Latest news with #Shome
News18
29-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Breaking the Stigma Around Cosmetic Surgery in India: From Judgment to Empowerment
Last Updated: Cosmetic surgery in India is no longer about vanity it's about agency, healing, and the right to feel whole. For decades, cosmetic surgery in India has existed in a strange paradox widely sought after in whispers, yet shrouded in societal judgment. Despite the millions who undergo aesthetic procedures globally, the stigma surrounding cosmetic surgery in India remains deeply entrenched in cultural, historical, and spiritual narratives. But change is in the air. Dr. Debraj Shome, Director of The Esthetic Clinics (TEC) and Co-Founder, Esthetic Centers International Pvt. Ltd., is at the forefront of this transformation. A Diplomate of the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Shome is a globally renowned facial plastic surgeon whose work is as much about restoring confidence as it is about reshaping features. In a candid conversation, he deconstructs the persistent stigma, uncovers the deeper motivations behind cosmetic procedures, and offers a humane, ethical lens on the future of aesthetic medicine in India. 'India's hesitation around cosmetic surgery," Dr. Shome explains, 'is rooted in a complex interplay of cultural conditioning and historical scarcity." In a society shaped by colonial trauma, post-independence austerity, and conservative spending patterns, investing in one's appearance has often been seen as indulgent or worse, vain. Spiritual philosophies, too, have played a role. Many Indian traditions emphasize antarmukhi (looking inward) over bahirmukhi (external focus), associating concern for appearance with ego (ahankar). As a result, aesthetic enhancements have long been viewed as superficial or even morally suspect. But things are changing. 'Today's India is younger, wealthier, and more globally connected," says Dr. Shome. 'People are realizing that taking care of how they look is not vanity it's agency. It's self-respect." At The Esthetic Clinics, the focus is on emotional well-being just as much as physical transformation. 'A tired-looking face might not match the energy of a dynamic professional. Or someone who has been teased for a facial feature might carry that burden into adulthood. In such cases, surgery becomes a way to reclaim one's sense of self." Far from being frivolous, cosmetic surgery can have profound ripple effects boosting self-confidence, restoring dignity, and opening doors to professional and personal growth. Some of the most powerful outcomes, Dr. Shome shares, are not about glamour—they're about healing. He recounts the journey of a 26-year-old woman with PCOS-related hair loss, whose social life had collapsed under the weight of her self-esteem issues. With targeted treatments, her confidence was restored and so was her presence in the world. Then there's the 52-year-old breast cancer survivor. 'After her mastectomy and chemotherapy, she didn't recognize herself. Reconstructive procedures gave her a renewed sense of femininity and wholeness." But perhaps the most soul-stirring transformations are those of acid attack survivors. 'These are not just medical cases," says Dr. Shome, 'they're emotional and social recoveries. Surgery allows these individuals to reclaim public space, move without fear, and live with dignity." Celebrity Silence: A Barrier to Awareness In an age where celebrities shape beauty standards, their refusal to acknowledge cosmetic procedures has serious repercussions. 'When a 60-year-old celebrity credits flawless skin to yoga and green juice without mentioning aesthetic work it perpetuates myths and fuels insecurity," notes Dr. Shome. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, 'Honest conversations by public figures could normalize cosmetic surgery, eliminate shame, and help people make informed choices. In a media-driven world, honesty is no longer optional, it's critical." The Ethics of Saying No: Where Responsibility Meets Empathy At TEC, ethical boundaries are sacred. 'Roughly 10% of our consultations are redirected to psychological counseling," reveals Dr. Shome. From body dysmorphia to emotionally charged requests, the team prioritizes patient mental health over profit. 'When someone walks in asking to look like a celebrity, or wants multiple procedures that distort their natural aesthetic, we engage in gentle but firm conversations. Surgery should never be a Band-Aid for deeper emotional wounds." This compassionate approach reinforces one of Dr. Shome's core beliefs, 'Cosmetic surgery should heal, not harm. Enhance, not erase. The goal is to help people feel like the best version of themselves—not someone else entirely." The Road Ahead: From Stigma to Self-Respect India is at the cusp of a new era, one where self-care includes the right to feel good in one's own skin, without judgment. 'As India evolves, so must its understanding of cosmetic surgery," Dr. Shome reflects. 'This is not about chasing perfection. It's about choosing agency, dignity, and alignment. When done with empathy and ethics, aesthetic medicine becomes a tool for healing." top videos View all At The Esthetic Clinics, the mission is clear: to empower individuals to make informed, guilt-free choices supported by science, compassion, and the belief that beauty is deeply personal. Because at the heart of every successful procedure lies something profoundly human: the desire to feel whole. First Published: May 29, 2025, 07:44 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness Breaking the Stigma Around Cosmetic Surgery in India: From Judgment to Empowerment
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tilottama Shome: Independence is not being alone
Tillotama Shome Tilottama Shome delivered a powerful reflection on the journey of independent filmmaking during a panel at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, offering a testament to the evolving perception of indie cinema . 'Twenty-five years ago when I started—and I sound really old now—it was a bad word to say that you did independent films,' Shome said candidly, drawing knowing laughter and applause from the audience. 'It was a conversation ender… people usually walked away like, 'Oh, how sad. I hope you get a piece of the main pie.'' Shome, known for her critically acclaimed work in both Indian and international independent films, shared how indie filmmakers were often met with pity or disregard. 'You can't buy a car, you can't buy people's respect, you can't make a name for yourself,' she recounted of the perceptions that once surrounded the indie film world. Yet for Shome, the personal and creative fulfillment offered by independent cinema far outweighed any external validation. 'One discovered such great joy in doing what one was doing, even if it was far and few. The power of cinema… the way it makes people feel is far beyond these petty partitions between mainstream and independent cinema.' She emphasised that survival in the arts comes from a deeper connection to purpose and passion. 'If you actually believe in the power of cinema and want to attach yourself to projects that make you grow, force you to grow, then your survival is guaranteed. There's something that you get back, which nourishes you. Independence is not being alone. It's about the freedom to do what you want to do, the way you want to do it… being part of the independent film fraternity is really about being part of a collective. And that is what we have achieved.' Shome's words resonated deeply with the international crowd gathered at Cannes. Bharat Pavilion , organised by NFDC and FICCI at Cannes Film Festival saw a series of interesting sessions around cinema. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Toronto Star
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Cavalry FC's Shamit Shome changes international allegiance to Bangladesh from Canada
Cavalry FC midfielder Shamit Shome, who won two caps for Canada in 2020, has switched his international allegiance to Bangladesh. The 27-year-old Shome was born in Edmonton to parents who came from Bangladesh in their 20s. FIFA has approved his application for a one-time change of association from Canada, meaning he could represent No. 183 Bangladesh in the June international window, which includes a 2027 Asia Cup qualifying match against No. 161 Singapore on June 10 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Like other countries, including Canada, Bangladesh has reached out to eligible footballers to build its roster. Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, a former England under-21 player who was born in England to a father from Grenada and mother from Bangladesh, has also switched to Bangladesh. Choudhury is currently on loan to Sheffield United. Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan was born in Denmark to Bangladeshi parents. Shome says while Bangladesh football officials had been pursuing him for some time, he had put them off for a while. Talks turned serious a couple of months ago. With the Canada door seemingly closed, Shome was open to the opportunity. 'Truthfully I think everybody wants to play for the national team. And I got a taste of it luckily at an young age,' he said in an interview. 'There was always a part of me that hoped that maybe I would get an opportunity again. 'But obviously now that I'm getting older in my career and settling down a bit, I thought it was the right time to change things up and kind of pursue a new opportunity — and a different style of international football, one that I have no idea what will be like. Different traditions, different style of play. So I'm really excited for that challenge.' While he has not spoken to Canada Soccer about the change, he said the Canadian federation approved the request from Bangladesh quickly. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Shome was taken by Montreal in the second round (41st overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Then 19, he had been with FC Edmonton of the NASL before becoming part of the MLS's inaugural Generation Adidas Canada class. Shome, who came up through the FC Edmonton academy, was a nominee for Canadian under-20 player of the year in 2016. Shome said his parents are proud of his decision, as are relatives on his father's side still back in Bangladesh. 'They're really, really excited to see me and to see me play live, because they' haven't really got that chance (before).' Shome has visited Bangladesh several times as a boy with his family, with the most recent visit about three years or four ago. Cavalry (1-2-1) plays at Halifax (3-0-2) in Canadian Premier League play Saturday. —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Cavalry FC's Shamit Shome changes international allegiance to Bangladesh from Canada
Cavalry FC midfielder Shamit Shome, who won two caps for Canada in 2020, has switched his international allegiance to Bangladesh. The 27-year-old Shome was born in Edmonton to parents who came from Bangladesh in their 20s. FIFA has approved his application for a one-time change of association from Canada, meaning he could represent No. 183 Bangladesh in the June international window, which includes a 2027 Asia Cup qualifying match against No. 161 Singapore on June 10 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Like other countries, including Canada, Bangladesh has reached out to eligible footballers to build its roster. Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, a former England under-21 player who was born in England to a father from Grenada and mother from Bangladesh, has also switched to Bangladesh. Choudhury is currently on loan to Sheffield United. Bangladesh captain Jamal Bhuyan was born in Denmark to Bangladeshi parents. Shome says while Bangladesh football officials had been pursuing him for some time, he had put them off for a while. Talks turned serious a couple of months ago. With the Canada door seemingly closed, Shome was open to the opportunity. 'Truthfully I think everybody wants to play for the national team. And I got a taste of it luckily at an young age,' he said in an interview. 'There was always a part of me that hoped that maybe I would get an opportunity again. 'But obviously now that I'm getting older in my career and settling down a bit, I thought it was the right time to change things up and kind of pursue a new opportunity — and a different style of international football, one that I have no idea what will be like. Different traditions, different style of play. So I'm really excited for that challenge.' While he has not spoken to Canada Soccer about the change, he said the Canadian federation approved the request from Bangladesh quickly. Shome was taken by Montreal in the second round (41st overall) of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. Then 19, he had been with FC Edmonton of the NASL before becoming part of the MLS's inaugural Generation Adidas Canada class. Shome, who came up through the FC Edmonton academy, was a nominee for Canadian under-20 player of the year in 2016. Shome said his parents are proud of his decision, as are relatives on his father's side still back in Bangladesh. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'They're really, really excited to see me and to see me play live, because they' haven't really got that chance (before).' Shome has visited Bangladesh several times as a boy with his family, with the most recent visit about three years or four ago. Cavalry (1-2-1) plays at Halifax (3-0-2) in Canadian Premier League play Saturday. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2025
Calgary Herald
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Cavalry's Shamit Shome hoping to suit up for Bangladesh
Article content Shamit Shome has banged the drum to play footie for his parents' home country of Bangladesh. Article content And FIFA has answered that call, allowing the Cavalry FC star midfielder the opportunity to become a select player for the Asian nation. Article content Shome is now eligible to represent the Bangladesh national team after soccer's governing body, FIFA, approved his application for a one-time change of association from Canada. Article content Article content The move comes hours before Shome and Cavalry (1W-2L-1D) play Saturday against host — and unbeaten — HFX Wanderers FC (3-0-2) in Halifax (3:30 p.m., TSN5, Article content Article content Shome, born in Edmonton to Bangladeshi parents, represented Canada at several youth levels before earning two senior caps in 2020. Article content Because of his previous association with the country of his birth, he was required to apply for a one-time switch to be eligible to join the Bangladesh national team at the international level. Article content 'I was raised with Begali culture, and I'm very excited by the chance to represent Bangladesh, the birth country of my parents and a country I hold very close to heart,' Shome said. 'I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I received within the Canadian men's national team program, from the under-18 level to the senior level. I feel now it sht right time to test myself with Bagnladesh at an international level and within the Asian Football Confederation.' Article content Shome is eligible to be sleected by Bangladesh during the upcoming FIFA international window, which will include a 2027 Asia Cup qualifying match against Singapore on June 10 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
