Around 62 years ago, Kuldeep Singh Lamba left India for  Kuwait  with nothing but his #courage, indomitable will, ability to work hard and the need to prove himself. He arrived in Kuwait when it was about to evolve into a strong oil economy. Life was difficult and hard. But Mr Lamba Sr like the Jashanmals was a pioneer. He overcame all obstacles to establish, Al Mailem Group,  one of the largest automotive companies in Kuwait. The company was lost during the invasion, but instead of giving up, he rebuilt the firm into something bigger and better. In this episode Sadaaqa features Kuldeep Singh  Lamba and his son Choji, a second-generation Indian in Kuwait who is also President of Al Mailem Group, and President of Indian Business and Professional Council, Kuwait. Here, Mr Lamba Senior speaks of his days of struggle, of surmounting huge odds, of his deep love for higher  education, something he was denied when he had to become a breadwinner for his family, and the contribution of #indian business houses to Kuwait's #economic development. This episode of Sadaaqa is a tribute to Indian entrepreneurial abilities in the #arabian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait.

It's all about Mohammed Ali Road, Bombay, Alibaug, Church Gate, Sheikh Abdullah Salem, Raja yoga and Saatvik aahaar in this episode of Sadaaqa. The Al Arfaj family from Kuwait lived a happy life in a penthouse on Mohammed Ali Road in Bombay for many years before shifting to Colaba. The Al Arfaj patriarch started off as a pearl merchant before he diversified his business. His eldest daughter Noura Al Arfaj studied Hindi and Urdu at the Parsi run Anjuman Islamic High School. The summer holidays were great fun spent in the cool climes of Panchgani, Matheran and Deolali. The children’s maternal grandfather lived in Alibaug, and the Al Arfaj family spent a lot of time in this green paradise.  Noura and Sheikha’s maternal grandmother Salma Bawazir, participated in the political movement with Gandhiji after he returned from South Africa. Their maternal uncle Rashid, a Bollywood film producer was married to Dilip Kumar’s niece. The Kuwaiti family conversed in Hindi and Urdu, the womenfolk wore sarees and their Arabic dress. The children studied Arabic in a special school opened by Sheikh Abdullah Salem at Church Gate. In the 1960s, the family shifted to Kuwait when the Emir of Kuwait asked his people to return and rebuild the country. The family relocated but they kept alive their connections and love for India. Sheikha, who was born in Kuwait was attracted by India’s spiritual wealth. She went on to cofound Harmony House, a centre for meditation and Raja Yoga in Kuwait. She also established Ginger, one of the first vegan restaurants in Kuwait based on India’s ancient philosophy of Satvik Aahaar. Here in this episode, the Al Arfaj sisters speak to Chaitali B Roy share their memories and speak of ongoing connections. Thank you Anees Backer and Anupa Dasgupta for your support. #indian #india #yoga #yogacommunity #yogapractice #kuwait #kuwaitinstagram #kuwaitcity #kuwaitinsta #kuwaiti #kuwaitiyat #indiakuwait #sadaaqa #satvikfood #culture  #indiakuwait #BridgingCultures Anees Backer Anupa Dasgupta Chaitali Banerjee Roy Ministry of External Affairs, Government of IndiaIndia in Kuwait (Embassy of India, Kuwait City)Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Kuwait

It’s all about the old  bus stop at Jahra Gate, Sadu weaving , a sleepy railway station at Deolali and about the migration of a pioneering  Indian business family to Basra and then Kuwait around a 100 years back.

Dr Lubna Al Kazi, one of Kuwait's leading social scientists and Director of Women's Research and Studies Centre was born in Mumbai, India. She lived her girlhood years in Mumbai, studying in a convent school, a member of girl scouts where she had the first lesson in leadership. Here, in Sadaaqa she speaks of those early years in India, of enjoying the Mumbai rain, borrowing books from the makeshift neighbourhood libraries, of buying burnt corn, of meeting the legendary Dileep Kumar and Waheeda Rehman during Eid festivities (Dileep Kumar later named his niece Lubna after her), of Holi and Diwali in Mahabalipuram, of meeting the Beatles during their visit to India and of her legendary uncle Ebrahim AL Kazi who refused to leave India and moulded the theatrical arts of India. This  and so much more of those heady years.

Sadaaqa a show that celebrates friendship between India and Kuwait with Dr Lubna Al Kazi.

It’s all about India House , Middle East, Civilizational Connect, Trade Links, Diplomacy and People to

People Connection with HE Sibi George, Ambassador of India to Kuwait on Sadaaqa.

Sadaqaa celebrates the long and rich history of friendship between India and Kuwait. For centuries , Kuwaiti sailors and merchants sailed to Indian ports for trading  leading to a close relationship that was based not just on trade but also on culture. After the discovery of oil, thousands of Indians relocated to Kuwait. While following their own individual dreams, they contributed to the    Development of their adopted home into a strong oil producing nation . Sadaaqa explores this symbiotic relationship and celebrates it through individual experiences. Our first episode features Sheikha Souad Al Sabah, a member of the ruling family who loves India especially Mumbai . She speaks to Chaitali B Roy, cultural journalist , author & broadcaster about her experiences and gives an up, close and personal view of what makes India special . Special thanks to Anees Backer, the technical  director and Anupa Dasgupta for their support .