Space boy returns and so does Tulsi

Hello DoorDesi,

This is already our fifth edition, can you believe it?

Thanks for the encouraging words and useful feedback that has kept us consistent and motivated. We almost flaked this week - tiring week plus social weekend - but this time Sudeshna’s partner reminded us how we have made a commitment to you all. So here we are. So blame this on him!

We are trying to figure out what more these editions can be that is actually useful to you. So here is a real ask. Click on the button below to tell us what you think about DoorDesi so far. A month in, have we made you feel slightly more engaged with and informed about India? Are there specific sections that you like or want? And most importantly, what isn’t working for you? Trust us when we say this, YOU are building DoorDesi with us and so we really need to hear from you!

Just the gist

🔗Ahmedabad has emerged as the country topper in cleanliness

Move over Indore, there's a new sheriff in cleanliness town! Ahmedabad has clinched the top spot among cities with a population of over 10 lakh in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. Indore and Surat have been moved to the ‘Super Swachh League’ category that was not a part of the nationwide ranking - essentially the hall of fame.

President Draupadi Murmu presented the awards and gave a nod to tribal way of life involving circular economy stating it should be embedded into our modern lifetyles.

➡️ In a country where local bodies love certificates and plaques, how we define “clean” can influence real-world sanitation policies. So a win is not just a win, it is an impetus to continue to do better, for our elderly, our young, little Tommy or Billu from your neighbourhood, and everything in between.

🔗Shux returns from space and the pending ghar wapsi

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who apparently goes by "Shux" because even astronauts need nicknames, has completed his 18-day work trip at the International Space Station. And you thought your work trip to Tokyo was fancy!

While Shukla has already landed in San Diego, California, he won't return to Delhi until August 17, meaning India's space hero is currently stuck in American immigration which, well, we all have feelings about that lately, don’t we?

One thing to note here is that the government spent approximately ₹500 crore to ‘buy’ us that seat on the Axiom-4 mission, making this perhaps the most expensive business class trip ever. All well and good in the name of science of course but in case we are forgetting - there are sinkholes, potholes, broken bridges all over the country which could use some of that desi tax money. What do you think?

➡️ India wants to be among the few nations with serious space cred, and that means sending its own people up, not just renting seats. Shux’s mission signals we’re close. But as a nation we still have far to go, on Earth and in space.

🔗Y you gotta break my bank!

Tesla opened its first showroom in Mumbai on July 15, marking the electric-vehicle pioneer's entry into the world's third-largest automobile market after almost a decade of broken promises and dashed hopes. However, hopes still remain dashed as the Model Y is priced at $69,770, which is ₹59.89 lakh in New Delhi - basically the cost of a decent apartment in most Indian cities.

Tesla's belated entry highlights India's EV market paradox - massive potential but tiny current demand. With EV penetration below 2% in the four-wheeler segment, Tesla is essentially betting on India's ultra-wealthy while domestic players like Tata Motors have already captured the mass market.

This cautious showroom-first approach suggests Tesla is testing waters before committing to the massive investments needed for local manufacturing, which would be crucial for meaningful market penetration in price-sensitive India.

➡️ As a long time Tata-stan (hi, Sudeshna here) I suggest sticking to Tata cars. Those babies to built to last. But on a more serious note, the government is basically begging Tesla to manufacture locally, which could eventually make EVs affordable in India.

🔗Mumbai’s latest investment into a facelift might just make you turn back

Indian officials are spending billions to revamp the country's financial capital and subpar infrastructure because who knew potholes and traffic jams are huge bottleneck in a city’s development!

Mumbai is getting a $25 billion facelift to boost its corporate reputation which is basically like getting plastic surgery to become a movie star - technically possible, but the competition is already established and your trains still don't run on time. (Okay, Debbie Downer!)

This might not be so far fetched. Top finance exec in Mumbai are already earning a third more than their peers in Hong Kong and Singapore. International companies are moving into our very own Bandra Kurla Complex and bringing their money with them. The sceptic in us is thinking of how BMC has a long way to go even to ensure that ad hoardings and old buildings don’t come crashin on people. Can we pull this off at such a breakneck speed? The Bombay lover in us hopes so!

➡️ Your parents will soon have a new comeback when you complain about Mumbai's infrastructure: "But beta, they're spending $25 billion to make it like Hong Kong!" Meanwhile, you'll still be stuck in traffic for three hours trying to get to the airport, but this might also be the time to revisit those des wapsi plans.

Keeping up with the internet

🔗Smriti Irani resurrects Tulsi because politics wasn't dramatic enough

Okay! WHO ASKED FOR THIS?

Smriti Irani returned to play Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2, proving that some characters are truly immortal - like cockroaches and Indian soap opera protagonists.

Smriti is making a comeback in the acting field after 15 years, having left acting to dive into politics and serve as the Minister of Women and Child Development because being a Cabinet minister is just a side gig before returning to your true calling of crying in designer saris?

Ekta Kapoor plans to infuse the story with a modern sensibility to resonate with the younger audience, which probably means Tulsi will have Instagram and the family WhatsApp group will drive most of the drama.

➡️ Again, seriously - who asked for this?

Desi culture

🔗 This rakhi get your sibling a garden and a better Earth.

Folks, Raksha Bandhan is on August 9 and your siblings/cousins back home have probably made peace with not getting any this year either. Or are you better a sibling than me (hi, Sudeshna here)?

In any case, who needs store-bought plastic when you can gift your sibling a rakhi that doubles as a seed packet? Shweta Bhattad's Gram Art Project transforms desi cotton into eco-friendly rakhis embedded with seeds for kitchen herbs and veggies.

These biodegradable beauties are crafted by 300 women across 14 villages in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, using natural dyes from turmeric, marigold, and temple flower waste.

Born from witnessing forest fire devastation, this 2013 initiative tackles multiple crises: farmer debt from Bt cotton dependency, women's economic empowerment, and environmental destruction. The project encourages farmers to grow traditional desi cotton instead of genetically modified variants, creating a sustainable loop from field to wrist to garden.

It's rakhi with a conscience - protecting both brothers and Mother Earth, one plantable thread at a time.

➡️ We are already clamouring to buy these rakhis and really hope you will too. It is such a small gesture we can make from abroad that not only brightens our sibling’s day but also their home garden.

Tell us where you are

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. We are on a mission to make the Indian diaspora visible, connected, and stronger.

Pin your spot, represent your city, and help us paint this map rangoli-style with our scattered-but-connected DoorDesi community. If you have already, send it to a DoorDesi living near you.

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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