Latest news with #SumitJha
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Disgusting': Miss World 2025 contestants' feet washed by Telangana women, viral video sparks debate
The 72nd Miss World contest kicked off in a glittering ceremony at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad. Contestants from around 120 countries visited Telangana's most iconic temples – the Ramappa temple in Mulugu district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal. One of the videos showing Telangana women washing the feet of the contestant has caught the Internet's attention, sparking a debate over 'colonialism.' The viral video shows the contestants dressed to the nines in stunning sarees, wearing bangles, gajra, bindi, and other Indian accessories, and having water poured onto their feet over brass plates. As the video progresses, Indian women volunteers are handed over towels to dab them outside the Ramappa temple. Sharing the clip, an X user, Sumit Jha, condemned it, calling it a 'colonial hangover'. 'India may be free, but the colonial hangover still is there. In Telangana, women washing Miss World contestants' feet wasn't tradition—it was a masterclass in colonial hangover and white worship. All in the name of 'culture',' he wrote. Watch the video here: India may be free, but colonial hangover still is there. In Telangana, women washing Miss World contestants' feet wasn't tradition—it was a masterclass in colonial hangover and white worship. All in the name of 'culture'. — Sumit Jha (@sumitjha__) May 14, 2025 The video went viral in no time, sparking a debate over the tradition. 'It's part of our Telugu people culture, to give water with our own hands, for guests. If you don't like our guest culture you can go to north india … even lord Krishna, washed feet of sudama, his friend & guest,' a user wrote. 'I think they only instructed to wash feet before entering the temple,' another user commented. 'These women are washing nicely pedicured feet. This is nothing but mockery of the ancient practice of washing feet after long travel for hygienic reasons,' a third user reacted. The Miss World Grand Finale will also be held at HITEX, Hyderabad, on May 31. The last edition of the Miss World Pageant was also held in India in Mumbai. Krystyna Pyszkova from the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World 2024. This year, Nandini Gupta will represent India in the contest. Manushi Chhillar was the last Indian contestant to win the crown in 2017.
Hans India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Sumit Jha South Asia's Digital Dynamo
From Balawa to Global Impact Sumit Jha is a Nepalese author, entrepreneur, and software engineer, born on August 7, 1995, in Balawa, Nepal. From this small town, he has emerged as a driving force in Nepal's digital transformation, launching five innovative startups and authoring books that inspire professionals worldwide. At 29, Jha's journey from a rural dreamer to a South Asian tech leader is redefining what's possible in one of the world's most dynamic regions. Engineering a Digital Revolution Jha's career began at IIMT College of Engineering in Greater Noida, India, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering. Returning to Nepal, he saw a digital divide that limited opportunities. 'Technology can empower everyone, no matter where they live,' Jha says. In 2020, he launched Dfood Online Shopping, an e-commerce platform that connects rural and urban Nepalis with goods, from groceries to electronics, serving thousands and proving South Asia's developing markets can embrace digital commerce. Innovating Mobility and Education Jha's ambition extends beyond retail. His startup Materide Pro City Rides, a motorbike seat-sharing app, offers affordable inter-city travel, tackling Nepal's unreliable public transport—a model with potential across South Asia's congested cities. Safaryo Ride, a sleek ride-hailing service, serves urban commuters, ενώ Dealgarnu Shoppingpowers a vibrant online marketplace. His latest venture, Esikcha, provides free courses and live coaching, equipping Nepal's youth with skills for a global economy and addressing South Asia's education gap. Empowering Through Words Jha is also a prolific author. His books—The Freelancer's Odyssey, Market Mastery, and Infinite Loops—offer actionable insights for freelancers, marketers, and developers. His upcoming 2026 release, Ride-Sharing Apps: The Future of Urban Mobility, will explore technology's role in transforming transport in developing nations. Fluent in English, Hindi, Nepali, and Maithili, Jha writes and connects with diverse South Asian audiences, amplifying his regional influence. Overcoming Challenges, Inspiring Change Nepal's tech landscape is fraught with challenges, from regulatory unpredictability to infrastructure gaps, yet Jha's startups employ dozens and inspire entrepreneurs in a country where youth unemployment is rife. 'Sumit's ability to balance startups, writing, and social impact is extraordinary,' says Ankit Sharma, a Kathmandu-based tech analyst. 'He's shaping South Asia's digital identity.' A Vision for South Asia With Nepal's internet penetration surpassing 40%, Jha's work signals a broader trend: South Asia's youth are leveraging technology to rewrite their region's future. His startups are exploring partnerships in India and Southeast Asia, hinting at global ambitions. 'Obstacles fuel innovation,' Jha says, a mantra that resonates across South Asia's emerging tech hubs. A Legacy in the Making Rooted in Balawa Nepal, Jha mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and drives change from his hometown. His story underscores South Asia's potential when talent meets tenacity. As Nepal and the region embrace the digital era, Sumit Jha stands as a visionary, building a future one startup, one book, one idea at a time.
