COMMUNITY
November 17, 2023
FIS Lecture on S. Asian Migration to East Africa Houston: TSU presented the second India Studies program Lecture at the Texas Southern University on Nov. 2, 2023. The program was sponsored by the Foundation for India Studies (FIS). .Dr. Laura Fair, Author and Prof. of Middle Eastern and African Studies in Columbia University flew from New York to present the Lecture in the School of Public Affairs auditorium. The lecture was followed by a lively Q&A session from a hall full of enthusiastic students. Dr. Fair’s lecture was accompanied by a series of slides which depicted the history of South Asian migration to East Africa that traced back to the 19th century, driven by colonial endeavors and economic opportunities. As Indians established themselves in countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, they brought with them their cultural practices, including a love for cinema. Early screenings of Indian films in makeshift theaters and community halls became a vital link to their roots, creating a sense of belonging and nostalgia. Despite Swaheli being the local language, Indian films became more popular than even the Egyp-
TSU Prof. Dr. Esparza,Dean of Graduate School and Director of International programs,Dr.Gregory Maddox, Dr. Laura Fair and FIS Chairman, Krishna Vavilala.
tian and Hollywood films and quickly found resonance within East African societies, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers. Themes of love, family, and social justice depicted in Bollywood films struck a chord with diverse audiences. As East Africans of South Asian descent grappled with issues of identity, Indian cinema provided a cultural touchstone, reinforcing their sense of heritage. Over the decades, South Asian cinema has evolved from a peripheral influence to a central force in the East African cultural landscape. Dr. Fair said, “this transforma-
tion reflects the dynamic interplay between migration, globalization, and the power of storytelling through cinema.”. Dr. Fair concluded that The growth of Indian film distribution in East Africa has not only contributed to cultural enrichment but also spurred economic activity. The film industry has created employment opportunities, from distributors and exhibitors to actors and technicians. Furthermore, it has fostered partnerships between local and international stakeholders, stimulating economic growth in the region.
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Four Indian American Rhodes Scholars New York (IANS) – Four Indian American students have been selected from a pool of 840 applicants from 70 countries to join the ranks of Rhodes Scholars Class of 2024 at the University of Oxford. Mrinalini S Wadhwa, Suhaas Bhat, Nayantara K Arora and Aishani Aatresh are among 32 scholars who were selected via in-person interviews for the first time since Covid pandemic and will begin their graduate studies in October 2024. Wadhwa of New York City is a senior at Columbia University where she majors in History and Mathematics. She co-founded a program providing a three-year English curriculum for low-income students in New Delhi. At Oxford, she will pursue an M Phil in Modern European History. Bhat from Wisconsin is a senior at Harvard University majoring in Social Studies and Physics. He cofounded an organization at Harvard that provides peer-facilitated group psychotherapy to students. He will pursue an M Sc in Mathematical Modeling and Scientific Computing and an M Sc in International Health and Tropical Medicine. Arora from Portland is a senior at the University of Oregon, Clark
Indo-American News • Friday, november 17, 2023• www.indoamerican-news.com
Honors College, where she majors in Neuroscience, with minors in Global Health and Chemistry. She conducts research in two areas: global health biomarkers in Tunisia and the relationship between the vasculature and Alzheimer’s disease. Currently an intern with the State Department, Arora produces a podcast dedicated to uplifting immigrant youth stories, plays the violin, and loves learning new languages. She will pursue an M Sc in Modelling for Global Health. Aatresh from California is a senior at Harvard College where she is majoring in complex biosocial systems. During the global pandemic, she worked with the New York City health and hospital system emergency response and then undertook studies to understand the dynamics of Covid-19 with the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. At Oxford, she plans an M Phil degree in Environmental Governance. “They inspire us already with their accomplishments, but even more by their values-based leadership and selfless ambitions to improve their communities and the world,” said Ramona L Doyle, American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust.
