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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know U.S. Affairs News India Times (April 12, 2025 - April 18, 2025) April 18, 2025 6 South Asian American Digital Archives Loses Funding From National Endowment For The Humanities A leading organization that works to preserve the history and stories of Indian Americans and oth- ers hailing from South Asia, has in a sudden turn of events, lost its federal funding. The non-profit South Asian American Digital rchives, SAADA, which has been documenting the lives and history of communities hailing from that Subconti- nent, was informed recently it would not longer be get- ting the grants allocated to it by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). SAADA urged the community of South Asians in the US to come forward to bridge the funding gap. In an email sent to readers, SAADA’s founder and executive di- rector Samip Mallick, that in an overnight series of emails late last week, the organization was informed by NEH “acting chairman” Michael McDonald that SAADA’s three grants have been terminated. The exact message sent to SAADA reads as follows: “These grants were supporting fellowship programs creating unique and meaningful opportunities for com- munity members to participate in SAADA’s work, Mallick said. Additionally, two grants from the Institute of Mu- seum & Library Services (IMLS) are in limbo, as it was announced last week that their staff have been placed on “administrative leave” and will soon be targeted by a “reduction in force.” “I went through a gamut of emotions last week. Frus- tration, disappointment, anger. I felt it all,” Mallick said, as he had been dreading something like that may happen over the last two months since the Trump administration took office.. Every day he feared that at any moment all of SAADA’s upcoming federally-funded programs would be ended. “But when the termination emails from NEH appeared in my inbox, I was taken aback by what I actually felt—all of a sudden, I felt completely free,” Mallick says, as if the sword of Damocles that had been hanging over SAADA’s head was lifted. “The future was back in our hands,” Mal- lick said. When SAADA was founded 17 years ago, its applica- tions for funding to NEH and IMLS were rejected on grounds South Asians were too niche a group, he re- counted. Seven years ago, the two federal organizations relented and funds from NEH and IMLS were used over the past few years to launch new programs and initiatives. “But SAADA’s very existence for nearly two decades has only been because of the support of our community,” Mallick contends and credits support from the commu- nity for SAADA to become the strong organization it is today. “I know that SAADA will emerge from this period stronger than ever,” he asserted. He urged supporters and donors to continue their investment, and for those not yet involved, to get behind the organization. (saada.or/donate ). “Community storytelling is incredibly important, and we simply can’t do it without you. We will not let our his- tory be erased!” Mallick appealed. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:SAADA.ORG South Asian American Digital Archive logo depicting how South Asian Americans are an indelible part of American history. Ask Sahaj: My Parents Traveled From India To Tell Me To Leave My Girlfriend Q :I have been in a relationship with my Mexican girlfriend for almost seven years. My Indian par- ents who live back home in India don’t approve of our relationship. I hid the relationship for the first four years, and when I finally shared it with them, there was a lot of blowback. I was almost ready to break up, but over the next few years, I couldn’t give up on the relationship. Last year, I was set on breaking up and was taking a break frommy relationship to process what I really wanted. I came across your book “ButWhatWill People Say?” and it really changed my perspective and gave me the confidence to recommit to my girlfriend and push along. I have slowly reintroduced to my parents that I am not leaving my girlfriend. But recently they have traveled to the U.S. to convince me otherwise. It has been a really difficult past month with them, and I am once again at my wit’s end. I am not sure what to do. I want to propose to my girlfriend and get married. But my parents have become more firm, and I feel like I am back at the starting line. How can I be sure of what to do? I don’t want to hurt my girlfriend, who has been patient and understanding. I feel like I can’t make her wait any longer. I also can’t seem to make my parents understand my needs and wants. I am trying to find a solution where maybe there is no clear path. – Uncertain Son A: Certainty and confidence don’t come from oth- ers agreeing with your choice; they come from within. You are waiting to “feel” ready, but wanting things to be different isn’t going to help you feel more prepared to do something about your situation. You are at a crossroads and either path will mean forgoing something really im- portant to you – your girlfriend or your parents’ approval. So where does that leave you? First, please be kind to yourself as you’re figuring this out. You are holding out hope that your parents will get on board, and I hate to say this, but it doesn’t sound like they will. You’ve taken a lot of time to “figure out” what you want, but have you taken time to really grieve the reality that your parents don’t support your choice and may never do so? I think it’s time to redirect your focus from waiting for yourself – or your parents – to change to what you can do now and what you need to navigate this anguish you’re experiencing. You’ve been clear you want to marry your girlfriend, but after seven years, something is still holding you back. Is it simply that your parents don’t approve? Or is it something more? Imagine for a second a future with your girlfriend without the pressure of needing to please your parents?What would that look like? Now imagine a future without your girlfriend and following your parents’ wishes?What would that look like?Would their expecta- tions or pressure for you to follow their wishes end with this relationship? You have already shared with your parents that you’re committed to your girlfriend, and it’s important you don’t waver on that. Since they are not supportive, they are going to continue to look for any doubt and uncer- tainty. While it may not change their minds immediately, sometimes repeating the message consistently, with confidence and compassion, can help them understand this is your path now. Though you feel like you are back at the starting line, I assure you that you are not. Given that it’s been at least three years of your parents knowing about your girlfriend, I assume they have not cut ties with you. That’s not to say it isn’t still painful to disappoint them, but it does mean there’s a part of them that will continue to love you as their son – even if they don’t like what you’re choosing. Get curious about what their fears about your girl- friend are. Is it because she’s Mexican and not Indian, or do they have other fears and worries about her or your relationship? By exploring their fears, you cannot only learn what is important to them but also parse what may simply be a difference in beliefs and values that you hold. This can help you strengthen your confidence in your priorities and values, too. Explain that you’ve tried for years to consider their feelings and desires, but even after all this time, you can’t seem to walk away from your girlfriend. If they haven’t met her, humanize her in ways they can understand and support. Right now, she might be an abstract thing they can continue to ignore but share photos, and talk about the qualities in her and the relationship that make you happy and align with values they have taught you. Even ask if they’d be open to meeting her once and let them know how important this is to you. Finally, continue to be transparent with your girlfriend and work together to find ways to help her feel supported while navigating this uncertainty with your parents. Seven years is a long time, and I’m sure there have been many ever-changing conversations about your relation- ship and your future together. I can only imagine how difficult this has been for her, and it’s a testament of how much she loves you that she continues to give you space to figure this out. It sounds like you have some- thing special built on love and respect. Sahaj Kaur Kohli is a thera- pist and the creator of Brown Girl Therapy. -Special to TheWashington Post By Sahaj Kaur Kohli Photo:Twitter @SahajKohli Advice