Education is the only effective medicine for these trying times. We urge our readers to take a pause & read the excerpts from The Proudest Blue, a children's picture book and NYT bestseller,written by Olympic medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali,illustrated by Hatem Aly. (1/10)
This powerful and vividly illustrated story revolves around two sisters, Asiya and Faizah, and their first day of school and one of them having the first day wearing a hijab, a blue one. (2/10)
It is Asiya's younger sister Faizah who is the narrator of our little story. During the school day, Faizah's classmates ask about her sister's hijab in a whispering tone, and she honestly explains why. (3/10)
“Asiya’s hijab isn’t a whisper. Asiya’s hijab is like the sky on a sunny day.” (4/10)
When Faizah notices other bullies at school laughing at Asiya’s hijab, she thinks about the strength their mother instilled in them. (5/10)
“Some people won’t understand your hijab, Mama had said. But if you understand who you are, one day they will too.” (6/10)
The words that are yelled at Asiya are similar to the ones that Ibtihaj heard when she was growing up and was bullied for her religious beliefs shown by wearing a garment of faith. (7/10)
“Asiya’s hijab is not a tablecloth. Asiya’s hijab is blue. Only blue.” (8/10)
Bullies are nothing but a faceless shadow filled with hatred. Faizah learnt how to face the hate. We do, too. (9/10)
‘The Proudest Blue’ delivers an emphatic message of being proud of who you are through a medium of universal storytelling. Don’t forget to buy this amazing book because education is key to making us a little more human every time. (10/10)
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Today marks Tintin's birthday, and what better way to celebrate than diving into an intriguing detail from one of his adventures? Remember the iconic orange taxi in Delhi from Tintin in Tibet? There’s a quirky story and possibly a glaring error behind it! Thread 1/13
Remember that frantic New Delhi scene? Tintin and Captain Haddock rush to catch their plane to Kathmandu via Patna. They hop into a taxi—a striking orange convertible. But here’s the twist: Hergé, the creator of Tintin, made a tiny but delightful error. 2/13
The taxi was a 1938 Cadillac Fleetwood, convertible limousine, a car steeped in luxury and history. Fleetwood, a body manufacturer, had been making bespoke Cadillac bodies since 1925. 3/13
Why did Savitribai Phule carry two saris when she went to school?
Today, on her birthday, let’s talk about a woman who faced unimaginable challenges yet changed the course of history with her courage and determination.
Thread 1/18
In 19th-century India, educating women was seen as a radical and scandalous act. Savitribai Phule, alongside her husband Jotirao Phule, took on this mission, knowing it would draw fierce opposition.
But she couldn’t have imagined the level of hostility she’d face. 2/18
Men, mostly from upper caste, intent on sabotaging her work waited on the streets she walked daily to her school. They hurled stones, mud, and even cow dung at her, shouting abuses and insults.
A short thread on the OG brand influencer of India.
Rabindranath Tagore.
Yes, the Nobel laureate endorsed products long before it was cool. Here's how... 👇
1/13
Tagore, known as the symbol of India's cultural rebirth, wasn’t just a poet; he became the face of Swadeshi marketingduring the British era. Brands eager to ride the Made-in-India wave found their perfect icon in him 2/13
From endorsing handmade Swadeshi goods to supporting indigenous industries, Tagore’s influence transcended literature. His image embodied India’s cultural and economic self-reliance—the ultimate influencer vibes. 3/13
As India battles Australia in the thrilling #BGT2024, let’s pause for a moment to revisit a historical link between these two nations. And no, it’s not cricket—it’s rum. A story of trade, rebellion, and Bengal’s unexpected role in shaping Australian history. Thread 1/10
Did you know that once upon a time, a special kind of Indian rum was used as currency in Australia? This was no ordinary rum. It was Bengal Rum, made from palm sugar, and it didn’t just quench thirst—it fueled an uprising. Intrigued? Let’s dive in. 2/10
In the 18th century, Australia was a penal colony with limited resources but a massive thirst for rum. Local production was nonexistent, and Caribbean rum was too far. So, they turned to a closer source: Bengal. 3/10
This is a Christmas story like no other. In December 1941, a young woman from Rangoon went Christmas shopping. Soon after, Japanese bombing began. In the chaos, she lost her sister. For 65 years, they were apart-until a miraculous reunion in Calcutta changed everything. 1/22
23rd December, 1941. The bustling streets of Rangoon in Burma were alive with holiday cheer that morning. It was Christmas season, and the LeFleur sisters, Sybil and Blanche, had plans to celebrate, despite a backdrop of global conflict. 2/22
Life had been unkind to them—both parents were gone, and their family wealth was a distant memory. Still, the sisters faced life’s trials together. 3/22
Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal, a trailblazer of Indian parallel cinema, passed away yesterday, at the age of 90. His meteoric rise to fame following his debut feature film often eclipses the arduous journey and extensive training he underwent prior to this success. 1/14
Let us reflect on the period before he could bring Ankur (The Seeding) to the screen. Born in Hyderabad, he was one of ten siblings, which probably contributed to his ability to maintain focus amidst noise and crowds. 2/14
His father, a professional photographer, maintained an open-door policy and delighted in hosting a steady stream of visitors who engaged in lively debates and discussions about the pressing social and political issues of that time. 3/14