“I had a kidney transplant so I take meds that weaken my immune system, which makes me worried sick about the ongoing pandemic. And I usually take precautions, like wearing gloves, but today I forgot them. That’s what happens when you work so hard. I practically have no social life in Japan. My fellow IndianContinue reading
“We’re shooting a TV commercial today. I’m supposed to get punched in the face so I’m not so excited about that. In the past, I used to get cooler roles, like an oil tycoon from the Middle East. They say I look oil rich with my mustache. I don’t do this full-time. Today just happensContinue reading
“He’s very shy. He won’t even let me take his picture with my phone, let alone a stranger. But his older sister’s not camera shy. Actually, she’s inside this building, auditioning for a TV commercial role as we speak. We’re from India and I’ve been living in Japan for 13 years. Both of my kidsContinue reading
“I will always be a minority in every country I go to. I’m Punjabi but I was born and raised in Birmingham, England. My parents are both from East Africa, grandparents all from India. If I go to India, I’m a Brit. In the UK, I’m British Indian or British Asian. In Japan, I’m aContinue reading
“My whole life, I have been body-shamed for being too small for my age. After graduation, I had an interview with a radio station, and it went well. But then they told me the position wasn’t available to someone like me. They said I was too small. At first, I thought they were referring toContinue reading Size Doesn’t Matter
***日本語は下をご覧ください***“Even though my grandmother was illiterate, she understood the importance of education. She pushed my uncles and their kids to go to school, which wasn’t easy back then because it took an hour by bicycle, thanks to bad roads. While most women in India at that time weren’t outgoing and usually just stayed home, myContinue reading Empowering Women
“When I shared my idea to start a website and bring Indian rural art to Japan, most people laughed at me. They laughed because I didn’t have any skills in creating a website. Plus, it seemed too costly for me to do. Besides not having a professional network to help me get started, I alsoContinue reading Bootstrapping
“A few years back I fainted from overwork at my job here in Japan. So I told myself I can’t keep putting other people and work first. I need to give myself priority, too, and push back whenever possible. Right now I have a really good job that I love. I’m back on my feet.Continue reading Samurai Spirit
“There is no distinct native culture for people who were born and have been brought up in an international environment. As an Indian who grew up in Dubai, I find it very hard to identify a place where I are from and where I wanna be. I think this is true for anyone who hasContinue reading Where Do I Belong?
“My parents wanted me to be a public lawyer back home in India to help people who can’t afford legal counsel. But I was kind of selfish and even fickle minded. I took the biggest risk of my life by dropping out of law school and leaving the family business just to be back inContinue reading Foster Family
“Being Japanese and Malaysian Indian is what makes me who I am. Before, I used to think I’m just Japanese and it just so happens that I am half Malaysian. For a long time, I knew nothing about Malaysian Indian culture. Now, being Malaysian Indian is a stronger part of my identity, even though IContinue reading The Odd One Out
“My dad always used to say, ‘Be competent in whatever you do, don’t worry about the result, be it marks, money or whatever’. I sincerely believe that curiosity is maybe the best thing which can happen to a person. I used to be a very inquisitive kid from 5 to 15. I regret losing thatContinue reading Inquisitive Disposition
