Share Your Stories with Disha

Year: 2025

Purvaja is from Hyderabad, India. She speaks Telugu, Hindi, and English. 

 

What is an advocacy org/initiative/story that you're passionate about and would like to share? 

One compelling advocacy story that highlights the intersection of student activism and geopolitical concerns involves a recent protest at the University of Minnesota. Early one Tuesday morning, a group of students set up a pro-Palestinian encampment in front of the Walter Library. Their aim was to pressure the university to divest from companies and academic institutions they believe support Israeli military operations in Gaza, such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Boeing, Honeywell, Tel Aviv University, and Technion. The protest began at 4 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m., university police intervened, leading to the arrest of nine students who chose to remain despite being warned to disperse. The university stated that while it supports free speech and lawful protest, the establishment of tents without a permit is not allowed. The university regularly hosts diverse views and opinions without incident, they noted, but the decision to establish and remain in a prohibited encampment led to the arrests. This incident at the University of Minnesota is part of a larger wave of similar protests across various universities in the United States, including Columbia University, MIT, NYU, the University of Michigan, and Yale. These protests are occurring against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Gaza and are contributing to heightened campus tensions, including concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish students. In response to the morning's arrests, the protesters organized a rally later that day in support of Gaza and the arrested students, continuing their advocacy efforts. The arrested students were issued civil trespass warnings and are threatened with a one year ban from university. This story underscores the complexities of campus activism, the challenges of managing free speech and safety, and the role of academic institutions in addressing global issues through their investment and recruitment practices. I think this story is important to spread awareness on how mere students are arrested from expressing the importance of standing up against genocide while criminals are left to roam freely.

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What are some traditions that are significant to your family?

rowing up in Hyderabad with origins in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, my family values various customs that are intimately connected to our South Indian history. One of our most important traditions is the annual pilgrimage to Tirumala, Tirupati. Every year, we come to this precious sanctuary to pray and seek blessings. This spiritual trip is not only a religious observance, but a treasured family meeting that strengthens our relationships and renews our spiritual devotion. Apart from our spiritual pilgrimage, festivals like Sankranti are also celebrated with great enthusiasm in my family. The festival skies are adorned with vibrant kites, and the air is sweet with the aroma of traditional dishes like Ariselu and Pongal. These festivities are a profound expression of our cultural identity, mixing joyous celebration with deep-rooted traditions. Living abroad, I find myself nostalgic for these times, especially the annual pilgrimage to Tirupati, which always brought a sense of peace and continuity to our lives.

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What are some common misunderstandings people have about your culture that you'd like to clarify?

Here are a few misconceptions I'd like to clarify: Language Diversity: One widespread misconception is that all South Indians speak the same language. In reality, South India is linguistically diverse, comprising major languages like Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, each with its own distinct script and cultural significance. For example, as someone from Andhra Pradesh, my native language is Telugu, which is distinct from Tamil spoken by those in Tamil Nadu. Cuisine: While South Indian cuisine is often broadly associated with idli, dosa, and sambar, there is a vast variety of regional dishes that are not as well-known internationally. Each state and community has its unique dishes and flavors. For instance, Andhra cuisine is renowned for its bold and spicy flavors, quite different from the milder coconut-based curries typical in Kerala. Cultural Homogeneity: Another common misunderstanding is viewing South Indian culture as homogeneous. Each state in the South has its own set of rituals, festivals, and traditions. The cultural practices and celebrations in Karnataka, for example, can be quite different from those in Telangana or Tamil Nadu, reflecting a rich tapestry of regional identities. Entertainment: Bollywood often comes to mind when people think of Indian cinema, but South India has its own vibrant film industry, with separate industries like Tollywood (Telugu), Kollywood (Tamil), and others producing films that are popular in their own right and cater to specific linguistic audiences. feel free to choose any one or two for the post, I just shared stuff that came to my mind!

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Are there specific traditional foods from your culture that you enjoy or have fond memories of?

Pappucharu is a simple yet flavorful dish that is essentially a lighter version of the more widely known sambar. It's made with toor dal (pigeon peas) and often includes a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, or bottle gourd, seasoned with turmeric, mustard seeds, and dried red chilies. The beauty of Pappucharu lies in its simplicity and the comfort it offers, much like a warm, hearty soup. In my family, Pappucharu was often a go-to meal, especially during the rainy season or whenever we craved something soothing and nutritious. It embodies the homely essence of Andhra cuisine and reminds me of lazy afternoons spent enjoying a quiet meal at home. Daddojanam, on the other hand, is the Telugu version of what's popularly known as curd rice in other parts of South India. This dish is a staple in almost every South Indian home and is revered for its cooling properties and ease of digestion. Made by mixing cooked rice with curd (yogurt) and then tempering it with mustard seeds, green chilies, curry leaves, and sometimes a pinch of asafoetida, Daddojanam is both nourishing and refreshing. It’s often served at the end of meals to help soothe the stomach after a spicy feast. For me, Daddojanam brings back memories of festive gatherings and temple prasads, where it was served as a divine offering to guests, symbolizing a gesture of hospitality and care.