We are LEARNING
Parishti means quest for knowledge.
Parishti Project researches and shares information about the ways that western society and South Asian social structures misalign.
For example, the western definition of honour-based violence (HBV) leaves help-seeking victims unable to access potentially life-saving social services because they cannot bring their experience within the western narrative about honour-based violence. It also assigns the HBV label to many cases that are ordinary domestic violence cases, thereby contributing to the racism that alienates already vulnerable communities.
Also, family law in Canada assumes that there are only two parties to a divorce proceeding. That means that if a wife works on and contributes to her in-law's farm for decades before divorcing, there is no equity in the farm to divide as there might have been if the farm was in her spouse's name. Family assets held in community with others are not attachable. (This experience is not unique to South Asian families. Many communities that are incorporated as religions also experience this problem.)
We are TEACHING
Knowledge is refined by sharing with others.
As our projects are completed, we share our findings with others.
If you have a project in mind, or an audience that needs to hear our findings, drop us a note in the form below.
PROJECT AREAS
HEALTH
South Asians have a higher than average rate of B+ blood types and a lower than average rate of participation as blood and tissue donors. The system only works for us if we support it.
The World Health Organization has also found that we get obesity related diseases at lower BMI than non-South Asians because of lifestyle factors.
The more we know, the better our choices.
EDUCATION
Christopher Columbus was looking for a trade route to the wealthiest trading destination in the world in his day.
It took 250 years of British mismanagement to turn India into a developing country.
We repeat history because we are not taught actual history.
LAW
English Common Law was written by western legislators informed by western family structures.
Sometimes laws need to change to suit diverse social structures.
Sometimes social structures need to change to benefit fully from existing laws.
Parishti Project aims to bridge this gap.