Umeed (hope in both Hindi and Urdu) is an inclusive speech and democracy project committed to promoting compassion, empathy, solidarity, and open dialogue within and across the communities of the global Indian diaspora. We embody a shared vision of a harmonious, inclusive, and pluralistic India and Indian diaspora, where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is empowered to contribute to positive change.
Through strategic campaigns, creative storytelling, and community engagement, we work towards nurturing a society rooted in justice, dignity, equality, and our shared humanity. We are dedicated to creating safe and vibrant spaces that inspire meaningful conversations, bridge divides, and drive collective action to strengthen the values of pluralism and democracy. We are motivated by a vision to build societal resilience against divisiveness, promote mutual understanding, and create lasting social cohesion grounded in individual rights and autonomy.
Explore our initiatives that foster empathy, unity, and resilience against hate through impactful stories and practical resources.
Umeed: Stories That Inspire is a visual storytelling project that highlights stories of solidarity, empathy, and compassion between and across the diverse communities of India and the Indian diaspora and the shared humanity that binds us together. The project amplifies voices that challenge divisiveness, promote mutual understanding and respect, and inspire hope.
Counterspeech Manual serves as the foundation for developing training programs and workshops tailored for civil society organizations, community stakeholders, and religious leaders, enabling grassroots interventions that proactively address hate speech.
The Counterspeech Resource Center is a breathing archive of analytical pieces, in-depth interviews with counterspeakers, and a source of practical guidance to empower individuals and communities as first responders against harmful narratives.
I dream of an India where no one is humiliated for who they are. That we end the daily indignities—from bulldozed homes to whispered slurs. That the casual hate, from a teacher’s words to a bureaucrat’s indifference, is named and dismantled. And that people begin to ask themselves, honestly: Why do I think this way? Where did this come from? Change, I believe, comes not from shame but from love. People change for those they love.
I feel fortunate to have grown up in a diverse suburb of Virginia with a fairly large Indian and Indian American population. I was able to stay connected to my culture through community potlucks, where families brought dishes from different regions of India, through religious events where we supported one another, and through community spaces where we all formed strong friendships. In both my neighborhood and my school, the sizable South Asian presence made it easy to relate to others through shared experiences and values. Growing up, these interactions within my community made me feel comfortable and welcomed in America,…
I grew up in a small town between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, in a very diverse community with strong Hispanic/Latinx, African American, Caribbean, and other American identities. I made friends across many different cultures, but the Asian and especially Indian population was very small. I rarely met other South Asians in school unless our families already knew each other. As a result, I often felt like I couldn’t fully relate to others when it came to family dynamics, cultural norms, or religious holidays. While it was difficult to find a strong sense of South Asian community, faith became my connection…
Counterspeech
Manual
Counterspeech Manual serves as the foundation for developing training programs and workshops tailored for civil society organizations, community stakeholders, and religious leaders, enabling grassroots interventions that proactively address hate speech.Ultimately, the resource aims to strengthen communities in proactively addressing hate speech and cultivating a culture of respect and empathy.
The Counterspeech
Resource Center
Explore resources featuring expert analysis to understand hate and counter hate speech in the hopes to promote democracy and pluralism in our society.
The Savala Vada (TSV), a satirical Instagram page run anonymously, publishes a mix of bold graphics and sharply written captions…
The Savala Vada dubs itself “India’s Most Honest News Source”—a satirical Instagram page run anonymously. Its name fuses savala (Malayalam…
Swami Raghavendra is a Hindu religious leader based at the Ram Janaki Ashram in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. He leads the Satya…
