We are in a world where machines are quick to replicate art, and replace artisans, at a pace where we do not even look at pieces of carvings on our furniture, or the patterns of colors on our carpets as art anymore, these are merely objects created by machines to soothe the appearance of our lives. Yet what of the true artists? What of that carpenter, who learnt how to carve a peacock on a piece of wood through traditions that passed over generations? What of the clothmakers who learnt to block print from the family occupation?
These are the stories that this episode of ‘Interlinked’ persuades us to mull over. In conversation with Ms. Devika Dahiya, founder of the ‘Trunk Door’ organisation, which works towards rehabilitating and aiding textile artists, the episode discusses the behind the scenes of such lives, and the help they can receive to persuade the cause of their art. By discussing the artists that Ms. Dahiya herself works with, the episode conveys the importance of the art and the artist, and the steps we can take for an act of their furtherance.
In a fast developing country, it is not uncommon to see forests being chopped down to make more space for people. Such conditions have often led to conflicts between wildlife and forest proximate people. How are such situations dealt with? Can a happy result for both be ensured?
These are some of the questions being answered in Nandini Pandey’s discussion with Mr. Giriraj Singh Kushwaha, a former IAS officer, who is currently a member of the State Wildlife Board of Rajasthan, and a member for the committee for SARISKA Tiger Reserve of the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Through taking the case Mor Dungri, a village near Ranthambore National Park, whose people were happily relocated under Mr. Kushwaha’s facilitation, our guest discusses with us the problems that may arise in such cases, how they are dealt with, and how meaningful changes can be made to have long lasting effects ensure a better future for many.
The Vichaar segment, in conversation with PhD scholar and activist Angel Sophan, explores the intricate relationship between caste and food practices in India. Ms. Sophan, a researcher in the Department of Psychology at Christ University, highlights how notions of purity and pollution govern dietary choices, reinforcing caste hierarchies and social exclusion. Tracing historical roots from the Vedic era to present-day institutional settings, she explains how vegetarianism became a marker of moral superiority and dominance. Through examples from campuses, public spaces, and mid-day meal schemes, she exposes how food restrictions perpetuate discrimination and humiliation among marginalized communities. Emphasizing the psychological impact of such exclusion, Ms. Sophan calls for resistance against casteist norms disguised as dietary ethics. She concludes by urging individuals to internalize constitutional values of equality, liberty, and fraternity, and to challenge the control exercised by the privileged few over the majority’s right to consume freely.
In this episode, we unpack the big question: Are private universities really as inclusive as they claim? Drawing from a report on queer, trans, and caste-oppressed student experiences in four private universities of Delhi NCR, we explore the gap between glossy policies and lived realities. From campus “safe spaces” to hidden hierarchies, this conversation examines what safety, belonging, and care truly mean and why universities must move beyond optics to real accountability. The report is the work of Swabhimaan: a student-led initiative under the Centre for New Economics Studies at OP Jindal Global University as we tune in with Suhani Sharma, a student associated with the project!
In an increasingly fast-paced world, many beautiful things are often forgotten to be appreciated. In such a context, this second episode of InterLinked once again pauses to look at art, and the artist, in such a world. Nandini Pandey continues her conversation with Poonam Girdhani, a film and theatre actress, to delve into the magical realms of the recently revived art of Dastangoi.
Being one of the few Dastango’s of India herself, Ms. Poonam Girdhani reflects further on what Dastangoi really is, its rich history and the story of its rebirth. The two through this continued conversation, explore the sphere of the theatre itself, exploring the role of both the artist, and the audience, and how it creates an experience of storytelling so unique, and so filled with histories.
In an increasingly fast-paced world, many beautiful things are often forgotten to be appreciated. In such a context, this first episode of InterLinked takes a moment to pause and look at art, and the artist, in such a world.
Nandini Pandey engages in a conversation with Poonam Girdhani, a film and theatre actress, to delve into the magical realms of the recently revived art of Dastangoi. Being one of the few Dastango’s of India herself, Ms. Poonam Girdhani describes what Dastangoi really is, its rich history and the story of its rebirth. The two through this conversation, explore the sphere of the theatre itself, exploring the role of both the artist, and the audience, and how it creates an experience of storytelling so unique, and so filled with histories.
We are aware of what rural development is and what it does. But where does it come from? Who generates the funds to help communities and how do they do it? What motivates them?
These are exactly the questions this episode seeks to answer with a conversation between Nandini Pandey and Sanjay Jain, the founder of Yatra Foundation, an Australian based organisation funding multiple schools in India over decades.
The two dive into how such funds are generated, how people are motivated, and where this thought of philanthropy origins. It further explores the work of Yatra Foundation itself, the kind of work the organisation has done in India, and its experience in trying to help so many.
In this episode of Interlinked hosted by Meddhya Singh, we sit down with Dr. Yogesh Kulkarni, Executive Director of Vigyan Ashram, a modern-day Gurukul in Pune, Maharashtra that has been reimagining education since 1983. From his early years as a mechanical engineer and corporate professional to his decades of leadership at Vigyan Ashram, Mr. Kulkarni has dedicated his life to proving that “development through education and education through development” is not just an idea, it’s now a working model.
We explore Vigyan Ashram’s unique philosophy of Rural Development through Education System (RDES), how it’s using technology to its benefit, and how its programs are shaping a new generation of entrepreneurs and problem-solvers.
The episode delves into a conversation between Shankar Maruwada, former entrepreneur who turned to the world of education and development, starting the EkStep Foundation, committed to reaching over 200 million children, and host Nandini.
The conversation explores the role of technology in the advocation of education in an Indian context. India is a country much poverty stricken, and proper education becomes a concept for many, unreachable. In this context, the episode looks at how technology may allow education to be both widely received and properly expressed. By providing us an idea on the technological advancements in India, Mr. Shankar allows us to look at a changing India in a light we have scarcely seen before. The possible impacts of such changes on factors like efficiency, quality, and variety of education are put on display.
The dialogue through exploration of Mr. Maruwada’s personal experiences further provides opportunity to the listeners to understand perspectives on the scales at which one can make important and necessary impacts.
In the Vichaar segment, in conversation with Professor Stellina Jolly, we explore how climate-induced mobility intersects with international law, human rights, and national policy in the Global South. It examines how nearly 90% of India’s internal displacement in 2024 was linked to natural disasters, yet legal and policy frameworks remain mitigation-centric, sidelining rights and adaptation. It highlights the gaps in instruments like the Paris Agreement and India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), which fail to center vulnerable communities, and underscores the need for granular, intersectional data to build responsive legal mechanisms. By situating these issues within the broader gaps of international refugee law and the securitization of migration, the segment calls for a rights-driven framework that prioritizes those least responsible for, yet most affected by, climate change.
What happens after the unthinkable? In this episode, Geetaali Malhotra speaks with Prof. Juan Vallejo, Assistant Professor at O.P. Jindal Global University and expert in international criminal law and humanitarian law, about how international legal systems confront the aftermath of atrocity.
They explore the legal architecture surrounding genocide, the legacy of tribunals like the ICTY and ICTR, and the evolving role of the International Criminal Court. The conversation unpacks difficult questions: Who gets prosecuted and who doesn’t? From the politics of accountability to the limits of international law, this episode critically examines what justice really means in the wake of mass violence and how it must ultimately evolve for the future.
In this episode of InterLinked, we delve into the fragile intersections of identity, tradition, and urban change in Kashmir, exploring how communities rooted in place are negotiating the pressures of modernity. Shivali Yadav is in conversation with Najam Us Saqib, a researcher whose work brings together urban governance, participatory ethnography, and the lived realities of marginalized communities in Srinagar.
Together, they unpack how development initiatives like the Smart City Mission impact traditional occupations, from the Hanji community’s deep ties to Dal Lake, to the Pathans' shifting linguistic identity. The conversation traces how assimilationist policies and top-down planning can lead to cultural erasure, and asks what it would mean to truly center community voices in imagining the future of the city.
Drawing from his fieldwork and storytelling, Saqib reflects on the role of inclusive research in inculcating traditional forms of knowledge, and offers a grounded vision for how urban policy can engage with diversity rather than overwrite it. Tune in for a conversation that explores whose knowledge gets counted, whose identities are protected, and what it takes to make cities more just.
In this episode of InterLinked, hosted by Geetaali Malhotra, we delve into the complex world of Khap Panchayats-traditional caste councils rooted in North Indian society. Joined by Ms. Prachy Hooda, Lecturer at the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, we examine the shifting dynamics of these institutions at the intersection of law, gender, and governance. From legal judgments and ADR debates to gender politics and the optics of empowerment, this conversation unpacks the socio-political forces that continue to shape Khap power in modern India.
In this episode of Vichaar (Azaad Awaaz), in conversation with renowned human rights activist Mr. Nirmal Gorana, delves into the expanding phenomenon of bulldozer justice in India and its devastating effects on marginalized communities. Mr. Gorana, convener of the National Campaign Committee for Eradication of Bonded Labour and key figure in the Mazdoor Awas Sangharsh Samiti, shares critical insights into how forced evictions displace informal workers, violate constitutional rights, and worsen socio-economic disparities. Drawing from landmark judgments and on-ground experiences, he exposes the systemic failures in policy implementation and the increasing use of state machinery to suppress dissent. He also emphasizes the urgent need for collective resistance, legal awareness, and active civic engagement to uphold the rights of the displaced.
In this episode of InterLinked, we delve into the hidden geographies of urban life — the communities, crafts, and labor often overlooked in mainstream narratives of development. Shivali Yadav is in conversation with Namesh Killemsetty, a researcher whose work bridges urban studies, policy analysis, and community-led action.
Together, they unpack the ethical and practical questions surrounding the representation of slum dwellers and artisan collectives in academic research and policy spaces. The discussion moves from the struggles of eviction and the complexities of humane resettlement, to the role of feminist ethnography in making research more accountable to the people it seeks to represent.
Drawing from his fieldwork in slum communities and craft clusters, Namesh shares how a participatory, bottom-up approach can reshape both policymaking and urban imagination. The episode also reflects on how city planning, especially under the guise of ‘beautification,’ often hides the very people whose labor sustains it.
Tune in for a conversation that challenges the way we think about cities — and whose stories get to shape them.
In this podcast, hosted by Geetaali Malhotra,we dive into the complex realities of informal labor in a rapidly changing world. Our guest, Ms. Ashika Thomas, Junior Research and Evaluation Officer at NSPCC discusses on how policies, technology, and urban planning shape the lives of those often left out of formal systems ,be it gig workers ,street vendors or unbanked entrepreneurs. As economies recover and evolve, we ask whether informality should be formalized, reimagined, or protected and what a fair future of work truly looks like.
In this series, the team has a discussion with Aatika Singh, a PhD candidate in the Department of Art and History at Stanford, explores the intersection of art, politics, and marginalization. Aatika shares how her journey from studying law to engaging with art and activism shaped her understanding of public spaces and the struggles of Dalit students. Her experiences in Kolkata and Delhi revealed the role of placemaking in challenging discrimination and reclaiming accessible spaces for marginalized communities. Through this conversation, we examine how Dalit artisans navigate their identities and histories through artistic expression, using their craft as a means of storytelling and resistance.
In this compelling episode of InterLinked, we explore the intersection of gender, labor, and economic agency in India’s informal sector. Shivali Yadav is joined by Ms. Hima Trisha, a researcher with extensive experience in gender studies, labor sociology, and the preservation of traditional crafts.
Through an insightful discussion, we examine the structural inequalities shaping informal work, the resilience of women navigating precarious labor markets, and the evolving role of artisanal work in economic empowerment. Ms. Trisha shares her fieldwork experiences with rural-urban migrant workers and craft communities, shedding light on how gender dynamics influence economic opportunities.
From factory floors to home-based textile artisans in Assam, we discuss whether community-led initiatives can provide sustainable alternatives to exploitative labor structures, policy interventions and the importance of feminist ethnography.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges assumptions and highlights the power of research and advocacy in bridging the gap between legal frameworks and lived realities.
In this compelling episode of InterLinked, we explore the intersection of climate justice and women’s economic agency, focusing on how policies can move beyond inclusion to foster meaningful leadership. Shivali Yadav is joined by Ms. Mamta Borgoyary, a development sector leader with extensive experience in climate resilience, gender equity, and sustainable livelihoods.
Through an insightful discussion, we examine the structural barriers preventing women from leading climate action, the pitfalls of tokenistic inclusion, and the need for policies that empower women as decision-makers rather than passive beneficiaries. Ms. Borgoyary shares her experiences working with indigenous and rural communities, shedding light on how women’s leadership can drive innovative, localized climate solutions.
From climate financing gaps to the role of self-help groups in fostering economic resilience, we discuss how grassroots movements are reclaiming agency, why representation is not enough, and the urgent need for intersectional approaches in climate governance.
Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional climate policies and highlights the power of women-led solutions in building a just and sustainable future.
In this episode of Swabhimaan’s podcast, we explore how gender and nationalism intertwine, shaping identities, politics, and societal expectations. From the feminization of nations to the phrase “our women,” we examine how nationalist narratives reinforce patriarchal control, turning women into symbols of honor, purity, and sacrifice. Through historical examples, literature, and global politics, we unpack how gendered rhetoric justifies power structures, war, and even economic policies. Join Shivali Yadav, Meher Biswas, and Aanchal Megan Menezes as they delve into the paradox of women as both revered and restricted figures in nationalist discourse.