South Asian Peacemakers

Today's featured peacemaker is a Journalist, very popular Vlogger, and a budding elected representative who has contested the elections to the Tamilnadu State Assembly in a superbly ethical campaign, with very little money and adirect outreach to the public: introducing Deepan Chakkravarthi. I have been following Deepan's Tamil language VLog, as it brings me news ffrom the land that I was born and grew up in a long time ago. What I love is how he focuses upon development in Chennai and in smaller cities, with very interesting looks at innovators and small entrepreneurs in that land. As a result, you can expect one episode to focus upon a new metro rail line or an electric bicycle rental service, another to look at a home-brewer who installs solar panels upon a rural home, and a third that looks at someone trying to preserve centuries old indigenous dog breeds in a country where there is a craze for exotic foreign ones. And these are just three among hundreds of examples. I s...

I have so far written about Pakistani peace activists on this forum. I do not know any of them personally. This time, I am writing about someone whom I have spoken to a few times, and whom a close friend and business associate of mine has met in person: Daniel Jain Raj, popularly known as Dan JR. His video channel has a mix of food and travel reviews, but what is especially endearing is his social work and his always happy commentary and sense of humor. His brother Jibin joins him on his Vlog and also has a separate Vlog of his own, where he teaches people to start Vlogging and make money off it. Both brothers participate in a number of festivals, undertake to feed orphans and seniors on all festive occasions, and quietly care for animals in their neighborhood. You get a sense of peace and calm just by watching their Vlogs, while you laugh at their infectious and always clean humor with memories of your own family gatherings. A must watch - these young men deserve everyone's suppo...