SEEMA July 2024 by SEEMA

PARISBOUND

OLYMPIC HOPEFULS

CHANGING THE MENTAL HEALTH NARRATIVE

+ SOUTH ASIAN JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS

ROHINI

Shaping Narratives, Shattering Ceilings

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

SHARE/ LIKE/ TWEET/ US ON

@seemanetwork

@seemanetworks

@seemanetwork

FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

SEEMA KUMAR

EDITOR

JESSICA DOWNEY

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SAJID MOINUDDIN

DESIGN

HB DESIGN

WRITERS

LINDSEY GALLOWAY

ABHIJIT MASIH

BINDU GOPAL RAO

ELIZABETH MARGLIN

BRAND PARTNERSHIPS, DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY

ANJALI MANIAM

MARKETING

ANNE-LISE CAILLIEZ

SOCIAL MEDIA

KRISSY JADHAV

PHOTO CREDIT FOR COVER AND COVER FEATURE

PHOTOGRAPHER: DINESH AHUJA

@DINESH_AHUJA

SEEMA™ ISSUE 7 | JULY 2024

EMPOWERING SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN GLOBALLY

SEEMA KUMAR, FOUNDER

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Embracing Freedom and Triumph

Welcome to the July issue of SEEMA Magazine! I hope you all enjoyed the fireworks and cookouts on Independence Day and are still savoring the long weekend. For many of us, this holiday in our adopted country holds a special meaning. Over the years, we may have celebrated more July 4ths than the national days of our birth countries, and that is certainly true for me. This celebration of freedom and community has become an integral part of our lives, reminding us of the opportunities and unity we cherish in this great nation.

This month, I’m are thrilled to bring you an array of inspiring stories and pivotal moments that highlight resilience, triumph, and innovation. At the forefront is Rohini Iyer, the dynamic founder of Raindrop Media, now Rain Reign. Her journey through the maledominated entertainment industry is a testament to her resilience and authenticity. Rohini’s unique approach to reputation management, which she calls “image architecture,” has set her apart, earning her

respect and making her a game changer in the Indian entertainment industry.

We also celebrate the historic victory for India as the Men in Blue lifted the ICC World Cup trophy after 13 years. This triumphant moment on June 29, 2024, will be remembered as a glorious chapter in India’s cricketing history, marking the team’s undefeated run in the tournament held in the USA and the Caribbean.

In this issue, we also delve into a topic that has long been shrouded in silence within our communities: mental health. A new generation of South Asian women is courageously changing the narrative, breaking barriers, and fostering open conversations about mental well-being. Their stories are not just tales of personal transformation but also of redefining relationships with their families and themselves.

We also take you on a journey to the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, where history and innovation come alive. Additionally, we

spotlight Poonam Thimmaiah, founder of Maalicious Jewelry, whose mission to empower artisans is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Indian culture and personal resilience.

Lastly, we delve into the realm of organizational effectiveness and leadership advisory with Punita Gandhi. With over two decades of multicultural

experience, Punita advocates for a human-centric approach to navigating the rapid demands and stressors of change, bringing the crucial lens of emotional intelligence into organizations.

We hope these stories inspire and empower you as much as they have inspired me. Enjoy reading!

• Seema Kumar, Founder, SEEMA Network •

M. CLARK VISIONS

Experience

OLYMPICS • CRICKET • TRAVEL

Olympic-Bound

Badminton medalist PV Sindhu is looking to score a third in Paris

World Cup Winners

India wins ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Soaring Through History

Take a trip this summer the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC

OlympicBound

Badminton medalist PV Sindhu is looking to score a third in Paris

Two-time medalist Pusarla V. Sindhu (known as PV) is looking to score her third at this month’s Olympic Games in Paris (also known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad). The badminton standout won her first medal in Rio in 2016 when she scored a silver, becoming the first Indian to win that prize. She followed that performance with a bronze medal in Toyko, making her the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals.

Sindhu is ranked 12th in the world in badminton singles, and she’s battling a down year overall. However, the athlete is hopeful that her experience and hard work will pay off in Paris. She told Sportskeeda: I have learned from my mistakes in recent past. I have to give my 100 percent. Each and every game is crucial, and I don’t want to focus only on winning a medal. I will have to play my best for sure.”

“You need to be smart and really work hard. I feel like I’m getting there. I am not overconfident, but definitely wiser and smarter and hoping to win another medal. It is not impossible to win my third medal in the Olympics.”

PV Sindhu

Here are other Indian Olympic hopefuls to watch:

Lovlina Borgohain

After winning a bronze medal at the Olympics in 2020, the 26-year-old became the third Indian boxer to win a medal at the Olympics. After her weight class was scrapped for this Olympics, she moved up into the 75kg weight class, which she says she prefers. “My performance overall after changing the weight class has been good,” Lovlina told the Press Trust of India. “Winning the World Championship in

the Olympic category was huge. I had to control my weight before [for 69kg], but now I am set in this weight.”

Neeraj Chopra

After winning India’s first track-and-field gold medal in Tokyo, all eyes will be on the reigning Olympic and World champion in men’s javelin throw. After withdrawing from the Paris Diamond League, there was some speculation that Chopra aggravated a recurring abductor injury, but he responded on social media, saying that he’s laser-focused on the the Paris Olympics.

Sift Kaur Samra

The 22-year-old shooting star currently holds the world record in Women’s 50-meter rifle 3 positions final, which she set when she won gold in at the 2022 Asian Games. Last month, she won bronze at the Munich World Cup, missing silver by .1 point to Han Jiayu of China.

World Cup Winners

India wins ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

June 29, 2024, will forever be etched in the memories of Indians as the day India lifted another ICC World Cup trophy after a 13-year hiatus.

The Men in Blue, as they are fondly known, went undefeated in the tournament held in the USA and the Caribbean. This victory ended a long wait for the team and their fans, who last saw India crowned world champions in the 50over format in 2011 under the captaincy of M.S. Dhoni. For Captain Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli, the win was overwhelmingly emotional, as they had carried the burden of expectations for so long. It was particularly poignant after their heartbreak in last year’s One Day World Cup final, where they were defeated by Australia.

However, on June 29, 2024, the emotions were different—they shed tears of joy. Virat Kohli, who had an unforgettable tournament, showcased his class in the final game, giving India a fighting total. South Africa, batting second, seemed to be on course to chase down the target and win the tournament. However, the Indian bowling unit had other plans.

With crucial wickets and stellar death bowling, they ensured the chase fell just seven runs short. Cricket lovers across the country savored every moment of the tournament, which was held for the first time in the USA—a sign of the rising interest in the game here. The success of Team USA, comprised largely of players of South Asian origin, was also heartening, as they reached the Super 8 stage after beating Canada and Pakistan in the group stage.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS - JUNE 29: Rohit Sharma of India celebrate his team’s win over South Africa during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between South Africa and India at Kensington Oval on June 29, 2024 in Bridgetown, Barbados. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Soaring Through History

Take a trip this summer the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills,

NC

by Abhijit Masih

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Outer Banks, NC, the Wright Brothers National Memorial stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of human innovation and the dream of flight. For anyone with a love of history, aviation, or simply the beauty of the coastal Carolinas, a visit to this iconic landmark in Kill Devil Hills is a journey through time and inspiration.

The Birthplace of Flight

On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, made history with the first successful powered flight. Their perseverance, ingenuity, and countless hours of experimentation culminated in a 12-second flight that forever changed the world. Today, the Wright Brothers Memorial honors their achievement and offers visitors a deep dive into the legacy of these pioneering aviators.

What to Expect

Visitor Center: Start your visit at the modern visitor center, where you’ll find detailed exhibits, interactive displays, and a full-scale replica of the 1903 Wright Flyer. The center’s knowledgeable staff and informative presentations provide a comprehensive overview of the Wright brothers’ journey, from their early experiments with kites and gliders to their groundbreaking flights at Kill Devil Hills.

Monument and Memorial: The highlight of the site is the towering granite monument perched atop Big Kill Devil Hill. Climb the winding path to the summit, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the Outer Banks and a close-up look at the monument dedicated to the Wright brothers. This imposing structure, adorned with a powerful inscription, serves as a poignant reminder of their incredible achievement.

First Flight Boulder and Markers: Walk the path of history to the exact location where the first flights took place. Four granite boulders mark the takeoff and landing spots of the historic flights, allowing you to trace the footsteps of Orville and Wilbur as they made their short but monumental journeys into the air.

The Reconstructed Camp Buildings: Explore the reconstructed living quarters and hangar used by the Wright brothers during their time in Kill Devil Hills. These simple wooden structures provide a glimpse into the challenging conditions they faced while conducting their experiments and highlight their unwavering dedication to the pursuit of flight.

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is open yearround, but the best times to visit are in the spring and fall when the weather is mild. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter, though less crowded, can be chilly. Take advantage of the ranger-led tours and educational programs offered throughout the day.

A visit to the Wright Brothers Memorial is more than just a trip to a historic site; it’s an opportunity to connect with the spirit of innovation and perseverance that defines the American experience. As you stand on the hallowed grounds where the dream of flight became reality, you’ll be inspired by the legacy of Orville and Wilbur Wright and their contribution to the progress of humanity. So, pack your bags and set your sights on Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina—the birthplace of powered flight awaits.

Nourish

FARM-TO-TABLE

The Best Summer Eats

The Indian take on farm to table cuisine

Saffron Dreams

The Secrets to the Best Kulfi Ice Cream

Summer Slim Down

Modifying the South Asian Diet to Cut Carbs

The Best Summer Eats

The Indian take on farm to table cuisine

While we enjoy the long, lazy days of summer, mother nature is working overtime. Seasonal produce is in abundance at your local grocer and backyard garden boxes are bountiful. Home cooks and chefs alike let dinner be dictated by what is fresh and available. This is the simple concept of farm- to- table.

Fermenting the Future

The Farm-to-Table restaurant movement is typically credited to California and spots like Alice Water’s famed restaurant Chez Panisse. For decades this style of dining has swept the nation and more recently the globe. Mumbai-based chef, Vanika Choudhary, heads London’s

popular restaurant Noon. Almost a decade ago she quit her job as COO of a media company to create a farm to table movement in Mumbai. Her foray into food, like most chefs, brought her back to her culinary roots and her menus now include items like seasonal achars (pickles) and foraged mushrooms. In 2016, she opened Sequel in Mumbai, which focuses on seasonal organic dishes that play off of her childhood, and early years in Jammu. Now in 2024, Noon’s menu includes up to 150 ferments like miso, garums, anji, or sader kaenz.

She is a true farm to table pioneer forging relationships with local farms including with Ladakh Basket, a Kashmiri social enterprise comprised of 35 women farmers whose produce she features alongside wild foods and foraged items which she feels are crucial to preserving culinary traditions and heritage. She works diligently to share the diverse culinary landscape of Indian cuisine and even includes maps with her menus at Noon for diners to see the origins and influences on their plate. She wants to educate her audience on where their food comes from and was recently quoted by National Geographic as sharing her ethos, “You learn from the past and you ferment the future.”

Global Cuisine Goes Both Ways

Chefs across the United States are often touting global cuisine and diners think this means incorporating Indian, Asian and African flavors and traditions into menus stateside. However, culinary influence also travels from the U.S. to the rest of the world.

The Table restaurant conveniently located behind the Taj Majal in Mubai is the baby of husband-and-wife Gauri Devidayal and Jay Yousuf. The restaurant concept is casual fine dining with a globally inspired menu based on the San Francisco style of farm to table cuisine. They aren’t focused on trending food instead they are looking to what is in season to inspire dishes on the menu. 35 miles from their restaurant they have a personal farm where they grow all sorts of ingredients that can then be found in your lunch or dinner at The Table.

From Sri Lanka to Upstate New York

Hailed as the Hudson Valley’s best Indian Cuisine, Cinnamon, run by Chaminda and Shiwanti Widyarathna,

originally from Sri Lanka and the south of India, serve traditional and modern Indian dishes, with a focus on great service and fresh cuisine in Rhinebeck, NY. Cinnamon’s menu has been described as “unexpected, understated, and fundamentally authentic and they share “Whereas most Indian restaurants ply you with a predictable list of Sub-Continental All Stars, Cinnamon offers a tour of almost every Indian state.”

Their focus on fresh ingredients and the diversity of Indian cuisine has created a buzz and the demand has Shiwanti and Chaminda working to open a second restaurantNirvana Indian Cuisine, in Woodstock, New York so even more diners can indulge in these farm fresh dishes.

Saffron Dreams

The secrets to the best Kulfi ice cream

Ii scream, you scream we all scream for KULFI! I know... swimsuit season, getting healthy, slimming down. But you don’t have to give up your all your favorite desserts. This cold sweet treat is decadent and delicious, and a little goes a long way. There are dozens of versions of Kulfi with recipes ranging in milks, add-ins and serving suggestions. After lots of diligent research (aka taste testing) we discovered the best Kulfi is the one you are eating! But the best ones to make this summer hit these two crucial points:

1. Requires minimal time in the kitchen.

2. Makes enough to share.

That’s it! You can choose your favorite flavors and toppings—for us it’s the simple saffron, cardamom version (aka Malai Kulfi). Here’s a quick and easy recipe for your summer sweet fix.

2 cups double cream (or 1 cup greek yogurt and 1 cup heavy cream)

¼ cup (60 ml) condensed milk

¼ tsp Saffron strands (Kesar)

2 teaspoons ground cardamom

½ cup chopped almonds and pistachios, plus more for sprinkling on top 1-2 Tablespoons edible rose petals, optional

In a pot add one cup of the double cream, condensed milk, saffron and cardamom and bring to a boil. Remove and let sit for 10 minutes. Strain.

While that is cooling take the other cup of double cream and whip to stiff peaks. Add the condensed milk, and fold in the chopped nuts and 1 tablespoon of the rose petals. Place into individual ramekins or ice cream dishes or a loaf pan lined with plastic wrap.

Freeze for ive hours or overnight. Serve with a sprinkling of nuts and rose petals on top for garnish. If you used a loaf pan mold you should turn it over and remove the plastic and slice with a sharp, hot knife and serve immediately. Craving more Kulfi? Get creative and try these other flavors:

Saffron and Pistachio Kulfi, Paan Kulfi, Almond and Raisin Kulfi, Chocolate Kulfi, Coconut Kulfi, Cardamom Kulfi, Mixed Fruit Kulfi

Summer Slim Down

Modifying the South Asian Diet to Cut Carbs

With the summer sunshine inevitably comes swimsuits, less layers of clothing and the annual conversation of slimming down. While body positive images and conversation have become more mainstream many of us still try to keep health and fitness at the forefront of our food focus.

Unfortunately, some of our beloved Indian dishes like pakoras, dosa, roti and not mention RICE prove Indian cuisine is rich and rich in carbs. So what is a hungry girl to do?

Carb Counting Works

The new book, Carbohydrate Counting: Traditional South Asian Food Lists for Management and Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus by Ashwini Wagle, Ed.D, MS, RD, Professor and Department Chairperson of Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging at the San Jose State University (SJSU) in California, is filled with informative and manageable suggestions for diabetes management for the South Asian community. It’s pages are filled with 16 years of research including detailed carbohydrate counts for a wide range of traditional Indian foods, appropriate portion sizes, and suggestions for meal management so we can all make informed dietary choices for our next lunch or dinner.

She says understanding carb counts is key. We can’t manage our diets until we know the carb counts of our favorite foods items like aloo-methi, dosa with podi and chutney, lamb keema matar and many, many more. It’s easy to navigate with sections broken down into the food groups that contain carbohydrates such as breads, cereals, grains, starchy vegetables, non-starchy vegetables, fruits and dairy.

Don’t fret getting healthy and slimming down your carb count does not mean giving up all your favorite items. This book helps you make informed choices and be more intentional about what you pop in your mouth. It’s simply sharing a smarter outlook and one that is sure to keep you healthier this summer.

Prosper

JEWELRY • INVESTING • JUDGES

From Tech to Timeless

How one founder empowers artisans through jewelry

Seed Round

A new fund aims to empower South Asian founders

Judge of Character

New judicial appointments are making state history for South Asians

From Tech to Timeless

How one founder empowers artisans through jewelry

by Abhijit Masih

Poonam Thimmaiah’s love for beauty and craft started early, and was nurtured by a rich tapestry of culture. “I was born and brought up in India, and every three years, my dad would get transferred, so we went from one city to another,” she says. “I had this unique opportunity to experience different states, different cultures, and learn about handicrafts and art forms that come from each state in India.”

This upbringing instilled in her a profound appreciation for Indian craftsmanship, which now breathes life into her jewelry designs as the founder of Maalicious Jewelry.

But the journey wasn’t always easy. Her foray into design only came after suffering a personal tragedy and a quest for healing. “I was working for JPMorgan Chase, and I was 37 weeks pregnant. One day, I couldn’t feel the movement, and sadly, we got to know that there was no heartbeat,” she recounts. “It was definitely one of the toughest, most heartbreaking moments of my life. But I took that heartbreak and I turned it into art”

During her maternity leave, Poonam channeled her grief into creativity. “I was on maternity leave, but without a baby, we tried to travel a little bit to keep my mind occupied. I ordered a bunch of things on Etsy, like beads, and I wanted to create,” she says. “Three months later, I had a small collection that my friends loved.”

Though she returned to her tech job and became pregnant again, the seed for Maalicious had been planted. Her research and connection with artisans began in earnest in April 2018, marking the inception of her brand.

Poonam’s foray into the jewelry business was driven by passion rather than formal training. “I don’t come from a jewelry background. I didn’t study jewelry. It was born out of passion,” she explains. She collaborates closely with artisans, particularly in Jaipur, to bring her visions to life, drawing designs and sending them to be crafted. This process not only empowers her but also allows her to represent her cultural heritage through her pieces. “I’m much happier and passionate about what I do now. I love that I’m representing and showing my culture to the world.”

Her designs are a blend of tradition and modernity, aimed at preserving age-old techniques while catering to contemporary women. “We have these communities in India that have done these art forms for generations. I wanted this old charm way of making things slowly, by hand, where no two pieces look alike,” she says. “That’s the beauty of it—the imperfection tells the story of the art and the artisan.”

The brand was showcased at New York Fashion Week in September 2020, just a month after Poonam delivered her second son. “To be validated as an artist and to have my pieces showcased on such a platform, and to represent my cultural heritage, was a big deal for me,” she says. “It validated our quality and craftsmanship.”

Despite the challenges of navigating the fashion world as an immigrant and a person of color, Poonam remains steadfast. “Every day is a challenge, especially because I come from a tech background,” she says. “But I want to be a global brand known for Indian workmanship. I’m ready to wait for the glory of it.”

Seed Round

A new fund aims to empower South Asian founders

In the fast-paced world of tech investing, a new player has carved out a unique investment thesis. The Neythri Futures Fund, a sister organization to Neythri. org, is revolutionizing the investment landscape by putting South Asian women at the forefront.

This fund invests in female founders and diverse founding teams building innovative tech-enabled solutions for the global market. What sets it apart? South Asian women are the key investors and stakeholders. “When we educate, engage and support women to their fullest potential, we unleash not just their individual potential, but also that of their families, communities and businesses,” says Silvia Ahmed, vice president of Engineering at Veritas.

The fund’s mission is clear: to offer South Asian women the opportunity to expand their knowledge base, amplify their influence, and strengthen their financial position by entering the investment arena. The fun accomplishes both advancing the representation of South Asian women investors and supporting more diverse teams of entrepreneurs.

With a focus on tech and tech-enabled companies, the Neythri Futures Fund plans to make 15 to 20 investments

in US-based companies with large market potential. They’re looking for founding teams with strong execution records and are stage-agnostic, meaning they’re open to investing in companies at various stages of development.

“As an entrepreneur, I’ve faced innumerable challenges as a South Asian woman trying to access funds,” says Padma Subramanian, CEO of Fyrii.ai and an investor in the fund. “I want to be there for other women in a similar situation.”

The fund also leverages its biggest asset - the Neythri Community, a network of over 1,800 South Asian professional women, which provides expertise and community to startup founders and fellow investors. Learn more at neythri.org.

Only 1 in every 400 VC

Partners in the US is a South Asian Woman

Judge of Character

In courtrooms across America, a quiet but steady change has been taking place. South Asian women are ascending to the bench in unprecedented numbers, bringing diversity, unique perspectives, and a wealth of experience to the judicial system. Here are some of the latest history-making appointments:

Nevada. In June of this year, Governor Joe Lombardo appointed Tina Talim to the Eighth Judicial District Court in Nevada. Talim, an immigrant from India who arrived in the United States as a young child, has become the first South Asian person to hold a judicial position in the state.

“I am deeply honored to serve as a judge and grateful for this opportunity,” Talim said in a recent announcement. “This milestone not only represents personal achievement but also showcases the increasing diversity within our judicial system.”

Washington, DC Appointed to the District Court in December 2023,

New judicial appointments are

making state history for South Asians

Loren AliKhan became the woman to serve on the federal trial court in the District of Columbia. Her appointment is part of an ongoing string of historic appointments to federal positions, where positions have typically been overwhelmingly white and male, but a priority has finally been put on professional, gender, and racial diversity. San Francisco.

In 2022, Roopali Desai was named the first ever South Asian to serve on the Ninth Circuit Federal Appeals Court, based in San Francisco. Desai made a name for herself fighting against election lawsuits in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. “Roopali represents what’s best of America and the qualities needed of a federal judge: hard work, service, and commitment to our Constitution,” said Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema. “As I shepherded Roopali’s nomination through the Senate, I highlighted her personal values and professional experience—and ultimately the Senate agreed with me, earning overwhelming bipartisan support for her confirmation.”

Indulge

FASHION • EYEBROWS • CULTURAL CLOTHING

East-MeetsWest Sensibility

Fashion brand Noori empowers both its artisans and its wearers

Free the Brow

3 products built to wow

Taking a Fashion

Stand

Creators push back against a mislabeled “European” trend

East-Meets-West Sensibility

Fashion brand Noori empowers both its artisans and its wearers

Noori, a fashion brand founded by Reshma Mistry, brings together the intricate textiles and unique designs of South Asian fashion with the crisp silhouettes and approachability of Western style. The brand’s name, which means “light” in Arabic, reflects Mistry’s journey in the fashion industry and her mission to empower women through fashion.

Growing up in England and New York, Mistry

found ways to incorporate her South Asian heritage into her wardrobe with vibrant accessories and outerwear. After studying Fashion Merchandising Management at the Fashion Institute of Technology and spending a decade in various roles within the industry, she launched Noori in 2021 amidst a global pandemic and personal life transitions.

Noori’s fusion-wear and accessories are designed to be multi-functional, approachable, timeless, and sustainable. Each piece is created to be a wardrobe anchor that women can wear both for everyday and extraordinary occasions. The brand’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its smallbatch production and mindful practices.

Beyond creating beautiful and versatile clothing, Noori champions a holistic approach to

empowering women. The brand’s Saheli Collection is produced in collaboration with Saheli Women, an ethical fashion organization that empowers women artisans in Kali Beri, India. Through this partnership, artisans receive skills training, a living wage, and access to health programs for themselves and their families.

As a designer, Mistry weaves her extensive experience in the industry, passion for true representation, and commitment to approachable fusion-wear into each Noori design. She often finds herself inspired by her daughters. “They were looking to me for guidance on all things fashion and self-expression; and I wanted to create something they could be proud of,” says Mistry. “I smile whenever I imagine my daughters opening their closets and reaching for a Noori piece, in any stage of their lives.”

Free the Brow

products built to wow

Gone are the days of taming, plucking, and hiding our natural brows. A new wave of beauty brands are celebrating the diversity and beauty of South Asian features—especially bold, untamed eyebrows.

Kulfi’s founder Priyanka Ganjoo was inspired to create products like their Free The Brow styling and conditioning gel after years of feeling pressured to conform to narrow Western beauty standards that didn’t embrace her natural hair and features. “It took a lot of unlearning for me to embrace my hair like that, which led to Free The Brow,” she shares.

“It doesn’t just make your brows beautiful and look laminated, but it actually supports and nourishes your brows.”

Here are some of our favorite products built to create brows that wow.

Shu Uemeura Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil

A crowd favorite in the Seal Brown and Stone colors, this eyebrow pencil is adored for its ability to fill in brows without looking overly waxy. The powderperfect formula also lasts without smudging or smearing.

$28, shuuemeura.com

Kulfi Free the Brow

This nourishing brow gel delivers a firm but flexible hold for effortless shaping. Vitamin E, sunflower oil, and safflower oil blend condition hair, while hibiscus promotes fullerlooking brows. The laminating effect adds volume for the perfect shape that lasts up to eight hours.

$26, kulfibeauty.com

Mauli’s Grow Strong Brow Oil

Nurture and strengthen your brows with this potent blend of Ayurvedic herbs. Brahmi, bhringraj, amla, and rosemary stimulate growth, while vitamin E adds luster. The nourishing rollerball applicator also revitalizes follicles.

$46, maulirituals.com

In fashion, there always exists a thin line between appreciation and appropriation. But a recent trend on TikTok saw South Asian women quickly calling out the latter when it came to other creators showcasing (and mislabeling) the dupatta. In a nowdeleted video by fashion rental company Bipty, a white creator described a South Asian dupatta look as “very European.”

The dupatta, a shawl-like scarf worn draped across the shoulders, is a quintessential element of South Asian women’s attire, often part of the shalwar kameez outfit. Adorned with intricate embroidery or worn as a simple cloth, the dupatta has deep cultural significance that extends beyond mere fashion.

In the wake of Bipty’s mischaracterization, South Asian creators on TikTok united to reclaim their heritage. Women proudly shared videos of their “Very European OOTDs,” (outfit of the days) sarcastically showcasing traditional South Asian clothing like vibrant shalwar kameez paired with elegant dupattas.

This trend highlights an alltoo-familiar pattern of cultural appropriation, where elements of South Asian culture, from yoga to fashion, are co-opted by Western brands without understanding or crediting their origins. The aesthetic is often perceived negatively when worn by South Asians, only to be deemed trendy when donned by white women.

Taking Fashiona Stand

Creators push back against a mislabeled “European” trend

“There is a difference between appreciation and appropriation, and the distinction is clear to me: Appreciation acknowledges the origin and pays homage to it, while appropriation acts as though the item at hand is wholly original,” wrote Radhika Menon in Marie Claire. “Had Bipty researched the dupatta’s South Asian origins and concluded the look was ‘chic,’ the reaction may have been entirely different.”

but also frequently talk Desi fashion and style: @hennabysabeen @daivifromkajustudios @zahra.omarji

TikTok Fashion Creators to Follow: These creators recently weighed in on the controversy,

Breathe

EVEREST • HEART STUDY • CRICKET

•Reaching the Top

Nepal’s Phunjo Lama reclaims her title as the fastest female Everest summiter

A Matter of the Heart

How one doctor’s father inspires her research

Crazy for Cricket

The sport back in the global spotlight

Keeping An Open Mind

Nepal’s Phunjo Lama reclaims her title as the fastest female Everest summiter

Anew generation of South Asian women are changing the narrative when it comes to mental health. Here are their stories, showcasing how they changed their relationship with their families, themselves, and how they’re paving the way forward for future generations.record, set by Ada Tsang in 2021.

Lama had previously set a record with her summit in 2018, making the roundtrip journey in just over 39 hours. Records aren’t what motivates her, however, but rather a love for the landscape. Long a mountaineering guide for other summiters, Lama grew up living at 4500m above sea level in Nepal’s remote Tsum Valley until she moved to Kathmandu as a teen.

“Mountains are my playground and my home,” she recently told CNN. “A mountain never says that you are a woman and you are a man. Which is why I like mountains, because a mountain is always equal.”

A Matter of the Heart

How one doctor’s father inspires her research

When Latha Palaniappan was just 13 years old, her father died of a heart attack at only age 39. That loss has driven her to become one of the world’s leading researchers working to uncover the disparities in heart health when it comes to underrepresented groups, especially Asian Americans. Now an internal medicine doctor and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University in California, Dr. Palaniappan

“I am motivated every day by what happened to my father and my family, and I want to make sure that other families don’t experience early heart disease,” Dr. Palaniappan recently shared with the American Heart Associations. I find this is particularly devastating to immigrant and minority families.”

Her frustration is well-rooted: Despite the fact that Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the US and comprise more than 40 ethnicities, health research often lumps these groups together, which masks risks and possible treatment insights. Not only that but funds for Asian Health research sit at an anemic 0.2% of total funding from the National Institutes of Health.

That can leave doctors like her feeling frustrated when it comes to prescribing drugs and treatment options. “I still find myself frustrated as a physician that when I have patients from historically underrepresented groups, all of the data that I use to inform my treatment decisions are on white populations,” she explains. “There are known differences in drug metabolism, outcomes and side effects, and I often feel like I’m flying blind.”

Still, she finds hope in some of the latest cohorts of studies including the OurHealth study, focused on the heart health and genetic information of South Asian adults, and the MOSAAIC study, which will follow 10,000 Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults over time to discover predictors of cardiovascular disease. “No one researcher or institution can solve this problem alone,” she says. “It’s so important that we collaborate to create precision health for the next generation.”

80% of genetic studies are performed in white European populations, even though they represent only 16% of the global population. 25% of the global population is South Asian, but genetic data remains scarce.

Crazy for Cricket

The sport is back in the global spotlight

During this year’s T20 Cricket World Cup, Team USA pulled off a shocking victory over rival Pakistan—bringing newfound global attention to the beloved sport. But the game’s popularity has already seen positive momentum—especially among women and girls around the world.

According to Cricket Australia, participation among women and girls in cricket clubs was up 26 per cent last season, with more than 50,000 registering to play. In England and Wales, more than 700 new women’s and girls’ cricket teams were created in 2023. In India, last year saw the first women’s cricket league created with equal status to the men—and the sport has proved as popular as ever, with matches drawing crowds of more than 30,000.

“Sport can be a great enabler for equality,” said Sachin Tendulkar, a well known male cricketer who went viral after posting a video of girls and boys playing cricket together. Mithali Raj, one of the world’s top paid cricketers who’s now

retired, recently applauded a landmark decision to pay women and men equally for contracted matches. “Since 2017, one can see that women’s cricket has grown not just in terms of standards, but also viewership and the amount of people who are keen to follow women cricket,” she told Hindustan Times. “Women’s cricket has its own fan base and can now be a sustainable career.”

The sport will see even more time in the spotlight as it will return to the 2028 Olympics for the first time since the 1900 Paris Olympics, with six men’s teams and six women’s teams going for the gold.

July 26, 1745

The first recorded cricket match between women

PHOTO CREDIT FOR FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHER: @DINESH AHUJA

The Rep Architect

Rohini Iyer is the dynamic founder of Raindrop Media, a pioneering reputation management company that started as a small venture and has grown into a conglomerate known as Rain Reign. Rohini’s journey through the male-dominated entertainment industry was fraught with challenges, but her resilience and authenticity helped her carve out a significant space. She has worked with many celebrities and built meaningful relationships that have been pivotal to her success. Her approach to reputation management—what she calls “image architecture”—emphasizes authenticity and has set her apart in the industry. Rohini’s work ethic and honesty have earned her both challenges and respect, making her a game changer in the Indian entertainment industry.

• Abhijit Masih •

D•escribe the conception of Rainddrop Media and how were the initial days?

R aindrop Media started out of a coffee shop literally. I had a business partner for the first year, Rahila Mirza, filmmaker Aziz Mirza’s daughter. But she moved on to Dubai and I took over the company which had a staff of two people and then went on to build a group of companies called Rain Reign. Rahila used to joke, “Iyer, you’re a machine and I cannot work like you.” I have fond memories of my initial days. I will always hold some people special and dear to my heart as they worked and believed in me when I was just starting out. There are multiple actors, superstars in their own right who stood by me at that point when I was a newbie. Honestly, there are so many memorable individuals I’ve worked with over the past 20 years who’ve shaped my identity and been instrumental in my growth and success that it would take an entire book to list them all. We’ve been part of each other’s high and lows, we have laughed, fought like children, cried, and celebrated together. I’ve been bridesmaids to some of them in their weddings; we have seen each other through it all.

What were the initial challenges for a young woman in a male dominated industry? W hen I started two decades ago, the industry was very much a boys’ club. The big decisions were made by men, the studios were run by men, and it was

“

My first major break came with the film “Main Hoon Na”. I owe a great deal to Shahrukh Khan and Farah Khan for trusting a young 20-yearold with such a mammoth project.”

predominantly a male-dominated environment. Entering this environment as a spunky girl who spoke her mind and successfully setting up multiple businesses has been my biggest achievement. It was a time when, if you didn’t get along with a key player or a big hero, you wouldn’t get work. It wasn’t just about your ability; it was also about dealing with egos and being a yes person. If the hero didn’t like you, you didn’t get chosen for projects, regardless of your talent or qualifications. Despite all these challenges, I managed to stand my ground. I said no when necessary, picked my battles, burned a few big bridges, but also built meaningful relationships along the way.

How did you navigate these roadblocks?

I managed to break through these barriers, not just by conforming but by being true to myself. I took risks, stood up for what I believed in, and made my mark in a highly competitive and challenging environment. It is this journey of a young girl who always dreamt impossible dreams and worked towards making them come true. I fought some dragons along the way and that’s what I consider my greatest achievement.

What sets you apart in reputation management and how do you maintain the standards of excellence in this particular field?

To explain in the larger sense of everything, I would like to call it not just reputation management, but image architecture. It’s like constructing an image from scratch, and basically making sure

that the real authenticity of the person comes through. But at the same time you’re building an image, you’re crafting something new for them. And that’s what we excel in and that’s what my first company has been good at.

How do you create this architecture of the image? What are the processes involved in that?

T he only secret is to be yourself. It’s like acting; the camera catches you, when you are doing a false emotion. It’s likewise in an image. If something is fake, if something is unauthentic, you will be caught. So it’s always better to own up to everything. Good, bad, ugly, doesn’t matter. You just have to be yourself. And I think people will just love you for that.

What has been your biggest achievement?

M y biggest achievement is achieving success on my own terms. When I started out, I was an industry outsider with no connections, no family helping me, and no one recommending me for anything. I started my startup company, Raindrop Media, India’s first reputation management company, two decades ago when I was barely 20. I had no money in my pocket or connections, but I always dreamed impossible dreams. What started out as one small business today is a group of five companies encompassing the multiverse of entertainment. Raindrop Media, which was a drop in the entertainment sector, has evolved into a group of companies called Rain Reign.

•

“I took risks, stoodupfor what I believed in, and made mymarkina highlycompetitive andchallenging environment.”

Who are some of the most memorable celebrities you’ve worked with and why?

I have had the privilege of working with almost everyone in the Indian film industry. This includes actors, studios, fashion brands, directors, filmmakers, and even those who have crossed over to Hollywood. I first started my career

with reputation management, but the business evolved into multiple other companies and roles. I started out building their image; today my companies are responsible for building their empires. My first major break came with the film “Main Hoon Na”. I owe a great deal to Shahrukh Khan and Farah Khan for trusting a young 20-year-old with such a mammoth project. Working with Shahrukh Khan is a dream debut for anyone, not just me. ‘Main Hoon Na’ also became my go to line, it defines what I do. Every time anyone needed me or had a crisis, I would be like “Main Hoon Na”. The film made me who I am and from there, there was no looking back. Post that, I immediately worked with Mani Ratnam on “Yuva” and the late acclaimed painter MF Hussain on his directorial venture, “Meenaxi.”

Amongst the stars you’ve worked with, who do you find the most inspiring? I f I had to pick someone who’s inspired me, there’s my incredible friend and a force of nature, Priyanka Chopra Jonas. I knew Priyanka from her first film. We have seen each other’s journey. We used to meet socially but we started working together much later in our career, maybe 12 years ago. She’s a powerhouse and we have worked together fabulously over the years because we are both strong minded and ambitious and are not apologetic about having an opinion. It has been incredible to witness her growth and success and everything she has achieved. I am immensely proud of her, not just as a professional, but as a human being. She’s rock solid. I rarely look up to anyone; I’m arrogant like that, but she’s someone I truly respect and admire.

What’s the biggest challenge in working with Bollywood stars?

T he biggest challenge for me has been my bluntness and honesty. Not many people are used to hearing the unvarnished truth. This isn’t specific to Bollywood or

Hollywood; it’s a universal human trait. People generally don’t like to hear the truth or have someone call a spade a spade. This straightforwardness has always been my biggest challenge, but it has also been my greatest victory. As much as people might get upset with my bluntness and honesty initially, they eventually come back and tell me that this very quality is what helped them grow. Being honest and direct has sometimes caused friction, but in the long run, it has built trust and respect, making it a fundamental aspect of my success in this industry.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I always believe that if you find the work you love, you’ll never have to work another day in your life. For me, this isn’t just a job; it’s actually a paid holiday. Each day, I wake up with excitement and determination, eager to see what challenges and opportunities lie ahead. This constant sense of adventure and purpose is what makes my work so fulfilling. The thrill of starting each day with a new goal and the passion to achieve it is truly the most rewarding

aspect of my career. Waking up every day with this determination and enthusiasm is what keeps me motivated and driven. It’s not just about the accomplishments or milestones; it’s about the journey and the continuous growth that comes with it. This mindset transforms my work into a never-ending adventure, making each day more exciting than the last.

How do you identify and seize opportunities?

We’ve been a kind of a game changer in terms of the actors we’ve handled. We’ve been a game changer in terms of the filmmakers and the studios, we’ve advised, even in terms of new people. We started a company called Raindrop Alterego, much before the wave of OTT happened. I saw it coming and we launched that company where we nurture talent for pure OTT. So that was a success story. I also build businesses, not just actors. We always say that we don’t build businesses, we build empires. So every single thing that we have done has been successful. I know it sounds a bit arrogant, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean, if I didn’t do this to

the 100% of my capacity, I would feel I failed and I don’t like failing. I don’t like plan B, for me there’s only Plan A.

What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs who want to make a mark in the field of reputation management?

W hen I was starting out, I was a kid from nowhere, an outsider. I was a South Indian from a South Indian conservative family, nothing to do with the world of entertainment or even a corporate background for that matter. I was so new and I had no mentors. I could only rely on myself; I was only learning everything through trial and error. Women specially need to know that ambition is a damn good word. My advice is that ambition is the best thing you can have. And anybody who makes you feel small for it, run away from that person. Second thing I would like to tell people is that always, always, always make sure you’re worth it. You have to know what you bring on the table. We come from this conditioning, that oh my god, how do I ask for this? These are things that I feel every woman needs to deal with. Understand and know what she’s worth and make sure that she gets paid for it. I would like every girl to know this and every girl to hopefully follow this.

You’ve expanded globally. What opportunities and challenges do you foresee in navigating the international entertainment market?

E very time you try to do something new, it always feels like starting from scratch. And the only good thing I’ve learned in all these years of my experience as an entrepreneur is that you should just keep your ego aside and be willing to learn, be a student. And if you’re a student, the teacher appears. Maybe a couple of years back, it would have been a little more challenging. But now, I do feel that India is such a superpower that all eyes are on India, and everyone is crazy about the world of Bollywood. There has been so much of representation, that I feel the world has opened up for India, and it’s a great time. There’s so much that we can offer today that I feel I’m in the right place at the right time.

RAPID FIRE WITH THE RAINMAKER

WHICH PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

I never find myself completely satisfied with any project. I’m always looking forward to the next challenge. I’m right now expanding my business operations into the US, largely Hollywood, and that’s something I’m most excited about.

YOUR OBSESSION?

I might sound like a typical Gen Alpha teenager, but I have an obsessive relationship with my phone. Because of this, I’m probably one of the fastest to reply to emails and messages.

FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO?

“Khud Ko Kar Buland Itna, Ki Khuda Bhi Tujhse Aake Pooche, Bataa Teri Razaa Kya Hai” (Make yourself so strong and invincible that even God comes down and asks, ‘What is your wish, my dear?) This quote inspires me to strive for greatness and resilience in all my endeavors.

FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME?

It would be “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” I have a girl crush on Audrey Hepburn. Watching it is like my happy place; I just love everything about it.

FAVORITE FOOD?

Indian anytime. I love Punjabi food. I’m a Punjabi at heart.

FAVORITE BOOK?

The Fountain Head by Ayn Rand. I’ve been very, very influenced by it. A lot of arrogance, audacity, gumption and the cheekiness and everything that the main character has, I kind of sponged off on it since I was a child.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION?

Paris. I’m obsessed with Paris. It’s one of my favorite places in the world because for some reason, it rejuvenates me. It just makes me come alive.

ONE THING THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?

My mom. I’m obsessed with her. I cannot live without her.

DEAD OR ALIVE, WITH WHOM WOULD YOU HAVE DINNER WITH?

Coco Chanel. She was such a rebel. She was an iconoclast. She was unique.

FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING?

I have one white suit jacket that I’m obsessed with. It’s called the smoking jacket. It was one of the old vintage YSL pieces.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

Always with a book. Sometimes I’m reading two or three books at one time. So that’s one of my favorite activities. The second is - movies.

A Beautiful Mind

A new generation of South Asian women are changing the narrative when it comes to mental health. Here are their stories, showcasing how they changed their relationship with their families, themselves, and how they’re paving the way forward for future generations.

• Lindsey Galloway •

Finding My Voice (And Uplifting Others)

BY PRIYA NALKUR

Let me be frank: South Asian culture is not known for paying attention to (let alone nurturing) mental health. It’s not known to be a culture where emotions are discussed and processed; where vulnerability is encouraged; or where therapy is endorsed. Our culture is known for putting on a brave face in the wake of the storm. We are a culture of showing the world one thing but feeling something completely different. In fact, mental health was at one time stigmatized in my culture; there was, and I think still is, deep shame associated with depression and anxiety. Thankfully, a generational shift is occurring alongside the increasing waves of migration between South Asia and North America that is sparking a blend of values, one that is more accepting of mental health among South Asians.

One significant cultural hurdle I’ve faced is the clash between the South Asian traditional expectations and the values prevalent in my North American surroundings. Balancing familial expectations rooted in centuriesold customs with the individualism and independence characteristic of North American culture presents conflicting priorities. Finding my voice and asserting my choices while respecting my heritage has required constant negotiation and introspection. One way that I successfully navigated this tension was to couple my interest in mental health with academic achievement. South Asian culture, particularly South Asian immigrants, values educational attainment and professional success. My interest and commitment to mental health was accepted and even celebrated by my family and culture when I completed my doctorate in psychology from Harvard University. It’s rewarding and humbling to know

that my work as a coach and psychologist has given other young South Asian women permission to pursue their interests in mental health.

What’s more though, is the stereotypes and misconceptions about South Asian women that have sometimes felt like additional barriers. The unspoken expectation to conform to narrow, often exoticized or misrepresented images in mainstream media can overshadow our diverse identities and achievements. Overcoming these stereotypes and asserting my multifaceted identity as a South Asian woman in a global context has been an ongoing effort, requiring me to challenge preconceptions and advocate for authentic representation. My work as a psychologist today is to uplift voices of South Asian women and other underrepresented communities, and to help build workplaces where we can be who we are at our core. On this journey, I’ve worked consistently with a therapist, herself South Asian, to understand and overcome the effects of implicit bias and discrimination against South Asians in North America. It is a never-ending journey, and I’m thankful to have a therapist who can relate to my cultural identity.

Exploring these cultural landscapes through deep process work has strengthened my sense of self. It has emboldened me to advocate for mental health in the South Asian community, to share the story of my own mental health journey (which appears in my new book, Stumbling Towards Inclusion: Finding Grace in Imperfect Leadership), and to be in community with others on their own journeys towards well-being and self-discovery. I’ve learned the importance of resilience, cultural pride, and embracing the complexities that define who I am.

Stepping Outside the Lines

BY PRIANCA NAIK

Mental health was never a priority growing up. Getting good grades and appearing perfect so that my parents would have answers that fit the expectations of other South Asians who might ask how I was doing in school, where I was going to college, or what I was doing with my career.

When issues from eating disorders to underage drinking came up, the response would be “That’s an American issue. Indians don’t have that problem.” Going to therapy really wasn’t a thing, and I didn’t understand anything about mental health until college because it was never discussed or acknowledged.

But I eventually realized that my parents, aunts, and uncles did not

have the answers to everything and they themselves were just figuring it out. I began to learn to love myself and get clear on what I really wanted apart from how I’d been programmed.

Even today, thinking outside the box and pursuing a career outside medicine makes people in general uncomfortable, stepping outside my label as a doctor. But for other women, I’d say don’t be ashamed or afraid to get help from a professional, be it a life coach or therapist. Doing the work on ourselves is the key to a happier life and breaking the cycle of generational trauma.

For tips on how to get out of survival mode and end burnout, Naik runs The Empowering Working Moms Podcast at stresscleansemd.com.

“When issues from eating disorders to underage drinking came up, the response would be ‘That’s an American issue. Indians don’t have that problem.’ Going to therapy really wasn’t a thing.”

Trusting Your Inner Wisdom

BY YASHI SRIVASTAVA

The first time I actively started thinking about mental health was in 2012, when despite professional and financial success, I found myself lonely, miserable, and burnt out. The biggest challenge was that I didn’t even know what I had missed — good grades and a well-paying job was supposed to be the key to happiness. Why wasn’t I happy after accomplishing all that?

That was a turning point. Then onwards, I have spent much of my life figuring out what actually makes us happy. I even went back to school to study positive psychology (aka the science of happiness.) One major realization was that mental health is not just the absence of mental illness. Just as a person without a physical illness is not necessarily fit and healthy, a person may be struggling even if they don’t have a mental illness.

Learning what mental health is, and how to cultivate it, has been a long — and ongoing — journey for me. In the process, I have left a corporate career for a more balanced, fulfilling role as a positive psychology coach, worked on improving my closest relationships, including the one I have with myself, and pursue lifelong creative dreams like writing more and sharing my knowledge with the world.

We often don’t know the extent to which social and cultural factors drive our life. My pursuit of professional success at the cost of my health and well-being was a result of social programming, but I didn’t realize that for a long time. For instance, here are some messages that permeated my life while growing up in a small town in India in the 1990s:

• “Science is where good careers exist. Don’t switch to Arts and Humanities!”

• “Work hard in school and in your career. That’s the key to having a good life.”

• “Look at him! He has found a pretty good (read: wellpaying) job! He is going to live such a wonderful life!”

I pushed myself to prepare for engineering entrance exams even though I didn’t have much interest or aptitude for engineering. Luckily, I failed all those exams. My peers went on to become doctors and engineers and without the peer pressure, I felt free to study what I actually wanted: Psychology. In retrospect, I can’t be grateful enough for that because I truly love psychology and that one decision has led to many more wonderful experiences over the years, leading me to find joy, fulfillment, and meaning in my professional life.

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone and it’s not your fault. Factors beyond your control have played a big role in bringing you to this point. Don’t beat yourself up for your struggles. That rarely helps.

There is no shame in asking for help. It doesn’t make you weak or selfish or a burden on others. All of us are human. All of us need help. Reach out to a friend. Find a therapist. Work with a coach. All the breakthroughs that I’ve had in my own journey of well-being have involved talking to someone else. We can’t do this alone. We’re not meant to.

Listen to your inner voice of wisdom. All of us have it. It is often quiet but calm, clear, wise, and compassionate. There is so much noise out there in the world about what you should do and be. It can be overwhelming. Anchoring yourself in your inner wisdom can help you navigate the noise and the overwhelm with more ease.

Reach out to Yashi at yashi@yashisrivastava. com.

“There is no shame in asking for help. It doesn’t make you weak or selfish or a burden on others. All of us are human. All of us need help.”

Healing Across Heritages

Founder of Brown Girl Therapy, the first and largest community organization for children of immigrants, Sahaj Kohli has long offered a healing space for people to work through the complications of mental health in unique cultural contexts. Her new book But What Will People Say? tackles cultural specificity in therapy and mental health, and offers real-world guidance for people looking to change the conversation with themselves and their families.

In the book, you explain how traditional mental health models are largely eurocentric and focused on individuality. Can you speak more on this lack of additional perspectives in mental health resources? If you think about the history of Western wellness and therapy, it was created by White people (mainly men) who historically were members of communities and cultures that espouse individualism. Embedded in the foundation of research and mental health knowledge is the idea that there are specific and “right” ways to heal and exist in your relationships and life. For example, enmeshment is considered bad in Western narratives around wellness but enmeshment may have been a protective factor for immigrants who relied on being insular with their family and cultural community to protect themselves from assimilation and harm from the dominant society.

Yes, boundaries are great, navigating guilt is important, reflecting on your people-pleasing behaviors is wonderful. But this doesn’t look the same for everyone nor are the same factors at play. So if you are reading and consuming content, or working with a therapist who isn’t culturally-inclusive, then you may constantly feel like you are the problem or are unworthy of quality mental health care.

How do you challenge these practices to create an inclusive space where everyone can begin to heal?

While I believe in the power of therapy, there’s still a limit. Talk therapy, the act of talking about your feelings and experiences, can help people to process but only under the systems they still exist in—the same systems that may be causing harm, discrimination, historical oppression, and so on. Simply put: The work can only be done on an individual level up until a point.

Not everyone has the same background, family dynamics, narratives around wellness, or privileges, and these are all important factors to consider when exploring what “being well” means. These factors at play can be as general as gender and socioeconomic class, and as specific as birth order and city of origin.

In the book, you include reflection questions and conversation prompts. When do you know a relationship is able to handle this type of honest discourse? Everyone’s in a different place in their journey which is why my tips, reflection questions, and prompts vary in language and in foundational knowledge. Some people may not be able to have the big hard conversation about their mental health issues with a parent yet, but that doesn’t mean they can’t begin to approach the way they communicate with their parents slightly different. Nothing changes unless something changes, and my hope is that with all the tools and tips I offer in this book, a reader will find something that can help them look at their life and relationships from a different and new perspective.

What is your advice to immigrant parents who may pick this book up?

It’s important to carry nuance while reading this book. This book is not

categorizing immigrant parents as antagonists and if anything feels triggering or like an attack, I encourage you to sit with and reflect on that more deeply. Often, when I write about the complicated, messy reality of immigrant family dynamics and cultural norms and expectations, some people’s first reaction is “you don’t love your parents” or “you don’t understand what we—immigrants—lived through.” I do love my parents, and I do try to have empathy and compassion for what I don’t know/didn’t live through. Many things can be true at the same time and I really hope that this book, when read with an open mind and heart, can bridge some of the generational and cultural differences for families in the same way writing it did for me and my parents.

What do you hope readers take away the most from your book?

The short answer: Whatever they need. I hope readers can appreciate and recognize that everything—their shame, their confusion, their pride, their heritage, their uncertainty, and more—is a part of their journey. I share my story so fully so people can feel less alone in their experiences. I hope readers can recognize that there’s an “other” side to their struggles, and that when they explore and discover the agency they have in their own lives, they can feel empowered to find their way to a deepened sense of self, love, and wellness.

The Night of the Storm –Nishita Parekh

Hurricane Harvey is about to hit Houston. Meanwhile, single mom Jia Shah is already having a rough week: her twelve-year-old son, Ishaan, has just been suspended from school for getting in a fight. Still reeling from the fallout of her divorce—their move to Houston, her family’s disapproval, the struggle to make ends meet on her own—now Jia is worried about Ishaan’s future, too. Will her solo parenting be enough? Doesn’t a boy need a father?

And now their apartment complex is under a mandatory evacuation order. Jia’s sister, Seema, has invited them to hunker down in her fancy house in Sugar Land, and despite Jia’s misgivings—Seema’s husband, Vipul, has been just a little too friendly with her lately—Jia concedes it’s probably the best place to keep Ishaan safe during the hurricane. With Jia’s philandering ex scrutinizing her every move, all too eager to snatch back custody of Ishaan, she can’t afford to make a mistake.

When Vipul’s brother and his wife show up on Seema’s doorstep, too, it’s a recipe for disaster. Grandma, the family matriarch, has never been shy about playing favorites among her sons and their wives. As the storm escalates, tensions rise quickly, and soon someone’s dead. Was it a horrible accident or is there a murderer in their midst?

With no help available until the floodwaters recede in the morning, Jia must protect her son and identify the culprit before she goes down for a crime she didn’t commit—or becomes the next victim.

About the Author:

Nishita Parekh was born and raised in Mumbai and now lives in Texas with her husband and toddler. She is a software programmer but a writer at heart, and loves writing about her experiences as a woman and an immigrant. She is an active member of International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime, and is a #RevPit contest winner. The Night of the Storm is her first novel.

SEEMA’S VIEW:

The Night of the Storm is a super tense read that delves into failed relationships, cultural tension, and drama. Nishita’s debut book is a well-executed locked-room mystery. It combines thrilling elements with the intricacies of Indian family hierarchy.

L I V E O N L I N E