Page 27 - The Indian EYE 121523

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline DECEMBER 15, 2023 | The Indian Eye 27

NEWSMAKERS OF THE WEEK

Selected stories about Indian diaspora from our website www.theindianeye.com

NIRMALA SITHARAMAN VISHAVJIT SINGH
Indian leader at #32 in Forbes’ Film chronicles true story

most powerful women list of Sikh

inance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has ranked 32nd in the Forbes’ list
of world’s most powerful women. Three other Indian women named in
Fthe list are HCL Corporation CEO Roshni Nadar Malhotra at rank 60, he true story of Vishavjit Singh, a Sikh born in America, who, after a
lifetime of violence, self-doubt, and bigotry, finds acceptance in a su-
Steel Authority of India chairperson Soma Mondal with rank 70, and Biocon Tperhero costume - an American Sikh “superhero” is an animated short
founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw at rank 76.
film, with Michelin-star chef and filmmaker Vikas Khanna and Oscar-winner
Guneet Monga as executive co-producers.
Nirmala Sitharaman was appointed as the finance minister of The film puts spotlight on inclusivity, kindness, resilience and acceptance

India in 2019. She also holds the post of Union Corporate Affairs through the real-life story of its protagonist.
The film is directed by Ryan Westra with a run time of just under 10 min-
Minister. Before this, Sitharaman served as the 28th defence utes that tells the real-life story of US-born, turban-clad Sikh Vishavjit Singh.
“I always saw the superheroes in Sikhs,” Khanna said as he hosted a spe-
minister of India, being the second woman in the country to hold cial screening of the film at his residence. “Sikhs were always superheroes.
both these ministries. The finance minister was ranked 36 on the They have been the protectors of our daughters, mothers,” Amritsar-born

Forbes most powerful women list of 2022. Meanwhile, Fortune Khanna said, adding that he had always found shelter, food, love, care and a
sense of belonging in gurdwaras.
named her as the most powerful woman in India. “So, for me to be associated with this (film) was very, very clear,” Khanna
said. “It takes guts and courage to stand up and to fight evil and hate with so
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen topped the list, fol- much compassion and love,” he said.
lowed by European Central Bank boss Christine Lagarde at the second posi- “India celebrates diversity like no one else,” Khanna said, adding that he
tion and US Vice President Kamal Harris at number three. aims to take this story about Sikhs to a much larger audience. “We have to
Ms Malhotra is the daughter of the HCL founder and industrialist Shiv tell people who we are - it could be through restaurants, books, TV, docu-
Nadar. As the chairperson of HCL Technologies, she’s responsible for all mentaries, movies.”
strategic decisions for the company, Forbes said. She took over the role from The makers of the film are on a journey to get ‘American Sikh’ shortlist-
her father in July 2020. ed for Best Animated Short at the Oscars next year. Later this month, the
Ms Mondal is the first woman chairperson of the state-run Steel Author- film will be screened at the Asia Society and at the Sikh International Film
ity of India (SAIL), according to Forbes. Having assumed the role in 2021, Festival in the city.
she has led the steelmaker to record financial growth, her profile read, as the
firm’s profits surged threefold in her first year of leadership. Continued on next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com