India's soul (and sandals) in the news
We said 'just a quick summary' and then kept writing.
Hello DoorDesi,
Can you believe this is already our third edition? We’re still counting our blessings, and our typos.
Writing these has been a massive learning curve. From weekly research to summarising, fact-checking, and asking ourselves, do our readers REALLY need this information? Honestly, that last question usually comes down to: Would WE want to read this? It’s a little selfish, we know. But come to think of it, this whole thing started selfishly.
WE wanted to feel more connected to our roots.
WE wanted to build a community around this oddly specific audience (which includes us).
So we brought you all along, and you showed up. For that, we’re truly grateful.
One of our DoorDesi friends recently messaged us saying, “This is exactly what I needed.” That made our day. So don’t just read—tell us what you need to make this useful. Just hit reply. We read every single word. Promise. :)
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Just the gist
🔗Preamble problems: BJP vs. the S-words
Turns out the BJP and RSS aren't big fans of the words “secular” and “socialist” in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale reminded everyone that these terms were added in 1976 during the Emergency, implying they’re like constitutional sticky notes that can now be peeled off.
BJP leaders chimed in, some questioning if “secularism” has become too Westernised, others suggesting India should return to its pre-amendment flavour. Whatever that means.
The Congress, hit back hard, because political ping-pong is a sign of healthy democracy, yeah? Party president Mallikarjun Kharge noted that the BJP’s own constitution pledges allegiance to both secularism and socialism. His message: If you hate those words so much, go ahead. Delete them. We dare you.
Meanwhile, constitutional experts are reminding us that the Preamble isn’t just decorative. The Supreme Court has ruled it’s part of the Constitution’s “basic structure,” which basically means it’s not up for political spring-cleaning.
➡️ India’s identity is being debated in broad daylight. It is unlikely that the change will take place or even be seriously considered, but if it is, then that will mark a shift in how future policies are formulated, debated, and challenged.
In May 2023, ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei and Kuki communities, fuelled by disputes over land rights, political representation, and a court ruling that reopened old wounds around tribal status. The result? Months (years, really) of brutal clashes, hundreds dead, and tens of thousands displaced. Many are still living in relief camps over a year later.
Now, Chief Secretary P.K. Singh has announced a three-phase plan to wind down the roughly 280 relief camps that have sheltered around 62,000 people. About 5,000 have already returned home, with a broader return scheduled by July. A second wave is expected by October, with final moves by December 31, 2025. Highways will also reopen, restoring the movement of people and goods after months of restrictions.
Behind the scenes, the Home Ministry and civil society groups from both communities are holding peace talks. The latest round in Delhi produced a six-point peace plan.
But don’t celebrate just yet. President’s Rule has been in place since February, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh amid serious allegations of partiality, massacres, and even sexual violence. The toll stands at 258 officially dead and over 60,000 displaced. The wounds run deep, and empty camps don’t mean healed hearts.
➡️ By year-end, thousands may be back in their homes but “back home” means nothing if trust isn’t rebuilt first. If you’ve got family from the region, be ready for complicated returns and ongoing tensions. And if you've ever used the term “normalcy restored,” be aware: Manipur’s version looks more like a slow rebuild than a fast reset.
🔗When the black box isn’t the only thing under review
We all remember the dreadful Air India flight crash in June that killed 241 people onboard and 19 on the ground. It was horrific. Understandably, the airline and its owner Tata Sons moved fast, offering ₹1 crore plus ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the victims' families.
But now a UK law firm, Stewarts, is accusing Air India of playing dirty by allegedly pushing families to sign dense legal forms under pressure, potentially cutting them off from future claims. Air India says this is nonsense, that they have only sought basic information to ensure the right people are being compensated, a claim that Stewarts has contested.
Grief, meet global litigation.
➡️ Tragedy invites all with paperwork. If you or yours are ever caught in some kind of issue with airlines, from delayed flights to malfunction, know that compensation isn’t charity, but the fine print isn’t your friend.
🔗Trials and tribulations of trade’s holy matrimony
India and the US have been doing this on-again, off-again trade dance for a while now. Picture two exes who keep meeting for coffee “just to talk,” except this time there’s a deadline (July 9) when the US could bring back steep tariffs on Indian goods. So yes, everyone’s trying to sign a deal before that timer runs out.
But Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in no mood to rush. “We don’t do trade deals on someone else’s clock,” he essentially said, adding that India will only sign if it aligns with national interest.
Negotiators are haggling over the usual hotspots: autos, dairy, agriculture, and steel. The US wants more access to Indian markets, especially for farm goods and car parts; India has drawn red lines around anything that might upset its farmers or factory floors.
India’s even proposed retaliatory duties at the WTO if the US reimposes those tariffs because if we’re going to tango, we’ll bring our own playlist.
➡️ If this deal goes through, it could mean lower tariffs, cheaper goods, and more trade perks. If it doesn’t, brace yourself for price bumps and trade tantrums. Either way, July 9 is the day to watch because global economics might just land in your grocery bill (of course, we will tell you what unfolds).
Keeping up with the internet
Picture this: Prada sends a fancy sandal down the runway in Milan, calls it a fresh new look, and everyone claps. Except… in Kolhapur, where artisans have been making that exact design for centuries, no one’s clapping.
After getting trolled online and offline for cultural appropriation (and no credits rolled), Prada is now trying to save face. They’ve agreed to a Zoom call with actual Kolhapuri chappal makers with representation from Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA).
On the table? A co-branded collection, artisan training, a fair trade value chain, and maybe even a shiny new “Prada Artisan Excellence Lab” in Kolhapur or Mumbai.
The real stars here are the artisans who normally sell their wares for a few hundred bucks, while Prada’s version retails at over $1000. Now they might finally get international visibility, fair pay, and, you know, basic credit. Milan may have the runway, but Kolhapur brought the sole.
➡️ The next time you see heritage fashion on the high street, ask yourself if the real artisans behind the craft are being compensated, credited, and considered. It’s not just about chappals. It’s about whether powerful global brands can keep profiting from South Asian culture without giving credit or cash to the people who made it. Also, reminder: your nani was wearing heritage fashion before it was cool.
Desi heart beat
🔗 Soil check, tech check, future check
In a country where farmers often have to guess what their soil needs, a young innovator from Punjab has built NutriSens — a pocket-sized device that tests soil health in minutes. No lab, no middleman, no waiting weeks for reports. Just a drop of soil, a few taps, and boom: farmers know exactly what nutrients their land lacks.
The device is built to be affordable, portable, and user-first (because tech only works when farmers can use it). It even connects to a mobile app that gives customised advice — turning smartphones into soil whisperers.
➡️ Real innovation doesn’t always look like drones and data dashboards. Sometimes, it’s a small gadget in a calloused hand, saving a farmer from a failed crop. And because feeding the future starts with knowing your roots, literally.
Chat over chai
There is hardly a corner of the world one can go to and not meet a person of Indian origin. But here's the thing: there's surprisingly little data about where we actually are.
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With love from two women who cringe at the mention of chai tea latte.
Sudeshna & Mili
Founders, DoorDesi 💃
P.S. Save us a chai if we ever end up in your city, we’ll bring the murukku.
Housekeeping
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