‘Voices’ Podcast

Our Voices podcast is where we discover change-makers and engage with diaspora around the world to discover their relationship with India. It is hosted by New York-based journalist and comedy writer Ali-Asghar Abedi, where he also hosts a late night talk show on stage, as well as Mark Runacres. Mark has been following Indian affairs for 40 years, of which he spent 20 in India. He was a diplomat, an entrepreneur and a civil society player. And he gave damn good parties. The pandemic has meant that he now lives a virtual Indian life in South-West London.

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Rediscovering my Jammu roots

Jammu and Kashmir is a region not familiar to most Indians and non-Indians alike.

We speak to journalist Venus Upadhayaya, who was born in Jammu and whose ancestral home is in a village in the lower shivalik ranges that are also home to the Dogra/Pahadi culture. Her ancestral home has always fascinated her and this episode showcases her journey to discover her roots.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres

• GuestsVenus Upadhyaya
• OrganisationThe Epoch Times

Opportunities and barriers for Indians in literary fiction

Sarah Jessica Parker wants you to read her writings. And her first book was named one of the Best Books of 2018 by Washington Post, NPR, People, Buzzfeed and others.

We speak to author Fatima Farheen Mirza, who talks about a change in representation for South Asians in literary fiction, assigning labels in ethnic stories and howA Place for Us is a deeply moving and resonant story of love, identity, and belonging. 

Hosted by journalist and comedy writer based in New York Ali-Asghar Abedi.

• GuestsFatima Farheen Mirza
• OrganisationNew York Times bestselling author

Scaling a global education business

The demand for education in India is growing exponentially.

We speak to higher education entrepreneur Dr Manish Malhotra, who has scaled up his education and edtech business across Australia, New Zealand, India and now the UK and Canada. He talks about his approach to business, giving learners what they want, and India’s new National Education Policy.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsDr Manish Malhotra
• OrganisationATMC Education Group

India’s defence and security relationships

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s anticipated visit to London this year will be the first such visit to the UK in 20 years.

We speak to Rahul Roy-Chaudhury, who leads the IISS’ South Asia research programme. His expertise is India’s neighbourhood foreign and security policies; Pakistan, Afghanistan and regional security; counter-extremism and terrorism; regional nuclear matters; and the Indian Ocean. He says the bilateral side of the UK-India defence relationship has been underperforming. He also sees green shoots for the opening up of trade between India and Pakistan. 

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsRahul Roy-Chaudhury
• OrganisationInternational Institute for Strategic Studies

Are we are in a motivational mess today?

Many of us feel like we are going through the motions – as workers, managers, spouses and partners, parents and citizens. We feel jaded and unhappy with the organizations we are part of, whether that’s the company we work for or our child’s school.

We speak to motivation expert Sharath, who applies the concepts of Purpose, Autonomy and Mastery to help us see our motivation in these key life areas in a radically new light.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsSharath Jeevan OBE
• OrganisationIntrinsic Labs

Building excellence in Indian sports

The England cricket team’s focus on white-ball cricket has damaged its Test team. On the other hand, India’s focus on the IPL has helped Indian cricket, with the Test team rising to World Number One.

We speak to sports fan, cricket writer and formerly with the BCCI, Delhi Daredevils and Advisor to the government Amrit Mathur, on developing excellence in Indian sports and how a professional system will change India’s medal hopes at future Olympics.

Hosted by journalist and comedy writer based in New York Ali-Asghar Abedi.

• GuestsAmrit Mathur
• OrganisationBoard of Control for Cricket in India, Delhi Daredevils

How does China respond to the Ukraine crisis?

Over two million refugees have fled Ukraine and Russia’s economy has been crippled due to international sactions, bringing Western powers together in a coordinated manner not seen for several decades.

We speak to Kanti Bajpai, an expert on India-China relations, former headmaster of the Doon School in India, Vice-Dean for Research of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and now a professor at the National University of Singapore. He says China does not want to be a paymaster for Russia as they confront Western sanctions, especially as most of China’s natural constituencies in Africa and elsewhere voted against Russia at the UN. 

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsKanti Bajpai
• OrganisationNational University of Singapore

The Polish view – where does India stand in the Ukraine crisis?

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, one of its neighbours to the southwest. It marked a major escalation between the countries, which had been in a state of conflict since 2014.

We speak to President of the Polish Boyma Institute, that focuses on South Asia research, about India’s response to the Ukraine crisis, issues faced by Indian students seeking to leave Ukraine, and being caught between the geopolitical interests of Russia and the US.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsKrzysztof Zalewski
• OrganisationBoyma Institute (Poland)

Where does India stand in the Ukraine crisis?

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, one of its neighbours to the southwest. It marked a major escalation between the countries, which had been in a state of conflict since 2014.

We speak to Dr Shruti Kapila, Associate Professor of Indian History and Global Political Thought from the University of Cambridge about India’s response to the Ukraine crisis, the time taken to evacuate Indian students and being caught between the geopolitical interests of Russia and the US.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsDr Shruti Kapila
• OrganisationUniversity of Cambridge

How did corruption in cricket evolve?

Once upon a time, corruption and cricket in India went hand-in-hand. Even in early 2022, ex-Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor admitted an approach from Indian bookies.

We speak to Neeraj Kumar, former Commissioner of Delhi Police and former Chief Advisor to the BCCI’s Anti Corruption & Security Unit. In his career, he has unearthed a multi-million racket in state-run lotteries and investigated several cases of terrorism, organised crime, economic crime and corruption. He was the man responsible for discovering the cricket match-fixing scandal in 2000.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsNeeraj Kumar
• OrganisationFormer Director-General, Delhi Police

Why did the income of 84% of households fall in India last year?

According to a new report by Oxfam, 84% of Indian households saw a decline in their income in 2021 and 46m people slide into extreme poverty – which is half of the global poor. And yet the number of billionaires grew from 102 to 142.

We speak to the Amitabh Behar to understand the institutional, policy, pandemic and others reasons for this, and what can be done about it.

Hosted by journalist and comedy writer based in New York Ali-Asghar Abedi.

• GuestsAmitabh Behar
• OrganisationOxfam India

Why is London a favourite safe haven for Indian fugitives?

London has long been a safe haven for those who want to escape the law in India.

We speak to journalists Danish and Ruhi Khan who, through eyewitness accounts and archival records, delve into twelve cases of extradition over seven decades to unravel the legal quagmire that has caused much debate in Her Majesty’s courts. It includes the extradition of billionaire Vijay Mallya and diamantaire Nirav Modi, cricket bookie Sanjeev Chawla and more.

Hosted by former diplomat, entrepreneur and civil society player Mark Runacres.

• GuestsRuhi and Danish Khan
• OrganisationAuthors, 'Escaped: True Stories of Indian Fugitives in London'

How well represented are South Asians in the Arts?

Just recently, the Golden Globes were called out for their lack of diversity. Is representation of South Asians in Britain today mainstreamed, or do we have a way to go yet?

We speak to Sandeep Virdee OBE, Artistic Director of the Durbar Festival, who tells us that funding for BAME arts organisations needs twice as much hard work, for half as much result. He also shares his thoughts on getting more Indians interested in South Asian arts.

Hosted by New York-based journalist and comedy writer Ali-Asghar Abedi.

• GuestsSandeep Virdee OBE
• OrganisationDurbar Festival