Shows
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 07 | Conserving the Knowledge and Livestock Breeds of India's PastoralistsAbout the Guest:Vivekanandan is the founder of SEVA - Sustainable-agriculture and Environmental Voluntary Action (SEVA), an organisation founded in 1992 with a focus on finding and researching rural people’s traditional knowledge systems and innovations. SEVA emphasizes on the preservation of indigenous agricultural practices, conservation of local livestock breeds and documentation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge and grassroots innovations.In today’s episode, Vivekanandan walks us through the work at SEVA, initiatives such as the Breed Saviour Awards, and the socio-cultural and economic implications of livestock rearing on indigenous pastoralist groups. This podcast seri...2023-01-0227 min
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 06 | Women Pastoralists, Ethno-veterinary medicine and India's Livestock SectorAbout the Guest:Dr Nitya Ghotge is a veterinarian and one of the founders of Anthra and presently its Director. Her work includes research, training and policy advocacy on different aspects of livestock development especially on systems of health care as well as planning for gender-sensitive and sustainable ways of farming and livestock rearing. A special focus for her now is pastoral and nomadic communities and the animals they rear.In today’s episode, Dr Nitya sheds light on sustainable livestock rearing, women pastoralists and the uses of ethno-veterinary practices, as we attempt to reimagine In...2023-01-0249 min
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 05 | Indigenous Farming and the Adivasi Kondhs of OdishaAbout the Guest:Sibabrata Choudhury is the CEO of Living Farms Odisha, an organisation that works with the community to protect indigenous culture, forest, land, agriculture, food, and life practices. Under the leadership of the late Debjeet Sarangi, Living Farms initiated impactful interventions including community kitchen gardens, preservation of indigenous seed varieties and uncultivated forest foods. In today’s episode, Sibabrata talks about the work at Living Farms, as we discuss the potential of indigenous farming methods in the face of increasingly commercialised ‘modern’ farming practices. This podcast series is hosted by Amiya Chaudhu...2023-01-0238 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 10 | Strengthening Support for Sex WorkersAbout the Guests: Saheli HIV AIDS Karyakarta Sangh is a community based organization which works with the female sex workers of Budhwar Peth. Saheli is the only female sex workers collective in Pune. Established in 1998, with the voluntary efforts of sex workers and social workers from this area. While Tejaswi Sevekari is the Executive Director at Saheli, Vanita Mane is a board member as well as Peer leader of Saheli.This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, mental health collective associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with q...2022-11-0642 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 09 | Reexamining Masculinity in Mental HealthAbout the Guest: Sagar Sachdeva has worked in the development sector for four years towards building spaces and processes that facilitate dialogues on gender and masculinities among young men. At TYPF’s Mardon Wali Baat programme, his work involves creating interactive models of engaging with young men and boys by approaching masculinities and violence through an intersectional lens. This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, mental health collective associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with queer persons on various psycho-social themes. In 2019 they co-founded queer listening circle to en...2022-11-0631 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 08 | A refuge for refugeesAbout the Guest: Dr. Kaz de Jong is physiotherapist, has a Master in Organisational Psychology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He has been employed with MSF since 1994 as a field worker and as a mental health specialist in the MSF Public Health Department, being responsible for the development of Mental Health programs. Currently, he is the Head of the Staff Health Unit and Primary Investigator in the Expat Health Study.This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, mental health collective associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively w...2022-11-0634 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 07 | Finding place for asexual and hypersexual bodiesAbout the Guest: Swarnima Bhargava is currently an Assistant Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She is an experienced Clinical Psychologist working with child and adolescent mental health. She is skilled in narrative therapy, psychodynamic & mentalization-based therapy, psycho-educational assessments. Her strong interests and experience is working with depression, anxiety, trauma, sexual abuse, ADHD, LGBTQ and relational concerns.This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, mental health collective associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with queer persons on various psycho-social themes. In 2019 they co-founded queer listening circle t...2022-11-0632 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 06 | Discerning the role of religion in mental healthAbout the Guest: Shaifila Ladhani is a practising psychotherapist, based out of Delhi. Shaifila identifies as a feminist, queer affirmative, trauma-informed practitioner. She believes that mental health is psychosocial in nature and that working with individuals requires acknowledging their psychosocial contexts. Alongside, she is working on building efficient models of therapeutic care, which takes into account the mental health needs and concerns that go beyond the space(s) of therapy. This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, mental health collective associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with que...2022-11-0628 min
The xSDG PodcastKeeping Pace with Therapy Ep 04 | Immersing in Arts-Based TherapyAbout the Guest: Porkodi Palaniappan is an Art Therapist and Founder of Better Chances. Better Chances works towards building inclusive societies where friends and neighbours support those with mental health issues live on their own. She also headed the Larrence Charitable Trust, a home for destitute children and was also involved in other activities related to child welfare during this job stint. This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, mental health collective associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with queer persons on various psycho-social themes. In 2019 they co...2022-11-0432 min
The xSDG PodcastKeeping Pace with Therapy Ep 03 | Rendezvous with Narrative Therapy PracticesAbout the Guest: Raviraj Shetty is an occupational therapist, children's book author, supervisor, library educator and a teacher who believes that all the problems of this world are rooted in the structural systems of oppression rather than in communities or peoples bodies and identities. His work is informed by Narrative practices, sensory integration, accountability practices, queer writings, children's books, his mother’s cooking practices and his communities ways of living. He is a teacher of Narrative practices and Early childhood development; and teaches in local and international workshops and diplomas. He supports the work of therapists and commu...2022-11-0428 min
The xSDG PodcastKeeping Pace with Therapy Ep 02 | Expanding the Scope of Psychodynamic PracticeAbout the Guest: Zehra Mehdi is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Religion, Columbia University working at the intersections of religion, politics, and psychoanalysis. Her doctoral dissertation studies how Muslims as persecuted religious minorities in India draw upon religion to perform the psychic work of verbalizing trauma, mourning losses, as well as staging political protest. Her research interests are political psychology, religious minorities and nationalism, trauma and violence, gender theory, psychoanalytic anthropology, and Partition literature. She has written articles in psychoanalytic journals on Islamophobia and secular psychoanalysis in India and contributed chapters in edited volumes on Win...2022-11-0435 min
The xSDG PodcastKeeping Pace with Therapy Ep 01 | An Introduction to Compassion-Focused TherapyAbout the Guest: Rory Cahill is an experienced psychotherapist, lecturer and trainer specialising in a compassion-focused approach to wellbeing and counselling. He is a leading expert in the application of Compassionate Focused Therapy (CFT) in educational settings to improve both staff and pupil wellbeing. Rory takes a no nonsense approach to wellbeing cutting through the jargon and transforming evidence-based concepts into practical, understandable and effective solutions and interventions. His workshops can make a positive difference to individuals and teams working in a range of stressful environments including businesses, universities and the NHS.This series i...2022-11-0436 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 13 | Smashing the Patriarchy with Sindhu RajasekaranAbout the Book:Centred around the bold voices of millennials and Gen Zs, Smashing the Patriarchy explores how young Indian women from diverse backgrounds ingeniously overcome the patriarchy in their everyday lives. From beauty, body politics, and sexuality, to caste, power, and the paradox of choice, the book explores a wide range of women’s issues and draws important connections between these. In the chapter ‘On Beauty’ the author examines why women pursue or reject mainstream beauty standards and the real-life repercussions of their choices. ‘Ishq in the Times of Tinder’ considers the conundrum that is love and...2022-08-1839 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 7 | A Satirical Look at Indian Village Life with Luc LeruthIn this episode, Luc Leruth discusses his novel, Rumble in a Village and explores themes of caste politics, economic distress and social dynamics in rural India. About the Book:While the murder mystery is one thread of the story, we follow Anil, the upper caste NRI protagonist, as he bumbles along through Palanpur, making friends and mistakes. He is determined to help the villagers by bringing modern amenities and development to the village. This leads him on a sometimes confusing, yet eye-opening journey through the myriad complexities of northern India—the politics of different caste gro...2022-08-1833 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 6 | Radhika Gupta & her Secret to Success in ‘Limitless’One of the youngest India CEO, Radhika Gupta share her journey to success in new book, Limitless. About the Book:In Limitless, Radhika Gupta, one of the youngest CEOs in India's financial services sector and creator of the viral YouTube video 'The Girl with a Broken Neck', offers straight-talking advice on how you can multiply your chances at achieving success. It begins, she says, by investing in the most valuable asset you possess: YOURSELF.Drawing on personal experiences of overcoming adversity and attaining success – her own and those of other achievers – Radhika's deeply insp...2022-08-1825 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 5 | Adhir Biswas Shares Snippets from his Life of Migration & ExileIn this episode, we speak to Adhir Biswas and translator V. Ramaswamy about their book, 'Memories of Arrival'. About the Book:Translated for the first time into English, Memories of Arrival brings together four books of a migrant’s story of displacement and exile in one volume. Adhir Biswas, a Dalit, makes the subalterns gain some visibility. The author, though half-starved, gets an education. He finds possibilities, delighting in the city of Calcutta, making the most of what he can. He finds a place in the book world, finally emerging as the distinguished editor and pu...2022-08-181h 03
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 4 | Nandana Dev Sen on Translating her Mother's Celebrated PoetryNandana Dev Sen reads out and discusses the themes from 'Acrobat,' an English translation of her mother, Nabaneeta Dev Sen's widely celebrated Bengali poetry. About the Book:A radiant collection of poetry about womanhood, intimacy, and the body politic that together evokes the arc of an ordinary life. Nabaneeta Dev Sen's rhythmic lines explore the joys and agonies of first love, childbirth, and decay with a restless, tactile imagination, both picking apart and celebrating the rituals that make us human. When she warns, "know that blood can be easily shed by lips," her words...2022-08-1839 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 3 | A Glimpse into the Lives of Underprivileged Lesbians with Maya SharmaMaya Sharma discussed her seminal book, Loving Women: Being Lesbian in Unprivileged India.About the Book: Located within a personal journey of emergence from a space fraught with silences and half-truths, the book documents the life-stories of ten working-class queer women living in north India. In doing so, it dispels the myth that lesbians in India are all urban, westernized and come from upper and middle classes. These real-life narratives create a space for voices with little or no privilege, providing these women with an opportunity to share their lived realities with one another and w...2022-08-1834 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 2 | Arunava Sinha on the Scope & Future of Translations in IndiaDoes inclusive literature in Indian languages give us an opportunity to speak more boldly of subjects that are otherwise not explored in as much depth through English language literature in India? Where do the lines exist and what is the scope of such literature? Translated literature provides a window into the lives of others who are unlike us in some ways but like us in others. But what are some of the challenges involved in translation? How does a translator retain the nuances of the original text? Eminent translator Arunava Sinha attempts to answer some of these questions and t...2022-08-1834 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastWords of Belonging Ep 1 | Gyan Chaturvedi Talks Satire, Social Commentary & TranslationsGyan Chaturvedi talks about Alipura, the English translation of his novel, Baramasi. Baramasi is part of the Bundelkhand trilogy. Book Description:The novel is set in village Alipura, Jhansi district in the late 1960s. The Dube family – widowed mother, four sons and a daughter – are inspired by their dreams. Their immediate aspiration is to find a husband for Binnoo, the only daughter of the house. But the boys have dreams as well – of wealth, political power, dacoity, romance, or even just passing the intermediate exam. A perennial bestseller since its Hindi publication (as Baramasi) in 1999, Alipur...2022-08-1858 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastCreating Diverse Worlds: Speculative Fiction Ep 4 | Samit BasuPopular speculative fiction (SFF) author Samit Basu talks about his celebrated novel, Chosen Spirits, and the current state of SFF in India. In this episode, Samit Basu delves deep into the dystopian roots of his award-winning novel, Chosen Spirits. Samit incorporates several current concerns in his dystopian view of a futuristic New Delhi, like climate change, air pollution, breach of digital security, increasing class divide and communal unrest. We discuss the scope of dystopian writing for social commentary and the need to address pressing real life concerns in fiction. The episode ends with Samit sharing some much-needed advice to a...2022-08-1851 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastCreating Diverse Worlds : Speculative Fiction Ep 3 | Julian K. JarboeIn conversation with Julian K. Jarboe about their debut collection, Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel. Julian expands on what they mean by "mid-apocalyptic," a term used to describe their collection and what role do writers of speculative fiction play in a world that is turning increasingly dystopian. We then examine the scope of SFF and how one can explore issues of real world, such as climate crisis in their fiction. Julian ends with comments on queer and trans representation in SFF. About the Book:In this debut collection (Everyone on the Moon is Essential...2022-08-181h 07
The Belongg Literature PodcastCreating Diverse Worlds: Speculative Fiction Ep 2 | Usman T MalikPopular Pakistani SFF author Usman T Malik discuss his debut collection, Midnight Doorways: Fables from Pakistan. In this episode, Usman discusses themes of home, belonging and representation in his stories. We discuss the characteristics of South Asian SFF and the tradition of fantastical writing, myths and legends. Usman shares insights about Pakistani publishing industry and comments on the debate about appropriation in fiction. About the GuestUsman T. Malik is a Pakistani-American writer and doctor. His fiction has been reprinted in several years’ best anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy series, and has be...2022-08-1855 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastCreating Diverse Worlds : Speculative Fiction Ep 1 | Fran WildeIn conversation with award-winning SFF author Fran Wilde about representation of disability in fiction. Award-winning author Fran Wilde takes us through a journey of her works and inspiration. We discuss themes of representation in speculative fiction, and Fran comments on the inclusion of disability in her stories. The episode ends with a contemplation on the scope of SFF and acknowledgement of discriminatory troupes in depiction of disabled characters in fiction. About the Guest:Fran Wilde's acclaimed short stories have appeared in Asimov's, Nature, and Beneath Ceaseless Skies. Aside from her writing career, she has w...2022-08-1847 min
The xSDG PodcastBuilding Inclusive Societies Ep 04 | Are our Legal Systems Casteist?About the Guest:Nikita Sonavane is a legal researcher and lawyer based in Bhopal, India. She is the co-founder of the Criminal Justice and Police Accountability Project, a litigation and research intervention focused on building accountability against criminalisation of marginalised communities by the police and the criminal justice system. This series is hosted by Muda Tariq, Research Associate at Belongg. Muda graduated with a Bachelor's in Political Science, followed by a postgraduate diploma in Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding from Lady Shri Ram College for Women. She is passionate about working o...2022-08-1425 min
The xSDG PodcastBuilding Inclusive Societies Ep 03 | Caste in the ClassroomAbout the Guest:Prof. (Dr.) Dalwai specializes in gender, sexuality, and law. Her Ph.D. thesis analyses the legal ban on dancing in the bars of Mumbai. In this work, she focuses on sexuality and law during globalisation in India with a specific reference to the caste capital of hereditary dancers. She has published in international journals and offered conference papers in many international conferences. Ms. Dalwai has worked as a lawyer with human rights organizations in Mumbai as well as health NGOs in rural Maharashtra. She envisioned and heads Development and Human Rights Institute (www...2022-08-1431 min
The xSDG PodcastBuilding Inclusive Societies Ep 02 | Traversing Caste within the Legal SystemAbout the Guest:Manjula Pradeep is currently the Director of Campaigns in Dalit Human Rights Defenders Network Project, which covers five states of India. Manjula has also founded the Wise Act of Youth Visioning and Engagement (WAYVE) Foundation (www.wayve.net.in) which works for the empowerment and rights of marginalized youth in India building their leadership and building awareness about Constitutional Rights.Apart from that, Manjula is involved with the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights. She also served as a member of the executive group of the...2022-08-1421 min
The xSDG PodcastBuilding Inclusive Societies Ep 01 | Collective Movements and Politics of IdentityAbout the Guest:M.R. Sharan is a graduate student in the Ph.D. programme in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. His primary fields of interest are development economics and political economy. He is part of a series of research projects in India and his work attempts to better understand the linkages between State policy, politics, citizens, and government. He has previously worked as a researcher at the office of the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, JPAL South Asia, and IGC India. He holds a B.A. (Honours) in...2022-08-1448 min
The xSDG PodcastForging Inclusive Pathways Ep 04 | Catering to the Educational Needs of Geo-Political Diverse RegionsAbout the Guest:Kumam Davidson Singh is an ethnographer, writer, curator, and educator. He is the founder of Matai Society and co-founder of TCHP: A Queer Digital Anthology of Northeast India.This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, Mental Health Collective Associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with queer persons on various psycho-social themes. You can also listen to this podcast and more conversations on intersectional inclusion, by downloading Belongg’s app UnOther, available on the Apple and...2022-08-1048 min
The xSDG PodcastForging Inclusive Pathways Ep 03 | Preserving Tribal Knowledge and Value SystemsAbout the Guest:Gregory Cajete is a Native American educator whose work is dedicated to honoring the foundations of Indigenous knowledge in education. He worked at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 21 years. While at the Institute, he served as Dean of the Center for Research and Cultural Exchange, Chair of Native American Studies, and Professor of ethnoscience. He has also served as a Professor of Native American Studies and Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Cajete also designs culturally-responsive curricula geared...2022-08-1045 min
The xSDG PodcastForging Inclusive Pathways Ep 02 | Situating Parents’ Needs during Covid-timesAbout the Guest:Gopika Kapoor is a writer and autism consultant. She is the author of bestselling books Spiritual Parenting, Spiritual Pregnancy, Spiritual Relationships, and Spiritual Success published by Hay House India. Gopika has written for a number of leading publications and has been consulted on various communications initiatives with national and international NGOs. She has been awarded the Young FICCI Ladies Organization (YFLO) Women Achievers Award for exemplary writing. Gopika has authored the book- Beyond the Blue: Love, Life and Autism, a realistic, positive book for parents of children with autism, that includes h...2022-08-1036 min
The xSDG PodcastForging Inclusive Pathways Ep 01 | The Question of LanguageAbout the Guest:Shivani Nag is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education Studies at Ambedkar University Delhi, India. She is also an education and language rights activist. Drawing on theories from cultural psychology and critical and feminist pedagogies, her research focuses on the inclusion, experience, and participation of children, adolescents, and young adults from marginalized and disadvantaged contexts in school and higher education. This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, Mental Health Collective Associate at Belongg. They are also a mental health practitioner who works extensively with queer p...2022-08-1052 min
The xSDG PodcastTrailer | Introducing The xSDG PodcastOn the xSDG podcast, we bring to you conversations with experts who are focused on making development more intersectionally inclusive. The podcast carries sub-series that cover inclusive food systems, law and justice, cities and much more. Listen in to understand key issues and ideas for impact. You can also listen to this podcast and more conversations on intersectional inclusion, by downloading Belongg’s app UnOther, - available on the Apple and Google app stores. To connect with intersectional experts for guest lectures or consultations, check out Belongg Circle, a platform that makes it easy for...2022-06-1401 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastTrailer: Crossroads in TherapyTune into the Belongg Mental Health podcast series - Crossroads in Therapy.In this podcast, we will look at therapy through the lens of intersectionality in terms of gender, race, caste, sexuality, disability, religion, and more. Each episode uncovers the nuances of tackling mental health challenges faced by marginalised identities. Through this podcast, we hope to bring greater attention to how identity drives unique mental health needs and requires special approaches in therapy. You can also listen to this and more such interesting series on intersectional inclusion by downloading Belongg’s app UnOther which is ava...2022-06-1001 minThe Belongg Literature PodcastTrailer | Introducing The Belongg Literature PodcastHome to our conversations with authors and experts about diverse and inclusive books focused on themes of gender, feminism, race, caste, disability, faith, prejudice, and belonging. The episodes are structured as separate sub-series and offer different ways of imaging themes of diversity and inclusion. You can also listen to this and more by downloading Belongg’s app UnOther, spelt U_N_O_T_H_E_R which is available on both the Apple and Google app stores. To invite such experts to your organization for guest lectures or expert consultations, please also look at Belo...2022-06-0300 min
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 04 | LandAbout the Guest:Shipra Deo is the Director of Women’s Land Rights at Landesa India where she leads Landesa’s work for gender equal and inclusive land governance. In recent years she has done intensive research on inheritance by women and gendered aspects of land laws in India.This podcast series is hosted by Amiya Chaudhuri, Research Associate at Belongg. Amiya is interested in the intersection of food, identity and social justice, and has previously worked with grassroots NGOs and served as an AIF Clinton Fellow.You can also listen to this podc...2022-06-0134 min
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 03 | NutritionAbout the Guest:Dr Swain is a Research Associate at the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University. He is the Assistant Director of the Technical Assistance and Research for Indian Nutrition and Agriculture (TARINA) program of Tata-Cornell Institute. He has a multidisciplinary background spanning gender responsive food systems, male involvement, intimate partner violence and women's health, migration and communicable disease, and agriculture and nutrition in the Indian sub continent and East Africa.This podcast series is hosted by Amiya Chaudhuri, Research Associate at Belongg. Amiya is interested in the intersection...2022-06-0145 min
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems | Season 01 | IntroThis podcast series is hosted by Amiya Chaudhuri, Research Associate at Belongg. Amiya is interested in the intersection of food, identity and social justice, and has previously worked with grassroots NGOs and served as an AIF Clinton Fellow.You can also listen to this podcast and more conversations on intersectional inclusion, by downloading Belongg’s app UnOther, available on the Apple and Google app stores. To connect with intersectional experts for guest lectures or consultations, check out Belongg Circle, a platform that makes it easy for a range of organizations and individuals to integrate intersectionality in their wo...2022-06-0101 min
The xSDG PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 01 | Agro-EconomyAbout the Guest:Dr Shreya Sinha is a lecturer in Business and Society at Queen Mary University of London. Her research is focused on the political economy of agrarian change and development, with a regional focus on India. Previously, Shreya was involved with the TIGR2ESS project (Transforming India's Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable food Supplies) at the University of Cambridge. This podcast series is hosted by Amiya Chaudhuri, Research Associate at Belongg. Amiya is interested in the intersection of food, identity and social justice, and has previously worked with grassroots N...2022-06-0144 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastReimaginings Ep 01 | Reimagining LoveReimagining love: Breaking away from the normative with authors Sharif Rangnekar, Bishakh Som and Maia Kobabe. In this episode, we will hear our guests explore their relationship with community and found families, experience writing memoirs and the role of love in political, cultural and social discussions.About the Guests:Sharif Ragnekar is a well known journalist and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights at every possible platform. He is the Festival Director of the Rainbow Lit Fest and his memoir Straight to Normal: My Life As A Gay Man is one of the few pieces of writings...2022-06-011h 08
The Belongg Literature PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 3 | Danish HusainIn this episode, we speak to Danish Husain, storyteller, actor, poet and theatre director, who has been instrumental in reviving 'Dastangoi,' the lost art of Urdu storytelling. With Danish, we explore the legacies of revolutionary writers such as Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai, and the importance of writing that unsettles the status quo and makes you question the way things are. Throughout the conversation, Danish invokes the poetry of stalwarts such as Ghalib and Faiz, and brings out the deeply syncretic nature of our cultural roots and everyday existence.About the Guest:Danish Husain...2022-06-0156 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 1 | Urvashi ButaliaIn this episode, we speak to Urvashi Butalia, an Indian feminist writer, publisher and activist. Urvashi tells us about her early encounters with inclusive literature, and how her reading journey has evolved with her feminism. She also talks about the importance of reading books that transcend and question boundaries of identity, and how reading is inherently a form of activism. About the Guest:Urvashi Butalia is known for her pioneering work in the women's movement of India, as well as for authoring books such as The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India...2022-06-0151 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastGaze of the World and I Ep 2 | Ruth VanitaIn this episode, we speak to Ruth Vanita, an academic, an activist, and an author who has contributed immensely to literature around gender, sexuality, and culture. We speak to her about her book 'Dancing with the Nation: Courtesans of Bombay Cinema,' and explore her ground-breaking study of courtesan imagery in 235 films, throwing light on the role the courtesan figure played in shaping the modern Indian erotic, political and religious imagination. About the Guest: Ruth Vanita co-founded India’s first nationwide feminist magazine called Manushi: A journal about Women and Society, which combined academic research and gras...2022-06-0143 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastGaze of the World & I Ep 1 | Madhumita BhattacharyaIn this episode, we speak to Madhumita Bhattacharya, one of India’s few crime thriller writers. Madhumita talks to us about her journey as a writer, the trials and tribulations that led to the creation of 'Dirty Women', her latest novel and the need for stronger women characters in fiction. About the Guest:Madhumita Bhattacharya has written four murder mysteries - The Masala Murder, Dead in a Mumbai Minute, Goa Undercover, and Dirty Women. With an experience of working in the space of the newsroom, writing and editing across a wide range of subjects, Madhumita weaves in...2022-06-0143 min
The Belongg Literature PodcastReimaginings Ep 3 | Reimagining the ConstitutionReimagining the scope of the Indian Constitution with Prof. Arun Thiruvengadam, Arvind Narrain and Aakash Singh Rathore. In this episode, we speak to three guests who have approached the Indian Constitution through different lenses in their writing and scholarship. The three discuss the scope of the constitution in accommodating evolution of different identities, the state of the constitutional principles in today’s world and the changing idea of India.About the Guests:Dr. Arun K. Thiruvengadam is currently a Professor of Law at the National Law School, Bangalore. His teaching and research interests lie in the ar...2022-06-011h 01
The Belongg Literature PodcastReimaginings Ep 02 | Reimagining HistoryReimagining history: Rejecting a homogeneous past with Prof Manan Ahmed Asif, Prof. Chinnaiah Jangam and Archana Garodia Gupta. In this episode, our guests view history through different lenses and surface common truths as well as rich differences in our past. We will hear our guests exchange reflections about the multiplicity of historical narratives, the need to look to our past and the value of searching beyond mainstream sources.About our Guests:Prominent scholar Prof Manan Ahmed Asif has written extensively on South Asian history and currently teaches history at Columbia University. His books include, A Bo...2022-06-011h 07
The Belongg Literature PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 2 | Easterine KireIn this episode, we speak to celebrated poet and author Easterine Kire. A majority of her writings are based in the lived realities of the people of Nagaland in north-east India. She draws intriguing parallels between the indigenous literatures of the world, and explores the importance of own voices and oral traditions of storytelling.About the Guest:Easterine Kire is known for groundbreaking, award-winning titles such as 'A Naga Village Remembered', 'A Terrible Matriarchy', 'When the River Sleeps', amongst others, and is the first Naga author to have published an English novel. Apart from writing, she...2022-06-0147 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastInclusive Food Systems | Season 01 | IntroThe first season of the Inclusive Food Systems podcast by Belongg, highlights the crucial role played by women in the achievement of the Zero Hunger sustainable development goal or SDG2. As primary caregivers, women determine the food consumed at a household level, and as food producers they determine what kinds of crops are grown, tools are used and what foods get sold in the market. This season of the podcast explores the many intricacies of how women feed themselves, their families, the communities around them and the world at large. 2022-05-1701 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 02 | Clean CookingIn the second episode of our Inclusive Food Systems podcast series, we dive into the concept of clean cooking and its connection with women’s health, safety and empowerment, with our guest speaker Nitisha Agrawal. In the episode, we discuss how the lack of access to clean cooking technology impedes women’s equal participation in economy and society. Nitisha draws from her years of experience implementing programs, to explain the many nuances that need to be considered when designing clean cooking programs, that need to go far beyond just distributing cookstoves. Instead, program implementors need to be mindfu...2022-05-1043 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastInclusive Food Systems Ep 01 | Agro-EconomyIn the first episode of our Inclusive Food Systems podcast series, our guest is Dr Shreya Sinha and we explore the role of women in agriculture and agrarian economy. In the episode, we discuss the feminisation of agriculture in India, as well as the many vulnerabilities of female farmers and farm workers. Shreya offers key insights into the difficulties that women face in accessing male-dominated markets, the undermining of their labour as ‘soft labour’ and the caste and gender nexus that further oppresses female farm workers. We end by listening to Shreya’s vision for the future of wome...2022-05-1044 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 4 | Reshma ValliappanIn this episode, we speak to Reshma Valliappan, aka Val Resh, who is an artist, pantomime, writer, speaker and educator. Val has been advocating for creativity as a healing process since 2011 through her organization, The Red Door. Her unabashed, interdisciplinary work around mental health has given her recognition as an Ashoka & Ink Fellow 2014. Val's autobiography, 'Fallen, Standing: My Life as a Schizophrenist', has been a radical act of reclaiming one's own mental illness. In this episode, Val talks about some books which have been crucial to her understanding of mental illness and health, and the blurred boundaries b...2022-05-101h 04
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 3 | Danish HussainIn this episode, we speak to Danish Husain, storyteller, actor, poet and theatre director, who has been instrumental in reviving Dastangoi, the lost art of Urdu storytelling. He is the founder of Qissebaazi, a platform that promotes storytelling in diverse languages. His love for poetry has manifested in the Poetrification project with actor Denzil Smith, and he also runs his own theatre company, Hoshruba Repertory, under which he has produced some brilliant plays like Chinese Coffee, Guards At The Taj and Qissa Urdu Ki Aakhiri Kitaab Ka. His acting repertoire includes films such as Newton, Dhobhi Ghat and Peepli L...2022-05-1056 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 08 | A refuge for refugeesIn this episode, we talk to Dr. Kaz de Jong about the various challenges faced by displaced persons within the mental health sector of the host countries. We would also deliberate on the possibility of designing/re-designing mental health care work catering to the displaced communities. Dr. Kaz de Jong is physiotherapist, has a Master in Organisational Psychology and a PhD in Clinical Psychology. He has been employed with MSF since 1994 as a field worker and as a mental health specialist in the MSF Public Health Department, being responsible for the development of Mental Health programs. Currently, he...2022-04-2634 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 07 | Finding place for asexual and hypersexual bodiesIn this episode, we talk to Swarnima Bhargava, a mental health professional who has worked with various clients who identify as asexual and hypersexual. We will talk about their mental health challenges, usually ignored by the mainstream mental health discourse in India and also contemplate possible ways to affirm their experiences in a therapeutic setting. Swarnima Bhargava is currently an Assistant Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. She is an experienced Clinical Psychologist working with child and adolescent mental health. She is skilled in narrative therapy, psychodynamic & mentalization-based therapy, psycho-educational assessments. Her strong interests and e...2022-04-2632 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 06 | Discerning the role of religion in mental healthIn this episode, we talk to Shaifila Ladhani, a therapist who has been working rigourously with persons who face discrimination on the basis of their religion and discuss possible pathways available for the clients in a therapy room situated in a ‘secular’ but exclusive environment. Shaifila Ladhani is a practising psychotherapist, based out of Delhi. Shaifila identifies as a feminist, queer affirmative, trauma-informed practitioner. She believes that mental health is psychosocial in nature and that working with individuals requires acknowledging their psychosocial contexts. Alongside, she is working on building efficient models of therapeutic care, which takes into accoun...2022-04-2628 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 05 | Visibilising race in the therapy roomAbout the Guest: Professor Thokchom Bibinaz has taught in undergraduate studies in Delhi University on Ad-hoc basis. Earlier she has worked with various non-profit organizations (NGOs) as mental health service provider on critical psycho-social issues. Her service also extended as Human rights activist in one of the Child Rights Centre in Delhi and played the role of a trainer for the Probation officers, public prosecutors and police personnel of ASI and lower ranks in Delhi police Department. This series is hosted by Saransh Bisht, Mental Health Collective Associate at Belongg. They are also a mental h...2022-04-2640 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastReimaginings Ep 4 | Reimagining BelongingIn this episode, we speak to three writers who have written about citizenship, putting down roots, and being uprooted in different ways. In the first segment, the three authors exchange thoughts about what they understand by “belonging” and discuss how language plays a role in articulating this belonging. Then we move on to talk to the individual writers discussing the themes and intricacies of their works, their experience of immigration and politics of who belongs where. The episode ends with a treat to the listeners with few recommendations of books and cinema from the guests that capture the essence of i...2022-04-251h 18
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastReimaginings Ep 3 | Reimagining Narrative SettingIn this episode, we will hear the thoughts of two writers who have explored parts of India that are usually left out of the country’ popular imagination. In the first segment, we will hear them exchange thoughts about the construction of this quote-unquote Mainland India and comment on the intangible relationship between memory, space and place. In the next segment, Janice delves deeper into the role of setting in her own writings and shares reasons to look at creative writing with a decolonial lens. Pankaj paints a mesmerising and heartbreaking picture of marine turtles from the islands, and unravels th...2022-04-251h 11
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastGaze of the World & I Ep 1 | Madhumita BhattacharyaIn our first episode, we speak to Madhumita Bhattacharya, one of India’s few crime thriller writers, who has written four murder mysteries - The Masala Murder, Dead in a Mumbai Minute, Goa Undercover, and Dirty Women. With an experience of working in the space of the newsroom, writing and editing across a wide range of subjects, Madhumita weaves in personal experiences of her work into her latest novel Dirty Women, a story about the investigation into the disappearance of a four-year-old Tara in 2002 in Calcutta. Madhumita talks to us about her journey as a writer, the tri...2022-03-3043 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastGaze of the World and I Ep 2 | Ruth VanitaIn our second episode, we speak to Ruth Vanita, an academic, an activist, and an author who has contributed immensely to literature around gender, sexuality, and culture. She co-founded India’s first nationwide feminist magazine called Manushi: A journal about Women and Society, which combined academic research and grassroots activism. An author of several books such as Gender, Sex and the City: Urdu Rekhti Poetry in India, Memory of Light, Love’s Rite: Same-sex Marriage in India and the West and Dancing with the Nation: Courtesans of Bombay Cinema, she has also translated many works of fiction and poetry from...2022-03-3043 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 2 | Easterine KireIn this episode, we speak to Easterine Kire, a poet and author who currently lives in northern Norway. The majority of her writings are based in the lived realities of the people of Nagaland in north-east India. She is known for groundbreaking, award-winning titles such as 'A Naga Village Remembered', 'A Terrible Matriarchy', 'When the River Sleeps', amongst others, and is the first Naga author to have published an English novel. Apart from writing, she also performs Jazz poetry with her band Jazzpoesi. Easterine talks about some remarkable books, from Amos Tutuola's 'The Palm Wine Drinkard' to C...2022-03-2447 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastThe Inclusive Bookshelf Ep 1 | Urvashi ButaliaIn our first episode, we speak to Urvashi Butalia, an Indian feminist writer, publisher and activist. She is known for her pioneering work in the women's movement of India, as well as for authoring books such as The Other Side of Silence: Voices from the Partition of India and Speaking Peace: Women's Voices from Kashmir. In 2003, she founded Zubaan Books, a feminist publishing house that is known for its pathbreaking and diverse work.Urvashi tells us about her early encounters with inclusive literature, and how her reading journey has evolved with her feminism. She also talks about...2022-03-1651 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 04 | The “I” word in therapy work with childrenAbout the Guest:Kasturi Chetia is an RCI licensed Clinical Psychologist currently working with a Child and Adolescent Mental Health organisation called Children First India. She engages with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, teachers, social workers along with a host of national and international organisations. She has a deep resonance with placing clients and their families at the centre of the therapeutic relationship. With each interaction, she aspires to create a nurturing and safe ecosystem, building awareness, removing stigma and shame around mental health and advocating community work by using the lens of social justice and collaboration. 2022-02-2131 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 03 | Situating Disability in TherapyAbout the Guest:Renu Addlakha is currently Professor at the Centre for Women's Development Studies, an Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR)-supported autonomous research institute, government of India. She presently is engaged in research on health, disability, gender and development. She has trained in medical anthropology and her areas of specialisation include mental illness and the psychiatric profession, public health systems, bioethics, gender and the family. She has been work on health and disability issues for the past two decades. She has published widely in national and international peer- reviewed journals. Her latest most important p...2022-02-2130 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 02 | Rethinking the ‘family’ in family therapyAbout the Guest: Reena Nath is a psychotherapist and systemic family therapist in private practice in Delhi. She is an MSc in child development, Delhi University, and an MA in systemic psychotherapy from the Tavistock Clinic, U.K. She set up and was director of Sampark, a walk-in therapy centre at Modi Hospital. She has worked at the Marlborough Family Services centre, the Anna Freud Centre, and the London Marriage Guidance Council, U.K. She has offered group therapy in crisis situations in Punjab, Kashmir and Afghanistan, the latter under the U.N. She has been secretary of...2022-02-2128 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastCrossroads in Therapy Ep 01 | Locating the site of peace in conflict-affected regionsAbout the Guest: As the first & only practicing peace-psychologist from Kashmir & South-Asia, Ufra Mir works at the intersection of the science of psychology, mental health psychosocial support, education, art and peace-building; where her vision of peace is very much foundational in holistic global wellbeing, mental health psychosocial support, self-transformation, changemaking and inner peace first - for more empowered, more empathetic, more peaceful and more cohesive, just and resilient world. She has additionally been recognized as one of the top 10 Kashmiri women achievers, which includes a recent Lal Ded Khatoon-e-Kashmir award, for her contribution to peace-psychology work, focused o...2022-02-2134 min
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastReimaginings Ep 02 | Reimagining HistoryIn this episode, we will hear our guests view history through different lenses and surface common truths as well as rich differences in our past. In the first segment, we will hear them exchange reflections about the multiplicity of historical narratives, the need to look to our past and the value of searching beyond mainstream sources. In the next segment, Prof. Ahmed recounts the formation of the “outsider” image relegated to Southasian Muslims and expands on his call for post colonised historians. Prof. Jangam sheds light on the dominance of Hindu Brahmanical hold over history keeping and advocates viewing the...2022-02-171h 07
Crossroads in Therapy PodcastReimaginings Ep 01 | Reimagining LoveIn this episode, we will hear our guests explore their relationship with community and found families, experience writing memoirs and the role of love in political, cultural and social discussions. Sharif shares his experience of living through key moments of the LGBTQIA movement in India. Bishakh explores the utopian connotations in her writing and contemplates the radicalness of her collections. Maia shares eir motivation to write a memoir and elaborates on the limitations of the Western gender binary. The episodes ends on a positive note, with all guests recommending books and cinema depicting queer joy. Guests:2022-02-171h 08
Publishing Perspectives Podcast by Roli PulseEp 6 Bookshops and the Business of Selling BooksDiscussion on publishing would be incomplete without a discussion on bookstores, which have always been a key link between publishers and readers, before the advent of online stores. In this episode, Manjari Sahay engages Amrita Somaiya, Nijesh Shah, Rick Simonson and Sarah High on what the trends were in sale of books through brick and mortar structures before the pandemic and what impact has Covid-19 had on them, primarily shifting the attention from physical bookstores to online availability of books, and how that has influenced the sale and distribution channels of books.
Amrita Somaiya is Director at Kitab Khana.
Nijesh...2020-08-2248 min