Latest news with #Malayali
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Row over Afridi's appearance at Dubai Cusat alumni event, univ denies links
Kochi: The participation of Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Umar Gul in an inter-collegiate dance event organised by an alumni association of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in Dubai on May 25 has sparked outrage. The association — Cochin University BTech Alumni Association (CUBAA), UAE — issued an apology, saying the incident was not intentional, after a video of Afridi being welcomed at the event went viral. The event was held at the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD). Cusat, however, said it had no affiliation, association or connection with the organisation, CUBAA UAE. It said in a statement that its official alumni organisation was the Cusat Alumni Network (CAN) and it was not aware of the programme organised in Dubai. In the video, the crowd can be seen cheering Afridi and chanting his nickname "Boom Boom" as he addressed the gathering. Several outfits affiliated with the Sangh Parivar criticised the organisers for inviting Afridi to the event. Afridi had made several anti-India remarks, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack . Former BJP state president K Surendran accused the organisers of disrespecting Indians who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. "If not traitors, what else can you call the Malayali organisation that brought Pakistani cricketers for a celebration in Dubai," he said in a Facebook post. ABVP has called for the cancellation of the passports of CUBAA UAE office-bearers and submitted complaints to the Prime Minister and the ministry of external affairs. ABVP Kerala state secretary EU Eswaraprasad said Afridi had expressed support for terrorist groups hostile to India. "The alumni association's approach is suspicious and the event, held in the presence of anti-India forces, undermined the martyrdom of Pahalgam victims and humiliated India globally," he said. The event organisers, meanwhile, released a detailed statement, saying the appearance of the Pakistani cricketers was entirely unplanned. Without naming Afridi, they said PAD was booked for the second season of their inter-collegiate dance competition well before the escalation of India-Pakistan tensions. The first season was also organised at the venue last year, due to its affordability, they said in a statement. "At the time of our event, diplomatic tensions had already eased. Due to the unavailability of an alternative venue at short notice, we proceeded with the programme as scheduled at PAD," it added. CUBAA representatives also claimed that the cricketers had come to the auditorium for another event on the day. "As our programme was concluding, the cricketers made an unannounced and unsolicited appearance... We would like to categorically state that no member of our organising team, officials or alumni invited them or coordinated this appearance. The official schedule of the event we published, which does not include these individuals as guests, supports this," they said. The organisers further said they could not manage the crowd appropriately as the cricketers' visit was a surprise. "We regret any confusion or inconvenience caused to attendees, participants or supporters due to this unplanned development. We deeply regret any hurt or offence our actions may have caused. It was never our intention, and we sincerely apologise to those affected," they added.
India Gazette
6 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP criticises members of NRI Kerala community after Shahid Afridi seen at event in Dubai, organisers say he came uninvited
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 31 (ANI): An uncalled-for appearance by former Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi at an event organised by a section of the NRI Malayali community in Dubai has drawn the ire of several people, including the Kerala Unit of the BJP. Referring to a news article from Pakistani news website Geo News, K Surendran, the former Kerala BJP president K Surendran has criticised the members of the NRI Kerala community. 'What can we call the Malayali organisation that brought Pakistani cricketers and organised a celebration in Dubai, anything other than traitors? Shahid Afridi is the one who justified the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and mocked India. If they want to bring Afridi, who spat venom against India while in Pakistan, and make him give a speech, then it is certain that the organisers of this are not small-time people', K Surendran said in his 'X' post. K Surendran stated that the organisers have insulted the Pahalgam attack victims and the soldiers who lost their lives in achieving a 'proud' victory against Pakistan. 'They have insulted the Indians who were martyred in Pahalgam and the soldiers who died heroically to achieve a proud victory against Pakistan. We can be ashamed and hang our heads in shame that these are Malayalis who committed a mistake that the Indian people will never forgive', K Surendran's 'X' post further read. In videos that are viral on social media, Afridi and Umar Gul have been seen at the event that was held on May 25. However, an official statement from the event organisers, Cochin University B-Tech Alumni Association, UAE Chapter (since 2007), claims that the cricketers were at the event venue to attend another event and arrived at their event unannounced. According to the event organisers, Shahid Afridi came to the PAD centre in Dubai to attend the Guinness World Records holding UAE Flag on 25 May 2025, and he made an appearance at the Ormachuvadukal Season 2 without any invitation because it was held at the same venue on 25 May 2025. Afridi has been a vocal critic of India and has been guilty of spewing venom against the Indian Armed Forces. He had indulged in the same behaviour after India mounted Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam attack. In the aftermath of the attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7. The Indian forces launched precision strikes on nine terror hideouts deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). (ANI)
New Indian Express
6 hours ago
- New Indian Express
KCBC Jagratha Commission condemns attack on Catholic priests in Odisha, urges immediate government action
The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) Jagratha Commission has issued a strong statement condemning the brutal assault on two Catholic priests, including a 90-year-old Malayali priest, in Sambalpur district, Odisha. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 23 at a boys' hostel in Charbatiya, where assailants allegedly broke into the priests' residence, tied them up, physically assaulted them for several hours, and looted the premises. The attackers reportedly issued threats, warning the priests to vacate the area or face further violence. The students of the hostel were on vacation at the time of the attack. In a statement issued by the Commission, Chairman Bishop Dr. Yuhanon Mar Theodosius condemned the attack and expressed concern over what he described as a "deliberate, targeted action driven by religious extremism." The statement also alleged that authorities initially failed to respond effectively, accusing them of adopting a stance that shielded the perpetrators despite public outrage. The Commission highlighted the longstanding contributions of Catholic religious communities and missionaries in Odisha's tribal and rural regions, particularly in the fields of healthcare and education. It noted that over 1.2 million Christians reside in Odisha, many of them economically disadvantaged, and emphasized the need to protect their constitutional and human rights.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cultural fusion: Malayali by heart, Pakistani by passport
They speak Malayalam, savour pathiri, and cheer for Mohanlal. They belong to Pakistan yet are tethered to Kerala by memory and longing. Amid the ebb and flow of India-Pakistan relations, the resilient Malayali Muslim community in Pakistan stands as a testament to enduring cultural ties. Descendants of migrants from Kerala, the Malayalis in Karachi have preserved their language, traditions and cuisine for over a century, yet are an integral part of Pakistani society today. Mehmood Ali, a garment factory owner in Karachi's bustling Lea Market, embodies this legacy. Video-calling from his factory, he smiled: 'You called me from my grandfather's homeland. How could I not show you around?' He panned his phone across a well-lit workspace where workers crafted premium garments for export. His grandparents migrated from Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram around 1916, along with 10 to 15 other Malayali families. 'They brought their language, food, and customs,' Mehmood said. As their businesses flourished, more families from Kerala joined, expanding the community. Today, about 5,000 to 6,000 Malayalis live in Karachi, with a few in Islamabad and Lahore. In 1921, they founded the Malabar Muslim Jamaat (MMJ), one of Pakistan's oldest functioning Jamaats, anchoring cultural and social life. Speaking to Mehmood, what stands out isn't just the historical anecdotes—it's the unapologetic Malayali identity he carries. Born in Karachi, and having visited India only once (Mumbai, 1988), his Malayalam is impressively fluent. I thought I'd have to switch to English. But Mehmood's command of Malayalam surpassed that of many native speakers. He learned it from his parents and MMJ events. But it's more difficult now. 'After visa rules tightened in the late '80s, no one from Kerala could come here to teach. Today, we rely on YouTube and online lectures.' Still, the spirit endures. His children, fourth-generation Karachi-born, understand enough Malayalam to follow conversations at family gatherings. Balancing identities, the community celebrates Pakistan's Independence Day with cultural programmes and cricket tournaments. 'We are proud Pakistanis,' says Mehmood, now MMJ president. 'But our cultural spine is rooted in Kerala.' Yet, all is not rosy. Once thriving in Karachi's food scene with spicy eateries and tea joints, the community's presence has faded. Pashtun and Urdu-speaking migrants from post-Partition India brought their own cuisines, and Malabari establishments gradually declined. 'There was a time when you couldn't walk through Saddar or Lyari without spotting a Malabari hotel,' says Abdul Latif, whose grandparents came from Vadakara. He now runs a general store in Gizri. 'Today, only a few remain. One is Joona Masjid Hotel in Lyari, serving fish curry and parotta with nostalgic defiance.' Latif, speaking in a North Malabar dialect, last visited Kerala in 2001 at age 16. Now 40, he still hopes to return. 'Recent India-Pakistan tensions had a strange fallout,' he laughs. 'My wife and I were removed from our family WhatsApp group in Kerala!' 'They said it was too sensitive to include us.' He is also passionate about snacks. 'Relatives in the Gulf bring banana chips from Kerala. In return, they want Karachi's tooth powder and bubble gum.' He stays updated too. 'I watched the Eranjoli Bridge inauguration online and asked my cousins about traffic jams in Thalassery.' Among the last cultural outposts is Joona Masjid Hotel, locally known as the Malabari Hotel, run by Abdul Rasheed Malabari. His grandparents migrated from Thalassery via Bombay in 1918. The hotel, now 80 years old, has been run by Rasheed for 15 years. At 60, Rasheed speaks fluent Malayalam. He's visited Kerala four times, last in 1986. 'In childhood, many Malayali families lived here. But many returned to Kerala or moved to the Gulf. Now, few remain.' His hotel, still busy at lunch, serves fish curry, kallummakkaya (muzzles), irachi pathiri, and puttu—dishes prepared with recipes passed down through generations. 'Our food reminds people of home. That's why we're still here.' Rasheed, who married off three daughters and one son within the Malayali community, hopes to visit Kerala again. 'But with tensions between the countries, it seems unlikely. I can only hope.' Despite changes around him, Rasheed clings to Malayalam films and comedy shows. 'I'm not into politics. But Mohanlal and Mammootty—we still adore them.' Malayalam cinema helps preserve the language. 'There's charm in hearing our language, even if we've never seen those places.' What's remarkable isn't just that Malayalis live in Pakistan—but how. In a region divided by politics, this community lives in the grey: rooted in a homeland they've never seen, yet loyal to the one they call home. They don't ask for repatriation or special status—only connection. They want visas, not for business but for sentiments. To walk the streets their grandparents spoke of, offer prayers in old mosques, smell banana or jackfruit chips frying fresh. Senior Pakistani journalist Faiz Paracha captures the essence of their place in the nation's mosaic best: 'The Malayali community is a shining example of how cultural roots and national identity can coexist. Their dedication to language and heritage, while embracing their role as Pakistanis, adds depth to our multicultural identity. In a divided world, they quietly remind us that unity does not demand uniformity.' The Jamaat remains the community's heart—organising language classes, welfare programmes and cultural events. For many, it is the closest they'll get to Kerala. 'Even though we're here, our roots are there,' Mehmood reflects. 'It's not about nationalism. It's about belonging.' He dreams of taking his children to Kerala. 'Not as tourists, but as family. To show them backwaters, temples and mosques. That would be enough.' Let this be the story we tell—not of borders, but of bridges. Not of what separates us, but of what endures, he says. (With reporting assistance from senior Pakistani journalists Faiz Paracha and Khuldune Shahid) Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This beautiful actress died by suicide after being...., Sharmila Tagore is her..., name was...
The actress we are talking about here was once a Femina Miss India Universe. She was a model, VJ and actress. Very beautiful, but the end was such that you will shudder to know. This actress had gained a lot of fame in a short time. But when she was betrayed in love in her personal life, she embraced death. This actress also had a relationship with Sharmila Tagore. This was Nafisa Joseph. Nafisa Joseph committed suicide by hanging herself in her Mumbai flat on 29 July 2004. Nafisa's parents had then said that their daughter took this step because her marriage had broken. Nafisa's father was a Malayali and her mother was Bengali. pic: Sony TV YouTube Nafisa Joseph was about to marry businessman Gautam Khanduja. According to Nafisa's parents, the daughter took this step because her marriage had broken down. Nafisa Joseph came to know that Gautam Khanduja was still married, and the divorce had not happened, whereas he had told Nafisa that he had been divorced for two years. Saddened by this, Nafisa hanged herself. When Gautam Khanduja was questioned by the police, he refused to answer questions about his married life or show the divorce papers. pic: Wikipedia and social media. Nafisa Joseph was related to Sharmila Tagore. Actually, Nafisa's mother Bengali Usha Joseph was from Rabindranath Tagore's family. Nafisa's mother and actress is Sharmila Tagore's cousin. In this way Sharmila Tagore is Nafisa's aunt. Nafisa Joseph started modelling at the age of 12, and then participated in the Miss India pageant in 1997. She was the youngest participant to take part in this beauty pageant. Nafisa Joseph was the winner of Miss India and then participated in Miss India Universe. In this, she managed to reach the top-10 finalists. After this, Nafisa Joseph entered the world of VJ and acting. She worked as a VJ for MTV, and also appeared in the TV show CATS. She also hosted many shows. Not only this, Nafisa Joseph also played a role in the film 'Taal', in which Aishwarya Rai was in the lead role. Her parents said that Nafisa took this step because her marriage was broken. Actually, Nafisa was going to marry businessman Gautam Khanduja. A few weeks before the wedding, Nafisa came to know that Gautam, who was already married, had not yet divorced his wife. Hurt by this, Nafisa hanged herself to death. Nafisa's parents had also accused Gautam Khanduja of forcing their daughter to commit suicide. But Gautam denied this. He clarified that his and Nafisa's engagement had already been broken. Therefore, this does not become a reason for committing suicide.
