mother was a refugee when she was 14 her world fell apart it was middle of World
world fell apart it was middle of World
world fell apart it was middle of World War two and she and her family had to
War two and she and her family had to
War two and she and her family had to flee from Burma and make the long hard
flee from Burma and make the long hard
flee from Burma and make the long hard Trek over the mountains to India now
Trek over the mountains to India now
Trek over the mountains to India now when my cousins and I were small
when my cousins and I were small
when my cousins and I were small children we used to beg her to tell us
children we used to beg her to tell us
children we used to beg her to tell us that story of the journey we would sit
that story of the journey we would sit
that story of the journey we would sit in a circle around her she would feed us
in a circle around her she would feed us
in a circle around her she would feed us Burmese food that she still enjoyed
Burmese food that she still enjoyed
Burmese food that she still enjoyed making and we would listen to us it was
making and we would listen to us it was
making and we would listen to us it was a tale of adventure and excitement there
a tale of adventure and excitement there
a tale of adventure and excitement there were nighttime rides on the river there
were nighttime rides on the river there
were nighttime rides on the river there were villains who tried to rob the
were villains who tried to rob the
were villains who tried to rob the family they were daring rescues and
family they were daring rescues and
family they were daring rescues and miraculous escapes it was so exciting
miraculous escapes it was so exciting
miraculous escapes it was so exciting it was better than in any adventure
it was better than in any adventure
it was better than in any adventure novel but as I grew up I learned to
novel but as I grew up I learned to
novel but as I grew up I learned to listen between the lines to the pain of
listen between the lines to the pain of
listen between the lines to the pain of leaving behind everything that she knew
leaving behind everything that she knew
leaving behind everything that she knew heading towards an uncertain future the
heading towards an uncertain future the
heading towards an uncertain future the dangers of that wartime journey and the
dangers of that wartime journey and the
dangers of that wartime journey and the heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved
heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved
heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved older sister to illness along the way we
older sister to illness along the way we
older sister to illness along the way we had to bury her in an unknown grave in
had to bury her in an unknown grave in
had to bury her in an unknown grave in the mountains but perhaps less dramatic
the mountains but perhaps less dramatic
the mountains but perhaps less dramatic but more traumatic than that was what
but more traumatic than that was what
but more traumatic than that was what came at the end of the journey you see
came at the end of the journey you see
came at the end of the journey you see my grandmother and her family where were
my grandmother and her family where were
my grandmother and her family where were originally from India they were Tamils
originally from India they were Tamils
originally from India they were Tamils who had migrated to Burma three
who had migrated to Burma three
who had migrated to Burma three generations earlier and all they knew
generations earlier and all they knew
generations earlier and all they knew was Burma none of them had ever seen
was Burma none of them had ever seen
was Burma none of them had ever seen India her father was a well-respected
India her father was a well-respected
India her father was a well-respected municipal commissioner in the town they
municipal commissioner in the town they
municipal commissioner in the town they lived in a big teak house at 14 my
lived in a big teak house at 14 my
lived in a big teak house at 14 my grandmother wore short skirts went to a
grandmother wore short skirts went to a
grandmother wore short skirts went to a British school and played tennis and
British school and played tennis and
British school and played tennis and competed in athletics the world they
competed in athletics the world they
competed in athletics the world they fled to was completely different they
fled to was completely different they
fled to was completely different they were dependent for food and shelter on
were dependent for food and shelter on
were dependent for food and shelter on distant relatives whom they barely knew
distant relatives whom they barely knew
distant relatives whom they barely knew my grandmother had to exchange her short
my grandmother had to exchange her short
my grandmother had to exchange her short skirts for wearing a half sari at 14 and
skirts for wearing a half sari at 14 and
skirts for wearing a half sari at 14 and certainly there was no there was no
certainly there was no there was no
certainly there was no there was no place for a young girl to learn tennis
place for a young girl to learn tennis
place for a young girl to learn tennis in southern India of the 1940s
when I was a young journalism student in
when I was a young journalism student in Chennai at 20 I met another refugee she
Chennai at 20 I met another refugee she
Chennai at 20 I met another refugee she must have been about 16 let’s call her
must have been about 16 let’s call her
must have been about 16 let’s call her Rani
Rani
Rani now Rani and her family had fled from
now Rani and her family had fled from
now Rani and her family had fled from Sri Lanka from the war there when she
Sri Lanka from the war there when she
Sri Lanka from the war there when she was a young child and they were among
was a young child and they were among
was a young child and they were among the thousands of refugees housed in
the thousands of refugees housed in
the thousands of refugees housed in refugee camps across the state of Tamil
refugee camps across the state of Tamil
refugee camps across the state of Tamil Nadu and the government was just
Nadu and the government was just
Nadu and the government was just starting to talk about repatriation now
starting to talk about repatriation now
starting to talk about repatriation now Ronnie’s mother and those of her
Ronnie’s mother and those of her
Ronnie’s mother and those of her generation in the camp told me a story
generation in the camp told me a story
generation in the camp told me a story that is very common to refugees across
that is very common to refugees across
that is very common to refugees across time whether from Burma of the 1940s or
time whether from Burma of the 1940s or
time whether from Burma of the 1940s or Sri Lanka of the 1990s or the Syrians
Sri Lanka of the 1990s or the Syrians
Sri Lanka of the 1990s or the Syrians today Syrian refugees who dominate the
today Syrian refugees who dominate the
today Syrian refugees who dominate the headlines today it’s a story of the
headlines today it’s a story of the
headlines today it’s a story of the horrors of wartime the risk they took to
horrors of wartime the risk they took to
horrors of wartime the risk they took to their lives in trying to get out and
their lives in trying to get out and
their lives in trying to get out and once things got better how desperately
once things got better how desperately
once things got better how desperately desperately they wanted to go back home
desperately they wanted to go back home
desperately they wanted to go back home but I heard the true echoes of my
but I heard the true echoes of my
but I heard the true echoes of my grandmother’s story in what Ronnie told
grandmother’s story in what Ronnie told
grandmother’s story in what Ronnie told me Ronnie was a young teenager she
me Ronnie was a young teenager she
me Ronnie was a young teenager she barely remembered life in Sri Lanka her
barely remembered life in Sri Lanka her
barely remembered life in Sri Lanka her entire world was in doubt she enjoyed
entire world was in doubt she enjoyed
entire world was in doubt she enjoyed Indian food she knew Indian customs she
Indian food she knew Indian customs she
Indian food she knew Indian customs she had big dreams of going to college in
had big dreams of going to college in
had big dreams of going to college in India to think of Sri Lanka she she
India to think of Sri Lanka she she
India to think of Sri Lanka she she didn’t even know what she could dream of
didn’t even know what she could dream of
didn’t even know what she could dream of in Sri Lanka and so when I went back
in Sri Lanka and so when I went back
in Sri Lanka and so when I went back with my report it focused on a young
with my report it focused on a young
with my report it focused on a young girl watching her world fall apart
girl watching her world fall apart
girl watching her world fall apart facing an unknown future your topic here
facing an unknown future your topic here
facing an unknown future your topic here at TEDx today is imbibe innovate impart
at TEDx today is imbibe innovate impart
at TEDx today is imbibe innovate impart right and I’ve been a journalist for
right and I’ve been a journalist for
right and I’ve been a journalist for well over a decade so I suppose I fit
well over a decade so I suppose I fit
well over a decade so I suppose I fit firmly into the impart section of things
firmly into the impart section of things
firmly into the impart section of things right I am a professional storyteller
right I am a professional storyteller
right I am a professional storyteller that’s it’s my passion it’s my
that’s it’s my passion it’s my
that’s it’s my passion it’s my profession at what I do i impart but
profession at what I do i impart but
profession at what I do i impart but I’ve learnt over the years that if I
I’ve learnt over the years that if I
I’ve learnt over the years that if I begin with imparting whether it’s
begin with imparting whether it’s
begin with imparting whether it’s information stories analysis whatever
information stories analysis whatever
information stories analysis whatever before I do the imbibing I’m in deep
before I do the imbibing I’m in deep
before I do the imbibing I’m in deep trouble
trouble
trouble and it sounds simple right you have to
and it sounds simple right you have to
and it sounds simple right you have to listen to a story before you can tell it
listen to a story before you can tell it
listen to a story before you can tell it everyone knows that
everyone knows that
everyone knows that but it’s astonishing how often we are
but it’s astonishing how often we are
but it’s astonishing how often we are bad at doing just that and how serious
bad at doing just that and how serious
bad at doing just that and how serious are the implications
are the implications
are the implications when we fail when I looked up the
when we fail when I looked up the
when we fail when I looked up the definition of the word in the dictionary
definition of the word in the dictionary
definition of the word in the dictionary the definition of the word in the
the definition of the word in the
the definition of the word in the dictionary the first definition you see
dictionary the first definition you see
dictionary the first definition you see is to drink alcohol they were imbibing
is to drink alcohol they were imbibing
is to drink alcohol they were imbibing far too many pictures of your I don’t
far too many pictures of your I don’t
far too many pictures of your I don’t suppose that’s the kind of imbibing
suppose that’s the kind of imbibing
suppose that’s the kind of imbibing you’re advocating here at TEDx today I
you’re advocating here at TEDx today I
you’re advocating here at TEDx today I the second definition of course is to
the second definition of course is to
the second definition of course is to absorb or to assimilate ideas or
absorb or to assimilate ideas or
absorb or to assimilate ideas or knowledge right and that’s the kind of
knowledge right and that’s the kind of
knowledge right and that’s the kind of imbibing that’s so often we are bad at
imbibing that’s so often we are bad at
imbibing that’s so often we are bad at doing we hear stories but we fail to
doing we hear stories but we fail to
doing we hear stories but we fail to listen to them we don’t absorb stories
listen to them we don’t absorb stories
listen to them we don’t absorb stories to assimilate them into how we see the
to assimilate them into how we see the
to assimilate them into how we see the world into our knowledge of the world
world into our knowledge of the world
world into our knowledge of the world imbibing is it’s a multi-sensory verb it
imbibing is it’s a multi-sensory verb it
imbibing is it’s a multi-sensory verb it it’s important to look deeply to listen
it’s important to look deeply to listen
it’s important to look deeply to listen well sometimes to even live out story to
well sometimes to even live out story to
well sometimes to even live out story to almost taste it at the back of your
almost taste it at the back of your
almost taste it at the back of your mouth before you can tell it I have a
mouth before you can tell it I have a
mouth before you can tell it I have a confession to make I am not used to
confession to make I am not used to
confession to make I am not used to speaking without notes usually and so
speaking without notes usually and so
speaking without notes usually and so I’d intended to spend this morning this
I’d intended to spend this morning this
I’d intended to spend this morning this morning session practicing so that I
morning session practicing so that I
morning session practicing so that I knew how I was going to do this then I
knew how I was going to do this then I
knew how I was going to do this then I thought how hypocritical I to spend the
thought how hypocritical I to spend the
thought how hypocritical I to spend the time talking to myself instead of
time talking to myself instead of
time talking to myself instead of listening to the stories which were
listening to the stories which were
listening to the stories which were being shared here on stage this morning
being shared here on stage this morning
being shared here on stage this morning and it was truly rewarding there were
and it was truly rewarding there were
and it was truly rewarding there were powerful stories shared so you see this
powerful stories shared so you see this
powerful stories shared so you see this isn’t just about me and my fellow
isn’t just about me and my fellow
isn’t just about me and my fellow journalists professional storytellers
journalists professional storytellers
journalists professional storytellers we’re standing here today in a law
we’re standing here today in a law
we’re standing here today in a law university many of you are not students
university many of you are not students
university many of you are not students you’re about to enter the judicial
you’re about to enter the judicial
you’re about to enter the judicial system of the country right and the
system of the country right and the
system of the country right and the system for justice in this country
system for justice in this country
system for justice in this country and at the heart of justice is truth
and at the heart of justice is truth
and at the heart of justice is truth truth is what we seek to uphold in the
truth is what we seek to uphold in the
truth is what we seek to uphold in the courts of law truth is I hope the basis
courts of law truth is I hope the basis
courts of law truth is I hope the basis of journalism truth lies at the
of journalism truth lies at the
of journalism truth lies at the foundation of any just society and when
foundation of any just society and when
foundation of any just society and when we fail to listen properly we fail to
we fail to listen properly we fail to
we fail to listen properly we fail to hear truth and that is the first step in
hear truth and that is the first step in
hear truth and that is the first step in denying justice to those who need it
denying justice to those who need it
denying justice to those who need it most
let me go back to journalism to tell you
let me go back to journalism to tell you what the implications can look like when
what the implications can look like when
what the implications can look like when we fail to listen properly
we fail to listen properly
we fail to listen properly one of my first news articles as as a
one of my first news articles as as a
one of my first news articles as as a national news reporter covering
national news reporter covering
national news reporter covering environmental issues was about Vedanta
environmental issues was about Vedanta
environmental issues was about Vedanta now Vedanta is a multinational mining
now Vedanta is a multinational mining
now Vedanta is a multinational mining company which was set up an alumina
company which was set up an alumina
company which was set up an alumina refinery here in Odisha in the calahonda
refinery here in Odisha in the calahonda
refinery here in Odisha in the calahonda district and they originally intended to
district and they originally intended to
district and they originally intended to source their raw materials by mining the
source their raw materials by mining the
source their raw materials by mining the nearby neoguri hills there were people
nearby neoguri hills there were people
nearby neoguri hills there were people who were for the project hoping for
who were for the project hoping for
who were for the project hoping for industry and development and jobs that
industry and development and jobs that
industry and development and jobs that that region needed badly and there were
that region needed badly and there were
that region needed badly and there were those who were against the project for
those who were against the project for
those who were against the project for seeing pollution and deforestation and
seeing pollution and deforestation and
seeing pollution and deforestation and most importantly local activists people
most importantly local activists people
most importantly local activists people were firmly against the project because
were firmly against the project because
were firmly against the project because they saw the knee on Geary Hills as
they saw the knee on Geary Hills as
they saw the knee on Geary Hills as sacred as their God and about 400 people
sacred as their God and about 400 people
sacred as their God and about 400 people had turn up and 27 people spoke and
had turn up and 27 people spoke and
had turn up and 27 people spoke and they’d recorded the statements of these
they’d recorded the statements of these
they’d recorded the statements of these 27 people off the 27:17 we’re completely
27 people off the 27:17 we’re completely
27 people off the 27:17 we’re completely against the projects they were opposed
against the projects they were opposed
against the projects they were opposed to it
to it
to it there were nine who were on the fence
there were nine who were on the fence
there were nine who were on the fence some of them they felt that they would
some of them they felt that they would
some of them they felt that they would welcome the opportunities for employment
welcome the opportunities for employment
welcome the opportunities for employment but they worried that the company was
but they worried that the company was
but they worried that the company was not keeping its promises on pollution
not keeping its promises on pollution
not keeping its promises on pollution and on giving jobs to locals and one
and on giving jobs to locals and one
and on giving jobs to locals and one person out of the 27 was completely in
person out of the 27 was completely in
person out of the 27 was completely in favor of the project so 17 9 and 1 let
favor of the project so 17 9 and 1 let
favor of the project so 17 9 and 1 let me tell you let me quote from the record
me tell you let me quote from the record
me tell you let me quote from the record of of that report they said that we have
of of that report they said that we have
of of that report they said that we have given Vedanta our motherland and it has
given Vedanta our motherland and it has
given Vedanta our motherland and it has given nothing back they said that the
given nothing back they said that the
given nothing back they said that the unit is polluting the surroundings and
unit is polluting the surroundings and
unit is polluting the surroundings and we will hold a none Dolan a protest they
we will hold a none Dolan a protest they
we will hold a none Dolan a protest they said that the hill is our mother the
said that the hill is our mother the
said that the hill is our mother the villagers will never agree and it goes
villagers will never agree and it goes
villagers will never agree and it goes on and on like this for about six pages
on and on like this for about six pages
on and on like this for about six pages of statements and the after these six
of statements and the after these six
of statements and the after these six pages of mostly passionate opposition
pages of mostly passionate opposition
pages of mostly passionate opposition which was faithfully recorded by these
which was faithfully recorded by these
which was faithfully recorded by these two officials these same two officials
two officials these same two officials
two officials these same two officials are concluded that report with a single
are concluded that report with a single
are concluded that report with a single concluding statement and it says the
concluding statement and it says the
concluding statement and it says the overall opinion of the public about the
overall opinion of the public about the
overall opinion of the public about the project was favorable provided the
project was favorable provided the
project was favorable provided the proper netiquette of their issues I have
proper netiquette of their issues I have
proper netiquette of their issues I have to wonder what were those officials
to wonder what were those officials
to wonder what were those officials listening to they had heard the stories
listening to they had heard the stories
listening to they had heard the stories they’d heard the statements against it
they’d heard the statements against it
they’d heard the statements against it but they chose to completely disregard
but they chose to completely disregard
but they chose to completely disregard it they deliberately wiped them out
after about a decade of protests and
after about a decade of protests and legal cases back and forth
legal cases back and forth
legal cases back and forth last year the Supreme Court in a final
last year the Supreme Court in a final
last year the Supreme Court in a final verdict came down in favor of the
verdict came down in favor of the
verdict came down in favor of the tribals and against the government and
tribals and against the government and
tribals and against the government and the company but I wonder in the process
the company but I wonder in the process
the company but I wonder in the process how many stories were raised
how many stories were raised
how many stories were raised how many never even came to light there
how many never even came to light there
how many never even came to light there are other subtler ways of erasing
are other subtler ways of erasing
are other subtler ways of erasing stories if for example it can depend on
stories if for example it can depend on
stories if for example it can depend on who is telling the story who you’re
who is telling the story who you’re
who is telling the story who you’re listening to tell the story I saw an
listening to tell the story I saw an
listening to tell the story I saw an example of this sadly in a police
example of this sadly in a police
example of this sadly in a police station which is supposed to be the
station which is supposed to be the
station which is supposed to be the first building block of our judicial
first building block of our judicial
first building block of our judicial system I was accompanying a group of
system I was accompanying a group of
system I was accompanying a group of government officials and NGOs I know
government officials and NGOs I know
government officials and NGOs I know rescue of people who had been trafficked
rescue of people who had been trafficked
rescue of people who had been trafficked for labor this was in contributing
for labor this was in contributing
for labor this was in contributing district in southern Tamil Nadu and in
district in southern Tamil Nadu and in
district in southern Tamil Nadu and in famine aru and these were also adivasi
famine aru and these were also adivasi
famine aru and these were also adivasi people were illiterate and they and
people were illiterate and they and
people were illiterate and they and after the rescue we headed to the police
after the rescue we headed to the police
after the rescue we headed to the police station to file an fi our right the
station to file an fi our right the
station to file an fi our right the first information report this is the
first information report this is the
first information report this is the first official recording of a story the
first official recording of a story the
first official recording of a story the first listening in a criminal case and
first listening in a criminal case and
first listening in a criminal case and it was the middle of the night so the
it was the middle of the night so the
it was the middle of the night so the police invited the NGO social workers to
police invited the NGO social workers to
police invited the NGO social workers to come in to sit down to have a cup of tea
come in to sit down to have a cup of tea
come in to sit down to have a cup of tea while the forms were being filled but
while the forms were being filled but
while the forms were being filled but they wanted to leave the ardi wasi
they wanted to leave the ardi wasi
they wanted to leave the ardi wasi families outside in the dark sitting on
families outside in the dark sitting on
families outside in the dark sitting on the hard ground later when the owners
the hard ground later when the owners
the hard ground later when the owners the employers turned up they were also
the employers turned up they were also
the employers turned up they were also invited in to have their say and so
invited in to have their say and so
invited in to have their say and so ultimately the police could say that
ultimately the police could say that
ultimately the police could say that they had told both sides they’d listened
they had told both sides they’d listened
they had told both sides they’d listened to both sides of the story there was no
to both sides of the story there was no
to both sides of the story there was no bias they listened to the social workers
bias they listened to the social workers
bias they listened to the social workers speak on behalf of the victims and the
speak on behalf of the victims and the
speak on behalf of the victims and the owners beak on behalf of the oppressors
owners beak on behalf of the oppressors
owners beak on behalf of the oppressors on but they hadn’t actually listened to
on but they hadn’t actually listened to
on but they hadn’t actually listened to the laborers to the adversities to tell
the laborers to the adversities to tell
the laborers to the adversities to tell their own story and if the NGO hadn’t
their own story and if the NGO hadn’t
their own story and if the NGO hadn’t insisted it wouldn’t have happened one
insisted it wouldn’t have happened one
insisted it wouldn’t have happened one of the police officers asked me ah what
of the police officers asked me ah what
of the police officers asked me ah what could they possibly have to say they’re
could they possibly have to say they’re
could they possibly have to say they’re illiterate tribals they know nothing I
illiterate tribals they know nothing I
illiterate tribals they know nothing I have to admit that as a journalist I’m
have to admit that as a journalist I’m
have to admit that as a journalist I’m often guilty of that kind of listening
often guilty of that kind of listening
often guilty of that kind of listening it’s lazy but it’s easy to listen to the
it’s lazy but it’s easy to listen to the
it’s lazy but it’s easy to listen to the spokesperson the activists the social
spokesperson the activists the social
spokesperson the activists the social worker
worker
worker rather than to hear the story directly
rather than to hear the story directly
rather than to hear the story directly the inside story directly from those who
the inside story directly from those who
the inside story directly from those who have the right to tell it don’t get me
have the right to tell it don’t get me
have the right to tell it don’t get me wrong there’s nothing there’s value in
wrong there’s nothing there’s value in
wrong there’s nothing there’s value in being a voice for the voiceless victim
being a voice for the voiceless victim
being a voice for the voiceless victim but we would your truth better do
but we would your truth better do
but we would your truth better do justice better if we would give a voice
justice better if we would give a voice
justice better if we would give a voice to the voiceless victims themselves and
to the voiceless victims themselves and
to the voiceless victims themselves and perhaps we would start best by not
perhaps we would start best by not
perhaps we would start best by not labeling them victims at all let me tell
labeling them victims at all let me tell
labeling them victims at all let me tell you about real now I could tell you that
you about real now I could tell you that
you about real now I could tell you that Rio is the victim of sex trafficking in
Rio is the victim of sex trafficking in
Rio is the victim of sex trafficking in Mumbai and the terrible circumstances
Mumbai and the terrible circumstances
Mumbai and the terrible circumstances that brought her there and it would be
that brought her there and it would be
that brought her there and it would be true but when I met RIA it was I was
true but when I met RIA it was I was
true but when I met RIA it was I was working on a project for an
working on a project for an
working on a project for an anti-trafficking NGO with a very
anti-trafficking NGO with a very
anti-trafficking NGO with a very talented photographer named dick kill
talented photographer named dick kill
talented photographer named dick kill Roshan and we listened to her tell a
Roshan and we listened to her tell a
Roshan and we listened to her tell a story that went well beyond
story that went well beyond
story that went well beyond victimization she she told us how after
victimization she she told us how after
victimization she she told us how after she had gotten out of that situation she
she had gotten out of that situation she
she had gotten out of that situation she had completed school she’d completed a
had completed school she’d completed a
had completed school she’d completed a technical certification and she was
technical certification and she was
technical certification and she was working she just got in a job working in
working she just got in a job working in
working she just got in a job working in the shipyard the Bombay shipyard and she
the shipyard the Bombay shipyard and she
the shipyard the Bombay shipyard and she was she was so proud of herself she
was she was so proud of herself she
was she was so proud of herself she lived with a group of friends in a PG
lived with a group of friends in a PG
lived with a group of friends in a PG and they enjoyed walking down marine
and they enjoyed walking down marine
and they enjoyed walking down marine drive and eating ice cream now the law
drive and eating ice cream now the law
drive and eating ice cream now the law requires that we don’t show the faces
requires that we don’t show the faces
requires that we don’t show the faces the facial features of sex trafficking
the facial features of sex trafficking
the facial features of sex trafficking victims and so photographers have to
victims and so photographers have to
victims and so photographers have to work around that and on that project
work around that and on that project
work around that and on that project Nikhil had done in several ways you can
Nikhil had done in several ways you can
Nikhil had done in several ways you can take photos of the back of a person you
take photos of the back of a person you
take photos of the back of a person you can take photos in silhouette so that
can take photos in silhouette so that
can take photos in silhouette so that you’re against the light and the face
you’re against the light and the face
you’re against the light and the face isn’t seen but in India especially one
isn’t seen but in India especially one
isn’t seen but in India especially one of the most common ways is because
of the most common ways is because
of the most common ways is because Indian women wear a sari or the potaro
Indian women wear a sari or the potaro
Indian women wear a sari or the potaro chimney is to have the woman cover her
chimney is to have the woman cover her
chimney is to have the woman cover her head and cover her face
head and cover her face
head and cover her face perhaps with only the eyes showing or
perhaps with only the eyes showing or
perhaps with only the eyes showing or even the eyes veiled right it’s a
even the eyes veiled right it’s a
even the eyes veiled right it’s a convenient way but we found that having
convenient way but we found that having
convenient way but we found that having heard real story
heard real story
heard real story we couldn’t portray her simply as a
we couldn’t portray her simply as a
we couldn’t portray her simply as a victim and so instead Nikhil shot this
it’s still using the scarf but this
it’s still using the scarf but this isn’t the portrait of a victim it’s not
isn’t the portrait of a victim it’s not
isn’t the portrait of a victim it’s not the portrait of bondage it’s a picture
the portrait of bondage it’s a picture
the portrait of bondage it’s a picture of freedom it’s rias own story the truth
of freedom it’s rias own story the truth
of freedom it’s rias own story the truth without labels
it can be hard to hear stories that are
it can be hard to hear stories that are far from our own experience to discover
far from our own experience to discover
far from our own experience to discover the truth goes well beyond what we
the truth goes well beyond what we
the truth goes well beyond what we personally know especially for those of
personally know especially for those of
personally know especially for those of us raised in urban India the stories of
us raised in urban India the stories of
us raised in urban India the stories of rural India can seem too far
rural India can seem too far
rural India can seem too far linguistically geographically in every
linguistically geographically in every
linguistically geographically in every way and veteran journalist peace on
way and veteran journalist peace on
way and veteran journalist peace on earth has been trying to bridge that gap
earth has been trying to bridge that gap
earth has been trying to bridge that gap for decades and recently start the
for decades and recently start the
for decades and recently start the project called the people’s archive of
project called the people’s archive of
project called the people’s archive of rural India here as team have been
rural India here as team have been
rural India here as team have been trying to record and absorb and imbibe
trying to record and absorb and imbibe
trying to record and absorb and imbibe the stories of the villagers and put
the stories of the villagers and put
the stories of the villagers and put them online and recently they they start
them online and recently they they start
them online and recently they they start a project to record the songs that
a project to record the songs that
a project to record the songs that village women sing as they work with
village women sing as they work with
village women sing as they work with their grind mills by grinding grain or
their grind mills by grinding grain or
their grind mills by grinding grain or spices or whatever as motorized grinding
spices or whatever as motorized grinding
spices or whatever as motorized grinding comes in that’s being lost and they’re
comes in that’s being lost and they’re
comes in that’s being lost and they’re looking to capture these songs and
looking to capture these songs and
looking to capture these songs and they’re putting about a lack of them
they’re putting about a lack of them
they’re putting about a lack of them online you should listen to a city girl
online you should listen to a city girl
online you should listen to a city girl raised on rap rock and YouTube those
raised on rap rock and YouTube those
raised on rap rock and YouTube those songs can feel like they come from a
songs can feel like they come from a
songs can feel like they come from a different world and yet if we don’t
different world and yet if we don’t
different world and yet if we don’t listen if we don’t absorb the stories of
listen if we don’t absorb the stories of
listen if we don’t absorb the stories of rural India we simply will not be able
rural India we simply will not be able
rural India we simply will not be able to build a just society one of my
to build a just society one of my
to build a just society one of my favorite TED Talks is by the Nigerian
favorite TED Talks is by the Nigerian
favorite TED Talks is by the Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I hope
novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I hope
novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie I hope I’ve pronounced it right and she speaks
I’ve pronounced it right and she speaks
I’ve pronounced it right and she speaks on the dangers of a single story right
on the dangers of a single story right
on the dangers of a single story right and one of her examples is off of how
and one of her examples is off of how
and one of her examples is off of how the Western world sees Africa the single
the Western world sees Africa the single
the Western world sees Africa the single story of a continent of conflict
story of a continent of conflict
story of a continent of conflict corruption and poverty and we in India
corruption and poverty and we in India
corruption and poverty and we in India are familiar with that kind of
are familiar with that kind of
are familiar with that kind of stereotyping right for a long time the
stereotyping right for a long time the
stereotyping right for a long time the western wall saw as an exotic land of
western wall saw as an exotic land of
western wall saw as an exotic land of snake charmers and elephants of beggar’s
snake charmers and elephants of beggar’s
snake charmers and elephants of beggar’s and Rajas that’s fast changing as we
and Rajas that’s fast changing as we
and Rajas that’s fast changing as we export the stories of software companies
export the stories of software companies
export the stories of software companies of modern development of Bollywood
of modern development of Bollywood
of modern development of Bollywood alongside what happens when we live with
alongside what happens when we live with
alongside what happens when we live with some ancient prejudices especially of
some ancient prejudices especially of
some ancient prejudices especially of caste and gender but even as we expand
caste and gender but even as we expand
caste and gender but even as we expand the stories that we tell the rest of the
the stories that we tell the rest of the
the stories that we tell the rest of the world I feel that we are narrowing the
world I feel that we are narrowing the
world I feel that we are narrowing the stories we tell ourselves
stories we tell ourselves
stories we tell ourselves I worry that as a nation we’re trying to
I worry that as a nation we’re trying to
I worry that as a nation we’re trying to draw a billion very different people
draw a billion very different people
draw a billion very different people into the street jacket of a single story
into the street jacket of a single story
into the street jacket of a single story a single story of our history of our
a single story of our history of our
a single story of our history of our religion our culture our language and of
religion our culture our language and of
religion our culture our language and of our future our future path of
our future our future path of
our future our future path of development and those who are left on
development and those who are left on
development and those who are left on the margins or outside the rigid
the margins or outside the rigid
the margins or outside the rigid outlines of this story are also too
outlines of this story are also too
outlines of this story are also too often left outside the safety net of
often left outside the safety net of
often left outside the safety net of justice and so if the story that we hear
justice and so if the story that we hear
justice and so if the story that we hear is that India is a land of Hindus and
is that India is a land of Hindus and
is that India is a land of Hindus and Hindi speaking peoples then it becomes
Hindi speaking peoples then it becomes
Hindi speaking peoples then it becomes okay to treat those from other religions
okay to treat those from other religions
okay to treat those from other religions or other languages as second-class
or other languages as second-class
or other languages as second-class citizens to impose the single-story of
citizens to impose the single-story of
citizens to impose the single-story of the majority on many minorities if in
the majority on many minorities if in
the majority on many minorities if in our single story the beautiful Indian
our single story the beautiful Indian
our single story the beautiful Indian woman is we just skinned whatever that
woman is we just skinned whatever that
woman is we just skinned whatever that means
means
means has large eyes and is demure and modest
has large eyes and is demure and modest
has large eyes and is demure and modest then it becomes okay to sell fair and
then it becomes okay to sell fair and
then it becomes okay to sell fair and lovely creams it becomes okay to rape a
lovely creams it becomes okay to rape a
lovely creams it becomes okay to rape a girl in a short skirt if the constant
girl in a short skirt if the constant
girl in a short skirt if the constant story we listen to is of growth and
story we listen to is of growth and
story we listen to is of growth and development so that India can become a
development so that India can become a
development so that India can become a global power then we are in danger of
global power then we are in danger of
global power then we are in danger of drowning out the stories of those who
drowning out the stories of those who
drowning out the stories of those who face the cost of that growth those
face the cost of that growth those
face the cost of that growth those dispossessed by development in fact it
dispossessed by development in fact it
dispossessed by development in fact it becomes anti-national to listen to those
becomes anti-national to listen to those
becomes anti-national to listen to those stories and of course if the story is
stories and of course if the story is
stories and of course if the story is that India’s a meeting is a land of
that India’s a meeting is a land of
that India’s a meeting is a land of vegetarians and meat eaters don’t really
vegetarians and meat eaters don’t really
vegetarians and meat eaters don’t really deserve justice do they it becomes okay
deserve justice do they it becomes okay
deserve justice do they it becomes okay to debate whether Mohammed o’clock had
to debate whether Mohammed o’clock had
to debate whether Mohammed o’clock had mutton or beef in his fridge rather than
mutton or beef in his fridge rather than
mutton or beef in his fridge rather than to be appalled then a mob killed a man
to be appalled then a mob killed a man
to be appalled then a mob killed a man over his food habits the stories we
over his food habits the stories we
over his food habits the stories we listen to are important whose stories we
listen to are important whose stories we
listen to are important whose stories we listen to is important how we listen to
listen to is important how we listen to
listen to is important how we listen to them can change our world we don’t even
them can change our world we don’t even
them can change our world we don’t even always have to tell the stories we
always have to tell the stories we
always have to tell the stories we listen to in order
listen to in order
listen to in order for that listening to have impact I have
for that listening to have impact I have
for that listening to have impact I have never before told in such a public fora
never before told in such a public fora
never before told in such a public fora the story of my grandmother the refugee
the story of my grandmother the refugee
the story of my grandmother the refugee and someday I hope to go to Burma to
and someday I hope to go to Burma to
and someday I hope to go to Burma to retrace her journey and to tell her
retrace her journey and to tell her
retrace her journey and to tell her story but it was the very act of
story but it was the very act of
story but it was the very act of listening to her stories of imbibing and
listening to her stories of imbibing and
listening to her stories of imbibing and absorbing them that built in me the
absorbing them that built in me the
absorbing them that built in me the capacity for empathy to hear other
capacity for empathy to hear other
capacity for empathy to hear other people’s stories to your truth to seek
people’s stories to your truth to seek
people’s stories to your truth to seek and to safeguard justice thank you for
and to safeguard justice thank you for
and to safeguard justice thank you for listening
listening
listening [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment