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IDR Interviews

Conversations with visionaries on their life’s work, and their efforts to challenge the status quo in our country.
rajendra singh waterman of india_IDR
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 illustration
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
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
illustration-bezwada wilson-profile
January 23, 2020
IDR Interviews | Bezwada Wilson
A lifelong crusader against manual scavenging, Bezwada Wilson talks about building a Dalit-led grassroots movement to liberate the community from this practice.
by Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip | 7 min read
Illustration of Deep Joshi, PRADAN_Aditya Krishnamurthy
November 7, 2019
IDR Interviews | Deep Joshi
Recognised for bringing cadres of young professionals into grassroots development, Deep Joshi reflects on why we need to build a more fraternal society and implores us to reconsider how we respond to development challenges.
by Sneha Philip, Ayesha Marfatia | 6 min read
Dr Vandana Shiva graphic_AKrishnamurthy
October 10, 2019
IDR Interviews | Dr Vandana Shiva
World-renowned scientist and biodiversity expert shares invaluable wisdom on the overlaps between indigenous and scientific knowledge, and how both can shape national and global policy.
by Saahil Kejriwal, Rachita Vora | 10 min read
September 12, 2019
IDR Interviews | Stan Swamy
An activist and humanitarian, Stan tells us how people’s movements grow and are sustained in the context of his fight against the displacement and human rights violations faced by Adivasi peoples.
by Sneha Philip, Smarinita Shetty | 7 min read
Shantha Sinha profile
June 13, 2019
IDR Interviews | Shantha Sinha
Life and leadership lessons shared by a visionary anti-child labour activist, on changing social norms at scale, building inclusive movements, and taking on the establishment.
by Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty | 9 min read
Lalsu Nogoti-gram sabha
March 21, 2019
IDR Interviews | Lalsu Nogoti
The remarkable story of an Adivasi lawyer and social activist who has led peoples’ movements against state development policies, and sought redress for human rights violations of his people in conflict-ridden regions of Maharashtra.
by Saahil Kejriwal, Rachita Vora | 9 min read
Xavier Dias profile_BnW
November 15, 2018
IDR Interviews | Xavier Dias
The oppression of Adivasi peoples in their own lands, at the hands of outsiders, led a young student activist from Bombay to spend the next four decades of his life fighting for land and labour rights.
by Sneha Philip, Smarinita Shetty | 7 min read
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