The Witness

As major road and rail projects expand across Kashmir, agricultural land is increasingly caught between acquisition and restriction. The Srinagar Semi Ring Road has introduced construction-free buffer zones that prevent farmers from building, selling, or investing — without fully acquiring their land. In this episode of  The Witness , we walk alongside Saqib, a young farmer observing the quiet tra...

In this episode of  The Witness , I travel through Kashmir’s farmlands — tracing how land acquisition, climate change, and unchecked infrastructure projects are transforming the valley’s agrarian heart. Through voices of farmers, environmentalists, and old irrigation canals now running dry, this story explores how the idea of “development” collides with memory, belonging, and survival. 🎧 Produced...

In this powerful episode of  The Witness , I sit down with acclaimed academic and writer David Maughan Brown to explore his lived experiences under apartheid in South Africa. Drawing from his compelling memoir  Despite the Darkness , David shares personal stories of resistance, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of systemic oppression. Together, we unpack the parallels b...

In this episode I continue my conversation with Sohrab Hura and explore the profound impact of images on our memories, emotions, society, politics and perceptions of reality. We talk about how curated and manipulated photos on social media shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. Our guest, Sohrab Hura, a distinguished photographer and painter, joins us to discuss the power of...

In the first episode of our three-part series, we sit down with Sohrab Hura , an acclaimed photographer from New Delhi, India, and a full member of Magnum Photos. Sohrab's work delves into the complexities of identity, emotion, and the human experience, challenging the conventions of traditional photography. We explore the power of photography as a storytelling medium, the political dimensions...

Do you know how it is to have been displaced by conflicts, losing your family members to a civil war and struggling to become a journalist? Join us as we delve into the extraordinary journey of Abdalle Ahmed Mumin , a resilient journalist and human rights advocate from Somalia. Through candid conversations, Abdalle shares his firsthand experiences growing up in a displacement camp in Mogadishu, wh...

In the second part of this Podcast exploring Kashmir Pandit question, I continue my conversation with Kapil Kak and ask him questions about the role of narratives and discourses that have shaped this issue, the road ahead and the way forward. We also talk about the rising majoritarianism across India. Access all Episodes  ⁠HERE

In this Podcast I will delve into the untold stories and experiences of the Kashmiri Pandit community, their migration from Kashmir, their struggle and the politics that revolves around this issue. In our first episode of the series on Kashmir Pandit question, I have the privilege of having Mr. Kapil Kak , Ex Air Vice-Marshal of India with me, Kapil is a Kashmiri Pandit with an intensive knowledge...

In the fourth episode of the Witness, we have the honour of speaking with Naseh Shaker , a courageous Yemeni journalist based in the heart of Sanaa. Our discussion with Naseh will center around the profound impacts of the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the complex dynamics of peace negotiations, and the path forward towards a lasting peace in this war-torn nation. As Yemen continues to grapple with on...

In this episode, we delve into the pressing matter of freedom of press and speech in the contested region of Kashmir and India as a whole. Join us as we engage in a captivating conversation with Anuradha Bhasin, the Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, who will provide us with an in-depth analysis and personal experiences from the front lines of journalism in one of the world's most complex regions....

In the second episode of The Witness, we continue our conversation with Sahar Vardi, an esteemed activist based in Jerusalem. In this episode, we delve into a myriad of complex topics, including nationalism, Zionism, racism, the arms industry, the Palestinian occupation, and the concept of militarized societies. With Sahar's invaluable insights, we hope to gain a deeper understanding of these pres...

In this episode of The Witness, we speak to Sahar Vardi, a Jersualem based activist. We dive into Sahar's personal journey and how growing up in Jeruslaem inspired her activism against the occupation. We also discuss her involvement in the Israeli refusal movement and her work around the human rights violations associated with the Israeli arms export industry.