The Indian American Experience Podcast

50: Tribeca Festival Spotlight: PINCH: Uttera Singh’s Powerful Take on Feminism and Culture

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2243605/open_sms] 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 [https://youtu.be/fTyCaVm7S3M?si=qKgysj0t-BylWhQj] @PinchTheMovie More about Uttera Singh at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4532052/ [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4532052/] and https://www.instagram.com/uttera?igsh=MTkyYW0zY3pidHp5aA== [https://www.instagram.com/uttera?igsh=MTkyYW0zY3pidHp5aA==] Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 [https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience [https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience] To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com #UtteraSingh #tribecafestival #Pinchthemovie

49: A Centenarian and his Son’s Reflections on the Indian American Experience

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2243605/open_sms] 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=1l8Ujfx-fqga79ql] & https://youtu.be/ii8jHqypPBA?si=dR_malcDdht7akdv [https://youtu.be/ii8jHqypPBA?si=dR_malcDdht7akdv] Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 [https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience [https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience] To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

48: Rashi: The Epitome of Compassionate Leadership

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2243605/open_sms] 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 [https://www.instagram.com/rashi729?igsh=cmQzdWxlOHdpNDFs] Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 [https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience [https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience] To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

47: Rajvi: Navigating Heritage Delicately & Wisely

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2243605/open_sms] 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/ [https://www.instagram.com/rajvi_m1/] And https://rajvi.github.io/ [https://rajvi.github.io/] Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 [https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience [https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience] To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com

46: Mayor Ravi Bhalla: Modeling Honesty, Hard work and Humility

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2243605/open_sms] 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 Follow me on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected and for more podcast episode updates: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1 [https://www.facebook.com/bindia.puri.1] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience [https://www.instagram.com/indianamericanexperience] To contact me directly with questions or about being a guest on my show, email me here: IndianAmericanExperience@gmail.com