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The Star
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Zohran Mamdani: Politics of courage
LET'S be honest. Politics has exhausted us. Everywhere we turn, there's performance without purpose, speeches without soul. It's the same tired playbook of personal insults, false propaganda, and empty promises. But then someone like Zohran Mamdani walks in. He's loud, brown, joyful with ear-to-ear smiles, angry – and reminds us what truth sounds like when it's not diluted for comfort. He doesn't speak like a man running a campaign. He speaks like someone with nothing to lose but his integrity. And for those of us in Dhaka, scrolling through timelines between sips of tea and blaring traffic horns, something about Mamdani strikes a deep chord. This isn't just a think piece – it's a feeling. A bridge. That soft thump in your chest whispering, 'I see myself in this'. He's the kind of man who steps onto a debate stage, calls himself Donald Trump's worst nightmare – and means it. A Gujarati Muslim. Born in Uganda, and raised in Queens, New York. The son of filmmaker Mira Nair and academic/author Mahmood Mamdani. But more than that, he is a mosaic of migration, struggle, and defiance. When Mamdani speaks about Palestine, he's not fishing for applause. When he calls Ïndia's PM Narendra Modi a war criminal, it's not for shock value. He's carrying generations of silence – and he refuses to inherit it. 'They say I don't belong here,' he says. 'But Queens is my home.' And with that, a thousand of us, oceans away, nod quietly in agreement. Politics, but make it personal Mamdani isn't just organising; he's storytelling. His campaign doesn't feel like politics – it feels like someone finally speaking our language, sometimes literally. That remix of the 1975 Indian movie Deewar in his Hindi video? Genius. Not just viral content, but a cultural reset. ' Mere paas aap hain ' (I have you with me) – it wasn't a line, it felt like a hug. He doesn't condescend. He connects. His town halls feel like block parties. His volunteers? Everyday people who've never 'done politics' before but are now out on the streets – because Mamdani makes them believe it matters. This is what happens when politics isn't borrowed from think tanks but born from lived pain and love. What makes Mamdani's campaign stand out even more is his use of marketing – not as manipulation, but as storytelling. It's a masterclass in emotional branding. From the iconic Bollywood remix tapping into immigrant nostalgia to his short-form videos breaking down complex policies, Mamdani understands that attention is currency, but trust is wealth. Every visual, every font, every caption feels intentional. His team uses clean, bold design and messaging that centres people – not him. He doesn't just post selfies. He posts solidarity with organisers, tenants, and strikers. His Instagram doesn't sell a candidate; it documents a movement. His materials are translated, accessible, and beautifully lit. Even his humour – calling himself the 'Kendrick Lamar of affordability' – shows cultural fluency and a rare political wit. And the brilliance? It never feels like branding. It feels like him. The moments that moved everything There are campaigns, and then there are movements that ripple across continents. These were Mamdani's. The debate stage takedown of candidate Andrew Cuomo – where Mamdani, with calm fire in his voice, delivered the now-iconic 'The name is Mamdani. MAM-DANI.' It wasn't just a mic drop moment. It was a reclaim – of name, of presence, of power. While Cuomo relied on status and volume, Mamdani relied on precision and principle. That moment exploded on social media because it wasn't just about one man correcting another; it was every person who's ever been misnamed, dismissed, or underestimated rising with him. Then came the Bollywood video that turned every immigrant dad into a potential voter. The hunger strike for Gaza, where he didn't just say he stood for Palestine – he gave his body to the cause. The Modi moment, where he named the unnameable and made it OK for South Asians to stop pretending genocide is a matter of diplomacy. These weren't stunts. They were stands. And they resonated – not because they were designed to go viral, but because they were meant to be felt. And we felt them. His mandates: Not billionaire-friendly, just human Here's what Mamdani is offering: freeze rents – not suggest, freeze. Make buses free – because mobility is dignity. Create a department of community safety – because police should not be mental health responders. Tax the ultra-rich – because why are we debating billionaire yachts while people can't afford insulin? Universal childcare. Cancel medical debt. Protect tenants. It's not flashy; rather, it's fair. And it's built for people who've been invisible for far too long. As Mamdani says, 'This city has catered to billionaires for too long. It's time we governed for the rest of us.' Mamdani doesn't mince words when it comes to immigration. He says it plainly: defund ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). End the contracts. Stop the deportations. No human being is illegal. In a city built by immigrants, this position is both radical and obvious. And it's personal. His policies read like someone who knows what it's like to hold his father's passport with trembling fingers at immigration control. The moment you stand for something, they'll try to tear you down with things such as right-wing ads, death threats, and accusations of being 'divisive'. Some even attempted to darken his image in photographs – literally. For his pro-Palestine stance, he's been labelled anti-Semitic. But ever the honest, sobering presence, Mamdani has managed to rally numerous New York–based Jews who now proudly declare him as their first choice. With each attack, his movement grew. Because when you speak from the chest – not the script – people remember you. Why it hits home for Bangladesh We're not idolising, we're learning. Back home, the rise of NCP offered a glimpse of what youth-led, progressive politics could look like. But we're still finding our way. As we do, Mamdani shows us what it means to speak up, stand tall, and stay rooted. No billionaire backers? No matter. Afraid of being 'too loud'? Be louder. Torn between relevance and principles? Choose both. We're not trying to import a saviour. We're trying to reclaim our own voice. Zohran Mamdani just reminds us what that sounds like. — The Daily Star/Asia News Network Rahat Ara Kabir Kheya is B2B development manager at British American Tobacco Bangladesh.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mahmood Mamdani education and career path: How Zohran Mamdani's father built a legacy of revolution through ideas and exile
Zohran Mamdani As Zohran Mamdani positions himself for one of the most consequential roles in American municipal governance, the mayoralty of New York City, his political philosophy is being examined not only for its content but also for the intellectual tradition from which it emerges. A democratic socialist with deep grassroots ties and a precise policy instinct, Zohran's approach to power is shaped not just by conviction but by inheritance. This inheritance is not merely biological; it is profoundly intellectual. At the heart of that legacy stands his father, Mahmood Mamdani, a political thinker shaped by exile, rooted in anti-colonial critique, and internationally renowned for reshaping how the world understands state authority and postcolonial governance. Here is the story of his education and career—the foundation that has indelibly shaped his son's political consciousness. Mahmood Mamdani's academic journey: How a student of struggle became a scholar of power Mahmood Mamdani's academic journey is as compelling as his scholarship. Born in 1946 in Bombay and raised in Kampala by Gujarati Muslim parents, his early years were marked by constant movement across East Africa and growing political awareness. Selected as part of the historic Kennedy Airlift initiative in the 1960s, he joined a select cohort of East African students who studied in North America during the decolonisation period. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh, where his commitment to justice took root through civil rights activism. After participating in protests in Montgomery, Alabama, and facing imprisonment for his stance, Mamdani deepened his engagement with revolutionary thought. He went on to complete a Master's at Tufts University and later obtained a PhD in Government from Harvard, where his dissertation on class and politics in Uganda laid the intellectual foundation for his future work. Mahmood Mamdani's career: A life of scholarship forged in struggle Mamdani's academic and personal life has been shaped by political upheaval. Shortly after returning to Uganda to conduct doctoral research, he was expelled by Idi Amin for his ethnicity and forced into exile. From the United Kingdom, he moved to Tanzania, joining the University of Dar es Salaam — a crucible for postcolonial thought. Despite being rendered stateless in the 1980s due to his criticism of Milton Obote's regime, Mamdani continued his work with unrelenting conviction. He returned to Uganda after Obote's fall and became the founding director of the Centre for Basic Research, one of the country's first independent think tanks. His academic career spanned institutions across the globe, including the University of Cape Town, Princeton, and Columbia University, where he currently teaches in the departments of Government, Anthropology, and African Studies. His scholarship remains foundational in the study of colonialism, authoritarianism, and the politics of knowledge. In his landmark work Citizen and Subject, Mamdani argued that the colonial state in Africa operated through a bifurcated system — one that simultaneously created urban civil power for citizens and rural authoritarian rule over subjects. This analytical framework challenged the conventional understanding of apartheid and extended far beyond South Africa. His writings continue to inform how academics and policymakers understand the enduring legacies of colonial governance and state violence. For Zohran Mamdani, these were not distant theories, but lived realities, discussed, debated, and dissected within his own home. Mahmood Mamdani's legacy finds its voice in Zohran's politics Where Mira Nair offered her son a global lens for storytelling and empathy, Mahmood Mamdani provided him with the intellectual tools to interrogate power and structure. Zohran's political style — principled yet strategic, radical yet methodical — carries clear echoes of his father's analytical discipline. In his advocacy for housing justice, immigrant rights, and racial equity, Zohran channels not only the urgency of social movements but also the clarity of postcolonial critique. His is a politics informed not just by protest, but by a lifetime immersed in theory, history, and the study of systems that marginalise and exclude. In a political age often defined by spectacle and short-termism, Zohran Mamdani's approach stands apart. It is grounded in an education shaped by two of the most dynamic thinkers of their generation. Mahmood Mamdani did not simply shape academic discourse — he cultivated a worldview in his son that merges scholarship with service, resistance with reform, and vision with action. The intellectual lineage that Zohran carries into public life is not just an inheritance; it is a compass. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
News18
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Mira Nair's Son Zohran Mamdani, Running For NY Mayor Post, Under Fire For Attacking PM Modi
Last Updated: When asked if he would meet Modi if the Indian PM held a rally in New York and asked for a joint press conference, Mamdani said he wouldn't attend such an event New York City mayoral candidate and Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani, the son of filmmaker Mira Nair, sparked outrage among Indo-American leaders and community representatives for spreading hate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 33-year-old made the remarks at an event, 'New Mayor, New Media', held on May 15 (local time) by New York Focus. WHAT MAMDANI SAID? When asked if he would meet Modi if the Indian PM held a rally in New York and asked for a joint press conference, Mamdani said he wouldn't attend such an event, equating Modi to Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and calling him a 'war criminal", according to the New York Post. He then went on to blame the PM for the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying people were 'shocked" when he revealed he was a Gujarati Muslim. The Supreme Court in 2022 upheld the Special Investigation Team's (SIT) clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and 63 others in the 2002 riots in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an interview with US-based podcaster and AI researcher Lex Fridman, earlier this year, called Godhra train incident a tragedy of ' unimaginable magnitude" which became a 'sparking point for violence". 'But that one tragic incident in 2002 became a sparking point, leading some people towards violence. Yet, the judiciary thoroughly investigated the matter. At that time, our political opponents were in power, and naturally they wanted all allegations against us to stick. Despite their relentless efforts, the judiciary analysed the situation meticulously twice and ultimately found us completely innocent. Those who were truly responsible have faced justice from the courts," he said. MAMDANI'S INDIAN CONNECTION Zohran Mamdani, the son of Indian-American Mira Nair, was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, before moving to New York City at the age of seven. His father, Mahmood Mamdani, a Ugandan, has roots in Gujarat. Nair's films include Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love, and The Reluctant Fundamentalist. My mother brought me into this world, helped me understand it, and taught me 'if we don't tell our own stories, no one else will." I love you, my dear Mother's Day to my Mama, and to mothers everywhere! — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) May 11, 2025 'HIGHLY OBJECTIONABLE FOR HINDUS': NOT THE FIRST TIME Mamdani is known for criticising New York politicians of Indian descent — Queens Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and former state Sen. Kevin Thomas — for not condemning Modi. In 2020, he said on X: '@JeniferRajkumar should return the money she's taken from Hindu fascists." Rajkumar had then called Mamdani's comments 'extreme and divisive," and urged voters to 'reject hate, whether from the far left or far right." 'Hinduism is a faith of peace, nonviolence, and interfaith harmony. Hindu voters want our leaders to build bridges—not burn them. We must reject hate—whether it comes from the far left or the far right. Our city deserves leaders who unite, not provoke—who build coalitions, not headlines," she said. A central tenet of Hinduism is inclusivity and mutual respect toward people of all faiths. Hindus believe not just in tolerance, but in one step more than tolerance– actively loving and respecting people of different backgrounds and faiths.— Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) August 8, 2022 Mamdani has also said on X: '@KevinThomasNY should acknowledge the terrifying truth of what's happening to Muslim Indians." He also said former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney should 'renounce her association with Modi & condemn the atrocities he's perpetrated." Jaspreet Singh, a Sikh Community Leader and human rights lawyer, said, 'Hate has no place in our city. We believe in equality, love and respect for all. We believe all are children of the same God. But Zohran has used his platform to amplify some of the worst anti-Hindu rhetoric imaginable. Words matter, and instead of uniting the Indian community, he seeks to divide us by religion, pitting Muslims and Hindus against each other. Associating Hindus with fascism and using derogatory words against them is highly objectionable." OBAMA TO FIREFIGHTERS: CONTROVERSY'S CHILD top videos View all Mamdani also reportedly trashed Barack Obama, accusing the former US president of lying, in a series of tweets from 2013 which resurfaced recently. Mamdani, who is polling second behind ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, repeatedly refused to sign off an annual, non-controversial resolution simply commemorating May 4 as 'Volunteer Firefighters Day'. Mamdani was also one of the few Assembly Democrats to vote against a bill eventually signed into law creating a task force to help with recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters in New York. In 2023, he also voted against providing $25 million to volunteer fire departments statewide for new equipment and facilities and another $10 million to provide stipends to volunteer firefighters for offset training costs. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Narendra Modi news18 specials Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 28, 2025, 12:41 IST News world Mira Nair's Son Zohran Mamdani, Running For NY Mayor Post, Under Fire For Attacking PM Modi
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mira Nair's son Zohran Mamdani slammed for his statement against Narendra Modi, critics say no place for Hindu hate
New York mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, Mira Nair's son, has been accused of Hindu hatred. Indian-origin New York politician Jenifer Rajkumar slammed Mira Nair's son Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayoral candidate from the Socialist Party, for a recent statement against India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an open forum. At the forum, he was asked a hypothetical question that if Indian PM Narendra Modi holds a rally in Madison Square Garden and then wants to address a joint press conference with the mayor of New York, would he join that? Mamadani, who has a strong connection with India as both his parents -- father Mahmood Mamdani and mother Mira Nair -- were born in India, said he won't join. Mamdani elaborated on his answer and said his father is a Gujarati Muslim, and then compared the Indian PM with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Jennifer Rajkumar strongly reacted to the statement and said such divisive language about foreign leaders should have no place in the New York mayoral poll when there are real issues. 'At a time when New Yorkers are struggling with real issues—rising crime, a housing crisis, and growing hate—we cannot afford to be distracted by extreme, divisive language about foreign leaders,' Rajkumar said to New York Post. 'Hinduism is a faith of peace, nonviolence, and interfaith harmony. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Hindu voters want our leaders to build bridges—not burn them. We must reject hate—whether it comes from the far left or the far right. Our city deserves leaders who unite, not provoke—who build coalitions, not headlines,' Rajkumar said. Jaspreet Singh, a Sikh community leader and human rights lawyer, said to the NYP, 'Hate has no place in our city. We believe in equality, love and respect for all. We believe all are children of the same God. 'But Zohran has used his platform to amplify some of the worst anti-Hindu rhetoric imaginable. Words matter, and instead of uniting the Indian community, he seeks to divide us by religion, pitting Muslims and Hindus against each other. Associating Hindus with fascism and using derogatory words against them is highly objectionable.' A staunch critic of the BJP, Mamdani in 2020 led a mob of protesters in Times Square who called Hindus basta**ds.
India.com
12-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Meet man, the grandson of Jinnah who had a fierce rivalry with Tata and Ambani, leads business empire of Rs 478370000000, owns companies like…
New Delhi: The chairman of the Wadia Group, Nusli Wadia, is a billionaire Indian businessman. His company operates in various industries such as textiles, aviation, chemicals, and real estate. Nusli Wadia expanded the Wadia Group and established several new companies, including Bombay Dyeing. He was also actively involved in GoAir airline. He has also contributed to the fields of education and healthcare through philanthropy. However, he faced controversies, including rivalries with the Ambani family and legal disputes with the Tata Group. The Wadia family holds an important place among the Parsi community. His mother, Dina Wadia, came from a Gujarati Muslim family. Nusli Wadia's maternal grandfather was Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. His maternal grandmother, Rattanbai Petit, belonged to one of India's wealthy Parsi families. Nusli Wadia's paternal grandfather, Sir Ness Wadia, was a well-known textile industrialist who played a key role in making Bombay one of the world's largest cotton trading centers at the end of the 19th century. His paternal grandmother was an Englishwoman named Evelyne Clara Powell from Yorkshire. His grandaunt (mother's aunt) Fatima Jinnah was a politician. Thus, Nusli Wadia's family has connections to many prominent figures in politics and business. In this article, we will delve into the journey of his success. All you need to know about Nusli Wadia Nusli Wadia was born on February 15, 1944, in Bombay (now Mumbai). Nusli Wadia is a billionaire Indian businessman. He is the chairman of the Wadia Group, which operates in various industries such as textiles, aviation, chemicals, and real estate. Nusli Wadia's father, Neville Wadia, was a well-known businessman, and his mother, Dina Wadia, was the daughter of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. The Wadia family has played a significant role in Indian business for several generations. Nusli Wadia expanded the Wadia Group and established several new companies, including Bombay Dyeing. He was also actively involved in GoAir airline. He has also contributed to the fields of education and healthcare through philanthropy. His wife's name is Maureen Wadia. They have two sons – Ness Wadia and Jeh Wadia. Nusli Wadia acquired an 11 percent stake in the company with the help of well-wishers such as his mother, sister, friends, and J.R.D. Tata. He also persuaded employees to invest their savings and buy shares in order to prevent the company from being sold. Nusli then went to London, where his father was negotiating a deal, and convinced him not to sell the company or move abroad. In 1977, Nusli Wadia became the chairman of the company after his father. Nusli Wadia is married to Maureen Wadia, who was formerly an air hostess. Maureen Wadia is the head of Gladrags magazine and one of the organizers of the Mrs. India beauty pageant. They have two sons: Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia. Nusli Wadia's son Ness Wadia is also quite well known. He is recognized in both the sports and business worlds. Ness Wadia is the co-owner of the IPL team Kings XI Punjab, which is now known as Punjab Kings. Nusli Wadia's real-time net worth is $5.6 billion (approximately Rs 47,837 crore).
