Umeed:
Stories That Inspire
Umeed
Stories That Inspire
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.
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“I dream of India where no one is humiliated for who they are” — Muskan Nagpal
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.
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Indian diaspora should raise more awareness about free speech and minority rights in India” — Siva Indupuru
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
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“I wish we could all unify as one that truly reflects the diversity of India” — Ani Guda
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
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“We need to recognize that we have the power to break the cycle of toxicity” — Anjana Raman
In my early years, I grew up deeply engaged in my heritage and culture. I started classical singing at age 4 and dance at age 5, forming bonds with people who shared similar interests and backgrounds. These cultural activities definitely helped me navigate my Indian-American identity. While pop culture has been something that I am
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“My fellow Hindus, we bear responsibility for the violence and inequities committed in our name” — Abhyudaya Tyagi
I spent most of my childhood in New Delhi and Tashkent, Uzbekistan. My mother was a teacher at international schools and so I experienced a childhood where I was exposed to a wide range of cultures and nationalities. At the same time, my mother ensured that I never strayed too far from my culture and
