SEEMA January 2024 by SEEMA

JANUARY 2024

LIFTING WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOD RETHINKING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

DEEPICA MUTYALA IS CHANGING THE FACE OF BEAUTY

USHA UTHUP

LEAVING A LASTING LEGACY

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CONTRIBUTORS FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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SEEMA KUMAR EDITOR

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SEEMA ISSUE 1 | JANUARY 2024 ™

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BE YO N D L I MI T S - S E E MA

Embracing a Renewed Path

appy New Year! Every year, as the New Year begins, we often set resolutions with good intentions and a strong determination to see them through. However, as the year progresses, these resolutions tend to fade into distant memories, forgotten by the end of the year. Reflecting on the significance of New Year’s Eve, as the ball dropped at the Times Square in New York, I pondered what brings people around the world together on this occasion. Is it the hope for a fresh start, the chance to leave the past behind, a clean slate to rewrite history, or the desire for a new beginning? Though we may not fully understand the history or psychology surrounding the universal desire to celebrate the New Year, there is an undeniable allure that a new year offers: a fresh start, a chance to wipe the slate clean of mistakes from the past, the chance to turn a new leaf,

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or embark on a brand new chapter in life. My resolution this year is to prioritize my health, striking a balance between work and life and paying attention to my own priorities rather than catering to others’ needs. Of course, stress is an inevitable part of life, and learning to manage it well is the secret to surviving and thriving and crucial to good health and well-being. That said, there is no need to voluntarily pile on more stress—no need to poke the bear— by taking on unnecessary commitments. Recognizing when you are pushing limits on your physical and mental health is critical to managing stress. I am going to learn to say “No” and dedicate a little time, even if it is just five minutes, to treat myself to activities I enjoy. I believe in being grateful for what we have, rather than craving for what we need. In today’s changing and challenging world, it’s easy to succumb to negativity.

M. CLARK VISIONS

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However, I urge us to count our blessings in the form of friends, family, good health, gainful employment, and financial security, and to find gratification in simple acts of generosity.

Thank you for being part of the SEEMA family. Here’s to a year of growth, empowerment, and a proactive approach to the challenges and opportunities presented by the new year.

In that vein, I am also resolving to purge things in my life and aspects of my life that serve no purpose. That includes unnecessary possessions, toxic relationships, and even negative feelings. This step toward simplicity and clean living aligns with my resolution for the year ahead.

Wishing you a fantastic start to 2024!

• Seema Kumar, Founder, SEEMA Network •

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Contents CO N T E N T - S E E MA

J A N UA RY 2 0 2 4 • I S S U E 1

NOURISH 18

Switch It Up

Serious About Single Malt

20 Can’t-Miss Cookbooks

PROSPER 24 Saris to Suits

26 Breaking Hollywood Norms 28 A Conscious Choice

EXPERIENCE 10

Movie Magic

INDULGE

Breakout Stars

32 Honing in on Hue

Oh Happy Day

33 Beyond Borders

Show on the Road

34 Fresh-Faced Beauty

34 6

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COVER STORY

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Icon of Music

With a five-decade, multi-lingual career that straddles

Indian and Western the Queen of Pop Usha Uthup is leaving a lasting legacy

FEATURES

50 Access is Everything 56 Rethinking Resolutions

BREATHE

38 Fit and

SEEMA RECOMMENDS

Fabulous

62 I’m a Fan – Sheena Patel

40 Bend It Like

64 For the Love of Potatoes

Rajpreet 41

Centering the Cervix J A N U A R Y

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Experience MOVIES

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• AC TO R S • A N I M AT I O N • M U S I C

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Movie Magic

Plenty of blockbusters are lined up for 2024. Here are five to look out for to start the year with a bang.

Breakout Stars Three young South Asian stars lighting up the screen on TV and in film

Oh Happy Day Ghee Happy, an animated show on Netflix, is an ode to Indian culture

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Experience

MOV I E S • AC TO R S • A N I M AT I O N • MU S I C

Movie Magic Plenty of blockbusters are lined up for 2024. Here are five to look out for to start the year with a bang.

his year’s movie lineup is diverse and cinematic, promising excitement in so many languages and genres. These five films releasing in the coming months feature plenty of star power and tons of action.

Fighter (Hindi) With a new on-screen couple (Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan), Fighter is an action film set against the backdrop of the air force. The foreveryoung Anil Kapoor also has a key role. releasing a day before India’s Republic Day, you will be mesmerized by the stunning locales of Kashmir and Assam, as well as thrilling fighter plane scenes. Devara: Part 1 (Telugu) Hindi film actor Janhvi Kapoor ventures into Telugu films with Devara: Part 1. N. T. Rama Rao Jr. plays the lead, while Saif Ali Khan plays the main antagonist. Releasing early April, this pan-India project will be available in multiple Indian languages and will have a second part to do justice to its broad canvas and detailed storytelling. Nayab (Hindu/Urdu) The big-screen debut of famous Pakistani TV actor Yumna Zaidi, Nayab tells the story of an aspiring female cricketer in Karachi. A light family and sports drama, the film is likely to draw fans across borders. Being a woman-centric film, the feature offers an inspiring story for young women (and their families) in the subcontinent.

Lal Salaam (Tamil) The year kicks off with Lal Salaam, releasing in time for Pongal celebrations. The film has superstar Rajinikanth in a special appearance and is directed by his daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth. The sports drama stars Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth, and you can also expect a cameo appearance by cricketer and former India captain Kapil Dev.

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Pushpa 2: The Rule (Telugu) Any South Asian film list would be incomplete without the mention of an Allu Arjun feature. Set for an Independence Day release (August), Pushpa 2: The Rule is a sequel to the hit film Pushpa: The Rise (2021). The plot revolves around red sandalwood smuggling, documenting the arc of Pushpa Raj, played by Arjun.

Notable Sequel Releases Sanju Weds Geetha 2 (Kannada) Stree 2 (Hindi) Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (Hindi) Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 (Hindi) Ni Main Sass Kuttni 2 (Punjabi) Kantara 2 (Kannada)

COMEBACK SEASON Last year was a resurgent year for Hindi cinema. In

2023, Hindi films contributed 44% to India’s annual gross box office collections, up

33% 2022 19% 2021. from

, and

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Experience

MOV I E S • AC TO R S • A N I M AT I O N • MU S I C

Breakout Stars Two young South Asian actors lighting up the screen on TV and in film [Kaling] on screen, Kelly in The Office, I was like, ‘Oh, my God, she’s Tamil. Wow, that’s so cool!’ So in that way I felt seen. But she was still an adult woman and I was 8, you know, so you can only relate so much.” What’s next: In addition to working toward her degree in human rights and equity studies, she is marking her film debut, Ramakrishnan will star in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy The Netherfield Girls, a contemporary adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

lthough the numbers are getting incrementally better, South Asian representation in U.S. film and television is still paltry, especially for women. Gracenote Inclusion Analytics reported an increase of portrayals of South Asian in both television and film. While South Asian men garnered 2.3%, South Asian women still only scored .3%. However, thanks in part to the visibility of actresses like Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra, more South Asian women are breaking through to the mainstream. Here are two up-and-coming South Asian stars who made the most of 2023. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Last spring, audiences rooted for Devi to choose a love interest in the long-awaited final season of Never Have I Ever, a comedy series created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher that first aired on Netflix in April 2020. And the show’s 22-year-old star, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who grew up in Toronto, was just about everywhere you looked. She credits so much of her early success to having the opportunity to see South Asian faces on screen while she was growing up. She told TODAY: “When I saw Mindy

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Geraldine Viswanathan Born in Newcastle, Australia, 28-year-old Geraldine Viswanathan first gained attention for her comedic role in the 2018 movie Blockers, quickly followed by her starring performance in the 2019 indie film Hala, in which she plays a Muslim teen trying to balance her family, cultural, and religious obligations with her desire to be an American teenager. Last year, she starred in Apple TV’s The Beanie Bubble, starring as Maya, the character inspired by the real-life entrepreneur/inventor who helped bring the Beanie Baby craze to life. What’s next: Drive-Away Dolls, directed by Ethan Coen and starring Geraldine Viswanathan, Margaret Qualley, Matt Damon, and Pedro Pascal, is set to release February 23 after the SAG/AFTRA strike pushed its debut into 2024.

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Oh Happy Day

Ghee Happy, an animated show on Netflix, is an ode to Indian culture

Ghee Happy is a children’s animated series developed by Netflix, created by Sanjay Patel. The show is known for its colorful and vibrant animation, which explores Hindu mythology and Indian culture in a kid-friendly and entertaining manner. Ghee Happy features anthropomorphic characters inspired by Hindu deities, folklore, and mythology, providing a delightful and educational experience for young audiences. Sanjay Patel, the creator, is acclaimed for his previous work with Pixar Animation Studios, and Ghee Happy reflects his unique blend of artistic creativity and cultural storytelling. The series is a celebration of diversity and a charming introduction to Indian traditions for children around the world.

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Experience

MOV I E S • AC TO R S • A N I M AT I O N • MU S I C

Show on the Road

Ballimaaraan: The Piyush Mishra Project is hitting the U.S. tour circuit this winter

Ballimaaraan: The Piyush Mishra Project is a live concert with a full band and will be touring the United States from January 2024. It is a musical homage to the doyen of Urdu poetry, Mirza Ghalib The tour is slated to hit 12 cities across the U.S. featuring the lyricist, actor, writer, and vocalist Piyush Mishra. The tour will kick off on January 28, 2024, in Washington, followed by multiple stops across various cities, including Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, San Jose, Dallas, and New Jersey, with more cities going to be added soon. Ballimaaraan: The Piyush Mishra Project is a musical collective that defies traditional genre boundaries and time constraints, weaving together a unique auditory experience.

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Mishra’s ensemble has evocative narratives, diverse musical compositions, and spellbinding live presentations. With a fusion of innovative sounds and profound storytelling, Ballimaaraan dabbles in the landscape of contemporary music and performance arts. The band’s genre-bending music is a fusion of retro with contemporary tunes and has a youthful, rebellious vibe. Known for its powerful and freeflowing lyrics, the music feels like an engaging conversation. Since its inception in 2016, songs like “Aarambh,” “Husna,” “Ghar,” and many others have grown in popularity.

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K-12

WHERE MATH IS AN ADVENTURE!

LIVE ONLINE INSTRUCTION

4-6 STUDENTS PER CLASS

STRONG CURRICULUM

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

WHY US? Fall in love with math Develop independent thinking Advance beyond the school curriculum Quality education at an affordable price Build confidence in math & problem-solving

PROGRAMS Year round programs Math competition training Community events Parent & teacher education FREE EVALUATION WWW.EMC.SCHOOL D E C E M B E R

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Nourish H E A LT H Y E AT I N G

• DISTILLERIES • COOKBOOKS

•

Switch It Up

This New Year, make healthy food swaps to give your wellbeing a boost.

Serious About Single Malt Indian whisky distillers are more popular than ever. These two are ahead of the game.

Can’t-Miss Cookbooks New (and delicious) books to inspire and elevate your home cooking

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Nourish

H E A LT H Y E AT I N G

• DISTILLERIES • COOKBOOKS

Switch It Up This New Year, make healthy food swaps to give your wellbeing a boost in 2024.

hile giving up ghee, butter chicken, and other decadent dishes may seem impossible, small ingredient swaps can balance tradition with heart health. “We can preserve the culture in that food, but also limit the risk of heart disease that comes with that food,” explains Hiba Siddiqui, founder of the South Asian Heart Health Initiative (SAHHI). Instead of abandoning rich curries and snacks, Siddiqui suggests tweaking family recipes. “For example, you can start by not reusing the same oil as a lot of South Asian

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families do, because that increases cholesterol levels,” explains Siddiqui. “Use one batch of oil, and then discard that before we use a new batch of oil for a new dish.” Other easy food swaps include using olive, avocado or canola oils instead of ghee or butter, choosing lean and skinless chicken cuts, and bulking up dishes with extra veggies. “Instead of using butter, which has more saturated fat, use olive oil or avocado oil,” she suggests. “Preserve the same type of food, but then change these smaller elements to make them a little bit more heart healthy.”

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Serious About Single Malt Indian whisky distillers are more popular than ever. These two are ahead of the game.

ndia, long known for its love of whisky, is now making a name for itself as a maker, not just a consumer of the spirit. This year, Indri, a distiller near the Himalayan foothills, made a splash when its Diwali Collector’s Edition won Best in Show at the Whiskies of the World Awards blind tasting in San Francisco in August. But Indri is not alone in making waves. Crafted in Bengaluru, India, Amrut Distilleries has been around for three quarters of a century and is probably the bestknown whisky brand outside India. However, it’s relatively new to the U.S. market, moving Stateside in 2009. In recent years, its reputation for making high-quality single-malt burgeoned, paving the way for a shakeup of the $33 billion spirits’ market. In fact, other international distillers like Glenlivet now must fight for shelf space from makers like Amrut and Indri.

MEET THE WINNER Indri Diwali Collector’s Edition 2023 is a peated Indian single malt made with six-row barley, distilled in traditional copper pot stills crafted in India. Carefully matured in PX Sherry Casks for a significantly long time amidst the sub-tropical climate of North India, this unique expression entices you with a whiff of smoke and awakens your senses to a myriad of flavors such as candied dried fruits, toasted nuts, subtle spices, oak, bittersweet chocolate and more. J A N U A R Y

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Nourish

H E A LT H Y E AT I N G

• DISTILLERIES • COOKBOOKS

Can’t-Miss Cookbooks

New (and delicious) books to inspire and elevate your home cooking make, despite it only using minimum ingredients and playing on the fact that less is more. Slow cooking over a prolonged time is one of the reasons this dal turns out so creamy. Ingredients → 1.5 cups of whole urad dal (or black gram dal) → 250g tomatoes or three large tomatoes → 1 inch of ginger → 4 garlic cloves Note: The garlic and the ginger must be finely crushed using a mortar and pestle) → ½ garam masala → 1 teaspoon chilli powder (kashmiri) → 100g butter → 4 tablespoons of whipping cream or 8 tablespoons low fat cream → 4 cups of water (water in which the lentils had cooked) → 1 to 1.5 cups of water → Ginger (garnish optional) in julienne → Butter or cream (garnish optional)

ripping with robusts flavor and savory spices, Indian food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world. However, it’s still a food category that some home chefs feel intimidated venturing into. Here are two new(ish) cookbooks that deliver sensational—yet accessible—Indian cuisine. DAL-ISH! Pratibha Karan takes on a journey of dal discovery with her third book, The Book of Dals (Penguin Random House India). Organized regionally throughout India and beyond, Karan teaches about the diverse array of dals from and offers locally influenced (and delicious) dal-based dishes. While the book includes recipes like lentils in coconut milk, dals are the star, which Karan posits are an integral part of Indian cuisine. TRY ONE OF SEEMA’S FAVORITE DAL RECIPES: DAL BUKHARA Dal Bukhara is rich and creamy, it is also surprisingly easy to

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Salt to taste Serving suggestions: Serve your dal bukhara with jeera rice, flat bread, or roti. Instructions: → Soak the lentils overnight in water. Drain the soaked lentil water and add into a pressure cooker. → Cook the lentils for around 20 minutes. → Use a blender to make a tomato puree, using the tomatoes, garlic, and ginger. After allowing the pressure cooker to settle, open the lid. → Next, add the tomato paste that you made in the blender to the pressure cooker mix of dal. Now add the salt, chili powder, butter, and cream and 1 cup of water. → Mix well and allow the mixture to cook over low heat in the pressure cooker without the lid (for about an hour). → Stir the mixture continuously, preventing it from

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sticking to the base and sides. Allow the lentils to cook until it thickens and once it’s thicker, add salt and chili as needed to taste. → Add garam masala (if you don’t have, you can leave this out). Dot the lentils with butter. Add the ginger to garnish. GO MAYA! Maya Kaimal is a not just a chef or an author or an entrepreneur. She is a force. With her popular line of simmer sauces sold in grocery stores from tikka masala to spicy vindaloo, Kaimal’s brand continues to expand. Last month, her cookbook, Indian Flavor Every Day, was included in the New York Times roundup of the best cookbooks of 2023, lauded its creative use of Indian-inspired ingredients to create cross-cuisine meals and desserts. Her recipes are designed to be tasty and accessible, to give even those with limited experience the confidence to delve into Indian cuisine.

Chef’s Pantry: Kaimal says you can make just about anything in her new cookbook if you stock your pantry with eight spices, including black pepper, cardamom, cayenne, cinnamon, clove, coriander, cumin, and turmeric. J A N U A R Y

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Prosper N O N P RO F I T • H O L LY WO O D

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S U S TA I N A B L E FA S H I O N

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Saris to Suits

How one woman transformed her inheritance into positive change

Breaking Through the Norms

A visionary’s mission to uplift women in Hollywood

A Conscious Choice

The ethical marketplace making a global difference

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Prosper

N O N P RO F I T • H O L LY WO O D

Saris to Suits How one woman transformed her inheritance into positive change by Elizabeth Marglin

hat do you do when you inherit a treasure trove of your mother’s vintage saris? When Patti Tripathi, entrepreneur, journalist and eventual founder of Saris to Suits, inherited these gorgeous saris in 2004, she was 35. Her mom had passed young, at the age of 56. Tripathi carried the two suitcases of saris around with her as she relocated several times in the U.S. “I couldn’t let them go,” she says. “I wanted to keep her essence intact in a new form.” That new form would become, in 2012, Saris to Suits, a nonprofit devoted to breaking down the barriers that constrain the advancement of women and girls. This includes raising awareness of domestic violence and trafficking,

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• S U S TA I N A B L E FA S H I O N

employing impoverished women in Mumbai, creating sustainable fashion from upcycled saris, hosting women’s conferences, and highlighting remarkable women across the globe. Tripathi, who does not wear saris on a regular basis, rejected the idea of converting the saris into pillow covers and curtains. Rather, she wanted to create modern fashion statements that incorporate the sari fabric but with more cutting-edge designs. But she also had this idea of helping other South Asian women get on their feet. “I had the vision of not only saris but women getting a new life in this process.” Tripathi herself had suffered from a sham marriage and knew firsthand how disempowering it is to be a victim of outdated cultural attitudes and an oppressive legal system. Tripathi was not daunted by the process of creating the change she wanted to see in the world. In an earlier phase of her career, in 1996, she became the first Indian American voice and face on television while anchoring the news for CNN. (She was, however, requested to change her given name Pratibha to Patti.) In 2012, spurred on by the New Delhi gang rape and murder of Jyoti Singh, she launched Saris to Suits. A trademark of the organization became a signature calendar campaign, featuring extraordinary South Asian women who “pose for a purpose.” The proceeds were donated to women and girls causes throughout the U.S., as well as to a rehabilitative care facility for girls rescued from sex trade and trafficking in India. The calendar campaign was paused in 2020 during the pandemic. In 2019, Tripathi stumbled serendipitously upon Stefano Funari, who had launched an ecofriendly lifestyle brand in India and whose products, upcycled from pre-owned saris, were already popular in Italy and Greece. Funari and Tripathi began a collaboration, with support from Gucci’s sustainability initiative, Gucci Equilibrium.

Called I Was a Sari, the project transforms preloved saris into modern fashion pieces, including Bombay bomber jackets, kimonos, kaftans, and flowing robes. Each piece is handmade by women artisans who lived in Mumbai slums, who now have the opportunity to change their destiny. At this point, their joint efforts have helped to provide “second lives” to 650 women and 1,400,000 square meters of fabric, which would cover 200 football fields. What does the upcoming year look like for Saris to Suits? For now, Tripathi says they are concentrating on bringing more trunk shows around the country, some professionally choreographed, to garner support for their sustainable, humanitarian, and fashion forward mission.

AIR INDIA’S NEW LOOK Tripathi’s vision is not just an effective fundraiser; she is on point with her fashion eye. In December of 2023, Air India revealed their new uniform rebrand, designed by India’s leading couturier Manish Malhotra. Like Tripathi, Malhotra infused the traditional sari with a contemporary twist, introducing trendy pant saris or sari pantsuits in three quintessential Indian hues, red, aubergine and gold. J A N U A R Y

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N O N P RO F I T • H O L LY WO O D

• S U S TA I N A B L E FA S H I O N

Breaking Through the Norms

A visionary’s mission to uplift women in Hollywood by Abhijit Masih

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n the heart of Hollywood, one filmmaker and advocate for women in the industry has taken it upon herself to reshape the narrative. Fuelled by her passion for storytelling and the silver screen, award-winning filmmaker Vineesha Arora Sarin took the bold step of founding her own production company, Lady With a Hat Productions, ushering in a new era of creativity and innovation in her career. Navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry, she recognized the lack of opportunities for foreign filmmakers, particularly women. “When I came here initially as a foreign filmmaker, I saw so much of a lack of opportunity,” she says. “We were independent filmmakers having to navigate everything on our own—from communications and financing to making and delivering a movie, getting it distributed, and even entering film festivals.”

(WISE) at a pre-Oscar party in Beverly Hills. The global, collaborative organization provides support and opportunities to women in showbiz. “Our mission rests upon the fact that influential, powerful women come together and uplift the emerging talent of women,” she explains. “All women, non-binary individuals as well because we know how much of a lack of opportunity they get.” The organization also hosts the annual “Oscar Doc Visionaries” event aimed to spotlight documentarians, an often-overlooked category. She encourages young South Asian women to be fearless and resourceful. “Use any tool to get your message across. Don’t be shy. Don’t be afraid to use whatever you have around you,” she said. “Keep pushing, keep believing in yourself. Perseverance is key.”

Sarin shot, wrote, produced, and directed her debut feature film entirely on a smartphone during the pandemic. Between Mountains, which has been making waves on the film festival circuit, was not a planned production. “I started shooting when we had a little trip at the end of 2019,” she says. “I remember telling my husband during those initial days, ‘Okay, you need to break down here. I have something in my mind.’” The beauty of nature, coupled with her husband’s willingness to immerse himself in the storytelling process, led to the gradual emergence of the film’s narrative. The tipping point to start her own organization came when a few friends, despite being nominated for Oscars, struggled to garner the support they needed. “I’ve seen women around me struggling to get their film financed or distributed because we are women,” she explained. “It’s been harder for us to get in the door. People don’t listen to us the same way they listen to a male counterpart or a male director.” Determined to challenge the existing norms, Sarin launched Women in Showbiz Everywhere J A N U A R Y

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A Conscious Choice

• S U S TA I N A B L E FA S H I O N

The ethical marketplace making a global difference

aisa MumtazCassidy always loved fashion from a young age, but after working for a few years in the industry, she quickly learned about the unseen costs of fast fashion—and set herself on a mission to change it.

In 2020, Maisa launched Consciously as a curated e-commerce site to spotlight vetted sustainable brands, and simplify ethical shopping. The platform features Consciously’s sustainability criteria covering values like fair trade, small batches, transparency, female founders, and eco-friendly materials.

“Western brands come into countries like Bangladesh to take advantage of cheap labor,” Maisa explains in a podcast with Mission. org. “It was my experience in that industry in manufacturing that really gave me a clear understanding of just how little the lives of garment workers are valued.” Maisa describes witnessing the indifference of fast fashion buyers towards contributing to fair worker wages. She believes everyone in the supply chain bears responsibility for paying textile workers a thriving wage.

Maisa is guided by a vision to shift fashion’s status quo. “My belief is that it’s everyone’s responsibility” to ensure garment workers not only survive, but thrive. Consciously moves the needle towards a more ethical fashion paradigm—but also empowers consumers to participate through their purchases.

After an “existential crisis” over her role in an exploitative system, Maisa pivoted to sustainable fashion. She was struck by the contrast between ethical brands uplifting workers and communities, and fast fashion’s detached focus on profit at all costs. Maisa also noticed consumers’ rising appetite for ethical fashion, but often stymied by confusion navigating the crowded, complex space. To shop, visit wearconsciously.co

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Indulge E N T R E P R E N E U R • T R AV E L E R • BEAUTY

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Honing in on Hue How one influencer transformed her color correcting hack into the first South Asian brand sold at Ulta

Beyond Borders How one woman beat the odds and visited more than 100 countries with a Bangladeshi passport

Fresh-Faced Beauty 5 cleansers to wash out the old

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Indulge

E N T R E P R E N E U R • T R AV E L E R • B E A U T Y

Honing in on Hue How one influencer transformed her color correcting hack into the first South Asian brand sold at Ulta

eepica Mutyala used to spend hours wandering store aisles in search of makeup matching her skin tone, only to find white models. She vividly remembers resolving to one day create a brand that would change this. Her family laughed it off, more concerned about her studies, but Mutyala remained steadfast.

expanded into new products, becoming the first South Asian-owned brand to sell at Ulta. “A lot of people that don’t feel like they’ve been represented, which is why we decided to call the community Live Tinted,” she explains. “The concept is we all have a tint to our skin and that unites us. I wanted to come together around a shared experience.”

After college, Mutyala built a path in beauty, starting her career through marketing roles at industry giants like L’Oreal and Birchbox. A breakthrough came at Birchbox when a makeup artist put something red under her eyes that felt like lipstick, but it was a color corrector. “While this artist was telling me a lot of reasons these two products were different, what I heard was essentially nothing,” said Mutyala to First Round. “I’m always thinking about how I can simplify this space.” Soon after, she shared a simple hack on YouTube— using red lipstick to cover dark undereye circles. The video quickly exploded in popularity, amassing millions of views. Unwilling to represent someone else’s brand forever, Mutyala cofounded Live Tinted in 2018 with her cousin. They began by launching an Instagram community celebrating diverse beauty voices, rapidly attracting nearly 100,000 passionate members. Mutyala surveyed them about their biggest beauty obstacles and used the insights to develop Live Tinted’s debut product, a multipurpose color-correcting stick called Huestick. The Huestick’s 2019 launch was an immediate smash success, selling 10 times projections within days. Over 1 million units have now been sold. With celebrity backers like Bobbi Brown, Live Tinted has

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“Deepica Mutyala has built a brand that celebrates diversity and brings together communities. Plus it’s just so chic.” -Mindy Kaling

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Beyond Borders How one woman beat the odds and visited more than 100 countries with a Bangladeshi passport

or most people, traveling across the world with a Bangladeshi passport would be an exercise in frustration. Ranked one of the eight worst passports in the world for mobility, it only allows visa-free entry to 40 countries. But Maliha Fairooz has defied the odds and traveled to 102 countries so far, over halfway to her goal of visiting every country on Earth. In fact, that achievement won her this year’s annual NomadMania award for Biggest LPI (low passport index) Traveler. Fairooz’s globetrotting journey started as a 4-year-old when she flew from Bangladesh to London and was mesmerized by the view outside the airplane window. Now based in Berlin and working for a human rights NGO, she regularly encounters obstacles thanks to her challenging passport—including needing preapproved travel agency invites just to apply for visas. She has endured interrogation at borders, being threatened with deportation, and the stereotype that Bangladeshi travelers are illegal immigrants rather than explorers. Discrimination and red tape haven’t discouraged Fairooz’s wanderlust, however. She prioritizes travel spending over material possessions, using her income earned abroad to fund the next adventure. Despite experiences like being detained for 17

hours in an airport, Fairooz focuses on the kindness she encountered in the 102 countries she’s visited. “There’s just so much beauty and kindness and generosity in this world,” she recently told NBC. “I feel so privileged to have been able to connect with so many people from so many places.” Follow Maliha on Instagram: @maliharoundtheworld

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Indulge

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Fresh-Faced Beauty

cleansers to wash out the old As we ring in a new year, many of us feel motivated to hit the reset button after a hectic holiday season wreaks havoc on our skin. Starting the year off fresh, with a renewed skincare routine, can set us up for a clearer, more radiant complexion. From nourishing oil-based balms that melt away makeup to gentle gel washes ideal for sensitive skin, we picked our favorite cleansers to wash out the old to make way for a bright new year ahead.

AAVRANI PURIFYING OIL CLEANSER Made with just 11 ingredients, this two-in-one solution acts as both a cleanser and makeup remover. We love how this South-Asian own brand uses sandalwood oil to nourish skin without the use of synthetic, skin-stripping ingredients. $28, aavrani.com

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CLINIQUE TAKE THE DAY OFF CLEANSING BALM This is our favorite makeup-erasing balm which both smells amazing and takes off even the thickest makeup gently and seamlessly. The non-greasy balm smoothly dissolves impurities and keeps skin soft. $38, clinque.com

4 CERAVE This drugstore favorite stays on top beauty lists for a reason. The gentle, hydrating cleanser won’t irritate sensitive skin, and its affordable price tag stays kind to our wallets as well. $13, cerave.com

YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE SUPERFOOD ANTIOXIDANT GEL CLEANSER When you’re ready to feed your face healthy ingredients, we love the kale and green-tea infused gel cleanser that smells as fresh as it looks. $39, youthtothepeople.com

HYPER SKIN GENTLE BRIGHTENING GEL CLEANSER Mandelic acid is the star ingredient here that will gradually help fade the look of dark spots, while also protecting from annoying breakouts. The fun packaging also keeps us hyped for the new year ahead. $28, hyperskin.com

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Fit and Fabulous

An award-winning bodybuilder weighs in on how to reach your health goals

Bend It Like Rajpreet Getting girls active and involved in sports from a young age provides lifetime benefits

Centering the Cervix Though mostly preventable, cervical cancer still kills too many women. Here’s how to keep this preventable disease at bay.

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Fit and Fabulous An awardwinning bodybuilder weighs in on how to reach your health goals

by Abhijit Masih

he landscape of fitness is constantly evolving, and 2024 is proving to be no different. To stay on top of the latest trends, we spoke to Rupsikha Borah Deori, a fitness expert who won the Master’s Bikini Class Bodybuilding at the Arnold Classic Amateur Championship. Here’s her advice on how to stay moving for the year ahead. Fitness Fundamentals Whatever the life stage, the basic fundamentals of fitness should not change and always be attempted to ensure optimal fitness. The type and form of exercise can change but the objectives should not, which should include:

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Building or Maintaining Muscle Mass. Strength training is paramount to maintain or build muscle mass, which enhances one’s quality of life and improves the ability to do everyday activities.. As one ages, choose strength training exercises which you can perform, be it with free weights or bodyweight. Flexibility/Mobility. As we age, mobility and flexibility will tend to decrease. Incorporating mobility, stretching etc. can improve or maintain the range of motion and provide balance. Endurance. Steady state cardio works to improve cardiovascular health, and should be chosen over HIIT workouts if you’re on the older

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side. Both young and old should incorporate endurance building workouts in their fitness regime. Prioritizing Recovery Recovery and regeneration can help one recover from intense workouts and start fresh for the next workout. Most people think growth happens during the workouts. It is not. The muscle fibers are damaged during the workouts due to intense load and the regeneration happens during the resting period where muscle grows bigger to adapt to similar loads in the future. Resting should not be mistaken for recovery. Proper hydration, nutrition and sleep is needed for the body to recover completely. Regeneration techniques such as foam rolling, massages and cold showers should be equally considered. Staying Motivated All Year Long I see people set goals/objectives, especially as New Year resolutions, but withdraw or give up in no time. I personally follow the S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound) principle while setting goals. I do different things to stay motivated towards my goal. The three important things that I have found to be the most effective to beat the slack are discipline, setting deadlines and monitoring progress. Once you see progress, it will be addictive.

THE HOTTEST FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2024 1. Holistic Wellbeing. Focus on mental well being and stress management will continue to impress and remain a significant trend. Only a strong mind can build a strong body. The body follows the mind. Try to include 15 minutes of meditation before going to bed every night. This will go a long way in keeping your mind calm and a sound sleep. 2. Virtual Fitness. This trend will rise as technology continues to advance and offer more personalized and accessible fitness solutions. With online coaching, you can access the best coaches anywhere in the world. Do not limit yourself to local. Go global. 3. Group and Outdoor Fitness. The sense of community and shared motivation pushes individuals to adhere to fitness while outdoor settings provide refreshing alternatives to indoor environments. Lots of boot camps happen in your community. Sign up for the weekend ones to keep your fitness regimes on track.

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Bend It Like Rajpreet Getting girls active and involved in sports from a young age provides lifetime benefits by Elizabeth Marglin Since the release of cult-classic film Bend It Like Beckham almost 12 years ago, progress has been slow for South Asian girls and football. The movie was loosely based on Permi Jhooti, the first British South Asian footballer to play professionally in 2000 in a London-based football club. Now there are more than seven women who play professionally for England, showing slow but significant progress. Getting South Asian females into any kind of sport is a victory: According to a report from Active Lives, a Britain-based sports data company, South Asian women and girls have always been the least active of all the ethnic groups sampled. The reasons for this are complex. At the heart of it, identifying as an athlete is not the norm for female desis. As Minreet Kaur, a journalist turned sports advocate, says, sport isn’t something that women in the south Asian community see as important. There’s a pervasive sense of “that’s not for us or our kind.” Gradually, more South Asian girls and women are realizing that athleticism is intrinsic—it’s the cultural norms that have gotten in the way. Still, many South Asians don’t see sport as a viable career,

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particularly for women. The cultural pressure to secure a guaranteed wage in a respected and stable profession is strong. Also, while expectations around careers and South Asian women may have changed, many women feel the implicit burden to focus on cooking, house cleaning and raising kids, instead of having an active physical life. Finally, the lack of role models in sports plays a huge role in representation. Sporting Equals chief executive Arun Kang told Sky Sports News in a 2022 interview, “There’s a lot of latent demand from South Asian women and girls for football and I think they just need to see more people who look like them playing the game. You can’t be what you can’t see.”

“Anyone can cook aloo gobi, but who can bend a ball like Beckham?”

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Centering the Cervix Though mostly preventable, cervical cancer still kills too many women. Here’s how to keep this preventable disease at bay. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in women worldwide, after breast, colorectal, and lung. In 2020, there were an estimated 604,000 new cases in 2020, according to the W.H.O. That same year the disease killed an estimated 342,000—more than the number of women who died during pregnancy or childbirth. To raise awareness, January was named Cervical Health Month. More than 95 percent of cervical cancer is caused by sexually transmitted HPV. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection which can affect the skin, genital area and throat. Multiple strains of the virus are prevalent, but two main subtypes are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers. Almost all sexually active people will be infected at some point in their lives, usually without symptoms. In most cases the immune system clears HPV from the body. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV can cause abnormal cells to develop, which go on to become cancer. Typically, it takes 15–20 years for abnormal cells to become cancer, but in women with weakened immune systems, such as untreated HIV, this process can be faster and take 5–10 years. South Asian women are subject to the same risk factors for cervical cancer, says New York-based

gynecologist Adeeti Gupta. “Access to healthcare is specifically important for this demographic. Annual visits to your GYN are a must and getting regular pap tests are the best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer through early diagnoses. In addition, getting the HPV vaccine any time after the age of 9 is helpful in protecting you against the top high risk HPV strains that can cause cervical cancer.” Gupta also points out the danger of a commonly held belief amongst South Asian Americans—that monogamy protects you from cervical cancer/HPV. “Do not assume that if you are in a monogamous relationship, you are safe,” she says. “Get annual exams and pap tests and if you have any bleeding after sex, abnormal bleeding, or if things don’t feel right, just go and see a GYN.”

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Icon of Music With a five-decade, multi-lingual career that straddles Indian and Western the Queen of Pop Usha Uthup is leaving a lasting legacy.

• Abhijit Masih •

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HAIR AND MAKEUP: KANWAL BATOOL IG: IAMKANWALBATOOL STYLING : SANDEEP TUPILI (MAISON TAI) INSTAGRAM : @SANDEEPRAVI89 & @MAISONTAI FACEBOOK : @SANDEEPRAVI @MAISONTAI PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN MARTIN PRODUCTIONS INSTAGRAM: @JOHNMARTINPRODUCTIONS FACEBOOK: JOHN MARTIN PRODUCTIONS

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ith a powerful voice and genrebending style, Usha Uthup’s impact on the music industry is an indelible one. Over her decades-long career, she has captivated global audiences with her mesmerizing performances, seamlessly fusing Indian and Western musical influences. Known as the Queen of Indian Pop, Usha’s soulful voice and dynamic stage presence have solidified her as an iconic figure in music. Beginning her musical journey at a young age, she swiftly rose to fame, showcasing her talent in languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and English, connecting with diverse audiences worldwide. Usha’s versatility spans from soulful melodies to energetic pop hits, earning her admiration not only in India but the world over. Usha Uthup’s vibrant and unconventional style, reflected in her bold sarees, bindis, and accessories, further exemplifies her fearless self-expression, adding to her multifaceted legacy. CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY OF HOW YOU BEGAN YOUR SINGING CAREER AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE MUSIC?

It all started in 1969 quite by chance. I never thought I would take singing as my career because I was thrown out of my music class because Ms. Davidson thought my voice wasn’t suitable for the kind of choir that we had in school. I come from a very musical family and used to listen to Mozart, Beethoven, Kishori Amonkar, Bismillah Khan, and so many other classical musicians. They would also listen to radio Ceylon, Cliff Richard, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. So I had a mixed bag of music in my head. I think the atmosphere was conducive to the kind of music I finally took up. And one time when we were in Madras, my aunt took us for a dinner treat and she asked me to just get up and sing. There was a band playing over there and I found that the audience enjoyed my music. When they asked me to sing some more, I think it got into my mind that I love the sound of applause and being one with an audience.

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At the end of that stint, I got an offer to sing for the whole week at Nine Gems. While I was singing, I got an offer to sing at a night club in Madras. From there, I went to Bombay. I started singing at the Little Heart at the Ritz Hotel. Then I got an offer to sing in Calcutta. I was thrilled. The one thing I did tell them was that I don’t know how to wear a dress and I don’t wear a frock. And they said we just want you the way you are, just come along. YOUR UNIQUE FUSION OF INDIAN AND WESTERN MUSICAL STYLES IS ICONIC. HOW DID YOU DEVELOP THIS DISTINCTIVE MUSICAL STYLE?

I found that very early in my career that music knows no barriers of caste, color, creed, language, gender, sex, nothing. I do believe that every language has a certain musicality to it. And so I tried to pick up the nuances and I found that when I sang in a nightclub, and when I sang all my jazz and pop songs, if I included one Hindi or Punjabi song, people reacted totally differently. When you touch the chord in somebody’s heart with their own language, it means something totally different. So I started learning more and more languages. Even in school, English was the medium of teaching and Hindi was the second language, Marathi was the third language, fourth language was French and of course at home we spoke in Tamil. I already had a good, basic foundation for languages. But I work very, very, very hard at doing a good job of the pronunciation and the expression. YOU HAVE HAD SUCH A LONG AND ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER, WHICH HAVE BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SONGS AND MEANINGFUL MUSICAL COLLABORATIONS?

It’s difficult to say because for 54 years that I’ve been singing, it’s a long journey. There have been so many favorites and so many wonderful songs depending on the region where I’m singing. There are songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Punjabi, of course, Bengali, that are big hits in all the different languages. But the most memorable, or the most satisfying language, I will probably say is English. It’s always one step higher for me to be able to learn it and lyrics means so much more. It touches you immediately, whereas the other languages, I have to learn. But I will say that Tamil is a fantastic language to sing and also

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Punjabi. I think one of the most difficult languages I would say would be Malayalam. It’s a difficult language to sing. Amongst the foreign languages, I would say Italian is one of the most exciting languages. Any language that really touches your heart, or touches my heart is good enough to take it and get your teeth into it. YOU’VE HAD A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY. WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE HAS BEEN THE KEY TO YOUR ENDURING POPULARITY?

I think it’s easy to get to someplace, but to stay there is very, very difficult. You’ve got to work really hard at it. It works when you’re honest and sincere about your job; really work hard at it, without any compromise and just do it straight from the heart. I think it works for staying power and for being able to get across to people, not just the Indian diaspora, but to get across everybody. For me, music is the strongest medium to get people together. HOW DO YOU STAY INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED TO CREATE NEW MUSIC EVEN AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

The wonderful thing about music and being on the stage, at least for me, is that I’m 100% honest over there. I’m really fortunate, and god has really blessed me because it’s not everybody who loves the work that they’re doing and who work for the love that they’re getting. It is really quite amazing. I’ve always said the song is much bigger than the singer. So I’m a grabber. I just look for the moment that’s going to give me the maximum amount of love. And I try my level best to deliver much better than the last moment.

When you touch the chord in somebody’s heart with their own language, it means something totally different.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CHERISHED AND MEMORABLE MOMENTS?

It’s difficult to enumerate and put it in a small capsule. But the one milestone memory I would definitely say would be the fact that I had the privilege of meeting up with Nelson Mandela. I had the privilege of meeting him and singing at the United Nations. I’ve also been really blessed to have been able to give my second album, ‘Beautiful Sunday’ to Indira Gandhi. And of course, working for Mother Teresa closely. So there are lots of things that I need to be grateful for all the time. Coming across to New York one more time and to be able to sing for all of you is in itself a huge big thrill. We just finished a nice tour of America in cities like Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, San Francisco, and ended with Kentucky. So there are huge memories, really fantastic milestones and it’s been a great, great journey. YOUR BIOGRAPHY, THE QUEEN OF INDIAN POP, WAS RECENTLY RELEASED. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT IT?

The first book that was written about me was called Ullas Ki Naav, which was the biography. It was written by Mr. Vikas Kumar Jha and that turned out to be a real big success. The

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USHA’S F AV O R I T E FAVORITE FOOD I’m a junk eater. I love South Indian food— Rasam and Sambhar. FAVORITE CITY To visit it would be London. In India, Bombay. FAVORITE SINGER There have been so many singers who are really my favorite. If you say Western music then I would probably have to include Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, so there is not just one person. IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO PERFORM A DUET The person who I was very good with was S.P. Balasubrahmanyam and would have loved to do much more work with him. My hero and my idol was Harry Belafonte, unfortunately he is no longer with us. WHAT LIFTS YOUR MOOD Just getting onto the stage and singing.

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Queen of Indian Pop is written by Mr. Jha’s daughter Srishti who translated the whole thing. She’s done a beautiful job of it. It all started with Mr. Jha trying to get through to me for an interview. Finally when he got the opportunity to talk to me, my son was in hospital in Cochin, having a kidney transplant. I was in the lobby waiting and Mr. Jha got me on the phone. After I came back from Cochin to Calcutta, he came there and I started doing the interview with him there. It turned out to be so deep, with so many things being said that he thought this has to become a biography. So it became one but really wasn’t planned as a biography. He just came to do an interview. YOUR FASHION SENSE IS OFTEN AS UNIQUE AS YOUR MUSIC. HOW DO YOU EXPRESS YOUR INDIVIDUALITY THROUGH YOUR STYLE, AND HAS IT INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC?

I don’t have a hard luck story neither do I have a sensational story except for the fact that it’s just a middle class person who started straight off from school. It never struck me that I have to wear something or put on something to do performances in a night club. I never felt that you had to particularly dress up so I started wearing sarees. Then I used to wear the bindis and put it on my forehead. So I started making different shapes with different colors, and I just thought it was so exciting to do that. I found that it looked good with my sarees. And then as a South Indian, my mother would buy flowers for the puja and I thought it did something very nice for my face and my hair. I wore sarees, bindis and flowers and of course I love bangles so that became my dress. I made my own web which is sad because wherever I go, I have to wear all of that. It wasn’t a strategy or marketing genius. I just did what I thought was good or whatever I was able to afford. YOU’VE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH VARIOUS SOCIAL CAUSES AND CHARITIES. HOW DO YOU USE YOUR PLATFORM TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY?

No one does really want to talk about the charities that they are doing but I definitely have been involved with cerebral palsy. I’ve also been involved with School for the

Blind. Working against leprosy and tried to get eradicated and a lot of other charities. I always feel that what you take from society at some point of time you have to give back and it gives me more pleasure to give back rather than to take.

Usha Uthup’s Top 10 Hits 1. Vande Mataram – Movie: Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham 2. Rambha Ho Ho Ho – Movie: Armaan 3. Hare Rama Hare Krishna – Movie: Hare Rama Hare Krishna 4. Hari Om Hari – Movie: Pyaara Dushman 5. Koi Yahan aha Nache Nache – Movie: Disco Dancer 6. One Two Cha Cha Cha Movie: Shalimar 7. Darling – Movie: 7 Khoon Maaf 8. Dirty Picture – Movie: Thikka 9. Doston Se Pyaar Kiya – Movie: Jurmana 10. Aami Shoti Bolchi Movie: Kahaani

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Access is Everything Sara Mathew is working to improve the healthcare system, combining her engineering background with everything she’s learned about hospital administration.

• Abhijit Masih •

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These three luxury destinations put health and wellness at the center of the vacation experience • Lindsey Galloway •

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orn and raised in Mumbai, Sara Mathew struggled to find a program in India that enabled her to pursue her calling to improve healthcare access for all so she embarked on a journey to the United States, where she excelled in a top healthcare administration program at the University of Minnesota. After earning her master’s degree, she established her career in New York City, to work with prestigious institutions like the Mount Sinai Hospital and Weill Cornell Medicine. Now, as Associate Director, Research and Operations Administration at Weill Cornell Medicine, NY, Mathew is laser-focused on filling the gaps in access to healthcare. She has devoted a decade to mentoring students globally, particularly those pursuing healthcare administration, earning accolades from the American College of Healthcare Executives. She also assumed the role of Board Director at Bridging Access to Care, making a significant impact during the pandemic and earning recognition as a 40 under 40 leader in health and a Notable Leader in Healthcare by Crain’s NY. She shares her inspiring journey with SEEMA.

Can you tell us about your early exposure to the healthcare environment and how it influenced your career choices? I was born and raised in Bombay, my father was a professor and my mother worked in hospital leadership at Hinduja Hospital. Visiting her during vacations sparked my interest in healthcare, and I was particularly inspired by her passion to help people. I enjoyed going to my mother’s hospital, I liked the smell and I liked the environment.

How did your engineering background intersect with your interest in healthcare,

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and what challenges did you face in pursuing a career in healthcare administration?

During my second year of engineering, I wanted to combine my engineering knowledge with a career in healthcare administration to improve access to basic healthcare. However, I faced a challenge as there were no master’s programs in India that was accepting engineers for healthcare administration. I started doing a lot of extra-curricular work, attending medical camps and even did my engineering projects in medical instrumentation and built a good profile. This led me to pursue a master’s program in the U.S. I applied and got accepted in the University of Minnesota which has a top program in MHA. I came here on that very strong belief that I am meant to do this and I will succeed.

Can you share your experiences working in New York City and the challenges you encountered?

While I did my masters, I traveled throughout the country and when I came to New York, I thought this is like Bombay. I saw the roads are busy, loads of diverse people and I decided I need to come and work in New York. I applied for jobs, found one and then I also realized the struggles of obtaining a Green Card. I was very fortunate with the hospitals and they offered to sponsor me. I was at Mount Sinai for three years and seven years with Weill Cornell Medicine.

How did you contribute to mentoring students interested in healthcare administration, especially those from India?

Over the course of 10 years, I dedicated time to mentor hundreds of students, particularly from India, who were interested in pursuing healthcare administration in the USA. I aimed to provide

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guidance on courses, pathways, and interview preparation.

You are also a Board Director of Bridging Access to Care. Can you tell us about the organization’s mission and your role in it? Bridging Access to Care is a community-based health center in Brooklyn with a mission to provide basic healthcare services to everyone, especially those from harsh economic backgrounds. In 2020, I was appointed as the Board Director, contributing to the organization’s goals and impact in the community. I did a lot of partnerships so that anyone who has no insurance, but want all the preventive services, that they would have money from the government subsidy. So, I connect them through strong partnerships to big hospitals like Sinai and that’s my role. It came very organically to me like I was following my passion.

What are the gaps in the U.S. healthcare system that you feel should be highlighted?

When I came to the US, I first thought everybody in the West has healthcare. But the fact is that it’s not accessible to everyone. Not everyone has insurance. Expenses are not affordable. In rural places, the hospitals are not as amazing as the ones in Manhattan. However, the US does have very strong regulations. The auditing standards followed by the Joint Commission are very good. The mistakes are reported properly, not as investigation but so that you learn from your mistakes and fix it.

Why do you think that health care is so expensive in the US?

Hospitals have to make money and they don’t get money directly from the consumer. They get it from the insurance companies. The problem is if the hospital says I spent $10,000 on doing a hernia operation, the insurance company says well, I don’t believe you, I am only going to give you $2,000 back. So hospitals often suffer a loss on the procedure and different insurances will pay differently. Medicare will say, I really think you should get $500 for the $10,000. United Health Care will probably pay $2000 instead of $10,000. However, the hospital is giving the same treatment and using the same surgeons and OR room. So the private insurance companies don’t pay the hospitals

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and doctors accurately. A part of my job is dealing with denials. Let’s say that my surgeon does 50 surgeries and sends the bills to the insurance, we get a denial rate of 20%. So in 10 cases the insurance will say, why did you do this case? Then we have to fight and that takes about six months.

What according to you is the best part of your job?

I like that no two days are similar. I am involved in research, in patient complaint management, strategy, especially in Manhattan where we have NYU and Mount Sinai right next to us. Health care is a business also, so I have to put a strategy of why one should choose Weill Cornell. I get to work with very intelligent doctors finding new and innovative techniques, bringing companies together helping them from an idea to execution, it’s great. Right now we’re working on a clinical trial where we can potentially save patients legs from getting amputated and that’s exactly why I did this. If I had a small role to play in it, that feels amazing.

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Rethinking Resolutions Ring in renewed wellbeing this year with tailored health steps for the busy South Asian woman. Here are 6 specific goals that experts say can help improve your year ahead.

• Lindsey Galloway •

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he same refrain echoes from gyms to living rooms every January—“This is the year I’m going to lose weight, exercise more, and transform my health.” But all too often, the typical New Year’s Resolutions fail for a host of reasons, especially when those goals are not specific enough. This can also include cultural considerations that don’t include the unique experiences and lifestyles of South Asian women. That’s why we put together a list of six important health resolutions for the year ahead that specifically impact South Asian women and their families, and how you can go about achieving them.

1. Aim for 150 Minutes of Movement a Week

Even if it’s just 20 minutes a day, a little bit of movement can go a long way into helping your heart and overall fitness. Research suggests that not only are South Asians more likely to suffer from heart disease and diabetes, those diseases can have an onset of up to 10 years earlier than the general population. But studies including MASALA (Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America)

show that staying active can lower that risk. While genetics play a role, Laeeque says lifestyle changes make a big impact. “Our heritage or ethnicity is a risk factor we can’t control that does affect our fitness,” explains Hina Laeeque, founder of Empowered Fitness. “So it is even more important for us to be active and also focus on not only strength training, but also cardiovascular workouts because of our risk for heart disease.” Studies show that South Asians may need an additional 20 minutes of exercise to get the same benefits as a Caucasian population, but that doesn’t have to be a burden. The occasional walk can help lower the risk significantly. “I always recommend people to be walking at least three to four times a week,” says Laeeque.

2. Examine Your Stress Triggers

Between family expectations, discrimination, and trying to balance eastern and western cultures, anxiety is common among South Asian women. Stress not only can take a mental toll, but can also contribute to other health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes. Try keeping a journal to identify your stress triggers, then finding healthy coping mechanisms, whether it’s taking solo nature

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walks, practicing yoga or other gentle movement, or talking to a therapist.

3. Boost Your Vitamin D Intake

Research has found that South Asians in the diaspora may be struggling with staggeringly low Vitamin D levels. According to one study of more than 6000 South Asians living in the UK, more than 50% of the population have a severe deficiency and only 8% of people had sufficient levels of Vitamin D. While symptoms can feel minor, such as general tiredness, overtime this deficiency can lead to more major health issues like osteoporosis. Food can play a major part in helping, but it can mean altering existing patterns. Many traditional South Asian diets aren’t particularly high in Vitamin D. Adding fish can help. Research found that the Bangladeshi diet, which includes more fish, contributed to lower deficiencies compared to those living in other South Asian countries. Oily fish and fish liver oils have high levels of Vitamin D. You can also take supplements to help boost your levels. The National Institutes of Health currently recommend 15 mcg (600 IU) for adults age 19 to 70. Look for D3 as it may increase levels in your blood for higher and longer, and take with a meal or a snack that includes some fat, as it’s a fat-soluble vitamin.

4. Be Direct with Your Docs

General health guidelines don’t always apply oneto-one for South Asian women. For instance, South Asians face higher diabetes risks, so preventive screening should start sooner—and you may have to ask your doctor more directly. The American Diabetes Association recommends Asian Americans get screened for diabetes at a body mass index (BMI) of 23, instead of the BMI of 25 recommended for the general population. Don’t rely on common blood tests thresholds either. Screening research can typically be based on people of European descent. Levels that indicate diabetes may be lower for South Asians. For example, hemoglobin A1C levels above 6.5% often signify diabetes. But for South Asians, levels between 5.7% to 6.4% could also warrant follow-up testing. If your result falls in the gray area, request additional screening. Being proactive with your doctor about diabetes testing ensures you get the care you need.

5. Manage Your Mental Health

Cultural stigma often prevents South Asians from

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seeking help for mental health issues like anxiety and depression—and this can be doubly so for women. “South Asian communities are often collectivist and family-centered with a hierarchy that promotes the collective family interests over individual interest,” said Anjali Gowda Ferguson, Ph.D., LCP, a culturally responsive psychologist. “This messaging suggests that focusing on the self may be inconsiderate of larger community demands. Women may receive messaging that this focus is selfish or unnecessary.” Instead, it can be helpful to reframe this, to ensure taking care of ourselves can help us better take care of others. Like putting your oxygen mask on first in an emergency, there’s no shame in ensuring we’re in our best mental state before we can reliably help others. By focusing on understanding mental health and various conditions, it can be easier to pinpoint when something feels awry.

6. Get Your Family Health History

While it can be uncomfortable to talk to your family about their health history, the information can be life saving when it comes to lowering your risk for the same diseases, or spotting early warning signs of diseases that might run in the family. South Asian families often have a history of diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, and knowing what age those were diagnosed can help you get screened earlier and make lifestyle changes for the better. It can also be helpful to ask about diseases that may have once been stigmatized, like breast cancer. Stanford clinical psychologist Dr. Ranak Trivedi has found that there can still be stigma in openly talking about breast cancer among South Asians, but normalizing asking about it with family with a non-judgmental approach can start to open the doors. Not only can this provide a place to offer support to family members who may have struggled in silence, but it can arm you with important health history that can lead to early detection and management.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR RESOLUTIONS STICK While making resolutions is easy, sticking to them all year round is considerably tougher. One study found that while 52% of people were confident about their ability to reach their resolutions, only 12% achieved them a year later. To help raise this percentage, we sought out advice from Hina Laeeque, Certified Personal Trainer and founder of Empowered Fit, where she works with South Asian women to be their strongest selves. Here she shares the advice she gives to her clients to help them reach their biggest fitness dreams. 1. Write down your goals. Research shows that writing down your goals helps to achieve goals up to 50% compared to those that do not write down their goals. Try a SMART goal- Specific, Measurable, Action Oriented, Results Oriented and Time specific 2. Know your “why.” Losing weight is a vague goal. But, aiming to lose 10 pounds so that you have more energy throughout the day is a great start to a more specific goal. 3. Break your goal down into smaller parts. Ask yourself what you can do each week consistently? What can you start doing today to move you towards your goal? 4. Have an accountability partner. Involve your family or friends, share your goal with your spouse, get out for walks with your kids. 5. Check in on your goal regularly. Every 2 weeks or monthly, check in with yourself. We often have big intentions at the start of a new year, but then forget about the goal 30 or 60 days later. 6. Make it enjoyable. You are more likely to stick to a goal that you enjoy! IF you love walking, incorporate that into your workout plan. Or, habit stack by coupling 2 things together such as listening to your favorite podcast while workout out. 7. Enjoy the journey. Health is a lifelong process. Don’t forget to treat yourself. Find example exercises and recipes at empoweredfit.ca.

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I’m a Fan – Sheena Patel

’m a Fan tells the story of an unnamed narrator’s involvement in a seemingly unequal romantic relationship. With a clear and unforgiving eye, Sheena Patel makes startling connections between power struggles at the heart of human relationships to those in the wider world, offering a devastating critique of social media, access and patriarchal systems.

Sheena Patel is a writer and assistant director for film and TV who was born and raised in North West London. She is part of the poetry collective 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE and was named as one of the Observer’s “Best Debut Novelists of 2022.” I’m a Fan was longlisted for the Women’s Prize, shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas prize and the Jhalak Prize, and won the British Book Award in the Discover category.

SEEMA’S VIEW:

“I’m a Fan” navigates the complexities of relationships, shedding light on power dynamics, privilege, and the consequences of infidelity. Sheena Patel’s debut offers an incandescent critique of class, race, social media, patriarchy, and the cultural obsession with status. I’m a Fan captivates with its intense exploration of human relationships and societal norms, leaving readers with a thought-provoking experience.

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visit SEEMA.COM A DV E RT I S E O N S E E M A N E T W O R K , E M A I L U S AT A DV E R T I S E @ S E E M A .C O M

F O O D - S E E MA RE COM ME N D S

FOR THE LOVE OF POTATOES

If there is one ingredient that everyone loves to love it is the humble potato and to celebrate its versatility here are some dishes with a twist. • Bindu Gopal Rao •

English Writer A.A. Milne once famously said, “What I say is that, if a man really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow.” What this also means is that there is no ingredient like potato. And if there is one vegetable that is everyone’s favourite it is the potato. We list a few dishes that give you a fresh take on the ingredient.

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Aloo Tuk Chaat courtesy Andaleeb Sahar Sayed, Executive Pastry Chef, The LaLit Mumbai “The recipe is special as the ingredients that we make use of include coriander and mint chutney, tamarind chutney, salt added to which is the chaat masala which is prepared in house (we have our own secret recipe to prepare with the spices some of which are home grown as all our hotel properties have our own garden where we grow certain produce which is used in our kitchen to give the special taste to our recipes – we run a concept called we serve what we grow,” says Andaleeb Sahar Sayed, Executive Pastry Chef, The Lalit Mumbai. INGREDIENTS 4 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and sliced into rounds Oil for frying 1 cup boiled chickpeas 1 cup plain yogurt ½ cup tamarind chutney ¼ cup finely chopped red onions ¼ cup chopped tomatoes ¼cup chopped fresh coriander leaves 1 tsp roasted cumin powder 1 tsp chaat masala Salt to taste Red chili powder (optional, for extra heat)

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METHOD Heat oil in a pan for frying. Fry the potato slices until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove excess oil by placing them on a paper towel. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt until smooth. Arrange the fried potato slices on a serving plate. Top the potato slices with boiled chickpeas. Drizzle yogurt and tamarind chutney over the potatoes and chickpeas. Sprinkle chopped onions,

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tomatoes, and fresh coriander leaves on top. Sprinkle roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, and salt over the chaat and coriander leaves. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red chili powder. Aloo Tuk Chaat is ready to be served.

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Baked cheesy serrano potatoes with salsa courtesy Prasanta Kumar, Sr. Sous Chef, The Galaxy Club by Brigade Hospitality

Make baked potatoes full of flavor with these Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes with serrano chili, butter, and cream toppings perfect for your chilly winter nights. INGREDIENTS Russet Potatoes 2 nos. Chili One no. Cheddar cheese 100 grams Sour Cream 1 tsp ●

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FOR THE SALSA Tomato 1 no Cilantro a handful Garlic 3-4 Pods Serrano chili 1-2 based on the spice level required. Lemon juice Salt to taste ●

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METHOD To make the salsa, microwave the tomatoes and garlic for 6-8 minutes. Peel the skin and mash them up. Add finely chopped chili, cilantro, lemon juice and salt mix it will until all the flavors are combined well. Make sure you wash the potatoes thoroughly because they are going to be used with the skin on To bake them right, pierce the potatoes all over with a fork or knife. ●

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Microwave the pierced potatoes on high temperature for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Heat or microwave the chili separately, until it is perfectly cooked. Make a slit in the baked potatoes so we can stuff them with toppings. Top it up with chili, cheese, and sour cream.

Smashed Potatoes with Chive Butter courtesy Amandeep Singh, Executive Sous Chef, The Westin Mumbai Garden City

Elevate comfort with Smashed Potatoes with Chive Butter – a symphony of crispy exteriors, fluffy interiors, and the richness of chive-infused butter. This delightful side dish marries the earthy goodness of potatoes with the freshness of chives. Crafted for easy replication, it is a perfect addition to any home cook’s repertoire, offering a harmonious blend of textures and tastes in a delectable treat.

INGREDIENTS Potatoes (4 medium-sized) Butter (4 tbsp) Fresh chives (2 tbsp, finely chopped) Salt (to taste) Black pepper (to taste) ●

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METHOD Start by boiling the potatoes in a large pot until they are fork tender. Drain and let them cool slightly. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the boiled potatoes ●

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on a baking sheet and, using a fork or potato masher, gently smash each potato to flatten it without breaking it apart completely. Melt the butter and stir in the finely chopped fresh chives. Brush the smashed potatoes with the chive-infused butter, ensuring each potato is generously coated. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the potatoes according to taste. Bake in the preheated oven

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for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are crispy and golden. Once out of the oven, drizzle any remaining chive butter over the potatoes for an extra burst of flavor. Serve the smashed potatoes hot, garnished with additional chopped chives if desired. Note: Serve the potatoes immediately to maintain their crispiness.

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