National
Freedom to choose: Rahman defends daughter Khatija’s right to wear niqab
Oscar-winning Indian music composer A.R. Rahman, who was trolled on social media as his daughter Khatija wore a niqab at an event here, defended her “freedom to choose”.
Rahman recieved flak on social media after a celebratory for 10 years of “Slumdog Millionaire”, which had won him Academy awards.
His daughter had shared the stage with him during the event. She wore a black saree and her face was covered in a niqab with only her eyes visible.
Photographs from the event led a section of social media users to raise questions.
Rahman on Wednesday took to Twitter to shut the trollers with another photograph, which featured Khatija, his other daughter Raheema, wife Sairaa and Nita Ambani — from the event.
“The precious ladies of my family Khatija, Raheema and Sairaa with Nita Ambaniji. Freedom to choose,” wrote Rahman in a subtle yet strong response to trollers.
National
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
The RG Marathon Championship Run 2023 in Goa was a testament to inclusivity. Initially resistant to including persons with disabilities, it eventually featured wheelchair and standing categories, thanks to advocates’ efforts. Participants showed exceptional determination, emphasizing unity in diversity. Despite challenging weather, they demonstrated the power of community support, highlighting the need for accessibility and inclusion in all state-level events in Goa.
Following the marathon, a gathering of differently-abled individuals, predominantly wheelchair users, convened for a celebratory lunch at Barzilla. The event, orchestrated by Mr. Shariq Khan and Mr. Zain Aftab, proprietors of Barzilla, honored the birthday of Sadaf Fatima, who also uses a wheelchair and is Mr. Shariq Khan’s wife.
The lunch featured esteemed guests including the Tourism Minister of Goa, MLA Rohan Khaunte of Porvorim, Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, and the State Commissioner for Persons with Disability in Goa, Guruprasad Pawaskar. The event was impeccably hosted by Ms. Falak Fatima and Mr. Adarsh Parashar, offering activities such as Karaoke and Billiards. The youth of Goa exhibited their unwavering support for the community, making the party an unequivocal success.