From the Editor’s Desk

15 December 2022

When we launched ISBUND in 2021, we made a conscious decision not to talk politics because the ethos of this magazine was to bring the community together and politics can sometimes do quite the opposite. However, the appointment of Rishi Sunak as the first non-Christian, non-White and not to mention the youngest Prime Minister in 200 years of British history isn’t just politics, it’s a seismic shift in British society and how it sees itself, a historic moment that generations to come will speak of. We would like to hear your thoughts on how this societal change translates into our own lives, what this means to an average person of Indian descent. We would especially love to hear from our elderly who lived through times when it wasn’t easy to be a person of colour or non-Christian faith. We also invite views from our youth, whether this makes it easier to leave our mark and to achieve that unimaginable dream or actually harder to live up to expectations. In the meantime, we wish Rishi luck and send him our very best wishes in these difficult times with the economic turmoil, war in Ukraine, cost of living crisis and a country still recovering from a pandemic. 

Since Rishi took to office, his red thread or as we call it ‘Naerwan’ has gained prominence in British media. One can’t help but notice that it’s become acceptable to wear one in public. It’s even featured in school assemblies on tolerance and embracing differences. Since we are talking traditions, let’s speak of one that is so close to our hearts – our very own Kashmiri reeth of ‘pann puza’. Legend has it, that newly grown cotton is spun into thread (pann) by an unmarried girl and worn around the ear by the lady of the house, who prepares ‘Roth’ (pictured on the front cover) on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Tsoram) and offered to the agricultural deities, Vibha and Garbha. For the puza, the pann is tied around the neck of a vessel filled with water and the head of the family shares a story about the legend of pann and Beeb garab maej. The Roth or naveed as we call it, is then shared among family and friends.

The editors for next issue of ISBUND will be our soon to be 10 year olds, Aria and Adhya. They will reach out to you in the coming weeks and months as they put their thoughts and ideas together for the Navreh edition of ISBUND. I hope you will indulge them with your contributions and blessings as you have given us.

As we wrap up the year and begin to enjoy the festivities around us, from devouring ‘Gaed batte’ (fish and rice) and celebrating ‘Khaech mavas’ to Christmas, travelling to exotic destinations or just staying in the UK catching up with family and friends, do remember to rejoice, relax and rejuvenate. Prepare yourselves for a brilliant 2023.

Team ISBUND wishes you all an absolutely fabulous Christmas and a very happy new year!!!

Sheetal, Shivani and Anjan

Please read full issue here.