#Intolerance in India

[massivelyspeedyobject]

The real story of prosecution of minorities by Hitler & the resemblance

Credit: quora The prosecution of minorities under Hitler’s regime, particularly targeting Jews, is a dark chapter in history. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party implemented policies of systematic discrimination, persecution, and ultimately extermination of various minority groups, most notably Jews, but also including Romani people, disabled individuals, homosexuals, and others. The persecution…

[vegan-nom-noms]

Rajma Chawal (Vegan Rajma Masala Recipe)

[nickysfacts]

Protesting is and will always be a important part of American identity, as we were born from it and continue to use it as a rallying cry for change to this very day!

🫖🇺🇸🪧

[ai-manre]

Are there any greater cowards in the world than terrorists?

[lotuskks]

Confronting Terrorism: India's Response to Target Killings

What topics do you like to discuss? It needs to be condemned. The most hated and cowardly act of target killings of innocent people by a group of radicalized lunatics needs to be rebuked and paid back in the same coin. The Hydra needs to be crushed and smashed to eradicate it. It doesn’t need discussion. The increasing acts of terrorism, extremism, intolerance, hatred, and racial and religious…

[insightfultake]

Bangladesh’s Crisis of Conscience – A Mirror to History

The political and social fabric of Bangladesh is once again unraveling, revealing troubling echoes of its tumultuous history. Born out of the ashes of 1971, with India’s crucial military and humanitarian support, Bangladesh emerged as a beacon of freedom. Yet, as recent events starkly highlight, gratitude has long faded into indifference, and, worse, antagonism.

Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, constituting around 8% of its population, faces an existential crisis. Reports of arson, desecration of temples, targeted killings, and the systemic displacement of Hindu families paint a grim picture. Since July, following protests against Sheikh Hasina’s government, communal violence has surged. Hindu homes in districts like Jashore and Bagerhat have been torched, forcing families to seek refuge in India, much as they did during 1971. The exodus is a grim reminder of the unresolved issues of minority rights in the country​....Expand to read more

[manojnaironline]

A rich and diverse heritage

Ancient cultures, like India, possess a rich and diverse heritage. India, is home to cities that have been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, with family lineages that can be traced back through the centuries. My home state of Kerala exemplifies a remarkable blend of cultural and religious harmony. Hinduism has thrived here for millennia, and in 52 AD, the first church in India was…

[massivelyspeedyobject]

The real story of prosecution of minorities by Hitler & the resemblance

Credit: quora The prosecution of minorities under Hitler’s regime, particularly targeting Jews, is a dark chapter in history. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party implemented policies of systematic discrimination, persecution, and ultimately extermination of various minority groups, most notably Jews, but also including Romani people, disabled individuals, homosexuals, and others. The persecution…

[ankurahospitalvijayawada]

Lactose Intolerance in Infants and Children in India, Hyderabad - Ankura Hospital

The human body has a miraculous mechanism of digesting and assimilating food. Various enzymes and digestive juices work together at the molecular level during the process of digestion, helping us gain the necessary nutrients. The absence of smaller enzymes or chemicals can lead to intolerance of specific substances. Lactose intolerance is a very common condition where infants, children, and even adults are not able to digest lactose, a very common form of sugar.

What is Lactose?

Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and milk products.

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose intolerance is the inability of the body to digest lactose.

Yes! You read it right! Some people including babies and children are incapable of digesting this simple sugar lactose found in milk and milk products.

What happens when someone suffers from Lactose Intolerance?

In a normal scenario, whenever we consume products containing lactose, it reaches the small intestine where it is broken down into smaller pieces by an enzyme called lactase. These products are then absorbed as nutrients and give us energy. In lactose intolerance, the body doesn’t make enough lactase and thus the lactose is not digested. This lactose which remains undigested in the small intestine, then passes to the large intestine- the colon, where it sits and accumulates. In the colon the lactose is broken down by the bacteria, resulting in gas, bloating, stomach ache, etc.

What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Anyone who has lactose intolerance experiences the symptoms below after consuming products containing lactose.

Bloating or distention of the abdomen- This is a feeling of fullness or tightness in the belly

Pain abdomen- Due to undigested lactose, one experiences cramps and pain in the stomach region

Burping- While one may experience burping normally after eating a good meal, burping in case of lactose intolerance is excessive

Excess gas- One may notice this as an excess burp, fart, or stomach ache

Diarrhoea- Loose stools which may be accompanied by nausea are also a symptom one may experience

In lactose intolerant infants, excessive perianal excoriation (painful red skin around anus) can develop due to acidic stool. This may lead to excessive irritability and pain while passing stool.

Besides the above, there may be a sudden urge to use the toilet after consumption of lactose, and one may also be able to hear loud bowel sounds.

The above symptoms can vary in severity and presentation depending on the amount of lactose one has consumed.

Can babies be born with lactose intolerance?

Though lactose intolerance usually shows up later in life, very  rarely some infants are born with lactose intolerance.

Primary lactase deficiency-

Babies who have lactose intolerance at birth can have primary lactase deficiency. This means that due to genetic abnormality, these babies do not produce lactase enzyme at all. In this case, they have to be fed on special lactose-free baby formulas. This is a rare, easily treatable but life-threatening disease if diagnosis is delayed. What are the other types of lactose intolerance?

In individuals who have adequate lactase at birth, its production can be affected by factors such as infection, disease and age.

Secondary lactase deficiency- In this type of lactose intolerance, the small intestines stop producing lactase due to infection or disease. This is the most common type of lactose intolerance in small children and infants and is temporary. Viral/bacterial infections and diseases such as Celiac and Crohn’s disease (an immune-mediated gastrointestinal disorder) can lead to this type of lactose intolerance. Early diagnosis

by a pediatric gastroenterologist can help in regaining lactose tolerance in such cases.

Since children commonly develop viral infections and other infections of the gastrointestinal tract, secondary lactose intolerance occurs in most kids. Diarrhoea and pain in such cases is a common cause of concern for parents and thus this requires to be identified and addressed at the earliest.

Acquired lactase deficiency- Adults may also get lactose intolerant with age. This is due to a reduction in the enzyme lactase with age.

How can a parent confirm if their baby is lactose intolerant?

Parents should look out for the symptoms listed above to know if their baby can be lactose intolerant. In case of doubt, they should consult a pediatric gastroenterologist at the earliest, as lactose intolerance can lead to painful symptoms and can affect the growth of your child. Most of the times diagnosis can be made clinically, however, your doctor may ask for few tests in case of doubt.

Hydrogen breath test- Suspected lactose intolerance is confirmed by a simple breath test. The doctor introduces lactose in the child after overnight fasting and checks for rising hydrogen levels in the breath by making the child exhale in a bag. The symptoms of lactose intolerance if occur are also confirmed during this test which requires 3-4 hours. This test is not commonly performed very commonly, and may not be required in simple cases of lactose intolerance.

Stools tests:Your doctor may also employ other tests as stool tests if required.

In severe cases, when the diagnosis is unclear, endoscopy as performed by a pediatric gastroenterologist can help in getting a biopsy of the small intestine and the lactase levels can be measured directly.

Your child has to be kept on low  lactose or lactose-free diet in case they develop lactose intolerance.

Which are products that contain lactose?

Lactose may be a part of many products. Some of these include:

-Milk (All types including breast milk)

-Cheese and Butter

-Yogurt and Curd

-Ice-creams

-Custard

-Milk chocolates

-Bread and pancakes

Additionally, lactose may also be a part of many other processed foods. One is suggested to check the label of the food mentioning nutrition facts to know the presence of lactose in it.

In most of the children where symptoms are not very serious, only decreasing lactose content of diet, or opting for low lactose containing foods may help. In case of uncontrolled symptoms, your doctor may advice for complete cessation of lactose containing food.

What are the alternative foods a parent can offer their child in case of lactose intolerance?

If a child is lactose intolerant parents may worry about the nutrition of the child. Below are some foods that can help in providing your child with adequate calcium:

Lactose-free dairy products, including lactose-free milk, cheese, etc.

Plant-based milk alternatives- These include almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk

Calcium-rich foods- Dark green leafy vegetables, and nuts such as almonds, beans, and fish are some foods with good calcium content

Fruits and vegetables- Ensuring your child consumes fruits and vegetables makes sure they get adequate minerals and vitamins

Please note, that for babies less than six months of age, only lactose-free or minimal lactose-containing milk formulas are suggested, and should be taken as advised by your doctor.

In case of need, your doctor may also provide your child with calcium supplements. Discussion of a detailed diet plan with a dietician and pediatric gastroenterologist helps parents make sure that their lactose-intolerant child is receiving adequate calcium from other sources.

Is Lactose Intolerance treatable?

Most cases of lactose intolerance are temporary, due to infections and take 3-4 weeks to resolve. Your doctor diagnoses and treats the child of the primary infection, which helps in the resolution of lactose intolerance in them. If it’s due to a disease like Celiac and Crohn’s disease then too with the right diagnosis and treatment this condition is resolved.

In rare cases when the disease may be due to primary intolerance, it may require a lifelong change in diet.

Is Lactose intolerance the same as milk allergy?

No. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose and does not lead to the symptoms of allergy. The two are different conditions.

Though lactose intolerance can be a common cause of concern, with timely diagnosis it can easily be tackled. Parents should stay aware, to help their little children deal with lactose intolerance.

[batboyblog]

2025 Battleground Virginia and New Jersey!

Okay children! there's no time to mope and feel sorry for ourselves there's elections to fight! Yes the first state wide elections since Trump returned are fast coming up. These will be the first test, can we fight back at the ballot box? is the nation turning on the gross fucker in the White House? In November we can find out but Democracy is not a spectator sport! so you better! get involved!

Virginia

The biggest test will be Virginia, right now Virginia's Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General are all Republicans. They're marching in lock step with Trump and the Washington Republicans even as Musk's DOGE cuts fired thousands of Virginia workers from their federal government jobs. Well the primaries are over and there are officially Democratic candidates for all 3 jobs and they are

Governor:

Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger: We've known for awhile that Spanberger would be the nominee but now it's official. Spanberger flipped a Republican seat in 2018 and held onto it till retiring to run for Governor in 2024. In Congress she was common sense and hard working focusing on real world problems like bring down the number of drug overdoses and increasing Medicare spending. She's up against the current Republican Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Earle-Sears is a radical Republican, who loves guns, hates DEI, critical race theory, and abortion, loves Trump's tariffs, and Musk's DOGE cuts even as they send Virginians to the unemployment lines. Virginia in November can pick a Governor who will stand up for Virginia's federal workers, its economy, its LGBT citizens, a woman's right to choose, and push back on Trump, or someone who will work in lock step with Trump. If you're any where in Virginia or live nearby please sign up to volunteer, where ever you live in America you can call or text or send postcards in this election!

Volunteer Donate Shop

Attorney General

Across the nation Democratic state AGs are suing the Trump administration and winning emergency orders putting a hold on Trump's horrible plans. But those holds only apply to states that sue, so states with Republican AGs get no protection, like Virginia. If Virginians want a voice in court against Trump's abuses they need to elect the Democratic candidate Jay Jones. Jones was the assistant attorney general the last time a Democrat held that role, he's also been a state Rep (2018-2021). During the Republican governorship of Youngkin Jones has represented the NAACP in court fighting against voter suppression laws. The incumbent Republican, Jason Miyares, is running for re-election. Unlike the AGs of Maryland and Washington DC Miyares hasn't sued the Trump administration over its unlawful firing of thousands of federal workers, many of whom live in Virginia so when Democrats won in court it offered no relief to Virginia workers. Miyares will keep not standing up for Virginians as Trump assaults their basic liberties. If you want someone to fight for Virginians in court and one more powerful voice fighting Trump you got to get out and vote and get others out to vote for Jones.

Volunteer Donate

Lieutenant Governor

Like the Vice-President the Virginia Lt. Governor's powers are limited. That said it's a statewide office and is one heartbeat away from the governorship so you can't drop the ball. And the Dems have a great candidate, State Senator Ghazala Hashmi. Hashmi is the first Indian-American and the first Muslim elected to the Virginia's state Senate, if elected she would be the first Muslim woman to win statewide office in America. She's also an immigrant having been born in India. With a Ph.D in English she was a college professor before turning to politics and has focused her time in the Senate on expanding education in the state. If elected she would be a powerful voice for education and against intolerance. Past Democratic Governors, Douglas Wilder, Tim Kaine, and Ralph Northam all served as Lt. Governor before being elected Governor and with Virginia's one 4 year term limit electing Hashmi would be elevating a powerful voice to reach even higher heights.

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House of Delegates

All 100 seats in the Virginia state house are up for election. Democrats are fielding a candidate in EVERY single one, while Republicans are fielding only about 70 candidates. So if you live in Virginia no matter how Red Republican your town is there is a Democrat fighting to be your state Rep who needs your help to get across the finish line. In 2017 Virginia Democrats fought and won across the state flipping seats that had been Republican for a generation, places no one believed a Democrat could win. This was the first big national sign of a push back against Trump 1.0, now here we are in Trump 2.0. A strong Democratic majority plus a Democratic Governor could make Virginia a powerful force for progress and basic human decency, but failure will see a state government that is a happy partner to Trump and the Washington Republicans.

Volunteer

finally you don't live in Virginia, or you're not able to physically do door knocking, please please PLEASE sign up to send postcards. Where ever you live you can get postcards sent to you with addresses and personalize them, there is NO! reason, let me repeat that NO reason that every single Virginia voter can't be contacted between now and November and had the stakes of the election explained to them, had where they need to go to vote, what they need to vote explained to them and turned out, we can do this.

New Jersey

Governor

The other state with a Governor's election this year is New Jersey. Because New Jersey has a Democratic Governor, the two term and term limited Phil Murphy and is generally seen as Blue State people might think this is no big deal. But Murphy is the first Democratic Governor to be re-elected in New Jersey since the 1970s and no Democrat has taken over from a two term Democrat since the election of 1961. In the 1980s and 90s Republicans dominated the Governor's office and as late as 2018 Trump's sometimes friend sometimes victim Chris Christie was the Republican governor of the state. Democrats last week nominated Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. Sherrill flipped a tough Republican district in 2019 to enter Congress and has defended her spot every time since then. Sherrill has made fighting back against Trump's plans to cut key programs like Social Security and Medicare the center of her campaign. Meanwhile the Trump endorsed candidate, Jack Ciattarelli, won the Republican primary. Ciattarelli tries to play moderate but he's headlined a "Stop the Steal" rally, and called teaching about LGBT topics in school "teaching sodomy" in schools. If New Jersey backslides and elects a Trump Republican the consequences would be serious for every New Jerseyan. If you're in the State or close to it, please for the love of god! get out and volunteer, fight for your state! fight for your neighbors.

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General Assembly

like in Virginia all the seats in New Jersey's lower house are up for election this year, 80 of them. Democrats have a majority in the House but it can always be expanded on. A strengthened majority will send a powerful message, and also shape how progressive New Jersey will be in the years to come and as we look toward 2026 this will serve as a good dry run for flipping key Congressional seats in New Jersey. Again if you're in New Jersey gear up, get out, fight work build the muscle memory you'll need to beat the Republicans in 2026, and 2028.

Volunteer

This is your wake up call, where ever you are, if you're an American, if you want to have a Democracy in the future, get involved and fight for it, last call guys, get on or deal with dictatorship for the rest of all our lives.

[bonefall]

I have a question about cows! Do you know if Holsteins produce milk with higher amounts of lactose? Because I know tons of people that eat dairy back in the home country but develop some strange lactose intolerance in the States, and I've been trying to figure out why. Thank you!

For a REALLY solid answer I'd need to know what your home country is so I could compare it to the US! There's a LOT of variation between the cattle and dairy production of different regions, from the sorts of breeds used down to the very way that milk sold on the shelf is preserved and classified.

As examples, Italy uses different preservation methods that assume the consumer is buying less milk at a time so it can be fresher, Kenya's market is mostly small producers using traditional open-pasture methods (though this is changing and please for the love of god do not move towards holsteins it's a fucking trap), India's milk mostly comes from native cow and buffalo breeds, etc.

But I can say for certain;

Holsteins typically produce slightly less lactose than other breeds because their milk is practically boob water. There are also studies that show that crossing cattle with holsteins makes their milk less nutritious.

Milk taste and nutrition is influenced by a TON of factors, including diet, exercise, mental health, and even time between milkings.

American food safety standards are terrible, and are about to get even worse because of the current administration.

Anecdotally, I've heard a LOT of stories about American milk making visitors and returning travelers sick. I can also confirm that milk in the UK just plain tastes better.

In fact as a personal story, here in the states I only ever buy Lactaid brand milk, which has lactASE added to break down the lactOSE. Regular milk here gives me problems when I drink more than a glass of it.

(store brand lactose-free milk works too, and is cheaper, but this is one of those situations where the off-brand stuff doesn't taste as yummy imo.)

While I was with my partner overseas, I was drinking regular whole milk from the regular convenience store with ZERO problems. Straight chugging it daily AND adding it to every cup of tea I had. I'm already a milk fiend here but I was a milk SUPERVILLAIN over there.

So I recommend trying lactose-free, to see if it works. I'm not even lactose intolerant, but it helped me.

There's also a budding discussion about a protein structure found in the milk of certain northern dairy breeds, including the holstein, called A1 beta-casein. This protein is extremely common in American milk, and there is evidence that some people have a negative reaction to it.

but PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU RESEARCH THIS TOPIC.

It's one of those nutritional subjects that's still being heavily researched, but snake oil salesmen and brain worm warriors are trying to turn A1 milk into the newest Hash Slinging Slasher. Y'know. The autism-causing, diabetes-making, heart-attack inducing boogeyman which is the reason why we should all be afraid UNLESS you buy my product.

SO, be very skeptical of the "health benefit" claims, and keep an eye on study bias with the knowledge that a lot of research was funded by organizations trying to sell milk without A1.

THAT SAID, a type of milk that's A1/A2 (has some A1 beta-casein) or A2/A2 (contains absolutely no A1 beta-casein) might help. MOST traditional breeds produce A2/A2 milk-- unless, of course, they were outbred to certain European cattle breeds. Non-cattle animals, like goats and camels, also produce A2/A2.

TL;DR

Try lactose-free milk or A2/A2 milk, those might fix the issue.

(Also this is NOT a raw milk friendly space. If anyone attempts to respond to this post with the endorsement of raw milk, I will unzip you throat to tail in front of all four Clans of the forest. Brainworm Bobbies DNI)

[certified-yapper-guy]

Why were the Mughals (and British) able to rule over India for centuries?

The answer is the so called saviours of dharma, upper-caste hindus. A simple google search would literally list all the available historical sources that state this.

The truth is, they ruled for centuries because they didn’t disrupt the existing social structure

Upper-caste Hindus gladly submitted to the Mughal crown as long as they could keep exploiting the lower classes.

The reason so much land in northern India is still controlled by Rajputs and Jatts today is a direct result of the Mughal strategy of governance through regional alliances. The Mughals focused on securing tribute and allegiance rather than directly dismantling the existing social systems, which let these elites continue exploiting lower-caste and landless people.

Even though he was intolerant, Aurangzeb was the Mughal emperor who had the MOST Hindus serving in his court. Undeniably under him places of worship of other faiths were destroyed and he killed rebels, but guess what? Pretty much all of the well-known Hindu kings of India have all done the same throughout history.

And let’s not forget—throughout Indian history, it’s the upper castes who have betrayed the people. Even during the revolt of 1857, there was no real support from them.

This whole image of the upper castes being the "saviours" of dharma is a lie.

Even today, many of you sanghis are letting politicians use your religion to incite violence against minorities while the country falls apart. Social and economic inequality is killing people; infrastructure is crumbling; pollution is deadly; and there’s tax terrorism, but you let them justify all this in the name of faith. Just know, history will never forgive you for letting this happen, you will never be the 'heros' you claim to be.

[bailesu]

The Beginning of the American Revolution

Today (April 18, 2025) is the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution.

Tea Act of 1773—Allowed the importation of duty-free tea to Boston, gave a monopoly to the British East India Company

This lead to the Boston Tea Party, December 16, 1773. Colonists organized by men like Samuel Adams stormed the harbor disguised as Indians, seized the tea, and threw it into the harbor. This destroyed 342 chests ---10,000 pounds worth of tea. (roughly 588,600 dollars in 2007 dollars)

This led to the Intolerable Acts:

Boston Port Act closed Boston until the British East India Company was compensated for its lost tea.

Administration of Justice Act: Magistrates charged with crimes connected to their enforcement of British laws or suppressing riots would be tried in England; witnesses also had to be brought to England but would be compensated for expenses.

Massachusetts Government Act: The executive council was now appointed by the King, not elected by the people. Further, many civil offices (most importantly the law-enforcing Sheriffs) were now appointed by the governor. Town meetings could only happen once a year unless the Governor approved the meeting.

General Gage became governor of Massachusetts.

Quartering Act: Forced local communities to find spaces for soldiers to be housed at their expense.

Quebec Act: Enlarged the size of Quebec, created a no-assembly government with non-jury trials and full rights for Catholics.

Before the Shot Heard Round the World

First Continental Congress: This all led to the summoning of the FCC. 55 delegates from all colonies but Georgia. Sept. 5 to October 26, 1774.

Suffolk Resolves: Endorsed by the FCC. They called for the people to arm, general economic sanctions vs. Britain, and denounced the Coercive Acts.

Continental Association: Created to organize and enforce sanctions. Imports would be cut off after Dec. 1, 1774.

Whigs vs. Tories: Only a minority was ready to take up arms against Britain; most just wanted redress of grievances. But the Whigs, who counseled resistance of some kind, won out over Tories, who did not care about the fate of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts in Discord: After being appointed governor, General Gage dissolves the Massachusetts legislature. It defies him, forming the Committee of Safety to serve as executive in his place. Some communities form the Minute Men to be ready for war.

Lines are Drawn: In the winter of 1774-5, Whig organizations prepare for conflict, while Tories strive desperately to prevent it. The Whigs tend to be more effective and take control of the state governments, shutting Tories out of power.

Too Little, Too Late: Parliament resolves that Massachusetts is in rebellion, but also offers the Conciliatory Proposition: the colonies will not be taxed if they will voluntarily contribute to the Imperial coffers. It is too late to satisfy the Whigs (those Americans who support armed resistance to British demands, if not necessarily yet calling for Independence.).

April 18-19th, 1775: On the night of April 18, 700 British Regulars commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith were ordered to march by night on Concord, Massachusetts to seize guns, cannon, and ammunition being stockpiled in Concord by the Committee of Safety. They also were under orders to seize John Hancock and Sam Adams, who had fled Boston to Lexington. Unfortunately for the British, Patriot spies were watching and sent riders to swarm through the night and warn everyone. Paul Revere, a pewtersmith of Boston, happens by chance to get the route to Concord and thus becomes a Revolutionary War hero. At Lexington, early in the morning, there is a brief dust-up between the British and local Minute Men. 18 Americans are killed or wounded. This marks the beginning of the American Revolution. Hancock and Adams, forewarned, had already fled. By the time the British reached Concord, the supplies had mostly been evacuated from the Concord Armory and the British rear guard came under fire. A huge swarm of militia now boiled out of the woods and farms and harassed the British with periodic attacks along the road home. A 1000 man rescue column had to come to their aid to avoid disaster. “By the time the column reached safety, 273 British soldiers were dead, wounded, or missing. The 4,000 Americans who had shot at them along the way suffered nearly 100 casualties.” (Give Me Liberty p. 142.) Thousands of militia now descended on Boston, placing it under siege. (The British initially had 4,000 men in Boston.)

[firthbetterorfirthworse]

Bride & Prejudice (2004)

OH. MY. GOURD.

THIS WAS SO FUN. Everybody go watch it now. DO IT Colorful! Musical! True to character!

Mrs. Bakshi to her husband: "Have you gone crazy, old man? This is Jaya's chance to win him once and for all. And he'll get to see her in a swimsuit!"

About Kohli (Collins): "Try eating with him. It's like looking at a Jackson Pollock painting."

And of course, Darcy is a rich American who at first seems above the local culture, and is here to look into purchasing a hotel. The conflict between him and Lalita is real: "You want people to come to India without having to deal with Indians. Isn't that what all tourists want here? Five star comfort with a bit of culture thrown in? I don't want you turning India into a theme park. I thought we got rid of Imperialists like you."

Good news, they got this Darcy wet in a dream sequence:

Of course, they're thrown together due to Balraj and Jaya plus Darcy acknowledging his feelings, even though Johnny Wickham showed up to be his usual smarmy self. There's no sudden proposal in this one, but he takes her out to dinner and there's a whole montage of them doing date things!

But his sister Georgie admits that Darcy and Balraj quarreled after he saved him from a gold digger, and when Darcy says "I love you!" it's worse somehow because she has fully admitted feelings for him: "When I first met you, I thought you were rude, arrogant, intolerant and insensitive. But over the last few days I thought maybe - MAYBE - I made a mistake. But I was right. You're the last person I'd ever want to be with."

I don't want to ruin every moment, but trust me when I say it's absolutely wonderful. (and currently streaming on a free service, at least in the US)

[manorpunk]

“Dashiell! Nice to meet’cha. You’re the GLN suit who’s going to tell me what to do, right?” Sunny said with unexpected enthusiasm, her hologram standing proudly in front of the Oval Office desk with her right hand extended for a shake.

Dashiell Redacted attempted to return the offer of a handshake, but his hand phased right through Sunny’s hologram. A tingling feeling lingered in his hand, like pulling statickey clothes out of the dryer. Sunny flashed him an intolerably smug grin.

“That’s a very uncharitable way to describe it,” Dashiell responded as he flicked his hand to shake away the tingling feeling.

He was, in fact, the GLN suit who was there to tell president Sunny Roosevelt what to do. The Global Logistics Network, or GLN for short,  was a world-spanning empire of shipping and infrastructure: as they spoke, the world was blanketed in GLN ships, trains, and trucks, driving on GLN-built roads, docking in GLN-run ports, drawing power from GLN-owned solar farms. Everyone, from corner stores to billion-dollar semiconductor factories, had to deal with the GLN.

“Really? What’s the charitable version, then?” Sunny shot back.

Dashiell attempted to stare pensively out the window, but the only windows in the Oval Office were directly behind Sunny, so he turned and stared pensively at the fireplace instead.

“On the twentieth of March, in the year 1602, the Dutch East India Company was formed,” he began.

Sunny slumped her shoulders and sighed, sending a little white mushroom-shaped puff of air out of her mouth. “I knew I shouldn’t have asked.”

Dashiell told the long and winding story of rise of the Dutch East India Company, or VOC for short: how they were the first multinational joint-stock company; how they swept the world in a typhoon of blood, gold, and spices; how they became a pseudo-government maintaining their own army, conducting their own diplomacy, minting their own currency; how their wealth and power dragged the world away from the outmoded and sclerotic principles of feudalism into the new principles of capitalism.

“Just as the VOC dragged the world from feudalism to capitalism,” Dashiell continued, his voice sharpening as he approached the denouement, “the Global Logistics Network will now drag the world from the clutches of capitalism into something newer and better. But to do that, all of the antiquated and parochial notions that still orient society must be swept away. Religion must be swept away. Culture must be swept away. The family must be swept away. The human subject will be shaped into a frictionless, standardized unit of labor and consumption, mass-produced in exo-wombs and raised to adulthood in purpose-built dormitories."

“Neat,” said Sunny.

Dashiell turned and glared pointedly at her. “And the GLN’s plans will not be derailed by a vtuber shilling her body pillows.”

Sunny leaned away defensively, the edge of her lip curling upwards in a nervous smile. She raised her hands to head height, as if surrendering. “Whoa, hey, jeez! Who says I’m working against you? I’m totally on board with the new world order. I’m ready and willing to sell out the Usonian Union on your behalf. Heck, I’ll even do your freaky initiation rituals. You want me to kill a goat? I’ll kill a goat. You want me to have sex with a goat? I’ll-”

“Miss Roosevelt,” Dashiell interrupted, his left eyebrow twitching slightly, “your enthusiasm or loyalty were never our concern, but a project of this scope and complexity requires a certain…” he trailed off.

Sunny put her hands on her hips and leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “Oh, I see what’s going on. You think I’m too dumb to be a puppet for the new world order, is that it? Bring me the goat, I'll show you.”

“There are no goats involved in this process,” Dashiell said through gritted teeth.

Sunny narrowed her eyes and stared ferociously at him. “Bring. Me. The goat.”