How I see it.
We are the sum What We Experience!
Living, studying, or working alongside people from different backgrounds teaches humility and curiosity. You realise there is rarely only one “common sense” way to celebrate, to debate, to worship, or to show respect.
As you listen to stories, taste unfamiliar foods, and navigate new social norms, your understanding of yourself also deepens. By learning what others hold sacred, how they define family, or how they cope with struggle, you start to see your own values with fresh clarity.
In this way, global living is less about collecting stamps in a passport and more about expanding the heart and mind. You learn to move through difference without fear, to recognise your biases, and to build relationships that honour the richness of our shared human diversity.
HAQ – a battle of secular law vs cultures
The film Haq is set in India in the 1980s and follows Shazia Bano, a Muslim woman whose husband, Abbas Khan, abandons her and their three children after taking a second wife, then tries to silence her through triple talaq when she approaches the courts for maintenance. The story dramatizes how her private marital dispute becomes a nationwide legal and social battle over the clash between Muslim personal law and India’s secular/common law framework, inspired by the real Supreme Court case Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum.
- It is evident that Shazia has deep knowledge of the Quran despite lacking formal, institutional education, and that this “unseen power” enables her to question male “custodians of faith” and represent herself infront of the supreme court, in the final legal battle. She was well read.
- The movie underlines that patriarchal religious structures do not recognise women as legitimate interpreters of scripture; her readings are treated as challenges rather than as authoritative contributions, which is itself evidence of an educational and theological gatekeeping.
Haq exposes how access to education for Muslim women is uneven and mediated by class, community, and male approval, turning education into a controlled resource rather than a guaranteed right.
The film repeatedly contrasts two frameworks: one where maintenance is confined to a narrow, religion-based duty tied to iddat and mahr, and another where a secular state imposes a broader duty to support a destitute ex-wife.
By taking Shazia’s petition all the way to the Supreme Court, Haq uses her story to explore how courts balance religious personal laws with constitutional guarantees, ultimately emphasizing that a woman’s right (“haq”) to dignity should not be negotiable even in the name of faith
Software Engineer & Data Science| SQL, Analytics, and AI Solutions
Nuwan Hettiarachchi
I bring strong experience in data analytics and data engineering, with a focus on SQL-driven data preparation, data quality, and scalable processing pipelines. My background includes working with large, complex datasets, supporting business intelligence, and applying data governance principles such as profiling, lineage, and documentation. I am known for collaborating effectively across teams to design clear, reliable data solutions that support informed decision-making.
My Story
From Curiosity to Craft: My Journey in Technology and Analytics
My name is Nuwan Hettiarachchi, and my journey has been guided by curiosity, service, and a strong belief in using technology to create meaningful impact.
I began my professional path working closely with data, systems, and people. Early on, I realized that I enjoyed solving practical problems—especially those where analytical thinking and real-world needs intersect. This led me into data analytics, automation, and software development, where I’ve spent years building tools that improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making.
A defining part of my journey has been 10 years of volunteer teaching at a charitable organization. Teaching reinforced my belief that knowledge is most powerful when shared. It strengthened my communication skills, patience, and ability to break down complex ideas—skills that continue to shape how I design systems and collaborate with teams today.
Professionally, I’ve worked across data analysis, reporting, and application development. One notable experience was developing a Human Resources appraisal system over two years using Visual Basic and SQL Server, where I translated business rules into reliable, user-friendly software. Projects like this deepened my appreciation for clean data, thoughtful design, and systems that support people—not just processes.
Over time, my work expanded into Python, SQL databases, analytics, and automation, with a growing focus on data integrity and insight-driven solutions. I enjoy building tools that reduce manual effort, surface meaningful patterns, and enable better decisions.
Outside of work, I value balance and mindfulness. I enjoy hiking, traveling, kayaking, and spending time in nature—activities that keep me grounded and curious.
Today, I’m focused on contributing within data science and analytics–driven environments, continuing to learn, mentor, and build solutions that are practical, ethical, and impactful.
Technologies I’ve Worked With
Phone
(604) 256-2432
Surrey BC, Canada