for Optics and Photonics Photonex Exhibition at Scottish Event Campus in Glasgow. 🔍

As President of Victim Support Scotland, visited the National Office-West in Glasgow. 🫂

Peter Equi and Sons Limited Ice Cream Manufacturer. 🍦

26/10 Opened the National Honey Show at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey. 🍯 🐝

As Royal Patron of the Security Institute, this afternoon attended the Annual Conference at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. ⛓️

With Sir Tim As President of the Royal Yachting Association, attended a 50th Anniversary of the Yachtmaster Scheme Dinner at Trinity House, London. 🛥️🍽️

27/10 Held an Investiture at Buckingham Palace. 🎖️

31/10 In Scotland;

As Patron of the Moredun Foundation, attended a Conference at Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, in Penicuik. 🧬

As Royal Patron of the Leuchie Forever Fund, attended a Reception to launch Leuchie House’s new strategy in Edinburgh. 🏡

As Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh, held a Chancellor’s Dinner at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 👩‍🎓

Total official engagements for Anne in October: 47

2023 total so far: 400

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in October: 6

2023 total so far: 81

[beardedmrbean]

Bangladesh's parliament has been dissolved, a day after prime minister Sheikh Hasina was forced from power.

Ms Hasina resigned and fled the country after weeks of student-led protests spiralled into deadly unrest.

The dissolution of parliament, a key demand of protesters, paves the way for establishing an interim government.

Bangladeshis are waiting to see what comes next, as the country's military chief is holding talks with political leaders and protest organisers.

According to local media, more than 100 people died in violent clashes across Bangladesh on Monday, the single deadliest day since mass demonstrations began.

Hundreds of police stations were also torched, with the Bangladesh Police Service Association (BPSA) declaring a strike "until the security of every member of the police is secure".

The group also sought to place the blame at the door of authorities, saying they were "forced to fire".

Overall, more than 400 people are believed to have died, as protests were met with harsh repression by government forces.

The protests began in early July with peaceful demands from university students to abolish quotas in civil service jobs, but snowballed into a broader anti-government movement.

Weeks of unrest culminated in the storming of the prime minister's official residence, not long after Ms Hasina had fled to neighbouring India, ending nearly 15 years of rule.

Bangladeshi leaders are under pressure to establish an interim government to avoid a power vacuum that could lead to further clashes.

Within hours of her resignation, Bangladesh's army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman pledged that an interim administration would be formed, adding on state television that "it is time to stop the violence".

Student leaders have been clear they will not accept a military-led government, pushing for Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus to become the interim government's chief adviser.

Mr Yunus, who agreed to take up the role, said: “When the students who sacrificed so much are requesting me to step in at this difficult juncture, how can I refuse?”

He is returning to Dhaka from Paris, where he is undergoing a minor medical procedure, according to his spokesperson.

Meanwhile, ex-prime minister and key opposition leader Khaleda Zia was released from years of house arrest, a presidential statement said.

She chairs the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which boycotted elections in 2014 and again in 2024, saying free and fair elections were not possible under Ms Hasina.

The BNP wanted the polls to be held under a neutral caretaker administration. This has now become a possibility after the departure of Ms Hasina, who had always rejected this demand.

Ms Zia, 78, served as prime minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996, but was imprisoned in 2018 for corruption, although she said the charges were politically motivated.

She was not the only opposition figure to be released after years of detention.

Activist Ahmad Bin Quasem was also released from detention, according to his lawyer Michael Polak.

Rights groups say Mr Quasem was taken away by security forces in 2016, just one of hundreds of forced disappearances in the country under Ms Hasina's rule.

"There were many points during his detention that he was feared dead, and the uncertainty was one of the many tools of repression utilised by the regime," Mr Polak explained, adding they hoped the decision to release political prisoners "is a positive sign of their intentions".

"Unfortunately, the good news won’t be shared by all," he told the BBC, stating that a number of political prisoners had died in custody.

At least 20 other families of political prisoners gathered outside a military intelligence force building in the capital Dhaka earlier in the day, still desperately waiting for news about their loved ones, AFP news agency reports.

"We need answers," Sanjida Islam Tulee, a co-ordinator of Mayer Daak (The Call of the Mothers) campaign group, told the news agency.

Across the border in India, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said he was "deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored" in Bangladesh, with which India shares a 4,096-km (2,545-mile) border and has close economic and cultural ties.

He gave the first official confirmation that Ms Hasina made a request to travel to India at "very short notice" and "arrived yesterday evening in Delhi".

India also deployed additional troops along its border with Bangladesh.

"Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation," Mr Jaishankar said.

[clarynewme]

My initial is A, he/him.

I am from Mumbai, India

My D.O.B is 01st August 2004

Time of birth : 01:37 pm IST

I would like to know about my future spouse.

Thanks

Hi😊 For your reading I am going to use mostly vedic astrology.

In D1 chart aquarius saturn is transiting your 5th house (dating/hobbies/creativity) aspecting your 7th lord mars in leo 11th house (jupiter + mercury) by 7th aspect indicating that you might meet your future spouse or longterm partner this year, but there could be a certain delay or obstacles when it comes to dating and creativity. You might meet this person online, through friends/groups, social networks. This gives me slow burn/serious romance, friends to lovers or online dating. Actually the delay could potentially be that your partner comes from a different background(wealthier than you or have different values or the need to build stability for example) with mars being 2nd lord or you can become friends online and then later meet in person to have a romantic relationship.

With taurus jupiter transiting 8th house aspecting all these placements above it brings abundance, support and optimism helping you guys meet sooner and overcome obstacles in the relationship , mitigate misunderstandings, share interests/goals and values, communicating openly about your feelings fears/traumas, healing, transformation, etc.

MOON CHART (considering moon as rising)

Taurus jupiter is transiting your taurus 5th house bringing abundance in romance/dating/hobbies/creativity/finances/stability/selfworth.

D9 CHART 

In your D9 chart Jupiter in taurus is transiting 12th house saturn aspecting 7th lord scorpio jupiter(10th lord) conjunct sun indicating that your future spouse might be meeting you this year. This meeting might be fated/karmic (soulmate), you might meet each other through dreams, foreign lands, spirituality or in a transformative/healing time. You might grow and work together in service oriented projects, support each other, overcome obstacles related to work, past traumas, daily routine, physical and mental health,etc.

With aquarius saturn transit in 9th house aspecting leo moon in 3rd house and all these placements above this confirms long distance relationship and possibly meeting through higher education or in a foreign country. Your future spouse might be facing challenges related to higher education, travel, learning, communication, emotions, authority figures, mother, siblings, family. You guys might have communication issues, one of you might not open up or know how to express their feelings. (Delays in developing a relationship)

Pisces/virgo rahu/ketu is transiting your 10th/4th house axis so your future spouse might be focusing on her career, trying to balance his personal life with professional life, could be changing jobs or rethinking about his responsibilities, etc.

DASHA/TIME PERIODS

You are currently running rahu-venus dasha from 2022 till 2025 which is great for marriage/meeting spouse (rahu is in your 7th house and venus -> love + significator of spouse for men).

(You actually went through rahu-venus-mars dasha from 19 november 2023 till 22 january 2024; Have you met someone back then? Mars is your 7th lord and Darakaraka -> spouse ).

Right now you are running rahu-venus-jupiter dasha till 28 november 2024 which is a good chance as well to meet your longterm partner (jupiter ->marriage and is conjunct your mars).

You also have good chances next year 2025 specially during rahu-venus-mercury dasha from 19 may till 22 october, mercury is conjunct your mars; gemini jupiter transit in may will be affecting your gemini venus and saturn activating longterm romantic relationships/marriage; Cancer jupiter transit in october will be influencing 7th house from moon chart👀 (you might also gain a lot of success/recognition in your career cause you sun in cancer 10th house in d1 chart)

If you want to know specific time periods(dashas pictures) or more you can DM me. 

NOTE1: Remember that we might have many soulmates and potential long term partners.

SOLAR RETURN

I am going to use solar return of 2024/2025.

From the 7th lord sign and 7th house energy we can see what kind of person you will meet,  probably one of his big 3 placements and how your relationship would be.

You actually have 7th house gemini moon which means this would be a emotional/nurturing connection based on communication, knowledge, learning, working together, exploration, friendship, flexibility, playfulness, etc. She could be close to her mother/family, emotional, charming, nurturing, caring, flirty, creative, communicative, teasing, balanced, fair, possessive, dualistic, complex emotions, restless energy, negotiator/advisor, words of affirmation and physical touch,etc. With moon in 7th house this year you will feel a strong desire to have a longterm relationship.

With 7th lord leo mercury conjunct venus in your 9th house she could be creative, youthful,  beautiful, childlike, wise, spiritual, open minded, supportive, intelligent, creative, nurturing, affectionate, confident, passionate, show off, proud, loud communicator, extroverted, loyal, honest; values freedom, travelling, spirituality, arts, intellectual pursuits, luxury, legacy, family, etc; aloof, arrogant, know it all, egoistic, overindulgence, blunt, overdramatic, need for validation if not managed.

You can have a creative intellectual connection discussing about every topic you wish to learn, share interests. You can do artistic projects together, do spiritual practices, travelling, having fun, learning/studying together, explore the world, being playful, words of affirmation, physical touch and gift giving, etc.

Balance between freedom and partnerships is crucial as well communication and knowing yourselves to overcome misunderstandings and conflicts.

7th lord is aspecting aquarius saturn in 3rd house by 7th house indicating possible communication barriers, misunderstandings, different beliefs, boredom vs creativity/fun, etc.

Finally 7th lord is aspecting taurus mars in 6th house by 10th aspect that could indicate conflicts related to daily routine, work, health, financial stability need to be solved. Service, support and determination are essential in this relationship as well balancing creative goals and practical goals, working creatively in a disciplined, etc.

One of her big 3 placements could be same or opposite sign of 7th lord so aquarius or leo. (if you happen to meet her before your birthday she could have aries/libra)

DARAKARAKA + 7TH LORD D1

In regards to magha mars Darakaraka + 7th lord  in 11th house D1 chart conjunct mercury and purva phalguni jupiter your spouse could embody these characteristics: hot, attractive, energetic, active, creative, spiritual, influential, romantic, diplomat;values heritage, father, family, money, aesthetics, beauty and luxury; beautiful, sensual, affectionate, well dressed, leader, charming, charismatic, passionate, creative, confident,persuasive, generous, assertive, famous, wealthy, regal nature, tricky, unpredictable, flirty, unique ideas, intelligent, dualistic, honest/blunt, loyal, wise, sense of humor, good natured, dramatic, social engaging, proud, loves his friends, egoistic, arrogant, need for validation/recognition, wants to leave a legacy, strong, transformative, intense, supportive, loves sports, fitness and arts, gift giving/receiving, challenge society (rebel), competitive, agressive, loud communicator, know it all, etc.

Mars is aspecting libra/aries ketu/rahu 1st/7th house axis indicating that your future spouse or longterm partner could have unique and unconventional ideas about relationships and the way she expresses herself, desire for public recognition through partnerships. This could cause misunderstandings, lack of balance between personal desires and relationships. This relationship could be very intense and transformative (you could argue/fight a lot due to rahu in aries 7th house).

Lastly mars is aspecting capricorn moon in 4th house by 6th aspect indicating emotional conflicts related to home, family and domestic responsibilities that will need to be solved.

VENUS

Venus is also significator of spouse/marriage (for men mostly), your jmvenis is in mrigashira gemini conjunct ardra rahu in 9th house so your spouse/marriage could embody these characteristics: foreigner or different culture/religion/ethnicity, abundance, optimism, transformative, unconventional, will allow you to grow individually and together as a team; communication and intellectuality, learning how to connect with each other, balancing desires/goals with spiritual/ethic/moral values, challenging society expectations, engaging in philosophical discussions and deep conversations, etc); Your future spouse could be intense, transformative, charming, communicative, sociable, friendly, lucky, fortunate, creative, optimistic,curious, youthful,persuasive, spiritual/religious, tricky, flirty, well educated (have a high education),intelligent, dualistic, honest/blunt, loves travelling/arts/philosophy/adventure/freedom, adventurous, intelligent, seeks the truth, good sense of humor, know it all, use logic to process his emotions, anxious; sibling" rivarly, twinflame, menthor/student, etc.

7TH LORD D9

7th lord in D9 nakshatra and sign could also show future spouse characteristics and how will be the marriage.

You have 7th lord sun in scorpio jyestha conjunct Anuradha rahu in 6th house there is an emphasis on emotions, transformation, loyalty, stability, intensity, karmic, finances/shared resources, passion, intimacy, spirituality, recognition, daily routine, health, healing, work and creativity in this connection. Spouse can be wealthy, supportive, intelligent, generous, secretive, overgiving, emotional but hides them, intense, passionate, ambitious, stable, mature, loyal, hardworking, assertive, good advisor, organized, service oriented, investigator, curious about occult, talented, creative, intuitive, psychic, dualistic, health conscious, compassionate, agressive, competitive, jealous, possessive, stubborn, overindulgence, neatfreak, need for validation, etc.

APPEARANCE + CAREER + SYMBOLISM

When it comes to appearance fs would have masculine features; strong jawline; large defined hips/butt; prominent hair/forehead/ankles/calves/legs/chest/lips; strong bone structure; youthful appearance; angular/sharp features; pouty features; tattoos; piercings; average to tall height; muscular or defined body;  have reddish or dark features; hot; unique/exotic or exagerated features (ex:large eyes), different culture maybe; thin defined/muscular legs; etc (You can find more from Camila Regina tiktok🤌)

For your future spouse career I am trying out this tecnique the 10th sign from 7th lord in D1 or D9 could indicate possible fields: 

D1 Taurus: so anything related to banking, real estate, culinary arts, beauty, wellness, music, performing arts, luxury, retail, garneing, horticulture, agriculture, farming, finances, law, management, creative arts, entrepreneur, education, etc

D9 Leo (moon): so anything related to leadership, sports/athletics, politics, healthcare, marketing, sales, travel, tourism, real estate, media and communication, government, military, law, creative arts, design, hospitality, events, entertainment, performing arts, psychology, counselling, business, spirituality, education, entrepreneur,  boss,  etc

Regarding your meeting, pay attention to symbolisms of these signs: 

Cancer: mother, family, home, house, crab, lake, lobster, car, showing up at your house, food, restaurant, hospital,nursing, foster home, baby, child, etc.

Aquarius: color aqua, waterfall, watercarrier, spirituality,  tarot, astrology, Internet, technology, online, science, sea animals, dam, arts, accident, sudden, Electricity, aquarium, social media, groups, friends, etc.

Sagittarius: horse, arrow, Bow, education, travel, foreign, OK cupid, shooting, spirituality, museum, adventure, risk, philosophy, culture, college, etc.

NOTE2:  cancer from vedic chart ; aquarius 2x; sagittarius from tropical chart

(This technique is by Camila Regina on tiktok💗)

Vedic Astrology placements D1/D9 (includes atmakaraka AK):

Aquarius/Leo/Gemini/Sagittarius/Capricorn/Cancer/Scorpio/Taurus

Mars,Sun,ketu , jupiter, mercury, saturn, moon nakshatras/influence

Okay I think I am done😅 I hope you like this reading if you do leave feedback on my page🙏 And let me know if it resonates👌it helps improving my readings🫶💜

[orange-demons-deactivated2024]

Before I get any questions about it...

I had to take some creative liberties when writing the wedding headcanons with Bosch with a gender-neutral reader.

Queer relationships in Tibet aren't documented enough on the internet. So most of my sources did come from heterosexual marriages.

The act of a woman and a man marrying each other fell into the gender norms of a traditional woman and a traditional man in a relationship.

Same thing with marrying foreigners. There were even fewer articles and websites for Tibetan people marrying outside their race.

I had to alter some aspects of Tibetan customs to fit into the world-building of Nayshall.

Remember Nayshall is an accumulation of Nomadic tribes living in harmony, that's why I used wordings like people and group in my fic. They are all Nayshalli, but there are groups in Nayshall that are from different cultural backgrounds: Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

That being said, even the tradition of Pulling on the Groom's ear (mag pa gi rna mchog 'then), is not widely practiced in Tibet. But here are some sources that I pulled this custom from here, here, and a video here (start at 2:30).

This custom was from rural farming areas of Tibet. And the act is started by the bride's family, pitting the woman against the men of the groom's family. They would tease the groom to get more gifts out of him and to an extent would "pull on the groom's ear."

"Some women wait in the doorway so that the groom cannot run away. They do not care how loudly the groom shouts in pain. They are not supposed to scratch the groom’s face or grasp his hair intentionally. The groom is usually allowed to ‘beat’ the girls with the sleeve of his traditional Tibetan robe, in order to try to get rid of them, but he can never get angry."

When I wrote this scene I had to keep in mind that the reader is gender-neutral, so the party that was supposed to represent the reader had a mix of men and women. And Bosch's side of the family representing him were all men.

You the reader, wouldn't have known any of this, that's why I wrote Bosch's family initiating the conflict.

Plus it's a street fighter game, so someone's gotta be fighting somewhere.

As for Traditional Tibetan clothing, Woman do have their hair braided and wear headdresses for the occasion. But I personally don't like adding attributes to my readers so I had to take out this section entirely.

The same thing can be said with jewelry. Although both men and women wear jewelry, the bride wears an abundance of it all over her body.

So that is why I didn't go into much detail about the outfits.

So I opted for You and Bosch to be wearing the same thing to keep the themes gender-neutral.

The reason why I split up traditional in the morning and western at night is because most Tibetan weddings that I've seen on YouTube are structured this way.

A proposal is the first step in Tibetan marriage. Traditionally, if a man is interested in a lady, he will inquire about her age, date of birth, and her zodiac attributes (i.e., mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog, or pig).

In Tibetan Buddhism, a Lama is a spiritual leader or teacher of the Dharma. The word "Lama" is derived from the Sanskrit word guru, which means "venerable one". It can also be used as a term of respect for any respected monk or priest. The word "Lama" is similar to the Tibetan word "bla-ma", which means "boss"

Lamas also participate in Buddhist marriage ceremonies, which include a prayer and the distribution of a religious drink called madyan. The groom and his family visit the bride's home to ask for her hand in marriage, and an astrologer helps determine the wedding date.

Since were on the topic, there was an initial prayer service that was supposed to be done at the Bride's house that I didn't include because you, don't live in Nayshall, so it would've been awkward for me to include it.

The horse that Bosch picked you up with is a tradition for older Tibet folk. People in Tibet today just use cars that they would decorate with scarves to pick up their brides. But when writing it, I figured Bosch isn't the type to go into modern traditions, that's why I kept it to be a horse.

A well-decorated car with colors suitable to the bride's zodiac attributes is also brought to pick up the bride.

I didn't go over this, but most Tibetan marriages are monogamous with familiar 'nuclear' families. However, polyandry families in Tibet were common in ancient times. Even today, there are polyandry families in some rural areas of Tibet. Polyandry is a form of polygamy whereby a woman has several husbands. In Tibet those husbands are often brothers, which is why it is most commonly called "Fraternal Polyandry".

Also to stick out one's tongue is known as a traditional greeting, stemming from a 9th-century myth about an unpopular king with a black tongue. When the king died, Tibetans began revealing their tongues to show they hadn't become his incarnate. Tongue-sucking does not appear to be part of the tradition.

Butter tea holds significant cultural importance beyond its culinary appeal. It is integrated into various ceremonies and rituals, from Tibetan Buddhist practices to traditional celebrations like weddings and Losar, the Tibetan New Year.

Butter tea is made from brick tea, yak butter, yak milk, and salt. It's a vital source of sustenance, especially in high-altitude regions, and provides necessary calories from fat. Tibetans often drink butter tea with tsampa, a staple food, and can consume up to 60 small cups per day. 

 It symbolizes hospitality, is a sacred offering, and can be a meal in itself. When offering tea to another person, both the giver and receiver use both hands to avoid spilling and as a sign of respect.

In tradition, guests are served constant refills of butter tea to symbolize the host's generosity.

[ericdeggans]

The Peabody Awards 2024: Learning how "Stories That Matter" is so much more than a catchy slogan

(The author with Reservation Dogs executive producer Taika Waititi, Peabody judges Hannah Giorgis and Lorraine Ali, Peabody staffer Maggie Stephens and, below, Rita Ora and Kali Reis)

Midway through the ceremony, a thunderbolt struck in the form of a passionate speech from Sir Patrick Stewart, reminding me exactly why the George Foster Peabody Awards are such a special experience for judges, winners, staffers who works on the honors and media itself.

As a former judge and chair of the board of jurors, I had traveled to Los Angeles for the first Peabody awards held in person since the COVID lockdowns of 2020. It was also the awards’ first time taking place in Los Angeles, signaling a shift from the news-centered operation of old to a more Hollywood friendly production. And it happened to be the first awards ceremony since I stepped down as chair of the jurors in 2019, rotated off the panel – as is customary - after six years of service. (I was the first African American to hold the chair's job, in fact.)

It is tough to describe what a special experience it is to be among the judges helping hand out such a prestigious honor. The first time I served, among the projects we gave prizes to were House of Cards and Scandal – two shows which heralded the rise of streaming and the impact of diversity on television. I was part of the panel which decided to hand special honors to Jon Stewart, Rita Moreno and Carol Burnett at various times, recognizing the world-shaking impact of legendary performers and satirists.

Deliberations take place over three separate weeks in different locations, with our debates centered on impact, originality, scope, quality, substance and diversity — among other considerations — always with an eye on what the bright light of a Peabody win might accomplish when trained on a deserving project.

(The Peabody judging panel during my last year in the group.)

At the end, judges must have watched/consumed every entry under consideration and we must agree unanimously. With a judging panel that ranged from world class academics to high achievers in media, expert journalists and critics and more, we bonded like rowdy siblings at a media nerd’s ideal summer camp.

(Chilling with Tony Goldwyn and Jeff Perry from Scandal during my very first Peabody awards ceremony in 2014.)

But when Sir Patrick rose in the middle of Sunday’s ceremony to speak eloquently of the amazing work on display in the acceptance speeches of winners, I realized why the Peabodys were truly special. Conceived as the electronic/broadcasting/TV equivalent of the Pulitzer Prizes, the Peabodys this evening united Hollywood favorites like FX’s The Bear and HBO’s The Last of Us with searing journalism, like the PBS NewsHour’s coverage of war in Gaza or Tennessee investigative reporter Phil Williams’ dogged exposure of a mayoral candidate’s ties to white supremacists in a tony Nashville suburb.

Ravish Kumar, the news anchor in India who serves as the centerpiece for the POV documentary While We Watched, gave a passionate speech criticizing mainstream news outlets in his home country for enabling Hindu nationalism by spreading misinformation. Ron Nyswaner, creator and showrunner for Showtime’s LGBTQ-focused limited series Fellow Travelers, talked on how “art is about trying to make people think and feel.”

And Larry Wilmore, co-creator of Black-ish and host of the late, lamented Comedy Central news satire The Nightly Show, cracked a joke on how supremely compromised Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is kind of a dick. (Hey, everything can’t be highbrow during a three-hour show).

It occurred to me, that too many Hollywood awards shows are mostly about the star power and glamour of supremely acclaimed stars. Don’t get me wrong: it was gratifying and heartwarming to see the entire place leap to their feet for enduring icon and Career Achievement awards winner Mel Brooks, or Donald Glover presenting the Trailblazer award to his good friend Abbott Elementary star/creator Quinta Brunson or – for this Star Trek nerd anyway – the astonishing sight of watching castmembers/producers from Picard, Discovery, Enterprise and other corners of Trek gather onstage for the Institutional Award.

(The Star Trek crew, including LeVar Burton, Rebecca Romijin and Jeri Ryan, at the Peabody awards Sunday.)

But the secret sauce of the Peabodys is the way it utilizes Hollywood glamour to shine a light on quality journalism and public service programming like the micro-documentary series The Hidden Racism in New York City or PBS Frontline’s reporting on America and the Taliban or Dallas-Fort Worth NBC station KXAS’ look at how an organization of sheriffs were quietly radicalizing law enforcement officers across the state.

So, even though I’m no longer taking part in the long hours of viewing and debate required to pick these standout honorees – and it is part of the deal that every judge has to agree on every winner and finalist – I couldn’t be prouder of the selections my successors have assembled. We are all now part of a family dedicated to upholding the best in media, highlighting important work in a way almost no other modern awards ceremony can do.

(Me at this year's Peabody awards.)

See the list of Peabody winners HERE.

[scalamore]

Social FYI post: Kakaopage

So I see on various social media spaces the immense hatred of KKP lately, because their anti-piracy task force, P.cok is going around and throwing DMCAs at scanlation and translation groups. There's been more anger towards them lately because every time a series is axed or unexpectedly cancelled, western readers have a tendency to blame everything on kakaopage.

So this is an information post!

Misinformation: KKP axes series Answer: The publisher axes series Kakaopage is an online distributor, not a publisher (although they do have some shares/involvement in some series) and are for the most part, an online platform to share content. They're a platform that allows anyone, from novices to big publishing houses to post their content in an easy and accessible way. Other such platforms include Naver or Ridi.

To give an example, Kakaopage is like Amazon, or Barnes and Nobles (USA bookstore), or even wattpad. They host a ton of stuff, but don't necessarily own it. Back in 2017, it was reported that for all content sold, the revenue is shared between Google Play (30 %), Kakao (20 %), and the publisher (50 %). The publisher then distributes those profits to the manhwa teams.

As part of their agreements with various publishers, the p.cok anti-piracy task force was created to stop piracy and illegal distribution. Their intent is purely to keep things to the official sources, to make sure the publishers (like DAON, D&C, Carrotoon etc) get paid to pass on to the manhwa teams.

As such, over the past few years, Kakaopage has invested tremendously in legal ways to read their stories in various countries:

Korea

China (Podo, Lehzin)

USA or "english speaking countries" (Tapas, Tappytoon, Radish, Webtoon, manta etc)

Indonesia (KKP indonesia)

Japan (Piccoma)

Thailand

Tappy France

Tappy Germany

etc Misinformation: Kakaopage doesn't care about your language/country Answer: Slight truth, but the more accurate answer is "the publishers don't care about your language/country" As one might notice, this isn't a very comprehensive list of countries. That's the point. Kakaopage and the Korean publishers don't care about their readers in low-readership countries (or continents) like South America, Africa, the middle east, India, Vietnam, or the Phillipines. Because simply, it's too much to invest in countries/languages that won't have high enough readership. So they focus on the "richer" countries to invest in, with translations and localization. They literally do not care about readers not in their list of localization/countries, as these readers would not pay for their services in the first place. Capitalist societies do not want their products out there for free, and that's what piracy is - people reading for free when they could be paying to support the original authors. Misinformation: Supporting officially is expensive!! Answer: Not really When you break it down, not really. on the KKP app, if you want to rent a chapter for 72 hrs, it's 200 coins. If you want to permanently buy a chapter "collect", it's 500 coins. 5000 coins = $4 on the app store 10000 coins = $9 on the app store, etc. Basically, if you want to collect a chapter, with the lowest tier = 5000 coins = 10 chapters = $4 ----> 25 cents per chapter. If you purchase on Tappytoon, I believe it comes out to about 35 cents per chapter If you purchase on Tapas, I heard it's around 30-40 cents per chapter? back to KKP: Now, as each chapter is 25 cents, imagine how that's distributed: 12.5 cents to the publisher, and 5 cents to KKP to host it. For each YM chapter purchased on KKP, which costs a reader 25 cents, DAON Entertainment gets 12.5 cents to split amongst Hayeonnim, Hyeyongnim, and the other staff. Yikes. For a 100 chapter series --> $25 to read it on kakaopage --> $12.5 goes to DAON to distribute to the manhwa team. That's not much per person. If we're lucky to get a physical release, I believe it's about $10 USD for 12 chapters for the YM physicals in KR. For Villains are Destined to Die, or Stepmothers Marchen, who have physical ENG releases, someone told me it's about $15 for 6-8 chapters (needs verification) Back to the webtoons: imagine, 100 people read 100 chapters on aggregate sites instead of one of the official routes: Hayeonnim and Hyeyongnim have already lost $1,250 in royalties/income from the series. from bato alone i see a chapter can have about 55K views. I'm not sure how to translate "views" to "readers", so lets arbitrarily say each chapter is read by 10,000 people internationally who for whatever reason, don't read officially. So 10,000 readers x 100 chapters at 0.12 cents each = loss of $125,000 of income for the manhwa teams for a series with 3 seasons released. Bottom line is, if you can support and want to support, it would be a good idea to. No one's forcing you to, but think of your favorite authors and artists ---!

Sources: https://www.techinasia.com/kakaotalk-launches-kakaopage-digital-content-marketplace

[nicklloydnow]

On Today’s Episode of World War III

“On Tuesday, the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed our worst suspicions concerning the pace of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program. “Iran,” it concluded, “has increased the rate at which it is producing near weapons grade uranium in recent weeks, reversing a previous slowdown that started in the middle of this year.”

According to the IAEA, Iranian enrichment of Uranium-235 to near weapons-grade level had increased to an estimated 9 kilograms per month by the end of November. It takes just five times that amount of uranium, enriched to 90 percent, to sustain a nuclear chain reaction for one nuclear bomb.

Presently, it is believed that Iran has enriched at least 128.3 kilograms of Uranium-235 to 60 percent, and 567.1 kilograms to 20 percent. Do the math based on Iran Watch’s estimates of its current centrifuge capacity, and Iran is now capable of enriching sufficient mass to 90 percent for three nuclear bombs in less than one week. Tehran could have a fourth bomb in one to two weeks more, and a fifth within roughly one month’s time.

(…)

We are in a very different world now than when that deal was first made. Moscow and Beijing are actively engaged in the equivalent of an ideological World War III against the U.S. that is increasingly turning kinetic. Iran has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to undermine U.S. diplomacy and national security interests throughout the Middle East.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the funding and planning of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. Tehran’s plunging of Gaza into war undermined U.S. efforts to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and Iran-sponsored militias including Hezbollah and the Houthis are actively attacking U.S. military and naval forces in Iraq, Syria, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

As his country nears a nuclear breakout, Khamenei is only becoming bolder. On Dec. 23, the Pentagon reported that the Chem Pluto, a chemical tanker sailing from Saudi Arabia to India, was struck in the Indian Ocean “by a drone launched from Iran.” Iranian threats against the West and Europe are also starting to come fast and furious. On Christmas Eve, Tehran threatened to close the Straits of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea.

Iran will become bolder still if allowed to achieve nuclear status. We are on borrowed time now, rapidly approaching the point wherein a kinetic response will be the only option remaining.

(…)

On the Doomsday Clock, it is already five minutes and counting past midnight in Armageddon. Unless the White House acts now, Iran’s status as a nuclear power will be a fait accompli.”

“More than 100 people were killed and scores injured Wednesday in two blasts that struck the central Iranian city of Kerman, emergency services said. Thousands of mourners had gathered there to commemorate Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani on the fourth anniversary of his assassination in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq in 2020.

A spokesman for the country’s emergency department was quoted by Iran’s state-run news agency as saying 103 people were killed and 188 were injured.

The deputy governor of Kerman, the slain general’s hometown, said the incident was a “terrorist attack,” according to Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The explosions occurred about a half-mile from Soleimani’s burial place, on a road to the graveyard, the agency reported.

(…)

The blasts Wednesday came amid intensifying involvement by Iranian-backed militant groups in a confrontation with Israel and its principal backer, the United States, during Israel’s war in Gaza.”

“Hamas on Tuesday accused Israel of killing Saleh al-Arouri, a top leader of the group, along with two commanders from its armed wing, the Qassam Brigades. Mr. al-Arouri is the senior-most Hamas figure to be killed since Israel vowed to destroy the organization and eliminate its leadership after a deadly Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7.

Mr. al-Arouri was assassinated in an explosion in a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, marking the first such assassination of a top Hamas official outside the West Bank and Gaza in recent years. It comes as officials across the region are worried about the war in Gaza igniting a wider conflagration.

(…)

“No one is safe if they had any hand in planning, raising money for or carrying out these attacks,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal discussions. Citing Israel’s vow to hunt down the perpetrators of the Oct. 7 attack wherever they are, the official added, “This is just the beginning, and it’ll go on for years.”

(…)

Mr. al-Arouri played a key role in Hamas’s relationships with its regional allies and in increasing Hamas’s military capabilities, according to regional and Western officials. A longtime Hamas operative, he was one of the founders of the group’s armed wing and was linked to a number of attacks on Israeli civilians, including the kidnapping and killing of three teenagers in the West Bank in 2014, which he called a “heroic operation.”

(…)

Mr. al-Arouri worked with Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s chief in Gaza, in recent years to link the group’s military wing more closely to Iran, which, regional security officials say, most likely helped the group develop some of the capabilities it used in the Oct. 7 attack. Israel has accused Mr. Sinwar of helping to plot the assault, which officials say killed about 1,200 people and saw 240 others abducted to Gaza.

(…)

Israel for decades has made assassinations of its enemies in other countries a key part of its defense strategy. In the past two weeks, Iran has accused Israel of assassinating two Iranian generals in Iraq and Syria who liaised with the regional militant groups backed by Iran. Israel has also carried out high-profile assassinations of senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists in Iran and Syria, including Iran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, and Col. Sayad Khodayee, a commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps.”

[beguines]

In the days leading to August 5, 2019 and in the weeks and months to come, Kashmir became a site of unfathomable cruelty. Thousands of Kashmiris were detained; pro-India politicians were placed under house arrest, pro-freedom leaders as well as minors were rounded up and thrown in jail. Young boys were shipped off to Indian prisons 1,500km away in Agra and Varanasi. Foreign journalists and international human rights groups were banned from access to Kashmir. The region was placed under a complete communication blackout. Cellular phones, Internet, landline services, and even the postal services were dismantled. News traveled by word of mouth. Journalists compressed photos and video onto memory cards and smuggled them out with passengers en route to Delhi. Schools, offices, banks, and businesses were closed for months. Life came to a standstill.

On August 5, 2019, the Modi government revoked both Articles 370 and 35A, split the region into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, and placed them under the direct control of Delhi. Kashmir had been effectively annexed. It was a stunning rebuke to the myth of Indian democracy as well as the veneer of Kashmiri autonomy. Observers warned that this move represented an intensification of India's settler-colonial project in Indian-occupied Kashmir. Under the new status of the state, India would now have the legal justification to allow non-Kashmiris to access residency rights in Kashmir as well as purchase land that had previously been restricted to Kashmiri permanent residents, or state subjects. The end goal was now within sight: Kashmir's Muslim-majority demography would be changed in favor of Indian Hindus. In time, elections would be held, and democracy would cover for the ethnocratic, colonial rule that had been imposed on the region.

Revoking Article 370 and Article 35A were long-held goals of Hindu nationalists and supremacists in India. They had resented the autonomy PM Nehru had "granted" Kashmir in 1947 and wished to see Kashmir fully integrated into India. For Hindu-supremacists, these two articles were an obstruction to the region's full integration into the Indian state and had contributed to the rise of "separatism" or "terrorism" in the region—which is how India refers to Kashmiris' decades long resistance to Indian rule. To the Hindu right, the problems in Kashmir were borne out of India's coddling of Kashmiri Muslims. The question of Kashmiri self-determination had never been on the agenda. The removal of the two Articles was therefore portrayed as ushering in a "New Kashmir" in which peace and prosperity would arrive through Indian investment and development. This had been a central plank of Narendra Modi's second election campaign, too.

Azad Essa, Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel

[bhushanconsultants]

Group Housing Services In India – Why It Is Such A Popular Choice

Group housing refers to residential projects where multiple housing units are developed in a single complex or area. These are typically aimed at providing a cohesive and community-oriented living environment.

Group Housing Services In India

Affordability and efficient land use

One of the primary advantages of Group housing services in India is affordability. By constructing multiple units within a single complex, developers can optimize land use and reduce per-unit construction costs. This cost efficiency is often passed on to the buyers, making group housing an attractive option for middle-income families. In cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, where land prices are exorbitantly high, group housing provides a feasible alternative for many.

Enhanced community living

Group housing projects often come with a range of amenities designed to foster a sense of community. These can include parks, playgrounds, gyms, swimming pools, and community halls. Such facilities encourage interaction among residents, fostering a sense of belonging and community spirit. In a country like India, where community and social interaction play a crucial role in daily life, this aspect of group housing is particularly appealing.

Safety and security

With rising concerns about safety in urban areas, group housing complexes offer a secure living environment. Most of these projects are equipped with advanced security systems, including CCTV surveillance, gated entry, and round-the-clock security personnel. This provides residents with peace of mind, knowing that their families are living in a secure environment.

Sustainability and modern amenities

Modern Group housing services in India are increasingly incorporating sustainable practices. From rainwater harvesting and solar panels to green building materials, developers are focusing on reducing the environmental impact. Additionally, these projects often include modern amenities like Wi-Fi connectivity, power backup, and ample parking space, catering to the needs of contemporary urban living.

Township construction services in India

While group housing addresses immediate residential needs, Township Construction Services in India take it a step further by creating self-sustaining communities. A township is essentially a mini-city, designed to provide residents with everything they need within a single development.

Comprehensive development

Townships are meticulously planned to include not just residential units but also commercial spaces, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and recreational areas. This comprehensive development ensures that residents have access to all necessary services without having to travel far. In rapidly expanding urban areas, this self-sufficiency is a significant advantage, reducing the pressure on city infrastructure and minimizing commute times.

Integrated Infrastructure

One of the standout features of Township Construction Services in India is the integrated infrastructure. This includes well-planned roads, efficient waste management systems, reliable water and electricity supply, and robust public transport networks. By creating a seamless living experience, townships aim to elevate the quality of life for their residents.

Conclusion

The landscape of housing in India is rapidly evolving, with group housing and Township Construction Services in India leading the way. While group housing offers affordable, community-oriented living with modern amenities, township construction provides a comprehensive, self-sustaining living experience.

[nexgendigitalsolutions]

Discover the Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies in Delhi for 2024

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses are constantly seeking innovative and efficient ways to connect with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales. The capital city of India, Delhi, is a bustling hub for digital marketing expertise, housing some of the most proficient agencies in the country. Leading the pack is Nexgen Digital Solutions, a comprehensive digital marketing agency renowned for its bespoke services and client-centric approach. Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 digital marketing agencies in Delhi for 2024, starting with the frontrunner.

1. Nexgen Digital Solutions

At the forefront of digital marketing innovation, Nexgen Digital Solutions stands out for its holistic approach to digital marketing. Offering an impressive array of services including Bulk SMS, Email, and WhatsApp Services, IVR and Voice Broadcasting Services, alongside classic Digital Marketing and SEO Services, Nexgen Digital Solutions is the go-to partner for businesses aiming for exponential growth. Their expertise extends to Website Development and product photoshoots, ensuring a comprehensive online presence for their clients. Reach out to them at their Dwarka Mor office or get in touch via phone or email for a tailored digital marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals.

2. Creative Digital Brain

Known for its creative strategies and innovative solutions, Creative Digital Brain offers personalized digital marketing solutions that resonate with your brand’s voice and objectives. Their expertise in social media marketing and content creation makes them a standout choice.

3. Market Leaders

Focusing on ROI-driven strategies, Market Leaders excel in delivering measurable results through SEO, PPC, and digital strategy. They are a top choice for businesses looking to get a competitive edge in their industry.

4. TechSavvy Marketers

With a strong emphasis on technology-driven marketing solutions, TechSavvy Marketers specialize in marketing automation, AI-based analytics, and targeted ad campaigns, catering to the tech-savvy entrepreneur.

5. Brand Builders

Brand Builders are experts in crafting compelling brand stories and digital experiences that engage and convert. Their services include brand strategy, digital advertising, and customer engagement techniques.

6. Visionary Media Group

Offering a blend of traditional and digital marketing strategies, Visionary Media Group is perfect for businesses looking for a comprehensive approach to increase their online and offline presence.

7. Digital Innovation Hub

As the name suggests, Digital Innovation Hub is all about innovative digital solutions. Specializing in emerging technologies and digital transformation strategies, they help businesses stay ahead of the curve.

8. Social Savvy

Social Savvy focuses on leveraging social media platforms to build brand loyalty and drive engagement. Their targeted social media campaigns are designed to connect businesses with their ideal audience effectively.

9. SEO Masters

SEO Masters are the go-to agency for all things SEO. From keyword research to on-page and off-page optimization, they ensure your website ranks high on search engines and attracts organic traffic.

10. OmniChannel Experts

OmniChannel Experts specialize in creating seamless customer experiences across all digital and physical channels. Their integrated marketing strategies ensure consistent messaging and branding across all touchpoints.

Choosing the right digital marketing agency is crucial for the success of your online marketing efforts. Each of these agencies brings something unique to the table, but Nexgen Digital Solutions stands out for its comprehensive services and customer-first approach, making it an excellent choice for businesses in Delhi and beyond.

[thelivebookproject]

July - September 2023 | Reading Wrap Up

[Jan-March] [April-June]

Autumn is here, and with it, my summery wrap up! And speaking of summer... Here is my recap of Forgotten YA Gems' V Summer Bingo Reading Challenge, complete with fancy card. As usual, I loved it. I love a good literary bingo ;)

Note: Our beloved Forgotten YA Gems group, after several years of joyful activity, has closed its door on the Goodreads group, but is still active in Discord, for those of you who might be interested!

And now, onto the wrap up!

Code: books read in English are in black, books read in Spanish are in red and the book I read in French is in blue.

JULY (8)

Los hombres no son islas. Los clásicos nos ayudan a vivir - Nuccio Ordine, translation into Spanish by Jordi Bayod

A Lady by Midnight (Spindle Cove #3) - Tessa Dare -> 3/5

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen -> 5/5

Historias d’antis más de Biscarrues - Ed. Sandra Araguás [Only available in Spanish] -> 3/5

The Magpie Lord (A Charm of Magpies #1) - KJ Charles -> 3.5/5

Whose Body? (Lord Peter Wimsey #1) - Dorothy L. Sayers -> 3/5

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon - Sarah Hawley -> 3/5

Tintin in America (Tintin #3) - Hergé, translation into English by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper & Michael Turner -> 2.5/5

July was fun. Nuccio Ordine's philosophical analysis of the importance of classical books for the humanisation of our society was perhaps not fun, but it was surprisingly less dry than I expected it to be. Some good romances came along afterwards, as well as a collection of local myths and stories from Spain, a murder mystery, and my first Tintin! I'd had it aroung for years, it was part of a present from many years ago when my English wasn't yet good enough to read it and then I just never got around to it until this summer... Overall, nothing exceedingly remarkable (except for my dearly beloved P&P), but good vibes in the melting heat.

AUGUST (7)

Flight 714 to Sydney (Tintin #22) - Hergé, translation into English by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper & Michael Turner -> 2/5

Cigars of the Pharaoh (Tintin #4) - Hergé, translation into English by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper & Michael Turner -> 3/5

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism - Amanda Montell -> 4.5/5

The Blue Lotus (Tintin #5) - Hergé, translation into English by Leslie Lonsdale-Cooper & Michael Turner -> 3/5

Broderies - Marjane Satrapi -> 3/5

The Near Witch - Victoria Schwab -> 3.5/5

Murder in the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot #9) - Agatha Christie -> 4.5/5

August was good! More Tintin (I have now finished all of the comics I had lying around in my parents' house), an amazing non-fiction book on linguistics by Amanda Montell (she also wrote Wordslut, which I loved, so clearly her writing is quite up my alley and I can't wait for her to publish her third book), a very good spooky story by Victoria Schwab, another autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi that I hadn't read yet, and my first time reading Murder in the Orient Express in English (although the book itself I've read like six times). Can't complain.

SEPTEMBER (3)

The Secret Service of Tea and Treason (Dangerous Damsels #3) - India Holton -> 4/5

Prosa completa - Alejandra Pizarnik -> 1/5

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold (Stephen Fry’s Great Mythology #1) - Stephen Fry -> 4/5

Welllllll apparently what I need to sit down and read is horrifying heatwaves because my September reading went down a notch. Alejandra Pizarnik's complete prose was absolute horrific, derailed my entire month, and I'll never get close to her writings ever again, but the other two were very good at least! And I was definitely entertained.

And thus another three months have gone by... I am not particularly close to reaching all of my reading goals, but I am also doing better than I was this time last year so I shall count it as a win. We'll see what the last quarter of the year holds!

A couple of last-minute links:

The Lesbrary is looking for reviewers!

I am asking for Portuguese-written book recs!

How was your summer reading?

[mariacallous]

To those who steep themselves in history, and others who follow international affairs with obsessive focus, the bill of particulars often cited this week in critical appraisals of Henry Kissinger’s record as an unusually powerful figure in the history of U.S. foreign policy may already seem blandly familiar.

The list of countries where at Kissinger’s behest the United States intervened in antidemocratic ways or committed what many international legal scholars and human rights experts say were war crimes is so long as to have the quality of an alphabet soup. For those who follow such matters with less attention or care, though, Kissinger’s career has lent itself to a kind of lazy, prismatic assessment. Even some well-informed people fall prey to or have enthusiastically lent their voices to this kind of logic.

You say that Kissinger directed the Washington foreign-policy machine to prevent the inauguration of Salvador Allende, a democratically elected socialist leader in Chile? And when that failed, directly encouraged his overthrow, and then had U.S. diplomats downplay the murderous political terror employed by the military in that South American country to stay in power? Well, on the other hand, according to this parlor-game manner of assessment, the Cold War was no age of innocence, and sometimes ugly things needed to be done in order to keep things moving in the right direction. Otherwise, “communism” might have spread to nearby countries such as Argentina and Uruguay.

You say that the United States helped overthrow a government in Cambodia and carried out secret and illegal intense bombing campaigns in that country and in Laos that indiscriminately killed many thousands of civilians and devastated their economies? Well, Washington was desperate to bring about an end to the Vietnam War—and weren’t there good reasons for that, such as avoiding the deaths of U.S. service members and bringing that conflict to a politically acceptable end?

You say that Washington lent encouragement to military-ruled Pakistan in a genocidal war to prevent the independence of the nation that became Bangladesh? Well, Pakistan’s sworn foe, India, was disturbingly close to the Soviet Union back then. U.S. President Richard Nixon told Kissinger then that India deserved “a mass famine.”

And besides, Washington was in the midst of delicate arrangements to restore ties with Beijing to balance against Moscow. Wasn’t such a momentous shift in Cold War dynamics in favor of the United States worth it? In this spirit, Kissinger replied in seeming contentment to his boss in the White House that the ruler of Pakistan at the time, Gen. Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, “hasn’t had such fun since the last Hindu massacre.” Here he was alluding to the campaign of killing and raping in Bangladesh that a group of dissenting U.S. diplomatic officials at the Consulate General in Dhaka at the time likened to “genocide.”

You say that Kissinger directed U.S. officials to provide cover for Chile’s assassination in Washington of one of its own former ambassadors? Well, once again, the world was a tough place back then, and the other side surely did plenty of unconscionable things, too. But why keep bringing all of this unpleasantness up? Didn’t we—the Americans, the good guys—win in the end?

As readers should be able to see, this kind of treatment doesn’t get us very far, because it casts little moral light on the stakes involved—both then and now—in how might is used by the powerful in the world. That is because the only values this worldview takes into consideration are power and prerogative. To put that in an ancient and simpler way, all it says is that might makes right.

The more one thinks about the Kissinger alphabet soup, though, the more a pattern emerges. The countries where Kissinger left the most damaging legacies are concentrated in what is often fancied as the global south. As geography goes, this is a nonsensical grab bag that is fiendishly hard to define. In geopolitics, though, it is as easy as pie. What we speak of as the global south simply means what historians, diplomats, and international relations experts have long referred to as the global “periphery.”

“Peripheral to what?” you would be right to ask. The answer is anything that is not part of what these same disciplines speak of as the “core.” The core means whatever they take to be of overriding import in the world at any given time. In actuality, these things don’t shift much from moment to moment. The core has usually been taken to mean whatever one defines as the West and whomever the West considers its peer rivals and adversaries to be at any given time.

Because core means important, peripheral means unworthy of equal—or usually even serious—consideration. In geopolitics of the sort long practiced by Kissinger, a colloquial term for the periphery is “sideshow,” and this is precisely how he treated the lives and rights of the people in what was for him the non-core world.

In December 1970, eager to bring North Vietnam to its knees, or at least to the negotiating table as a supplicant, Nixon told Kissinger to oversee a sharp escalation in the already-deadly U.S. aerial bombing campaign in Cambodia that would ultimately kill at least 100,000 civilians, saying “crack the hell out of them.” Kissinger, who participated in detailed targeting exercises, then relayed this order to his military aide: “It’s an order, it’s to be done. Anything that flies, on anything that moves. You got that?”

As British journalist William Shawcross documented, Kissinger viewed the U.S. war campaign in Cambodia, where he presided over a tripling of the number of bombs dropped on that country, as a sideshow. According to the logic of core versus periphery dear to Kissinger, though, he was being too modest. Cambodia was actually the sideshow of a sideshow, with the latter being Vietnam. The United States fought for so many years in Vietnam not because of any inherent interest in Vietnam or the Vietnamese, who clearly inhabited the global periphery, but because of how it believed Vietnam figured in core rivalries first with China and then the Soviet Union. This is how more than 3 million lives, overwhelmingly Vietnamese ones, came to their worldly end.

There is a degree of dark inevitability involved here that is seldom discussed in depth when considering Kissinger’s legacy or the contests over power between the mighty in general. Once one puts on the goggles of core versus periphery, or putative north versus south, or West versus the rest, one can succumb with little or no resistance to the notion that the wanton trampling of weaker nations counts for little in the scales of time.

The case that best explains all this is not as well-known as the ones cited here thus far, and that is no accident. It involves an African country, Angola. If Cambodia was a sideshow of a sideshow in the mindscape of thinkers like Kissinger, Africa has always been the periphery of the periphery of U.S. foreign policy.

In the fall of 1975, Cuba sent troops to Angola to support a Marxist faction in what became a messy conflict over independence from Portuguese colonial rule, and subsequently, a devastating civil war. With his core-versus-periphery goggles strapped on firmly, Kissinger became worried that Cuba would expand its military operations beyond Angola to other African countries, spreading communism (which in his view equaled Russian influence) and thus threatening U.S. interests. In fact, as much scholarship has shown, Cuba acted in Angola quite independently of the Soviets, and indeed somewhat to their annoyance. After Southeast Asia, it was now Africa that seemed to him to be primed for a new domino scenario. Kissinger warned, “If the Cubans destroy Rhodesia then Namibia is next and then there is South Africa.”

What the then-U.S. secretary of state did not dwell on, or apparently attach much importance to, was the fact that South Africa was then still very much ruled under the white supremacist doctrine of racial separation known as apartheid. As it almost always did in the so-called periphery, fighting a proxy war against the Soviet Union overrode all other considerations. Having Marxists aligned with Moscow was intolerable. Having white separatism reign in South Africa (and in Rhodesia and Namibia then) was a minor consideration. Indeed, Kissinger and his disciples, such as Chester Crocker, who would serve as assistant secretary of state for African affairs under President Ronald Reagan, worked hard to shield South Africa from international pressure for its racial policies.

Little known to the American public even now, Kissinger felt so strongly about the advances of Cuba, which he erroneously saw as a pure stalking horse for Moscow, in Angola that he ordered the readying of contingency plans for the mining of Cuba’s harbors and strategic airstrikes on that country. His explanation? Just letting the tiny nation of Cuba challenge U.S. interests at will would be perceived as U.S. frailty. “If there is a perception overseas that we are so weakened by our internal debate [over Vietnam] so that it looks like we can’t do anything about a country of 8 million people, then in three or four years we are going to have a real crisis.”

As so often for Kissinger, there was little time to consider the real and dire crises that he was stoking in the lives of people in the countries where he saw games between big core powers playing out. According to the morally bankrupt logic so dear to him, why should he have cared? The little countries, the poor and meek, only mattered to the extent that they played into struggles among the mighty. Their intrinsic value as human beings doesn’t matter, and they weigh little or nothing in the course or even meaning of history.

None of this involves thinking that neatly lines up according to the left-versus-right thought model that Americans so easily fall prey to. There is right and wrong here, and with the great power that the West and the United States in particular have amassed, Kissinger’s life should incite us to a greater willingness to assess such things more clearly.

[duckbang]

Its one of those days i couldn't sleep because the world is beautiful and pretty and,,, i mean. We went to ranthambore and ran into a tiger at the gate. It stood to the left and watched our jeep pass by. We saw it again a dew hours later. We went to thar and traveller quite far, first on normal jeeps, then ones designed specifically for sand (my hair whipped all over my face from the wind from how fast it was going, and i looked kinda freaky) , then on long trains of camels and finally we played for hours on a sand dune and watched the sun set and ive never experienced anything like that again, because there isnt anything like that i don't think. We saw a fox at bharatpur - we saw plenty of birds, too, but i only remember the fox for some reason, it was years ago - and once we were returning from rishikesh and my father called a pair of foxes that we simply ran into as "unfed dogs" and i think aboutthat to this day. We'vebeen to sikkim, and a bridge collapsed so on the third or fourth day of our trip we crossed a river by foot on a very unstable mountain and thats not an experience i will ever forget, it was dangerous but so fun. I slipped and fell into a riverlet a dew days after that and it was cold. In a different trip we ate maggi at the last restaurant of india in the Himalayas... i forget where it is, but it had been a surreal experience. Waking up to the sounds of sparrows and crows and mainas in munsiyari. Following a group of dogs to a temple, as if they were our tour guides for the day. We met a lady with a goat called Kaju (cashew) and she said it was named by someone from the same city as me, another tourist who passed by months ago. She let me hold the goat and it was so soft and precious. A vulture landed near our house the other day. Thats not normal. That was the first time i had ever seen one. Vultures are big. That thing was easily twice or thrice the size of the kites we get. One of those kites tried to bother it but its attempts failed and it went away. The vulture stayed in the same spot for at least 20 hours before it left. A friend told me that i should have called animal services, because that's not normal.

I've fed cows and dogs and crows by hand. It's a precious feeling. The crow looked right in my eyes and that was the first time i understood how smart they are. You can see it in their eyes. You can see it in a cow and a dog and a fox and in tigers and lions and squirrels and birds. We went to the east coast of the US and the squirrels there are so much bigger than ours. We've been to europe and this guy just... picked a pigeon off the street and put it on my arms before i processed whats going on. We rode a ship from britain to somewhere, i didnt understand much of the trip i had no clue what i was doinf, and theres nothing really like that. And theres nothing like seeing the clouds from a plane or talking to people as the scenery passes by on a train or,,,

Its just one of those days that i think about how pretty and beautiful the world is

[unravelingwires]

Indigencies

My father grew up dirt-poor in a village in India. My grandmother valued education, and with her prompting, he managed to get an engineering degree and an educated wife, coming to the United States.

Alternatively: my mother’s mother was the most hardworking woman in the world, running multiple businesses, doing the housework, and raising her children. As a high schooler, she held an (unsuccessful) hunger strike to promote her right to an education. She passed on that determination to her daughter. Between my mother’s ludicrous work ethic and terrifying ambition, she found a husband with her goals and gained a medical degree in two countries, settling in the United States. 

Either way, my mother and father, through luck and hard work, came here with the skills to better this great country. My mother maintained throughout my childhood that there was nowhere to gain success like the US. She worked at a hospital until the administrators determined that an endocrinologist wasn’t profitable enough to justify on staff, at which point she opened her own practice. My father worked at a bank until one of his college friends suggested an entrepreneurial software-producing business, and as such, Multicoreware was born. Both of them brought new jobs to Sunset Hills and provided a necessary service that wouldn’t have existed if they weren’t there. 

The word “indigenous” means “native to the land one is living on,” but the term “indigency” simply means “poor.” My family is, under some definitions, indigenous to India, but according to all definitions, we suffer indigence nowhere. We have, in fact, never suffered indigence in our lifetimes. My dad got his education through scholarships, but he did get his education. My mother was even more privileged. Don’t get me wrong, she didn’t have air conditioning or pasteurized milk. She was still wealthy by most Indian metrics, though, and that wealth allowed her to get a degree, which was fundamentally important in getting her green card.

That’s important. Regardless of how you spin their rags-to-riches story, neither of my parents literally started in rags. My father got closer than my mother, but ultimately, neither of them were starving on the street, and there are a lot of people in India starving on the street. Those people don’t end up in the US. 

Did you know that not all Asian Americans are wealthy? I don’t mean that literally, obviously some Indians start gambling recklessly or get trapped by a lack of universal healthcare. I mean that “Asian American” is a demographic so large as to be useless. If you break down the overall group, you’ll find we’re harshly divided between people who immigrated like my parents and refugees, making up the top 10% and bottom 10% of US earners. Isn’t that funny? 

My family’s from Missouri, Saint Louis specifically. 

In the meantime, my parents bought a suburban house and had two daughters. Becoming a doctor or engineer is well-known in India as a ticket to success, but my parents taught my sister and I to value the opportunities this country had, so we followed our hearts instead. My sister bounced around for a while, studying psychology and sociology, but she settled on educational nonprofit work, helping kids in India succeed. She works in fundraising, convincing potential philanthropists that their cause is a good enough one to sponsor. My sister is, I’ve been told, very good at her job; listening to all the office politics is always amusing. I became an ecologist and conservationist. It’s less of a non-sequitor than you’d think: my family adores national parks and hiking, and there’s something so fundamentally beautiful about this continent. Come to the Midwest: we have the best thunderstorms in the world. My job is something I would never get to do in India, and it’s good chunk of the reason I’m so grateful for this country.

On a related note, I said that indigenous means “native to the land one is living on,” but it is more complicated than that. Indians living in India, for example, are rarely called indigenous. It’s a specific kind of colonization that creates the concept of indigeneity. The settling of other people on your land is a necessary step of the process. 

Even if that wasn’t true, I wouldn’t be indigenous anywhere. I was born in Missouri: even if I return to India, I will be an American returning to the place of her forefathers, not an India returning to their home country. 

There’s actually a thriving Tamilian community in Saint Louis. That’s the reason my parents chose to move there. Of course, by the time I was old enough to really notice social atmospheres, we’d ended up alienated from said community through common drama, so that didn’t affect me much. 

By the time I was born, my family had established a pattern of traveling to visit India every year or every other year. Though it is important to understand your roots, we go there for more practical reasons. My grandparents deserve to know me, and my mother runs a charity organization.

The organization has warped over time. At first, we helped fund a school. Then, my mother began running diabetes clinics for rural Tamilians. Nowadays, my mother has been campaigning for an increase in millet-based diets instead of white rice-based diets. 

I don’t think either of my parents want to move back to India. It’s still important to take what we’ve learned in the US and return it to India. We owe the country that much. 

The result of all of this is that it’s accurate to say my family is from a colonized culture, not an indigenous one, but I am from neither. Within the US, we are primarily aligned with a colonizer culture, enjoying its luxuries and upholding its narratives. I’ve been saying for years that I am more American—using “American” to mean “from the United States,” which is its own can of worms—than I am Indian. I was born in the US, and I was brought up here. These are the opportunities that I have most enjoyed. This means that, regardless of my genuine love for this country, I am a colonizer that has put down roots. 

I wonder, sometimes, if I would have connected more with India if I connected more with the community in Saint Louis. I probably would have, I think. I barely know how to celebrate Diwali, and I don’t know any of our other holidays. I’m Hindu in a lazy, abstract way. I don’t speak Tamil.

On the other hand, I’m Indian enough that I don’t get to be American, not all the way. I’m not a pie chart—70% American, 25% Indian, 5% something else—but I might as well have been, the way people used to talk to me. 

I’ve gotten something else from our trips to India, though. I’ve knelt in stone temples and before my great-grandmother. I’ve wandered through drip-irrigated farmland and watched my mother bring reusable bags from India because there was nothing like our woven bags in this country. Frugality, sustainability, humility, and spirituality all mean the same thing to me, nowadays. As we were bringing our Western education to our home country, I brought pieces of my home country back to the West. 

As an ecologist, this is tricky. In a lot of ways, my field is simply an attempt to gather the knowledge that indigenous people already knew, and we have a bad habit of writing off their credits or overwriting their narrative. On the other hand, my family is from a colonized culture, and there’s a chance my perspective will be worth something because of that. I cannot turn my back on this field. It’s my duty, as somebody who has a chance of understanding the tangles in the connection between culture and conservation, to remain in this field, attempting to help where I can and uplift marginalized voices. 

I went to India in high school then again just after the pandemic, and I think I found something worthwhile there. I mean, at first I had to really search for it; I don’t know how my sister finds it so easy to love that country. I really did try, though, and I did find something. I went to this farm vaguely connected to the school my family used to help fund—I don’t think we’re involved anymore, and my mom’s current charity efforts are leaning more chaotic than anything—and I noticed that they were using drip irrigation. After that, I started looking for that sort of thing, and I found it absurdly common. The average Indian I’ve met has no concept of conservation, but they do understand waste and how to avoid it, and often there’s heavy overlap. There are also cultural values surrounding the concept of duty, mindfulness, and practicality that I think really are valuable: I doubt Rama would have much time for fast fashion, prince or no. 

As an adult who knows how to look at the world through a cultural lens, I’ve been trying to learn about other culture’s views on conservation as I do my research. UC Davis is trying to include more information on Native American views on sustainability in its curriculum, and I’ve been reading Braiding Sweetgrass in my free time. It’s important to weave scientific methods with indigenous knowledge when promoting sustainability. 

Still, I’m worried that I’ll become as complicit, as academia isn’t always built to further true understanding. We have a way of talking as though we have knowledge and indigenous groups have practices, when in reality it’s much more complicated than that.

After that, I started putting real effort in, and I think I’m doing a good job of it. I read the Gita, which was a very good book, and Sundara Kanda, which really wasn’t. I’ve been wearing churidars the last few years, and I bought a Saraswati statue to put next to my Ganeshas. I started meditating. I learned to make chapathi. How many pieces can you put together before you’ve made one whole Indian?

And I really am trying to take this understanding of why culture is important and use it to reach out to others. Solidarity is really important. Did you know that it’s an Indian who attacked affirmative action most recently, the idiot? How do they not realize that racism chips at us all—

Anyways. I inexplicably started with Judaism—well, not inexplicably, I got guilty when I realized I knew more about Nazis than Jewish people—trying to get a shape of what cultural practices look like in the US. I don’t think I did an amazing job, but there’s only so much you can get from books. After that, I started reading more international authors, which I’m not certain did anything, but I enjoyed The Locked Tomb series immensely, so maybe it’s alright. 

Cultural understanding is incredibly important work and, in ecology, time bound time bound. We are embedded in a mass extinction of our own making, and we need to work immediately to prevent everything from getting worse. As such, I’m getting a Masters degree, the a PhD, then I’ll get an entry-level government position and work steadily to— 

Of course, leaving academia and moving to direct activism would be the most morally correct thing to do, but I’m not certain I have the personality matrix for it. Perhaps I should invest more of my free time into volunteer work. 

Most importantly, I really am trying to understand the Native American perspective on the United States, specifically from within California because understanding one culture well seems better than stereotyping a million, but that’s such a massive undertaking, and I really don’t want to come off too white savoir-like as I do it, and if understanding Judaism from a book is impossible I don’t know why I’m trying with Potawatomi culture, Jesus Christ at least I’ve met a Jewish person before—

It’s not about understanding every culture on earth; I understand that. My curiosity drives me to understand everything, but from most people, all that I have are whispers. An rudimentary understanding of Chi from Iron Widow overlaid with giant mechs and messy polyamory. The Peruvian Sacsayhuaman, meaning vulture feast, after the mass of bodies that lay there after the conquistadors had finished their work. The layer of powder on temples in India, leftovers from the stuff that’s supposed to go on your forehead.

It just feels wrong to know so little about the land I’m walking on. A’nowara’kó:wa means Turtle Island, and according to Braiding Sweetgrass, that’s the actual name for North America. I learned that a month ago.

I kind of hate India, but I know it’s mine. It’s not like the US which I’ve had to claim over and over again. The US had to be imprinted on to me through birth certificates and accents and yelling “I am a patriot!” at disruptive times. I was Indian the moment I was born; the land itself is pressed into my skin. 

The land I was born on belongs to someone else. It’ll always belong to someone else. That’s not okay, but it has to be.

The work we’re doing is difficult, but it’s the only practical way to make a difference. 

We need a revolutionary change, and soon. Continually spinning my wheels like this is useless. 

You know how the word “Indian” doesn’t mean actual Indians in the US? I mean, it might be different nowadays, but when I was a kid, “Indian” meant Native American first. I have, in the 20 years of my life, refused to refer to Native Americans as Indians, even when that was their preference. I don’t care that it wasn’t their fault, that “Indian” was as imposed on them as it was stolen from us. It’s our word.

Well, recently I learned that “Indian” wasn’t created by Indians either. The Greeks saw people living around the Indus River and started calling them Indians, but even “The Indus River” was a Greek term: the original word for it was Sindhu.

That’s not why my parents named me Sindhu. They wanted a Tamil name, and for us, Sindhu means “music,” and music is something transcendentally meaningful. It’s funny: that’s not an Indian thing, I don’t think, but it still feels Indian. All of this feels Indian. When I think of India, I think of grime and exhaustion, but when I think of Indians, I think of bright colors and music and how God connects us to the natural cycle. No wonder their country was named after a river, after music. No wonder I am named after my country.

One of the frustrating things about engaging with culture is that it’s the kind of work that’s never finished. It feels like mental health upkeep: it’s vitally important, and if you ignore it long enough you collapse, but lord is it exhausting. We need to put the work in to understanding each other, and colonialism is so baked into the fabric of the US that I don’t think we can progress without addressing it. That doesn’t make it easier to lose and gain appreciation for your country on loop. When an immigrant assimilates, how do they differ from the colonizers that surround them? 

I don’t think I’ll ever be happy with my relationship to India. There’s always something more I could be doing, another revelation on the horizon. I don’t think I’ll ever be happy with my relationship to A’nowara’kó:wa either. I just live on it.