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IDR Interviews

Conversations with trailblazers and changemakers on their life’s work and what it takes to create social change.

flavia agnes image--women's rights
September 13, 2023
IDR Interviews | Flavia Agnes
Activist and lawyer Flavia Agnes tells us why securing women’s rights today seems much harder than it was in the ‘80s and argues that legislative reform is a battle half won without litigation support.
by Joeanna Rebello Fernandes, Smarinita Shetty | 9 min read
maya sharma illustration--feminist activism
July 11, 2023
IDR Interviews | Maya Sharma
A pioneer of queer and feminist movements in India, Maya Sharma sheds light on the intersectionality of gender, geography, class, and sexuality.
by Debojit Dutta, Halima Ansari | 8 min read
Kirit Parikh_Illustration_climate crisis
March 24, 2023
IDR Interviews | Kirit Parikh
A glimpse of the remarkable life of Dr Kirit Parikh, who has been an integral part of India's public policy landscape for almost five decades.
by Shreya Adhikari, Smarinita Shetty | 9 min read
A black and white illustration of Bill Drayton against a blue backround
October 18, 2022
IDR Interviews | Bill Drayton
In this freewheeling conversation, Bill Drayton emphasises that everyone has the right, and ability, to be a giver. And in today’s world where everything is changing, everybody can, and must, be a changemaker.
by Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip | 7 min read
Black and white illustration of Sushma Iyengar against a beige background
May 31, 2022
IDR Interviews | Sushma Iyengar
Recognised for her pathbreaking work in Kutch, Sushma Iyengar shares what led her to focus on the intersection of women’s rights and rural development, and why she believes the scope of women’s empowerment today is limited to economic transformation.
by Rachita Vora, Shreya Adhikari | 11 min read
A black and white illustration of Aruna Roy on a green background
January 26, 2022
IDR Interviews | Aruna Roy
Renowned social activist and a driving force behind the movements that led to the RTI Act and MGNREGA, Aruna Roy tells us what it takes to sustain truly participatory movements and why we must fight for our democratic right to dissent.
by Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip | 11 min read
Illustration of Aloysius Fernandez-self-help groups
January 13, 2022
IDR Interviews | Aloysius Fernandez
Having pioneered the concept of SHGs, Aloysius Fernandez speaks about his journey over the last several decades, and how building institutions is the beginning of the basis of power for marginalised people.
by Smarinita Shetty | 10 min read
Rajendra singh waterman of India_Illustration: Aditya Krishnamurthy
July 16, 2020
IDR Interviews | Rajendra Singh
‘Waterman of India’, Rajendra Singh, shares insights on how the availability of water improves all aspects of life in India, and why the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to bring about a revolution in the country.
by Saahil Kejriwal, Smarinita Shetty | 8 min read
Vijay Mahajan-social entrepreneur_development sector_ Illustration: Aditya Krishnamurthy
April 30, 2020
IDR Interviews | Vijay Mahajan
Known for his pathbreaking work in the development sector, Vijay Mahajan talks about inequality, the direction our society is headed in, and how the ‘idea of India’ cannot be realised by the state alone.
by Ayesha Marfatia, Smarinita Shetty | 8 min read
Dr John Oommen-illustration-Adivasi community-healthcare
February 13, 2020
IDR Interviews | Dr John Oommen
A physician and public health specialist, Dr John Oommen shares insights from more than three decades of working on community health among Adivasi peoples, and reflects on why we need to rethink the dominant development paradigm.
by Ayesha Marfatia, Rachita Vora | 10 min read
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