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On this podcast we have been talking about preserving the wonderful Indian values of prioritizing family, education, respectfulness and such virtues but we have not talked enough about the other side of Indian society such as women being objectified and finding themselves vulnerable and up against many obstacles when it comes to asserting their freedom and sometimes matters relating to something as basic as their personal safety. The film Pinch that debuted at the Tribeca Festival took it on. The film also marks the directorial debut of Uttera Singh who also wrote and starred in it as the lead.  The film’s final screening at the Tribeca film Festival will be on Saturday, June 14.

According to IndieWire the film is a searing commentary about sexual harassment and the perils of letting it go unchecked. Uttera Singh takes on a small piece of this big topic, delivering not only a gripping and nuanced narrative but an astutely told directing effort.

I asked Uttera about her experience making the film, her future aspirations, and how her background growing up in a small town of India, Indore, played into it. We also delve into her perception of Indian culture and what she misses most about life In India.

Uttera Singh is surely one to watch. She lets her craft speak for itself, and her unassuming, sweet and humble demeanor belies the grit, courage, talent, and focus that she has exhibited through this film and her previous films.


More about PINCH at

https://youtu.be/fTyCaVm7S3M?si=qKgysj0t-BylWhQj

@PinchTheMovie

More about Uttera Singh at

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4532052/

and

https://www.instagram.com/uttera?igsh=MTkyYW0zY3pidHp5aA==

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#UtteraSingh
#tribecafestival
#Pinchthemovie

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In this unique episode I speak to two noteworthy people: Dr. Ratan Sinh Mehta, a centenarian, an amazing man who has left an indelible imprint on the lives of so many people in his life of 100 years and continues to be amazingly articulate, eloquent and a really good sport! He shares his wisdom and his priorities in the long life that he has lived as a brilliant cardiologist, neurologist and an overall disciplined, strong and inspiring man. I then speak to his son Deepak Mehta who epitomizes the Indian value of supporting and taking care of family over everything else and is already looking forward to being the steward of Indian heritage for his future grandchildren. It is an engaging, inspiring and a poignant story of a father and son stoutly living lives guided by strong Indian values, high ideals and gritty self discipline.

Learn more about Dr Ratan Sinh Mehta’s life through these videos made to celebrate his milestone 100th birthday:

https://youtu.be/ii8jHqypPBA?si=1l8Ujfx-fqga79ql
&
https://youtu.be/ii8jHqypPBA?si=dR_malcDdht7akdv

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience
To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In this podcast episode, I have a conversation with Rashi Livesey, an Indian American millennial pursuing a master's degree in social work. Rashi eloquently expresses her pride in her Indian heritage, discusses the challenges of maintaining her Indian identity in the US, and emphasizes the importance of embracing cultural roots while acknowledging its complexities. She also touches on the pressures and pitfalls of the 'model minority' stereotype and challenges the narrow definitions and divisive influences that come with that.  She shares her commitment toward passing down Indian culture to her children in a multicultural household and her strong conviction and noble aspirations to support and uplift immigrant communities through resource navigation and program development. We need more empathetic, compassionate and strong leaders like Rashi in our communities!!


00:00 Introduction to Rashi

01:01 Balancing Family and Education

01:44 Immigration Journey and Early Challenges

05:19 Embracing Indian Culture

07:05 Navigating Identity and Language

11:53 Model Minority Myth

16:12 Message to Young Indian Americans

17:41 Future Aspirations and Conclusion


More about Rashi at

https://www.instagram.com/rashi729?igsh=cmQzdWxlOHdpNDFs

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience
To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In this episode, our guest is Rajvi, a 28 year-old software engineer at Microsoft living in New York City. Born and raised in New Jersey, with a stint in Seattle, Rajvi shares her journey of embracing her Indian heritage while growing up in America. From being raised vegetarian in a Jain household to adopting veganism, she reflects on the cultural influence her Indian upbringing had on her, including dance, music and cuisine, and how it shaped her identity amidst the challenges of racism and low representation in her school years. Rajvi shares her perspective on balancing her Indian heritage and American identity and emphasizes the importance of diversity and representation, particularly in fields like politics and media. She also talks about her life in New York, her time in Seattle, her work in tech, and her aspirations for the future, including raising her children with a strong sense of Indian culture. It is an insightful conversation on culture, identity, and living authentically.

00:00 Introduction to Rajvi
00:31 Exploring Veganism and Family Traditions
01:27 Embracing Indian Culture and Heritage
03:58 Navigating Identity
08:05 Balancing Work and Heritage
17:10 Future Aspirations and Personal Life

More about Rajvi at
https://www.instagram.com/rajvi_m1/
And
https://rajvi.github.io/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience
To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In this captivating interview, Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken, New Jersey, serving as the city's 39th mayor since 2018, shares his journey from a civil rights lawyer to a two-term mayor. He discusses his childhood, his path to politics catalyzed by a grassroots campaign for Barack Obama, and the challenges and achievements during his tenure. Mayor Bhalla also speaks about the importance of identity and heritage, and his future aspirations, encouraging fellow Indian Americans to dream big and be proud of their roots.  His humility despite his accomplishments and undiluted integrity is sure to inspire deeply and evoke pride in The Indian American community.

A 22-year resident of the City of Hoboken, Ravi Bhalla began his public service with eight years on the City Council before his mayoral election in November 2017. He built a career as a civil rights lawyer, nationally recognized by The New York Times for legal advocacy following a constitutional rights violation. 

His City Council tenure saw significant fiscal reforms, improving Hoboken's bond rating, and establishing a responsible cash surplus. As Mayor, he prioritized climate resilience, signing a Climate Action Plan for net-zero energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. Under his leadership, Hoboken became a national model for safe streets and multi modal transportation through implementation of the Vision Zero initiative to eliminate all traffic related fatalities and injuries by 2030. 

His first term featured a citywide special improvement district and COVID-19 pandemic recovery. Educated at UC Berkeley, L.S.E., and Tulane Law School, Ravi, and his wife Bindya reside in Hoboken with their two children. 

00:00 Introduction to Mayor Ravi Bhalla
01:49 Early Life and Background
03:13 Journey into Politics
07:17 Challenges and Accomplishments as Mayor
11:17 Identity and Heritage
14:10 Future Aspirations
16:05 Message to Indian Americans
18:21 Conclusion

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience
To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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Samina Radia is a sophomore at Adelphi University majoring in political science, who, at just 19 years old, exemplifies dedication to public service, highlighted by her various roles such as interning at the New York City mayor's office, active involvement in the Student Government Association and engagement with The Innocence Project.  She shares her experience of growing up in diverse New York City, and the impact of being South-Asian American in striving to meet 'model minority' expectations.  The discussion delves into cultural identity, her involvement with cultural heritage groups at her university, and her vision for community support, mentorship and inclusivity.

00:00 Introduction to Samina Radia

01:12 Early Life and Cultural Background

02:15 The Model Minority Perception

06:05 Aspiring to a Career in Law

09:52 Community Involvement and Mentorship

12:17 Cultural Heritage and University Life

20:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More about Samina at: https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1ujulpor018gg&utm_content=29cety1 

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience
To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In this interview, Shaun Vakil, also known as Paz, discusses his two-decade-long career in music as a DJ and music curator for Paz America. He shares his experiences working with top hospitality brands, Fortune 500 companies, and philanthropic foundations, as well as performing at intimate events worldwide. Shaun recounts his upbringing in central New Jersey, where he grew up in a diverse and idyllic Americana environment with supportive parents who encouraged him to find his passion. Although not musically inclined as a child, Shaun discovered his love for music during his teenage years, influenced by the explosion of 90s hip-hop in New York City. He talks about the importance of persistence and grit in his non-traditional career path and reflects on the impact of connecting with people through music. Shaun also delves into his Indian heritage, describing how it shapes his identity and influences his work. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and connection in his performances and discusses his current goal of setting a more active direction for his business. Lastly, Shaun encourages the Indian American community to be supportive toward one another and challenges every member of the community to define themselves as they choose to, unencumbered by assumed expectations.

Find Shaun on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/305bananas

More about Paz America: https://pazmerica.com/

The vogue write-up Shaun alluded to: https://www.vogue.fr/galerie/vrai-mariage-shivani-ravi-paris-indien-couple-los-angeles

00:00 Introduction to Shaun Vakil 

00:57 Shaun’s Early Life and Upbringing

03:33 Discovering a Passion for Music

07:43 Challenges and Growth in the Music Industry

15:24 Impactful Events and Personal Reflections

22:46 Cultural Identity and Professional Perception

28:41 Final Thoughts and Message to the Community

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience
To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In this episode, I chat with Anika, a first-generation Indian American and pharmaceutical market access consultant, who shares her remarkable journey of balancing her rich Indian heritage with a modern digital nomadic lifestyle. From her roots in New Jersey to her traveling adventures spanning across Seattle, London, and South America, Anika delves into her unique identity, the cultural significance of her name, and how her upbringing shaped her professional aspirations. She also reflects on her connection to her Indian heritage, her family's nuanced approach to cultural integration, and her personal thoughts on future aspirations, including potentially raising children.

This engaging conversation is filled with insights into the experiences of a bright, balanced, young millennial navigating the intersection of tradition and contemporary life.

00:00 Introduction to Anika

00:42 Becoming a Digital Nomad

02:34 Exploring Identity and Heritage

08:04 Navigating Language and Culture

09:44 Career Path and Aspirations

12:35 Perspectives on the Model Minority

14:43 Thoughts on Parenting and Heritage

17:30 Leisure and Hobbies

19:13 Final Reflections and Advice



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To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In the second episode of the young generation’s perceptions and aspirations about life as an Indian American, Anchal Dhir, in her gentle, sensitive, inimitable way, shares candidly and generously her thoughts and feelings about the importance of heritage, identity in the world of performing arts, and her compassion toward her parents’ generation.

Anchal also explains beautifully the details of the art and skills that she has learned and honed, and is hoping to fully embrace and express and enjoy a fruitful career from.

Follow Anchal at https://www.instagram.com/anchaldhir/

TikTok: @anchal.indu.dhir https://www.tiktok.com/@anchal.dhir

Resume Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lEi2UpCZgKU4B1NsRj5Ik1DXq-dwdPGq/view

Recent live stage performance as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance: https://youtu.be/BmJE2EKLEtU (https://youtu.be/BmJE2EKLEtU)

“Caro Nome” from Rigoletto: https://youtu.be/0PS4lS--ljg?t=16 (https://youtu.be/0PS4lS--ljg?t=16)

As Dominique in The Baker’s Wife:
https://secure.givelively.org/event/village-light-opera-group-ltd/village-light-opera-group-presents-the-baker-s-wife

Contact Anchal via email at [email protected]


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To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]

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In this episode, I welcome Addy Pai, a young millennial working in sustainable research in New York City.  Addy, who was born in India and raised in New Jersey, shares her love for both her Indian culture and American identity. We discuss her upbringing in an immigrant household, her current role integrating sustainability into investment processes, and her aspirations to complete the CFA exams. Addy reflects on how her Indian heritage influences her personal and professional life, emphasizing the importance of community and traditions. She also delves into the impact of parental expectations and how she balances her high-achieving mindset with enjoying life in the vibrant city of New York.

00:00 Introduction to Addy Pai

00:41 Addy's Background and Upbringing

01:38 Career in Sustainable Research

04:16 Reflections on Education and Parental Influence

09:59 Cultural Identity and Professional Life

16:11 Personal Life and Hobbies

18:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Read more about Addy at https://bit.ly/aditipai



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To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: [email protected]