Bollywood Star Shills for Narendra Modi. Bollywood star Meghna Patel has decided to “bare it all” in a strikingly nude photo shoot, urging people to vote for prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. What does stripping down and having strategically-placed lotus petals covering you have to do with an Indian PM candidate who — by way of maintaining radio silence on India’s Sec 377 ruling — has remained reticent on LGBT human rights abuses in the motherland? (India Glitz)
Crowdsourced Library Leads Reading Revolution in India. Pushpendra Pandya has decided to take a stand against everything going digital in the world by starting India’s First Crowd Sourced Library. So how does IFCSL work? “We collect books from people, for people. There’s a membership fee involved to cover transportation and delivery costs. Anyone who wishes to donate books can contact us.” (The Hindu)
Let the Games ‘Officially’ Begin! The International Olympic Committee has lifted India’s suspension in time for the flag to fly at the Sochi Winter Games. After conducting a special flag-raising ceremony, India’s leading athletes can hold their heads high and compete for their homeland. Shiva Keshavan, the first Indian representative to compete in luge at the Winter Olympic Games, said, “You have a lot more behind you when you go with your country’s flag.” (Time)
‘Don’t Freak, I’m Sikh’ Video Goes Viral. UK founder and fashion blogger Pardeep Singh Bahra of Singh Street Style is out and about raising awareness of the Sikh faith in the video below. (Daily Sikh Updates)
Ashley Kooblall is a NYC-based online writer/editor whose work has been featured in YourTango, Women’s Health, and DISFunkshion Magazine. In her spare time she can be found in the nearest Barnes & Noble scoping out the latest books, preferably South Asian historical fiction. Follow her on Twitter @akooblall.
