beenasarwar

[beenasarwar]

‘Kahin aap, kahin hum’: A tale of Southasians in Norway

As Indians and Pakistanis across the world celebrate their independence from British rule this week, an Indian-origin writer in Norway explores Southasian identity in this Scandinavian country, and how new immigrants and the second-generation navigate complex intersections of belonging, solidarity, and challenges. By Aheli Moitra / Sapan News It’s not every day that Bollywood icon Shahrukh Khan…

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A vision for a future without borders, where all exiles can be home

With the anniversary of the 1947 Partition coming up, an Indian-origin Bengali writer reflects on a public performance by California-based writer Sehba Sarwar from Karachi, who weaves together the past and present, geographies, cultures, and hopes for a better future By Torsa Ghosal /Sapan News “You ask me why we still write about Partition — the gash that cuts our back, our arms, our spines…

[beenasarwar]

Climbing for connection: One mountaineer’s quest for regional harmony

A Nepali student interviews a Sri Lankan IT professional and adventurer who has made it his mission to climb Southasian mountains. His motivation: To inspire unity and spread a message of peace and collaboration throughout the region. By Bidhi Adhikari / Sapan News When Sri Lankan IT professional Dimantha Thenuwara, an adventurer by passion, landed in Nepal for the first time on 10th April this…

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Remembering Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year: A resurrected genius

Visionary filmmaker of eight Hindi movies, Guru Dutt (1925 – 1964) whose socially conscious work explored various human experiences left a cultural impact that continues to inspire generations. By C. Uday Bhasker / Sapan News As film aficionados around Southasia and the diaspora remember Guru Dutt in his birth centenary year, there is nostalgia and deep affection for the legendary filmmaker who…

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Maybe, I will go back too

An Indian origin London-based author, textile artist, and anthropologist finds food for thought in the shared histories and culture by a Pakistani-origin traveler’s memoir tracing his journey through India Sapan Bookshelf Coming Back: The Odyssey of a Pakistani Through IndiaBy Shueyb Gandapur Countless Centuries Press, 2025184 pages, USD 18 (Paperback), USD 10 (Kindle) By Sayali Goyal / Sapan…

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From renter to home-owner: A Southasia arts focused success story in Seattle

Twenty three years after being launched, a groundbreaking nonprofit organisation dedicated to uplifting Southasian stories now has a new home on the West Coast of America By Regina Johnson / Sapan News Tasveer, a Southasia – focused film and arts nonprofit has exciting news ahead of its signature annual film festival coming up in October. The film screenings usually take place in various venues…

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‘Something that shattered me’: Sultana Siddiqui on creating a series on ‘blasphemy’ violence in Pakistan

A television trilogy on addressing mob violence had gained huge popularity in neighbouring India. Now, worsening ties have disrupted that cross-border resonance. By Abdullah Zahid / Sapan News For years, political hostilities between India and Pakistan have disrupted entertainment exchange, but rarely have restrictions been as sweeping as those triggered by the Pahalgam fallout. The latest…

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Feminist diplomacy at the crossroads: Southasian women leading the way in peacebuilding and crisis response

Marking Women in Diplomacy Day on 24 June, this special feature examines how women across the region are anchoring peace processes, reimagining diplomacy through empathy and equity, and offering community-rooted, care-centred responses to war, displacement, and climate disasters. By Pragyan Srivastava / Sapan News As the world faces deepening geopolitical conflicts, ecological collapse, and…

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Healing, hope, and the human spirit: Lessons from Dr. Azra Raza, bent on curing cancer

When oncologist Dr. Azra Raza stood before Simon Fraser University’s graduating class of 2025 a week ago, she urged the graduates to “go forth with your hearts on fire.” That phrase captures her passion for her work and the assignment she was handing the students: To live life with purpose, courage, and a drive that fuels meaningful lives. We share her compelling speech here. By Dr. Azra Raza /…

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‘No human being is illegal’ - communities express solidarity with immigrants in the United States

Resisting the Trump administration’s deportation policies, community groups across America are advocating for immigrant rights and protections — with reminders that immigration bolsters the U.S. economy. By Padma B. / Sapan News “No human being is illegal.”   “We didn’t cross the border, the border crossed us!”  These are well-known slogans in the immigrant rights movement, being voiced by…

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The unfulfilled creative promise and potential of Southasia through art and film

Among the insights gained during the panel discussion after the exhibition walkthrough and documentary screening was the similarity between the creative arts and good journalism: Both involve masses of research, and are rooted in being exploratory, observational, and non-judgmental, rather than agenda-driven. Personal PoliticalBy Beena Sarwar / Sapan News Manmeet K. Walia introducing the…

[beenasarwar]

The unfulfilled creative promise and potential of Southasia through art and film

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Trade for border and broader cooperation

A recent ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York revoked the tariffs, including reciprocal tariffs, that President Donald Trump had imposed on over 180 countries, including several in Southasia.   The three-member judicial panel ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 that Trump had used, does not give the President the authority to impose tariffs…

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‘As long as we share the same skies’: Peace movements push back against Indo-Pak tensions

The dominant narrative may feature aggression and calls to ‘act’ but conflict benefits only certain vested interests. Here we highlight some of the many calls for peace emanating from pediatricians, activists, and civil society representatives from India to Pakistan, Nepal to Bangladesh, and more By Abdullah Zahid and Bidhi Adhikari / Sapan News What might Southasia look like if the billions…

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Access, collaboration, entrepreneurship: A blueprint for success?

For 35 years, the Indian American International Chamber of Commerce has been bridging gaps, opening doors, and creating opportunities. The shifting global dynamics have the potential for a new era of Southasian economic success to break through By Regina Johnson / Sapan News In today’s economy, experts agree that collaboration – between individuals, companies, and regions –  is essential if…

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Banu Mushtaq: Much more than a Booker

A Bangladeshi writer explores what’s so special about the Kannada writer Banu Mushtaq and her book Heart Lamp, the first short story collection to win the prestigious Book prize – a reminder that sharing all stories ensures diverse perspectives to help shape our understanding of community, history, and the human experience. By Irfan Chowdhury / Sapan News Sapan BookshelfHeart LampBy Banu…

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When walking for peace becomes a political act 

When a rights group advocating for women’s access to public spaces organised their first walk for peace – a stated agenda beyond simply ‘loitering’ – it caused ripples in an atmosphere vitiated by hypernationalism and warmongering. An organiser shares experiences from Mumbai and Bangalore  By Neha Singh / Sapan News “Let’s do a peace walk,” came a suggestion from someone in our Why Loiter group…