From the Editor’s Desk – June 2025 Edition
In every era of human movement, there comes a pause. A moment to reflect not only on where we are going, but where we have come from. There’s something about June that carries a subtle stillness — a pause between seasons, between semesters, between journeys. This June, as The WFY continues to mirror the mosaic of Indian lives across the globe, we find ourselves at one such juncture — a convergence of shifting global politics, powerful diasporic voices, and the quiet, enduring culture that binds us.
This issue is a layered mosaic — stitched not with headlines alone but with personal stories, cultural rediscoveries, policy shifts, and reminders of who we are becoming. It is also a reflection of a world where the Indian diaspora is no longer just observing history; we are shaping it.
This edition is not just another compilation of global headlines or lifestyle features. It is, at its heart, a curated canvas of the Indian experience — as lived, questioned, celebrated, and redefined across continents. And as editor, I must admit, this has been one of the most rewarding issues to shape.
A New Diasporic Dawn: Anjali Sud at Harvard
We open with our cover story, a resonant note in the symphony of diaspora excellence — Anjali Sud at Harvard. Her journey from a small-town upbringing to becoming the CEO of Vimeo and now the head of the Harvard Business School is not just personal triumph, but a collective one. It signals the rise of a new diasporic identity — no longer defined solely by hard-earned success, but by the ability to redefine global institutions from within.
According to the Migration Policy Institute, over 6.5 million Indians now live outside India, making us the largest diaspora population in the world. And increasingly, these lives are not just lived on the margins — they are redefining the centre. Anjali represents this shift: the diaspora not as seekers, but as stewards.
Geopolitical Currents: Borders, Bans, and Bridge-Building
In World Politics, we confront the fragile terrain that defines the lives of migrants, refugees, and international students. The Strong Borders Act in Canada, covered by the WFY Bureau, sends ripples through Indian communities in Toronto, Brampton, and Surrey. At a time when over 1 in 4 international students in Canada are of Indian origin, immigration policy is not just a national debate — it’s deeply personal.
Meanwhile, Selvan Durairaj’s report on The New American Ban of the Countries examines the expanding shadow of isolationist policy in the U.S., even as Donald Trump’s political resurgence changes the tone of the immigration discourse. It’s no longer just about who is allowed in — it’s about who is made to feel at home.
In contrast, our piece on Paraguay’s president envisioning an India–Latin America partnership, also from the WFY Bureau, offers a refreshing glimpse of diplomacy rooted in mutual respect, not power play. It reminds us that the Indian identity is not East or West — it is global, adaptable, and increasingly, central to new alliances.
Our Humanity: Tigers, Health, and Healing
On the human front, Ridhima Kapoor’s evocative portrait of Valmik Thapar, the passionate conservationist who dedicated his life to India’s tigers, is a soulful read. As climate change and biodiversity loss reshape the planet, Thapar’s journey is a reminder that the Indian voice has always been intertwined with nature — as both witness and guardian.
In Health & Wellness, our contributors unravel persistent myths around hair loss, explore the gendered nuances of heart attacks, and provide insightful articles on headaches, stress, and cholesterol — issues that affect the diaspora in uniquely complex ways. According to the World Health Organization, South Asians are up to 50% more likely to die from heart disease compared to other groups, often due to genetic factors exacerbated by migration stress and lifestyle changes.
Naisa V Melwyn’s piece on stress-related headaches and William Melwyn’s practical guide to cholesterol awareness stand out for their blend of science and empathy — much needed in a world where wellness often feels out of reach.
Living Well: Work, Wealth, and What Matters
Our Lifestyle and Finance sections walk the tightrope between aspiration and authenticity. In Part 3 of his practical series for newcomers to Canada, Tushar Unadkat offers essential dos and don’ts — grounded in lived experience rather than bureaucracy.
Kavya Patel returns with two rich offerings: one, a reflective journey into forgotten habits that can enrich modern life — small, old-world rituals that offer grounding in fast-paced diasporic lives — and another in Art & Culture, decoding how epic Indian paintings continue to enchant global audiences.
From there, we move into finance, where Kamal Arora’s essay on Frugal vs Financial Freedom invites a provocative internal debate: should we preserve wealth or pursue freedom? Meanwhile, Selvan Durairaj’s piece on lifestyle inflation is timely. As global Indians earn more, are we also spending with awareness? It’s a silent dilemma that plays out in every credit card swipe.
The numbers are telling. According to the World Bank, India received $125 billion in remittances in 2023, but the personal savings rate among NRIs has sharply declined in the last five years. Are we building legacies — or living just to maintain appearances?
Culture, Spirit, and Soul
In Art & Culture, we open with Rema Pisharody’s poetic musings on June, before travelling through Sindhu Gatha’s textured writings on Kolkata and Bahrain, and discovering Deblina Ghosh’s historical insights into Jharkhand’s forgotten empire.
In a particularly moving piece titled MOTHER, Briji.KT offers a lyrical, intimate meditation on maternal memory — a literary anchor for anyone navigating distance, diaspora, and the soft ache of home.
Also joining this month is Wynona M, who takes us through India’s hidden artistic treasures now shaping global creativity. These aren’t just exhibits — they’re testaments to a civilisation that continues to whisper, dazzle, and provoke.
Science, Speed, and Smartphones
In Science & Technology, Wilfred Melwyn reports from Google IO 2025, decoding the next phase of AI-powered tools — some of which promise to change how we work, think, and create. With offline AI capabilities making their way into smartphones, our tech future may no longer be about access alone — but control, privacy, and ethics.
WFY Bureau’s feature on killer smartphones isn’t science fiction — it’s reality. And the diaspora, known for its high-tech professions, will be at the centre of this shift.
Spirituality, Sport, and Soulful Journeys
In Spirituality, the WFY Bureau explores why June remains a pivotal month in the Hindu calendar, while Ridhima Kapoor offers a simple yet profound guide to manifestation techniques for modern seekers. Whether you believe in cosmic energy or practical psychology, the piece makes a persuasive case for intention-setting in a distracted world.
Our Sports feature — again by Wilfred Melwyn — brings spotlight to traditional Indian martial arts and native sports. From Mallakhamb to Kalaripayattu, these ancient practices are not just athletic — they are meditative, communal, and culturally rich.
Exploring Roots: Travel with Purpose
In Travel & Leisure, we take a mindful detour — not to luxury hotels or overrun tourist trails, but to tribal villages, hidden heritage spots, and the whispered alleys of Jaipur. These articles, by the WFY Bureau, gently remind us that to travel meaningfully is not to consume, but to connect.
Academics and the American Dream
Under Trump, Is It Difficult to Reach the US Now? — Manoj K Sharma confronts a pressing question many Indian families are whispering about over dinner. With U.S. visa policies tightening and meritocracy becoming more selective, the American Dream is looking increasingly gated.
Over 250,000 Indian students study in the U.S. every year. But as geopolitical winds shift, so must our strategies. This piece is a must-read — not just for students, but for parents, counsellors, and policy-makers.
Beyond the Page
So what does all this tell us?
It tells us that diaspora is not a category — it’s a conversation. A living dialogue between where we came from, where we are, and where we’re going.
This June, we invite you to read not just for news, but for nuance. To remember that while algorithms may serve us content, it is community that serves us meaning.
At The WFY, our editorial team spans time zones, yet we share one mission — to be a trustworthy companion to the Indian journey abroad. To elevate the voice of the everyday NRI, the unsung artist, the unquoted expert. To hold space for story, soul, and society.
Thank you for being part of this story.
Until next time,
Melwyn Williams
Editor-in-Chief
The WFY Magazine