In this episode of the Beyond Borders Podcast, our host Aakriti Dhawan is in conversation with Surya Kumar Bose, the grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Together, they dive into themes of politics, pre-independence India, the chapters of Indian history that most of us were simply never told and the present Indo-German connection that ties it all together

“Can you ever truly belong to two worlds, or are you forever caught in the friction between them?" From the streets of Berlin to the heart of the Indian freedom struggle, Surya Kumar Bose navigates a dual identity that challenges everything we know about the meaning of "home.

"He reflects on the claim that pre-independence, Mohammad Ali Jinnah stated that If Subhash Chandra Bose returns to India, he would drop the idea of partition and pakistan, discusses the relationship of Hitler and Netaji and reveals the truth about the declassification of Netaji secret files in 2015 and it's real political connection with Mamata Banerjee and touches on Indian history, the erasure of the Mughal period from textbooks, and what it means to carry a legendary name in a foreign land.

Surya Kumar Bose speaks about the chapters of history that textbooks choose to skip, and hearing them from someone who grew up in the shadow of this legacy gives you clarity and a new lens for looking at history that you didn't know you needed.

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2

This is a conversation about history, identity, and the courage to look at the past without filters.

Timestamps:

00:00 - 01:15 Introduction

01:15 - 04:30 Why Surya Kumar Bose Speaks About Netaji's Legacy

04:30 - 08:00 Netaji's Vision for India: Planning, Casteism & What Could Have Been

08:00 - 11:30 Indo-German Relations & Netaji's International Alliances

11:30 - 15:00 Netaji's Core Values: Religion, Secularism & Leading by Example

15:00 - 18:30 The Temple Story, The Tika & One Kitchen for All

18:30 - 21:30 Language, Hindustani & The Roman Script Netaji Wanted

21:30 - 25:30 Partition, Jinnah & The Mistake That Divided India

25:30 - 29:00 Mamata Banerjee, The Declassification & The RTI

29:00 - 33:00 The Shanawaz Commission & Nehru's Role in Suppressing the Truth

33:00 - 36:30 Surya Kumar's Father Carrying Secret Letters & The Risk of Execution

36:30 - 39:00 Netaji, Hitler & The Nazi Gas Chambers

39:00 - 40:00 India, The Holocaust & What We Refuse to Learn from History

40:00 - 41:00 Social Media, Gaza & WhatsApp University

🎧 Listen on Spotify & all audio platforms

📲 Follow Beyond Borders for weekly conversations that challenge comfort zones.

#NetajiSubhasChandraBose #SuryaKumarBose #Jinnah #Partition #BoseFiles #IndianHistory #SubhasChandraBose #BeyondBorders #Independence #Hitler #MamataBanerjee #TMC #BJP #India #Podcast #elections #westbengal #modi #pakistan

Disclaimer: This content is created for entertainment and conversational purposes only. We do not intend to hurt, offend, or target any individual or group. All views expressed are respectful and considerate.

Our host, Aakriti Dhawan is a journalist and storyteller bridging India and Germany.

Her podcast brings raw, thoughtful conversations on politics, gender, culture, animals, and the world we live in.

#BeyondBordersPodcast #PodcastForChange #InspiringStories #IndoGerman #GlobalPerspectives #Conversation #IndiansInGermany #HistoryUncut #MeaningfulConversations

🔔 Subscribe for more

🎧 Listen on Spotify:

[https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7..]

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @beyond_borderspod

Women's Day Special: Raga D'silva shares her journey of coming out in her late 40s, navigating stigma, resilience, and ultimately embracing her truth. From surviving trauma and discrimination to building platforms like Speaking Minds and Older Queer Voices, Raga's story is one of courage, feminism, and advocacy. LETS CELEBRATE TOGETHER

This episode discusses themes including abuse, identity, violence, and personal transformation. Some listeners may find parts of this conversation emotionally sensitive.

00:00 – Introduction

01:15 – Coming out at 49: the first public declaration

04:30 – Labels: lesbian, bisexual, or simply authentic

07:20 – Early struggles, family trauma, and stigma in New Zealand

12:45 – Balancing career achievements with identity

16:30 – Founding Speaking Minds and the power of storytelling

21:00 – Feminism explained: etiquette vs. equality

26:15 – Resilience against hate and online abuse

30:40 – Creating Older Queer Voices podcast

35:00 – Reflections on living two lives and embracing truth

38:20 – Advice for anyone going beyond borders

#LGBTQPodcast #womensday #feminism #strong #abuse #cominghout #marriage #women #indianwomen #freedom #lgbtq #community

Beyond Borders Podcast X Birmingham City University,

Aakriti Dhawan sits down with an award-winning filmmaker and Senior Lecturer at BCU, Meera Darji for a powerful conversation on the lived realities of India’s trans community — the search for belonging, the gaps in public understanding of gender, and the impact of viewing Indian trans identities through a Western/UK lens.

The discussion explores how conversations around gender in India are often shaped either by silence or by imported frameworks that don’t always reflect local histories and cultural contexts. From identity and visibility to policy, media narratives, and everyday belonging, this episode examines what gets misunderstood — both within India and abroad.

This is a nuanced, honest conversation about community, dignity, and the need to build gender awareness beyond binaries and beyond borders.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1iCK3rTLGlE?si=VjMg2_ArWwpmqfQD

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_borderspod/

Apply Podcast:

#TransCommunity #LGBTQIndia #GenderIdentity #TransRights #Belonging #QueerVoices #India #BeyondBorders

In this episode of Beyond Borders Podcast X The Wire, Aakriti Dhawan speaks with the Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, on the humanitarian devastation in Gaza, the politics of “ceasefire,” and the role of international actors. The Ambassador challenges the language used around the conflict, shares personal accounts from his family in Gaza, and outlines the scale of destruction — with reconstruction estimated at $57 billion.

The conversation also examines India’s position on the two-state solution, its diplomatic leverage with Israel, divisions within Palestinian politics, and whether meaningful peace is still possible. Referencing international law, UN Resolution 181, and global anti-colonial struggles, this interview brings a direct Palestinian perspective to Indian audiences in an urgent and deeply political moment

Youtube: https://youtu.be/ISlqktwPyqI?si=RTafpN6SMY146cIy

. #beyondborderspodcast #Gaza #GazaWar #Palestine #IsraelPalestine #HumanitarianCrisis #Ceasefire #TwoStateSolution #MiddleEast #IndiaForeignPolicy #GlobalPolitics #WarInGaza

/ @thewirenews

In this powerful episode of Beyond Borders Podcast, Aakriti Dhawan sits down with Anjali Gopalan — founder of the NAZ Foundation and one of India’s most prominent human rights activists, and All creatures great and small — for an unfiltered conversation on LGBTQ+ rights, HIV stigma, animal welfare, and the state of citizenship in India. From the fight to decriminalize Section 377 to the ongoing denial of marriage and inheritance rights, Anjali explains why decriminalisation was only the beginning — not the victory. She challenges the idea that LGBTQ+ rights are a “Western ideology,” calls HIV a “virus of blame,” and breaks down persistent myths that still exist decades later. 00:00:00 - 00:01:27 Introduction 01:28 - 04:09 Founding the NAZ Foundation and Decriminalizing Section 3 7:35 The Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights and Societal Misconceptions 11:20 NAZ Foundation's Continued Efforts and the Denial of Citizen Rights 13:00 Misconceptions and Prevention of HIV 15:00 HIV Transmission, Prevention, and the Virus of Blame 17:00 HIV Treatment, Myths, and the Role of Counselling 18:30 Support for Children with HIV and Commitment to Prevention 20:00 Hope and Government Support for HIV Treatment 22:00 Transition to Animal Welfare: All Creatures Great and Small 24:00 Challenges Facing Animal Shelters and the Sanctuary Approach 28:00 Recommended Shelters and the Subjectivity of "Good" and "Bad" 30:00 Concerns about the Supreme Court and Animal Welfare 36:00 Class, Caste, and Societal Attitudes 38:40 Recognition as a Top 100 Influential Person 40:00 The Amalgamation of HIV with LGBTQ 46:00 Cultural Pressures and the Acceptance of Sexuality 50:00 Overcoming Paralysis and Focusing on Small Actions 52:00 Advice for anyone going beyond borders Anjali also reflects on being named one of the world’s most influential people, why she believes no act of giving is truly selfless, and why helping even one person — or one animal — is enough. This is a conversation about rights, responsibility, and refusing to stay silent. 🎧 Listen on Spotify & all audio platforms 📲 Follow Beyond Borders for weekly conversations that challenge comfort zones. #AnjaliGopalan #LGBTQRights #Section377 #HIVAwareness #AnimalRights #HumanRights #BeyondBorders #nazfoundation #india #podcast Disclaimer: This content is created for entertainment and conversational purposes only. We do not intend to hurt, offend, or target any individual or group. All views expressed are respectful and considerate. Aakriti Dhawan is a journalist and storyteller bridging India and Germany. Her podcast brings raw, thoughtful conversations on politics, gender, culture, animals, and the world we live in. #BeyondBordersPodcast#PodcastForChange#InspiringStories#WomenEmpowerment#IndoGerman#GlobalPerspectives#conversation

Youtube: https://youtu.be/bqiTVev_Elw?si=7NVqlr4Oqq8ojFbQ

#Indiansingermany#AnimalWelfareIndia#MeaningfulConversations 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Reetika Hooda, an Indian Olympian who turned struggle into strength and dreams into global recognition. She speaks about competing at the World Championships and making history as the first Indian woman wrestler to qualify in the heavyweight category for the Paris Olympics 2024. She also opens up about the ongoing doping allegations, the pressure of being prematurely labelled a failure, and the intense scrutiny created by sections of the Indian media and fellow sportspersons. Watch now. 00:00 intro 1:20 journey to becoming a wrestler 15:00 Advice for anyone wanting to go beyond borders ✨ Routing for her journey to Los Angeles 2028. 📌 Watch till the end to feel the motivation, understand the reality of Indian athletics, and get inspired by a true sporting warrior. 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔔 Subscribe If you believe in Indian sports and Olympic dreams, this story is for you. Disclaimer: This content is created for entertainment and conversational purposes only. We do not intend to hurt, offend, or target any individual or group. All views expressed are respectful and considerate. Aakriti Dhawan is a journalist and storyteller bridging India and Germany. Her podcast brings raw, thoughtful conversations on politics, gender, culture, animals, and the world we live in. #BeyondBordersPodcast#PodcastForChange#InspiringStories#WomenEmpowerment#IndoGerman#GlobalPerspectives#conversation#ReetikaHooda #OlympianJourney #RoadToLA2028 #IndianAthletics #OlympicDream #StruggleToGlory #PremanandMaharajJi #SportsMotivation #AthleteLife #IndiaAtOlympics #Indiansingermany#AnimalWelfareIndia#MeaningfulConversations 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

This episode is not about pity. It’s about listening. In this conversation, Roopa shares her journey as an acid attack survivor — the pain, the fear, and the courage it takes to live every day in a society that often looks away. Roopa is an Indian acid attack survivor from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, who was attacked at the age of 15. The incident left her with severe facial injuries and long-term emotional trauma. Despite immense challenges, she chose to rebuild her life with courage and determination. Today, she works at Sheroes Hangout Café, a café run by acid attack survivors. Through her work, she promotes awareness, independence, and hope for other survivors. Disclaimer: This content is created for entertainment and conversational purposes only. We do not intend to hurt, offend, or target any individual or group. All views expressed are respectful and considerate. Aakriti Dhawan is a journalist and storyteller bridging India and Germany. Her podcast brings raw, thoughtful conversations on politics, gender, culture, animals, and the world we live in. #BeyondBordersPodcast#PodcastForChange#InspiringStories#WomenEmpowerment#IndoGerman#GlobalPerspectives#conversation #Indiansingermany#AnimalWelfareIndia#MeaningfulConversations 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

What does it mean to be a minority in India today? Is religion becoming the core of identity—for Hindus and Muslims? And why are safe spaces for women and marginalized communities more important than ever? In this episode of Beyond Borders, Aakriti Dhawan sits down with Sabah Khan—feminist activist, founder of Guftagoo, and co-founder of the NGO Parcham. From creating safe spaces for women to fighting majoritarian hate, Saba shares her front-line perspective on rising polarization, ghettoisation, and the shrinking idea of a secular India. We talk about: – Why Guftagoo was created exclusively for women – How Parcham uses football to unite communities – Whether India is becoming more divided – The political narrative around Muslims – Forgotten Muslim freedom fighters – What a just, secular India could look like – Advice for young people who want to “go beyond the border” 00:00 – Introduction 00:45 – Why she created Guftagoo: a safe space for women 02:00 – Why women need a place to “just be” without judgment 03:00 – How the community responded to Guftagoo 03:40 – The origin of Parcham & working with minorities 04:50 – Segregation and ghettoisation in cities like Bombay & Mumra 06:00 – Using football to bring Muslims and non-Muslims together 06:45 – Has religious division worsened in the last decade? 07:30 – Rising impunity & impact on Muslim identity 08:20 – Hijab, identity, and the politics of fear 09:10 – “Why don’t Muslims move to Islamic states?” — Responding to the narrative 10:15 – Forgotten Muslim freedom fighters & contributions to India 11:20 – The original idea of secular India 12:10 – Hate against minorities: Muslims, Dalits, Christians 13:00 – What Parcham wants India to look like in the next 5 years 14:00 – Advice to young people: “Your silence will not protect you” Disclaimer: This content is created for entertainment and conversational purposes only. We do not intend to hurt, offend, or target any individual or group. All views expressed are respectful and considerate. Aakriti Dhawan is a journalist and storyteller bridging India and Germany. Her podcast brings raw, thoughtful conversations on politics, gender, culture, animals, and the world we live in. #BeyondBordersPodcast#PodcastForChange#InspiringStories#WomenEmpowerment#IndoGerman#GlobalPerspectives#conversation#India #ReligionInIndia #IndianPolitics #MinorityRights #MuslimIdentity #HinduMuslim #WomensRightsIndia #FeminismIndia #SafeSpaces #SecularIndia #BeyondBordersPodcast #AakritiDhawan #SabaKhan #Indiansingermany#AnimalWelfareIndia#MeaningfulConversations 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

In Episode 25 of our Beyond Border Podcast, we’ve with us Filmfare Award-winning Scriptwriter Mayukh Ghosh. In our conversation, he opens up about his remarkable journey into the world of writing, reflecting on the fateful twists that led him to the industry. Mayuk also shares his experiences within the Hindi Film industry, working with acclaimed artists like Nawazuddin and Sudhir Mishra, and offers his candid views on pressing topics like the rise of women-centric stories, the shifting landscape, and the challenging dynamics of contemporary Bollywood.

Catch us for a fun and deep-insightful conversation with our esteemed guest!

Time codes:

1:09 the conversation starts

1:26 - about being a writer/director in the Hindi Film Industry

1:52 - getting into the industry

2:53 - what writers in Hindi Film Industry lack

3:57 - Reasons why Bollywood isn’t succeeding post covid

6:31 - Women-centric films and commercialization

8:16 - Factors That Affect Writing

9:31 - What Bollywood Lacks (talks about 2 things one is X-factor)

11:22 - Current Projects

12:56 - Funny Incident on the set

14:02 - Advice On going beyond borders

Disclaimer: This content is created for entertainment and conversational purposes only. We do not intend to hurt, offend, or target any individual or group. All views expressed are respectful and considerate. Aakriti Dhawan is a journalist and storyteller bridging India and Germany. Her podcast brings raw, thoughtful conversations on politics, gender, culture, animals, and the world we live in. #BeyondBordersPodcast#PodcastForChange#InspiringStories#WomenEmpowerment#IndoGerman#GlobalPerspectives#conversation #Indiansingermany#AnimalWelfareIndia#MeaningfulConversations 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod

In this deep-dive conversation, Aakriti sits down with Mona Irani, a pioneering casting director, producer, and one of the first women to shape modern casting in the Hindi film industry. With over 35 years of experience, Mona opens up about her unlikely journey from training as a pilot to becoming one of Bollywood’s most respected creative forces. This episode is packed with real stories, insider knowledge, and clear-eyed reflections on how Bollywood has changed — and how it hasn’t. If you’ve ever wondered how actors are chosen, what producers really do, why certain stories fail, or what it actually takes to survive in the industry, this conversation is a masterclass.