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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- General
- Business Standard
Thinking Aloud: Jerry Pinto maps identity, cinema, and making of a nation
One of the books in the History for Peace Tracts series by Seagull Books is writer, poet, and translator Jerry Pinto's Thinking Aloud. Each volume from this series aims to 'grapple with what is and prepare for what is likely to be, as a nation, as a people, as a community, as individuals'. While the title of the book is unobtrusive and casual, something one says when they're not necessarily sure about their unprocessed trains of thought, the book's content invites readers to think of, principally, identity formation from interesting tangential routes. The three essays that comprise this book are updated versions of talks Pinto delivered at conferences organised by History for Peace, an initiative of The Seagull Foundations for the Arts. In the first, titled 'Bollywood and the Idea of the Nation,' Pinto proposes using the movies made (largely) in the Hindi language as a prism to witness how a nation is built. He submits this fragment of a song from Kismet (1943): 'Door hato eh duniyawalon, Hindustan hamara hai,' then asks, 'How did the British censor allow it?' Answer: 'Because the producer and director argued that while the Second World War was raging, the message was directed at the Axis powers: 'We are saying this to Japan. We are saying this to Germany. They will come and attack us. We don't want them here.'' This 'strategic duplicity' was no longer needed in the 1950s. 'At this point in time, the nation is equated with motherhood,' writes Pinto, citing Mother India (1957). Suffering, penance, sacrifice, and morally upright actions were required to nurture a nation. Equally, it is upbringing and positionality that inform opinions, which is why Pinto writes, 'Iconographically, the image of Radha [from Mother India] leaning a weary head on the plough always brought to my mind the image of Christ dragging his cross along the Via Dolorosa, en route to the crucifixion. Or was this only the result of my Roman Catholic upbringing?' Those whose ideas of a nation or a way of life Mother India didn't quite represent found the 'angry young men' version of everyday life relatable. This dramatic shift, Pinto notes, also signals that the nation wasn't a woman anymore. In Pinto's arguments on nation-building through movies, a crisis of masculinity is reflected inevitably. He notes that 'even though the woman has been held to be central to the making of the nation-state, I don't think most Indian men know how to converse with a woman who is not their mother or sister. What kind of state can we devise if half of it has no way of communicating with the other half?' Which is why India fails to make one-half of its population feel safe, because the other half has complete faith in several oversubscribed dialogues of mainstream cinema, such as Hasee toh phasee or a woman's 'no' is a 'yes', too. Interestingly, Pinto remarks that Shah Rukh Khan's presence on screen 'gave off an easy sensuality', which itself seems like a compromise — look, at least he's not angry, he can balance tradition and modernity, and, oh my god, he's in the kitchen, too. Khan's characters' virtue signalling in several movies makes for a tiring watch. Anyway, it took until 2016, with Pink, for Bollywood to register that a 'no means no'; to have messy characters where audiences had to work to consider for themselves what was acceptable or not, which, to my mind, is precisely the kind of labour required to see, build, and remake identities. Nation, in a way, can be customised. Which brings me to another crucial strand of Pinto's essay where he relates an anecdote about Manmohan Desai (director of Amar Akbar Anthony). Desai once noted that he was making a film, not a documentary, when asked about a blood-donation scene in the movie. Desai is pointing out that truth can't be manufactured but stories can. However, in the context of nation-building, one can't forget the role stories play in dividing, too. When falsehoods are repeated as facts, they replace something that was thought essential. Which one would you call a better 'love story': Kabir Singh (2019) or Darr (1993)? The choice is yours, it seems. However, it seldom is. Why is Jaggi (2022), which actually shows real-life consequences of 'gossip' — an essential element, too, in Pinto's mind — not part of popular imagination, and only part of the 'film circuit'? And why leave documentaries out of the process of nation-building? These were perhaps questions equally important to raise in this essay. In the second essay, 'Biography as History', Pinto talks about stories of many Indias that remain inaccessible to large sections of the population for a variety of reasons. This essay is insightful for demonstrating the use of language as a political tool, asking probing questions about representation and highlighting how historiography reveals that history is 'always unbelievable and always weird'. Then, Pinot makes a statement that may unsettle many, but makes absolute sense: 'Every moment in literary history is fraught and incomplete, a reflection of human imperfection.' He ends this essay with history inspiring other histories, working together to imagine something to which one can relate — an experience, a community, a nation. The final piece in this collection is 'Mothers and Others: How to Bring the Margins Back into Young Lives'. This essay is also a reflection of Pinto's experiments with teaching. He is proud of the label he attracted — 'Duffer Sir'. Decentring is the word Pinto employs to make students living in upscale neighbourhoods visit neglected areas to document something about them. It may be to make them witness something entirely new to them, but I believe privileged reflections are something the privileged must keep to themselves. A nation can't rely only on second-hand histories for too long. If one can empower people living their lives to tell stories about themselves, then that's as close as one can get to a compelling story.
American Press
a day ago
- American Press
Mary Richardson: Exploring the beauty of our planet
1/5 Swipe or click to see more Oslo, Norway (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 2/5 Swipe or click to see more Lisbon, Portugal (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 3/5 Swipe or click to see more Panajachel, Guatemala (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 4/5 Swipe or click to see more Giza, Egypt (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) 5/5 Swipe or click to see more Kirkenes, Norway (Mary Richardson / Special to the American Press) Mary Richardson is not just a tourist. She's an explorer who seeks to immerse herself in new environments, embracing diversity and forging genuine relationships with the locals. 'I consider Lake Charles my community — my church is here, my friends are here, half of my family is here. But I also feel a broader connection with humanity,' she said. Richardson, who shares her travel experiences several times a year through her writings in the American Press , said she travels not only for the beauty she finds when she arrives at the destination but also out of sheer curiosity. 'There's a sense of awe with our planet,' she said. 'I'm a history major and Joe (her husband) has an undergraduate degree in history and it's one thing to read about a country, it's another thing to see it. In Egypt, we were climbing up the Step Pyramid near Cairo and it's 5,000 years old! It's only been 2,000 years since the beginning of Christianity and that had already been there for 3,000 years. There's this sense of timing; you're only a piece of dust in it.' When Joe and Mary were courting, Richardson said the couple never had big plans to see the world. That came later. 'We had a Pinto with a stick shift and we would pull a boat,' she said with a laugh. 'That's how we traveled. We would go camping in national parks and state parks.' He's from Kentucky, she's from Minnesota. They met and married in Florida and shortly after moved to Nevada for his work as a civil engineer. Eventually, Joe was awarded a Fulbright Professorship — a prestigious opportunity for American faculty members to teach abroad — and the program took their family to United Emirates, Sharjah, Namibia, Singapore, Indonesia, Holland and Dubai. 'We started traveling when he started working in these foreign countries,' she said. 'He went to Rwanda first, 10 years after the genocide, and that's when we started thinking about the world. Then he became a department head in Dubai, then he had a Fulbright to Namibia. That's how I got to see Africa. Very few of the trips have been planned, most came by circumstance where he happened to be. That's where we got a taste of being part of the world as opposed to being part of a small community.' The pair found themselves in Lake Charles in 1986. 'We were passing through back to Gainesville, Fla., where Joe was getting his Ph.D. in civil engineering and we stopped and I had the blackened catfish and I told Joe, 'I'd like to stay here.' That's the truth,' she said. Both found work at McNeese State University — he as an engineering professor and she as the director of the Banners Cultural Series. 'We don't appreciate what we have,' she said. 'This country is a miracle. One of the miracles is our founding fathers. At one time, they were all there together, forming our democracy, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights. Nothing like that has ever happened in Haiti. Haiti has not had good government not one day in its life.' She said travel has given her a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the gifts she's been given. 'It's not due to you; it's chance that you were born here and had these opportunities,' she said. 'In Guatemala, I developed an appreciation for gratitude. You can look at them and say, 'Oh, poor thing. You don't have enough electricity. You don't have carpets on the floors.' They don't care. They're just grateful for what they do have.' She said traveling has deeply changed her view of the world. 'We went by a refugee camp on the border of Ethiopia. People have been there for years and they weren't going to get out. It was a hopeless situation. If I hadn't seen that I would have known about it in my mind, but not know about it in my heart. It hurts. The tragedy at the border has a face. 'Travel broadens you as a person,' she continued. 'I do see myself as a piece of dust in the world as opposed to a little piece of sand in Lake Charles.' When Joe retired she said that's when the travel bug really hit the pair — and, as Johnny Cash sings, the Richardsons have 'been everywhere man.' They've been to five of the seven continents. They haven't been to Australia or Antartica. Joe has been to 48 states, Mary said she's still catching up. Istanbul is top on her bucket list of sites to see. 'Joe has been to Istanbul but I have not,' she said. 'And I've been to Morocco but Joe has not. I want to see Istanbul, that's the kind of architecture that feeds my soul. I'd also like to see Nepal.' Before retirement, the couple planned two trips a year. Now they take about four. 'We're in a travel period of our life,' she said. 'I feel like time is chasing us. We're both healthy right now but he's 80 and I just turned 78. If we're going to do something, we've got to do it now. Age makes you feel vulnerable to chance.' Mary is an adventurous eater, but Joe 'not so much.' 'I've had some really bad meals, though, especially if I can't read a menu,' she said. 'In Singapore, I had my first tuna pizza. I will never forget that because it was not a match made of heaven. That was not a good idea.' Also not a good idea? Shark. 'I tried the shark in Iceland, though I was warned against it,' she said. 'That was doubly unfortunate. First of all, it's something you never want to put in your mouth but second of all, a friend asked us to bring some home and I put some frozen shark in my backpack but the pressure during the flight opened it up and oh boy.' During the pandemic, the couple realized they needed to see more of the United States. 'We went out west and back to the Grand Canyon,' she said. 'Joe had been there many times a nd I had been only once as a child and I think everyone who has been to the Grand Canyon remembers that sense of awe. That gasp. Some of the most beautiful sights in the world are right here in the United States.' Their fall trip this year will cover six national parks. 'We're going to stay at the historic lodges that we looked at in when we were staying in tents,' she said. 'And just because we're staying in these historic lodges, doesn't mean we're staying in luxury.' Traveling is incredibly important for personal growth, cultural understanding and global awareness. It also broadens perspectives, fosters empathy and provides opportunities for learning, skill development and lasting memories, Richardson said. 'I don't know if you become a better person, necessarily. I don't know if you become smarter or wiser. I'm not sure about that. I don't think you can help but become more appreciative and more grateful — not to feel sorry for other people; it's a different kind of gratitude. I don't know how to define it. It's a valuable experience.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
UC shutters diversity programs and departments in response to new Ohio law
The University of Cincinnati shuttered its diversity, equity and inclusion programs June 24 in response to a Republican-led change in Ohio law that banned such programs and threatened to withhold money from schools that fail to comply. In an email to students and faculty, UC President Neville Pinto said the university will close its Equity and Inclusion Office, its LGBTQ Center, its Women's Center and four Identity Centers that offer programs supporting diverse student populations. UC also will rename the African American Cultural & Resource Center the "Cultural Center." Pinto said he recognized the changes would be difficult for many UC students who relied on the centers and programs for academic and peer support. Some students have described the programs as essential to their college experience because they offered a sense of belonging to minority and LGBTQ students who might otherwise feel isolated. "I recognize that unwinding deeply rooted efforts around inclusion will undoubtedly challenge core feelings of belonging for many in our community," Pinto wrote. "My message to you is unequivocal: You belong here." He also suggested that other programs, or the renamed versions of existing programs, still could provide the sense of community that students previously got from the disbanded programs. "I encourage you to use the new facilities and programs to remain connected and find the support you need," he wrote. The moves at UC are a response to Ohio Senate Bill 1, which outlawed diversity, equity and inclusion programs in public education. The bill, signed into law by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, takes effect this week. The measure is part of a nationwide conservative movement against DEI programs that has been led by President Donald Trump. Since taking office in January, Trump has issued numerous executive orders dismantling programs and departments that he considers related to DEI. Those orders have taken aim at transgender people in the military, government programs that recruit or support minority employees, foreign aid that provides food and medicine to people of color, and museums that include exhibits about racism, civil rights and slavery. Trump and other Republicans say DEI programs are racist because they encourage people to think about others in terms of their race rather than their abilities. The changes announced June 24 at UC have been playing out in some measure at public colleges and universities across Ohio and the nation. In Ohio, failure to comply with Senate Bill 1 could cost colleges and universities their share of the $2 billion the state spends annually on operations and construction to support those schools. UC junior Mel Searle, a student leader involved in the LGBTQ Center, said the decision to end UC's diversity programs is "heartbreaking" but not surprising. After working with other Ohio college students to oppose Senate Bill 1, she said she knew its passage would spell the end of programs that she considers crucial to the student experience at UC. "I'm still disappointed and very angry," Searle said. "For many students, these centers really were our homes on campus. We're losing our home. That is incredibly heartbreaking to witness." Pinto made clear in his letter to students and faculty that the new law drove the decision to end DEI programs at UC. It's unclear from his letter whether any staff or faculty would lose their jobs because of the elimination of DEI programs, but he indicated some would be reassigned to new roles. He said he and UC officials remain committed to the needs of all students, despite the elimination of the programs. "We must uphold our enduring commitment to access and success through educational programs that respond to the needs of our society," Pinto wrote. "We will strive to ensure that every student, faculty and staff member finds their place here and has the support they need to be successful." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: University of Cincinnati ends DEI programs in response to new Ohio law
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Wavenet and CSG Launch AI-Powered Real-Time Promotions to Transform Telecom CX at DTW
SINGAPORE, June 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At TM Forum's DTW – Ignite 2025, Wavenet, an AI-first digital transformation partner for telecoms, and CSG, a purpose-driven SaaS platform company, unveiled a new AI-powered real-time promotions solution. The joint solution is designed to revolutionize how telecom operators engage with subscribers. By fusing Wavenet's predictive intelligence platform, Sense AI for customer experience, with CSG's real-time engagement capabilities, the solution empowers operators to shift from reactive to predictive engagement delivering personalized, high-impact offers in real time without overhauling existing infrastructure. The solution adds a dynamic intelligence layer that continuously evaluates subscriber behaviour—scoring churn risk, lifecycle stage, and usage patterns—at scale. "Telcos don't always need to replace infrastructure to innovate," said Suren Pinto, Chief Executive Officer of Wavenet. "That's where the real power of AI comes in—enabling intelligent automation without major capital outlay. With Wavenet's Sense AI embedded in CSG's real-time engagement capabilities, we're helping operators deepen customer loyalty and deliver fast-converting, personalized engagement at scale. This is monetization that works today—not in the next transformation cycle," added Pinto. Monetization That Works Across the Lifecycle Whether it's prepaid churn prevention, contextual roaming upsells, or add-on activations, the AI-powered solution supports high-impact use cases across the entire subscriber journey, offering operators a powerful monetization lever built for precision, speed, and adaptability to optimize results. The solution seamlessly integrates into existing environments and enables continuous learning and automation, giving operators a smarter, more agile way to personalize engagement—all without disrupting current operations, increasing overhead or total cost of ownership. "AI is fundamentally changing how operators grow and compete, and those that move now will lead the market," said Mayoor Mahendra, Vice President, Network Solutions at CSG. "With this solution, CSG and Wavenet are giving operators a smarter, faster way to engage customers, reduce churn and drive real business impact—all while building on the systems they already trust. We're proud to set a new standard for how AI can power meaningful, real-time customer experiences at scale." Setting a New Standard in Real-Time Engagement The joint live demo by Wavenet and CSG at DTW – Ignite 2025 showcased how real-time triggers—top-ups, data usage, or location—can move beyond reactive interactions to drive predictive, personalized offers that convert in the moment. As operators look to modernize CX without disruption, Wavenet and CSG are setting a new benchmark for scalable, intelligent innovation that proves AI-powered engagement is no longer the future; it's what's working today. About Wavenet Wavenet is a global independent software vendor (ISV) driving AI-first digital transformation in the telecommunications industry. Headquartered in Singapore and serving clients across 30 countries, Wavenet brings over two decades of industry expertise to its intelligent VAS platforms, AI-powered customer experience solutions, and full-stack B2B/B2B2X telecom marketplace. Visit to learn more. About CSG CSG empowers companies to build unforgettable experiences, making it easier for people and businesses to connect with, use and pay for the services they value most. Our customer experience, billing and payments solutions help companies of any size make money and make a difference. With our SaaS solutions, company leaders can take control of their future and tap into guidance along the way from our fiercely committed and forward-thinking CSGers around the world. Want to be future-ready and a change-maker like the global brands that trust CSG? Visit to learn more. For further details, please contact: marketing@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Global Wavenet Pte Ltd. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
16-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Curaleaf Appoints CPG Leader Rahul Pinto as President, Bolsters Marketing Leadership Team
Leadership team strengthened by three SVP Hires across Digital, Retail Merchandising and Brand Marketing STAMFORD, Conn., June 16, 2025 /CNW/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer cannabis products, today announced the appointment of Rahul Pinto to the newly created role of President. Effective immediately, Mr. Pinto will join Curaleaf's leadership team and will support Chairman and CEO Boris Jordan in executing Curaleaf's strategy. Together, they will shepherd the business through its next phase of growth and evolution. Furthermore, the company has hired key leadership across retail, marketing, digital and brand to strengthen its executive team with subject-matter and commercial expertise. Mr. Pinto brings over 20 years of U.S. and international executive leadership in global consumer packaged goods (CPG) and retail, and has led major business transformations at food and beverage industry giants including Albertsons, PepsiCo, and Bacardi. Most recently, he spearheaded Albertsons' evolution into a tech-enabled, loyalty-driven retailer, overseeing strategic planning for Kroger's acquisition attempt. With a foundation in engineering and an MBA from The Wharton School, Mr. Pinto brings a rigorous, analytical mindset and has shaped global brands through transformative change. Mr. Pinto's experience as a world-class operator and leader in strategic global growth, paired with his strategic expertise in CPG and retail verticals positions him as an ideal leader to move the company forward in its continued focus on remaining the global cannabis leader. "I am thrilled to join Curaleaf as President," said Rahul Pinto, Curaleaf President. "Curaleaf has set a standard of excellence across the U.S. and international cannabis market, that I am eager to uphold and continue to build upon. I look forward to bringing my expertise from CPG and retail to my role, to create lasting value as we continue to strengthen our position as the world's leading cannabis company. With a powerful footprint and a strong portfolio spanning cannabis, hemp and retail, I'm excited to work with our team members, leadership, communities and partners around the world to chart new territory, and to push the frontiers of innovation." This announcement is bolstered by several additional key leadership hires, including Helen Chen, SVP of Digital; Scott Crawford, SVP of Retail Merchandising and Marketing; and Justin Miller, SVP of Brand Marketing. Helen Chen joins as SVP of Digital, with deep expertise in eCommerce and digital transformation from McKinsey, PepsiCo, and most recently Pernod Ricard USA. Scott Crawford joins as SVP of Retail Merchandising and Marketing, bringing over 20 years of experience from Baldor Foods, FreshDirect, and Whole Foods. Finally, Justin Miller joins as SVP of Brand Marketing, bringing two decades of experience in building and growing iconic spirits brands at companies including Diageo, William Grant & Sons, and Proximo. All three leaders will jointly report to Chairman and CEO Boris Jordan and President Rahul Pinto, and they are based in Stamford, Connecticut. "We are proud to welcome Rahul Pinto, Helen Chen, Scott Crawford and Justin Miller to the Curaleaf organization," said Boris Jordan, Chairman and CEO of Curaleaf. "Mr. Pinto is a distinguished leader with a track record of delivering continuous improvement and building competitive advantage for some of the world's leading retailers and CPG brands. With the addition of our new digital, brand marketing and retail merchandising leadership, we are bringing in a wealth of talent that further positions us for continued success in today's dynamic environment. In partnership with our seasoned cannabis experts, these distinguished leaders from the world's top consumer brands will drive forward a new era of brand-building across our premier products, nationally recognized brands, and industry-leading retail destinations." About Curaleaf Holdings Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, Find, Anthem and The Hemp Company provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult use markets. Curaleaf International is powered by a strong presence in all stages of the supply chain. Its unique distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit Forward Looking Statements This media advisory contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward–looking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "proposed", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning new leadership hires. Such forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the company with respect to the matter described in this new release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's latest annual information form filed on March 3, 2025, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release. Contacts: Investor Contact: Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. Camilo Lyon, Chief Investment Officer [email protected] Media Contact: Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. Jordon Rahmil, VP Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
