India today has one of the world’s largest and most successful “diasporas”, with approximately 30 million expatriate Indians and people of Indian origin living across a wide range of countries. Over the last two decades, the next generation of people of Indian origin have come to represent a highly-skilled – doctors, scientists, engineers, finance professionals, and entrepreneurs – group of locals in every country they live in. In this episode, Isha & Shivani look at Indian immigrants in the United States, in particularly those with a ‘Patel’ surname. This clan of Indian Americans own about half of all the motels in the United States. Even more remarkable, most of these motel owners come from the same region in India and—although they are not all related—seventy percent of them share the surname of Patel.   They discuss the hidden geniuses of the tech revolution, our very own Indian engineers–and how they bucked stereotypes, got rich, and have become godfather to a generation of immigrant entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. It’s safe to say that without Indian immigrants the Valley wouldn’t be what it is today.   Finally Isha & Shivani explore the role Indians are playing in the field of business across various sectors globally. Whether it is a tech MNC, banking, venture capital funds or any other sector, Indians are heading the business verticals. Indian or Indian origin CEOs are accelerating the business growth even at a time when the world economy is slowing down.   Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.    Thank you for listening!

Saffron Spice with Isha & Shivani

12: The Indian Diaspora: A Global Asset for India

A billion hearts breaking into ‘bits and pieces’ after an unexpected win by New Zealand, knocking out the competition favourites out of the World Cup – leaving fans devastated. It was supposed to be an easy victory for India – the team heavily tipped to win the ICC World Cup. Instead, proving nothing is guaranteed in sport, New Zealand defeated India by 18 runs in semi-final that took two days to complete after rain- a word synonymous to #CWC19 prevented the match finishing as scheduled at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 9 July.  In this episode Shivani speaks to Ashwin from the Edges & Sledges Cricket podcast.  Ashwin shares his thoughts on what went wrong for the men in blue.  While Team India is being praised for showing a fighting spirit in the #CWC19, the loss to New Zealand in the semi-final has already raised several questions between Shivani & Ashwin, such as:   · Middle-order woes · MS Dhoni’s run out controversary · Ravi Shastri’s decision at sending Dhoni in at No. 7 · Ravindra Jadeja    Did overconfidence at a rather modest total become India's undoing? Were conditions not assessed to ascertain the challenge ahead? Is the Indian batting rather inept to handle the pressure if the top-order fails?  Find out with Shivani & Ashwin on this week’s special World Cup edition of Saffron Spice with Isha & Shivani.   Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.       Thank you for listening!     You can catch Ashwin on the Edges & Sledges podcast: https://castbox.fm/vd/163781238

11: ‘A billion hearts broken’ after India exits the World Cup

If Bollywood and Alpine landscapes seem like a weird pairing, it may be time to reconsider. It turns out that Bollywood has a long legacy in Switzerland. A Bollywood heroine in a sultry chiffon saree singing and dancing on what looks like a snow-covered mountain somewhere in Switzerland. In this episode, Isha & Shivani look at Bollywood and how it has served as an escapist experience for its audience, with Bollywood song and dance sequences being a way for the audience to escape from the daily grind. They discuss recent movies like Kalank and Gully Boy, along with sharing their love for the all time blockbuster movie, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Finally Isha & Shivani explore the basic Bollywood movie formula. Which usually means, a handsome, heroic looking character, preferably by the name of Raj or Rahul. Add a pretty girl with an antagonistic father. Mix them into a thinly plotted love story with lots of singing and dancing. Throw in a fight or two to cover up the lack of plot. Give the father an epiphany—whether logical or not—that our hero is suddenly the only one for his daughter. Conclude by bringing the lovers together in a Shaadi (wedding), with lots more singing and dancing at the end. Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.  Thank you for listening!

10: The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Bollywood

If you’re from India, it isn’t uncommon to be asked in the West if you’re vegetarian. And there’s a reason for that: India has more vegetarians than the rest of the world combined, and the lowest per capita meat consumption of all nations. In this episode, Isha & Shivani , both vegetarians themselves explore the myth of a vegetarian India. India has a reputation as a vegetarian nation, and Indians certainly consume far less meat than the global average according to some sources. But the view of India as a predominantly vegetarian nation may not be quite accurate.   They ask some of the following questions: ·  Are all Indians vegetarians and why does India have so many vegetarians? ·  Are Hindus forbidden to eat meat, is vegetarianism a religious choice? ·  What is the relationship between beef and Hinduism and why beef is a sensitive issue which can be exploited by invoking religious sentiments? ·  How vegetarianism is looked at in today’s day and age?   Finally, Isha & Shivani look at food and politics which has never been more entangled in India than over the past few years. The present controversy around beef eating, accompanied by violent vigilantism which has claimed the lives of suspected beef-eaters and even people in the livestock trade.  Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.     Thank you for listening!

9: Veg or Non Veg? Vegetarianism in India.

From fair-play Kohli to bail fails and rain delays, a look back at the first half of the Cricket World Cup 2019. Enjoy our second special edition episode as we continue to follow Team India as they climb up to third place on the points table.  In this episode Shivani speaks to DJ from the Edges & Sledges Cricket podcast.  DJ shares his thoughts on what was the most awaited Cricket World Cup match, India vs Pakistan. Shivani and DJ discuss the build up to the match, and why it failed to live up to its billing as a meek Pakistan were thoroughly outclassed by the boys in blue.  Also, in this episode: · A look at the ongoing World Cup which does seem to be a bit under the weather, with a number of match abandonments.  · What we can expect to see with Shikhar Dhawan being replaced by Rishabh Pant. · The evolution of Kohli. · DJ’s prediction of the final IV.   And that brings this episode to a conclusion. Thank you for everyone who has stayed with us throughout these rain delays.  India remain undefeated in this World Cup. Can India keep to their 100 per cent victory and win us the World Cup? Find out with Shivani & DJ on this week’s special World Cup edition of Saffron Spice with Isha & Shivani. Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.       Thank you for listening!   You can catch DJ on the Edges & Sledges podcast: https://castbox.fm/vd/163781238

8: India vs Pakistan: it’s more than a match, it’s an emotion.

It is no surprise that India has a colourism problem. India’s obsession with fairness is complicated as it is intertwined with its social fabric. Light skin is privileged over dark skin in India, period. This system of colourism, with its inter-sections with the caste system, creates structures that creates an unequal footing for darker skinned individuals, specifically women, in India. In this week’s episode, Isha & Shivani focus in on a story from India that’s trending on the global news scene. The big debates over the last few weeks has been about the #unfairandlovely movement and India’s obsession with fair skin.  Isha & Shivani take a look at the multi-billion dollar industry being created on the basis of confining and reducing women to their skin colour, creating a rather un-fair and not so lovely status for women in India.   Finally, Isha & Shivani discuss Bollywood itself, which is dominated with actors that are fair-skinned to play the heroes and heroines on big screens while the roles of criminals and uneducated peasants are kept for the dark-skinned to make the part look “more convincing”. Can India shift from the idea of colourism which  remains deeply rooted in India’s culture? Listen to find out. Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.     Thank you for listening!

7: India's Fairness Obsession - not fair but still lovely.

The ICC World Cup 2019 has started on a high note with India finally beginning their belated campaign, beating South Africa. As a result emotions are running high. Enjoy a special bonus episode of our podcast to celebrate India’s victory over South Africa.    In this episode Shivani speaks to Amit Kohli of CricIndex to discuss India’s World Cup campaign. Amit voices his opinion on the squad, predicts the likely IV and analyses the form of the players.    Listen to get an insight into why India are the favourites, along with other top contenders like England and Australia.    Can the Kohli-led side once again prove that India are the front runners to lift the trophy? Find out with Amit & Shivani on this week’s special World Cup edition of Saffron Spice with Isha & Shivani. Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.     Thank you for listening!

6: Team India: ICC World Cup 2019

Why is it important for every Indian child to be a Doctor, Engineer or Lawyer? When it comes to careers, Indians have been known to gravitate towards the more lucrative and “safer” fields such as engineering, law and medicine. In this week’s episode, Isha & Shivani explore why Indian parents are obsessed with these career options.                           They discuss parental pressures and the value placed on higher education amongst Indians; sharing their own experiences of the expectations they faced during their schooling.   Finally, Isha & Shivani question, what motivates, drives, and challenges Indian immigrants more than others? Is it education, language skills, hard-working culture, values, diversity? They look at reasons why Indians continue to outperform other immigrant communities.  Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.     Thank you for listening!

5: Doctor, Engineer, Lawyer, or don't bother....

Ever wondered why so many Indian arranged marriages are successful? This phenomenon of the arranged marriage institution continues to intrigue many people. In this episode, Isha & Shivani talk about the upsides of ‘relinquishing’ choice, deciding somewhat quickly and managing expectations. They discuss the evolution of Indian marriages and how the traditional Indian marriage has evolved in the age of online dating. Isha shares her personal experience with an arranged marriage. Finally Isha & Shivani talk about the triumph of caste, class and ‘love marriage’ in India.  Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.  Thank you for listening!

4: Arranged Marriage

India is in full election mode - wrapping up a six-week-long campaign season!  In this episode, Isha & Shivani discuss the factors that compel India to go and cast that vote!  From circulating misinformation, to the use and abuse of fake news and divisive propaganda on a near-constant basis - everything is fair game in one of India's most bitterly fought election campaigns. They discuss some of Modi's boldest policy steps, such as the demonetisation and Swachh Bharat mission, and look into how the Congress is challenging Modi over a high unemployment rate. Finally, finishing up with a discussion around the religious-themed political narrative in the current political climate. Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week. You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com.  Thank you for listening!

3: Making India Vote: Elections 2019

IPL explained - as the entire nation (India) is gripped with IPL fever, here's Saffron Spice's very first episode, where Isha & Shivani will give you a sneak peek into the world of cricket, entertainment and fun. For all the latest IPL updates, the scoops, and experiences from the world of cricket. There's no other place like India for cricket - the glitz, glamour, money and planning. Shivani wraps up the episode with some final thoughts on the announcement of the Indian World Cup squad. Subscribe to receive notifications about new episodes every week, You can follow us on twitter: @saffronspice_is or just search 'Saffron Spice Podcast' on facebook or instagram for more behind the scenes fun. If you enjoyed the podcast - please review us on the platform you're downloading the podcast from or you can email us on saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com (mailto:saffronspicepodcast@gmail.com) . Thank you for listening!  *Music courtesy of BeatbyShahed via soundcloud

2: IPL Fever

Get ready for your new favorite podcast -  Saffron Spice with Isha & Shivani! What's better than an engaged conversation about Indian culture with saffron colored glasses and a whole lot of spice?  Episodes will be out every week!

1: Saffron Spice (coming soon!)

In the current Indian scenario, a color alone is enough to stereotype everything from your political ideology, to your religious beliefs and Saffron is undoubtedly the most misunderstood color of our current times. Dissecting these stereotypes through conversations about current Indian cultural affairs is exactly what the hosts Isha Soni and Shivani Singh are doing with Saffron Spice Podcast. Join them every week in their conversations about all things Desi, all things Spicy and all things Saffron.

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Saffron Spice with Isha & Shivani

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