Journey of a TB survivor from pain to strength

⭐ Watch the interview on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram

Immortal words of Leonard Cohen, “there is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in,” best sum up the transformative journey from pain to strength of Binika Shrestha, a native of Hetauda in Nepal. Binika shared the travails of the long path she trod- from being diagnosed with TB, going through the TB treatment, fighting the side effects of medicines as well as the haunting and daunting stigma, to eventually getting cured, and then, a few years later becoming a district TB officer herself.

[podcast] When we can reach the moon then why cannot we reach the unreached people in the communities with health services?


This podcast features Dr Rennis Davis Kizhakkepeedika, President of Association of Pulmonologists Thrissur; Professor and Head, Pulmonary Medicine Dept and Vice Principal, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences; and part of lead organising committee of 78th National Conference of TB and Chest Diseases (NATCON, 2-4 February 2024 in Thrissur). Dr Rennis was on the panel for #EndTB Dialogues. For more information on NATCON in Thrissur (2-4 February 2024) please visit: www.natcon2023thrissur.com

[video] If Indians can reach the moon then why cannot we reach the unreached people with health services?

[video] When problem (TB) is in grassroots and communities, then why are programmes not centred there?

Are we prepared to combat online gender-based violence?

[watch the recording on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram (part 1, 2), or listen to podcast] Gender-based violence is among the most prevalent human rights violations globally. Urgency is palpable as governments worldwide have less than 7 years to end all forms of gender-based violence and deliver on the promise of gender equality for all by 2030. But instead of declining, gender-based violence has become even more sinister and complex because technology-based and technology-facilitated online gender-based violence is also on an alarming rise.

[video] Youth and online gender-based violence: Challenges and solutions

[podcast] Youth and gender-based violence: Challenges and solutions


Listen to this podcast featuring an engaging discussion on youth and gender-based violence: challenges and solutions. Panelists include Kirthi Jayakumar, who is part of the Gender Security Project and Head of Community Engagement at World Pulse (India); Hafsah Muheed, intersectional feminist and human rights advocate from Sri Lanka; Tanmaya Kshirsagar, Indian Classical Vocalist, Writer & Academic and an intersectional feminist; Rita Widiadana, former Editor, The Jakarta Post, Indonesia; Kalpana Acharya, Health TV Online, Nepal; Xari Jalil, senior journalist and Editor Voice Pakistan; Zevonia Vieira, Editor, Neon Metin Media, Timor-Leste; SM Shaikat, SERAC-Bangladesh; Tanya Khera, Samanta Foundation; Joshua Dilawar, Y-PEER Pakistan; Matcha Phorn-in, Sangwan Anakot Yaowachon Thailand; and Shobha Shukla, CNS (moderator).

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, iVoox, and other podcast streaming platforms.

A faith-based experience

As I left the UN building in Lusaka, I heard the sound of beautiful African harmonies. Intrigued, I followed the sound to find out where it was coming from and was led to a large catholic church across the street.

[video] Meghalaya health camp reached the unreached with quality healthcare

An Irish folk dance - Zambian style

I recently had the privilege of being the guest of Father Michael Kelly, a wonderful Irish-Zambian Jesuit priest, who took me to visit the My Home orphanage for girls in Zambia.

Together, we drove about eight kilometres out of Lusaka to a peaceful rural location shaded by big trees, where the Indian Sisters run the small centre.