In this inspiring episode of RYTHM Connect, Dr. Agnes Callamard, one of the world’s most respected human rights advocates, speaks with Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran about the power of standing up—for justice, dignity, and freedom. From her deeply personal beginnings in rural France to leading Amnesty International, Dr. Callamard reflects on the importance of courage, compassion, and speaking truth to power.
Their conversation offers a grounded look at today’s human rights landscape while also highlighting practical ways individuals, governments, and organisations can spark positive change.
Episode Highlights
00:00 – 01:39 | A Courageous Life
Meet human rights leader Agnes Callamard
A global voice for dignity and truth
Lifelong journey driven by compassion
01:40 – 08:43 | Values That Shape Us
Inspired by her grandfather’s legacy
Childhood rooted in empathy and service
From local action to global impact
08:44 – 14:54 | Facing Global Shifts
Human rights amid rising challenges
The need for collective responsibility
Strengthening systems through cooperation
14:55 – 20:40 | A Call for Leadership
Encouraging climate accountability worldwide
Elevating justice in global decisions
Why vision and action must align
20:41 – 27:47 | Supporting the Marginalised
Ending inequality through legal reform
Protecting land, rights, and livelihoods
Uplifting refugees and at-risk communities
27:48 – 34:26 | The Role of Business
Corporate voices as allies for change
Engage in policy with purpose
Embed sustainability in every initiative
34:27 – 39:30 | Reasons for Hope
Courage from youth and activists
Collective action makes impact possible
Most people believe in a better world
39:31 – 40:21 | Keep the Conversation Going
Advocate for inclusive global progress
Use your platform for good
Change begins with all of us
<END>
Can a sport break barriers and bring people ofall abilities together? Parabowls—a modified version of lawn bowls—is doing just that. Host Umayal Eswaran speaks with Ganesh Ramanathan, President of Parabowls Singapore, about his journey as an athlete and advocate championing accessibility in the sport. This episode also explores sports’ role in inclusion, Singapore’s leadership in disability sports, and the push for global representation. Tune in for an inspiring talk on breaking stereotypes and promoting equality!
______________________________________________
00:00-02:21 – Introduction
Welcome to RYTHM Connect
Introducing Ganesh Ramanathan
Parabowls: driving inclusion through sport
02:22-06:51 – Passion for Lawn Bowls and Advocacy
An athlete and an advocate
What the game entails
Bringing lawn bowls to athletes with disabilities
06:52-09:58 – The Power of Sports in Inclusion
The sport’s unique sportsmanship
Playing for enjoyment and empowering others
Expanding access through leadership
09:59-13:22 – Competitive Representation in Sports
National and international level opportunities
Gaining recognition on the big stage
Platforms for athletes with disabilities to thrive
13:23-19:38 – An Inspiring Story of Transformation
Mahindran Pasupathy’s inspiring journey
A life renewed for an athlete with a visual impairment
Family and community support for athletes with disabilities
19:39-25:00 – Breaking Stereotypes in Adaptive Sports
The societal shift needed for true inclusion
A rare sport uniting all abilities
Plans for fully inclusive competitions
25:01-29:39 – Singapore’s Leadership in Disability Inclusion
Government initiatives and policy changes
The “Disability Sports Master Plan 2024”
Expanding access and boosting participation
29:40-31:55 – Challenging Disability Stigmas
How Parabowls Singapore is shifting perceptions
Inspiring more people with disabilities to join sports
The importance of long-term community support
31:56-38:52 – Expanding Accessibility Through Innovation
Short mat bowls for easier accessibility
Adapting Parabowls for All Ages and Environments
Boosting participation through local partnerships
38:53-40:01 – Closing Thoughts
The uniting power of sports
Inclusion: Opportunity, not charity
Inspiring communities to foster belonging
Social entrepreneur and gender equality advocate Eena Khalil Lim discusses community-driven change, holistic education, and the importance of fostering a love for learning in this engaging instalment of RYTHM Connect, hosted by Umayal Eswaran. She also shares insights into her work on social entrepreneurship with The Good Shop and the CHILD initiative, which empowers parents to make informed choices for their children’s well-being.
________________________________________________________
00:00-01:01 – Introduction
01:02-04:09 – Eena Khalil Lim’s Background
04:10-06:10 – Change Through Social Entrepreneurship
06:11-09:00 – Hope in Changemaking
09:01-12:58 – Holistic Education
12:59-15:20 – The Love of Learning
15:21-20:15 – Learning and Technology
20:16-24:19 – The Arau Approach
24:20-29:40 – The Inspiration for CHILD
29:41-35:25 – The Good Shop
35:26-40:25 – Creating Curiosity
40:26-42:59 – Closing Thoughts
In this episode, Ghana’s Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, reflects on her distinguished journey as the country’s third female Chief Justice with host Umayal Eswaran. She delves into her guiding principles of authenticity, the complexities of balancing leadership demands, and the pivotal role of support systems. Join this captivating conversation on resilience, visionary leadership, and the pursuit of excellence at the highest levels.
______________________________________________
00:00-00:40 – Introduction
Introducing Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo
Welcoming her to RYTHM Connect
00:41-01:55 – Ghana’s 3rd Female Chief Justice
Chief Justice Torkornoo’s background and achievements
02:15-04:03 – Authenticity as a Philosophy
Chief Justice Torkornoo’s guiding philosophy is authenticity
Being yourself and not anybody else
Your unique self is a gift to your community
04:04-05:31 – Challenges on the Journey
Juggling multiple roles without conflict
Balancing professional and personal responsibilities
The burden of leadership
05:37-06:14 – The Weight of Leadership
Balancing diverse expectations from 35 million people
Leading a government arm for both the vulnerable and the privileged
06:15-08:16 – A Balancing Act
Discovering balance without compromising well-being
Staying true to her identity as Gertrude
Women’s struggle to maintain a work-life balance
08:25-09:30 – Quietly Rising to the Top
Surprised by anonymity despite years of service
Women often identify themselves before their profession
09:38-12:48 – Strong Support System
A loving family foundation instils confidence
A supportive spouse offers stability
A supportive work environment encourages growth
12:52-15:16 – Parents Shape Futures
Parental support builds confidence from childhood
Loving and supportive fathers play a key role in a daughter’s strength
Balanced perspectives from both parents are essential
15:17-17:26 – Trust at the Core
Trust is key to collaboration and teamwork
Focus on real needs to build strong connections
Clear communication ensures everyone works toward shared goals
17:27-20:39 – Curiosity Opens Doors
Proactiveness led to an unexpected opportunity
Expertise in business law opened new doors
20:40-24:13 - Learning is Lifelong
Embrace deliberate learning for leadership growth
Find role models to guide your journey
24:14-27:45 - On Creative Pursuits
- Creative pursuits enrich leadership perspective
- Humanity thrives on diverse experiences
27:46-32:06 - Pivotal Career Moments
- Gained trust through active involvement and support
- Led committees, shaping key reforms and initiatives
- Helped execute chief justices' visions with dedication
32:07-36:26 - Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders
- Choose to understand where people are coming from
- Define your problems and develop solutions
- Engage people with kindness and compassion
36:27-37:38 – Closing Thoughts
- Owning your space is about making an impact
- Never be afraid to ask for help
In this inspirational episode, host Umayal Eswaran engages with Dr Suria Selasih Angit, a proud member of Malaysia’s Indigenous Orang Asli Temiar community and an educationalist at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.
Together, they explore how to make education more inclusive and culturally responsive for indigenous and marginalised students. Tune in to this engaging dialogue as Dr Suria shares her innovative approaches to dismantling educational barriers and inspiring the next generation.
Learn more about:
Dr Suria at the University of Nottingham
_____________________________________
0:00:04 - 0:00:55 – Introduction
0:00:56 - 0:02:07 – A Proud Orang Asli’s Mission
00:02:08 - 00:06:32 – Foresight and Talent
00:06:33 - 00:08:00 – Indigenous Community Learning
00:08:01 - 00:10:37 – Dismantling Educational Barriers
00:14:57-00:21:00 – Engaging the Community
00:21:01 - 00:25:09 – World Bank Project
00:25:10 - 00:28:17 – Partnering Policymakers
00:28:18 - 00:29:43 – Closing Thoughts
00:29:45-00:31:02 – Outro
END
In this informative episode of RYTHM Connect, host Umayal Eswaran speaks with Dr Hajah Yatela Zainal Abidin, CEO of Sime Darby Foundation (Yayasan Sime Darby), who shares her rich experiences and deep insights on the topics of diversity, empowerment, and leadership. Through an engaging dialogue and thoughtful reflection, they navigate the complex terrain of societal challenges and triumphs, offering a compelling narrative that speaks to the heart of gender equality, social justice, and the full realisation of women’s talents.
Learn more about:
__________________________________________________________
0:00:07-0:02:28 – Introduction
Introducing RYTHM Connect, Dr Yatela, and YSD.
0:03:40-0:08:36 – Of Adversity and Allyship
0:10:13-0:12:38 – Unconscious Biasness
0:12:50-0:14:25 – Equality Everywhere
0:14:26-0:17:07 – Perspectives on Family and Talent Retention
0:17:33- 0:24:01 – The Dilemma of Underprivileged Women
0:24:26-0:29:33 – Effective Governance
0:29:43-0:34:03 – Closing Thoughts
0:34:04-0:35:26 – Outro
While prominent organisations and specialists around the world are helping to demystify neurodivergence and its various profiles, access to the necessary services and support systems remains scarce, especially in developing countries.
In Malaysia, many neurodivergent children and their families struggle without life-changing interventions and support. Existing programmes are riddled with gaps and shortcomings, preventing children on the autism spectrum and those with other developmental disabilities from reaching their full potential and becoming meaningful contributors to society.
In this episode of RYTHM Connect, our host Umayal Eswaran sits down with the indomitable Dr. Tricia Yeoh of IDEAS (Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs) to address the ongoing struggle of inclusivity in education and the critical policy-driven interventions that must take place in order to empower neurodivergent children for the future.
Learn more about:
____________________________________________________
0:00:08-0:02:22 – Introduction
– Introducing RYTHM Connect and Dr Tricia Yeoh
0:03:23-0:06:10 – Equity and Policy Reform
– Dr Tricia’s passion for addressing social injustices and public policy
– Of lasting, impactful, and systemic institutional changes
0:08:22-0:10:25 – Inclusivity in Education
– The IDEAS Autism Centre
– Addressing educational disparities for marginalised communities
0:12:42-0:16:28 – The IDEAS Experience
– The think tank’s policy recommendations
– Dr Tricia on inclusive vs. specialised schools
0:20:44-0:24:23 – Challenging Policy Shifts
– The difficulty in executing changes
– The efforts of the private and third sectors
0:26:01-0:27:11 – Recommended Measures
– Inspiring students to pursue SEN studies
– Short-term stop-gap measures
0:30:09-0:32:08 – The Orang Asli Experience
– Exploring synergy with the Education Ministry
– “Taking what we can get”
0:36:41-0:40:00 – The Role of Parents and Communities at Large
– Managing misunderstandings and expectations
– An All-Party Parliamentary Group on SEN?
0:41:00-0:46:16 – Closing Thoughts
– The “art” of policy advocacy
– Dr Tricia on sustaining efforts
—Indicators of progress
0:46:16-0:48:38 – Outro
– Thank you for tuning in to RYTHM Connect
– Takeaways
– Reminders to subscribe and follow us on social media
In this inspiring episode of RYTHM Connect, host Umayal Eswaran sits with the trailblazing Natasha Zulkifli, founder of Women in Rail Malaysia and a director at YTL Construction. Join us as we delve into Natasha’s remarkable journey, where she has consistently shattered glass ceilings in the traditionally male-dominated fields of both rail and construction.
_____________________
Show Notes
[00:00:01] – Introduction
- Welcome to RYTHM Connect
- Introducing guest, Natasha Zulkifli
[00:03:29] – Natasha’s Early Career
- Her early experiences in the construction and rail industries
- Exploring challenges within a male-dominated profession
[00:04:15] – Founding Women in Rail Malaysia
- The inspiration behind Women in Rail Malaysia
- Natasha shares anecdotes from the organisation’s early days
[00:07:22] – Exploring Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math subjects
- Why STEM matters, especially for girls
- Society’s role in fostering and supporting the initiative
[00:09:29] – Overcoming Barriers
- An inspiring narrative of defying conventional norms
- Support for brave and adventurous women
[00:13:18] – Future Aspirations
- Expanding Women in Rail across Asia Pacific
- “Don’t overthink it, just do it!”
[00:15:18] – Closing Thoughts
- Natasha’s final thoughts and advice
- Thanking Natasha for her time and insights
[00:18:30] – Outro
- Thank you for tuning in to RYTHM Connect
- Preview of the next episode
- Reminders to subscribe and follow on social media
________________________________________________
RYTHM Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rythmfoundation/ RYTHM Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RYTHMFound Women in Rail Malaysia: https://womeninrail.org.my/ Connect with Natasha Zulkifli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-zulkifli-620351197/
10 million stateless people in the world right now are denied a legal identity & access to basic human rights that the rest of us take for granted daily - like education, healthcare & employment. Beyond a life of deprivation, stateless people struggle the most with a sense of belonging & feelings of being rendered invisible in countries where they have lived their whole lives.
As the Director for Social Protection at the Development of Human Resources for Rural Areas, or DHRRA in Malaysia, Maalini Ramalo has been championing human rights & dignity for stateless communities. She shares the heart-wrenching stories she’s encountered in her journey of helping thousands break free of intergenerational cycles of statelessness.
Catch the eye-opening segment with #RYTHMFoundation Chairperson, Umayal Eswaran on the latest episode of #RYTHMConnect, the show where we have conversations with changemakers, social advocates and the people driving causes you care about!
#HumanRights #Social Protection #Stateless #Community #Equality #Identity #Podcast #RaiseYourselfToHelpMankind
The journey towards building resilient communities is one that also requires resilience of character, and Dr Madhavi Panda knows that all too well. As the Founder of the Parinaama Development Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering rural communities in India, Dr Madhavi has had to arm herself with grit in the face of barriers to building trust among the communities she helps.
Inspired by the resilience of the women she works with; she shares her story of overcoming obstacles and persevering to keep helping rural women do better for themselves!
Catch the deeply insightful segment with #RYTHMFoundation Chairperson, Umayal Eswaran in the latest episode of #RYTHMConnect - the show where we have conversations with changemakers, social advocates and the people driving causes you care about!
#WomensEmpowerment #ImpactStory #Podcast #RaiseYourselfToHelpMankind #RYTHM
Despite growing up with the odds stacked against her, former Olympic windsurfer and environmental activist, Amara Wichithong never gave up on herself.
Amara began collecting and recycling trash to earn a living at the age of 13, until she discovered her talent and love for the wind sport, which propelled her towards a victorious professional career.
She is the perfect guest to launch our brand-new podcast, RYTHM Connect, where #RYTHMFoundation Chairperson, Umayal Eswaran, talks to remarkable people who drive change. Catch Amara's inspiring and riveting story on the very first podcast episode of RYTHM Connect!
#WomensEmpowerment #ImpactStory #Podcast #RaiseYourselfToHelpMankind #RYTHM
