Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai showcased her witty side during a recent Twitter exchange with British actor and author Stephen Fry.
Appreciating her Malala Fund's association with Apple to aid underprivileged girls’ education, Fry said she was an inspiration. But there's something he wasn't happy with, and it was her choice of university, said Fry.
"Had the honour of meeting @Malala at a @gatesfoundation event in New York last year," Fry tweeted, adding: "What an inspiration. Shame about her choice of university, but every diamond has one small flaw - it only emphasises its quality."
Fry is an alumnus of University of Cambridge, considered Oxford's arch-rival.
Malala tweeted back with a cheeky reply, offering to give Fry a tour of Oxford so he could see what he missed. "No one is perfect but I'd be happy to give you a tour of Oxford so you can see what you've missed," she wrote, to which he replied saying he would do the same for her at Cambridge.
"Haha! Ouch! And I'd be happy to do the same for you at Cambridge!" the actor wrote.
Malala is currently pursuing Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University.
In 2014, Malala, who was almost killed by Taliban soldiers for encouraging girls’ education in Pakistan, became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She is also the youngest person to be named a U.N. Messenger of Peace.
“If you want to see your future bright, you have to start working now [and] not wait for anyone else,” she said at the acceptance ceremony.
Diwali celebration tomorrow kicks off business with ticketed workshops and networking.
Model taps into growing demand for inclusive, heritage-focused experiences.
Platform targets not just south Asians seeking cultural connection, but everyone.
Creating cultural belonging
Priyanka Patel, curator of The Empowered Desi, a new events platform for south Asians seeking cultural connection, is here with a Diwali celebration on Saturday (18) at Fargo Village in Coventry. The venture was born from personal experience – Patel felt "isolated and neglected" growing up without many south Asian friends. Spotting a gap in the market, she's now building a business around creating inclusive spaces for south Asians regardless of religious or regional background.
Diwali-themed , Paint N Sip event in Coventry marks the venture's next partnership with local business Sugar and Spice, Patel is offering a ticketed experience featuring diya decorating workshops, Indian grazing boards with chai, and jewellery stations where guests can take home jhumkas and bangles. The Diwali format combines cultural celebration with networking opportunities, with south Asian attire preferred.
Empowerment through experience
I couldn't talk about the festivals we celebrate, the type of Indian food we have, and also the clothes we wear for special occasions," Patel told BBC."I felt that I couldn't express my individuality, which in turn affected my confidence and self-worth." She realised that lack of cultural belonging represented an untapped market.
The business model centres on experiential events that blend tradition with social connection. The first workshop held on September (20) focused on bento cake decorating, a trendy format paired with south Asian networking. Patel aims for attendees to "feel empowered and inspired."
With South Asian Heritage Month highlighting the importance of cultural spaces, The Empowered Desi positions itself at the intersection of community building and commercial viability. Patel's betting that others share her experience and are willing to pay for a sense of belonging.
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