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.

Beyond Borders Podcast × TheMooknayak BJP ex-MP and PFA founder Maneka Gandhi explains the real impact of the Supreme Court's interim verdict on the removal of street dogs. The dogs play a crucial role in India’s safety and social fabric. She shares how police training links poisoned or missing dogs to a rise in crime, the original meaning of the word pariah, and why branding animals as a “menace” is factually wrong and socially dangerous. 00:00 – Introduction and Balancing Roles 02:10 – Critique of the Supreme Court Verdict (Illiteracy & Relocation) 04:40 – Inability to Implement the Verdict & Judicial Arrogance 07:15 – Lack of Funding for ABC (Animal Birth Control) Programs 09:20 – Corruption and Fake NGOs 11:05 – The Vacuum Effect 13:50 – Five Core Solutions to the Crisis 17:10 – The Political Power of the Animal Welfare Vote 19:45 – Dog Meat and Public Safety Issues 22:20 – The Need for a Rapid Response Team (Unionization via App) 25:30 – The Way Forward for Government & Citizens 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.#BeyondBordersPodcast#PodcastForChange#InspiringStories#WomenEmpowerment#IndoGerman#GlobalPerspectives#conversation #manekagandhi #pfa #animals #dogs #supremecourt #Indiansingermany#AnimalWelfareIndia#MeaningfulConversations 🔔 Subscribe for more 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YR7... 📲 Follow us on Instagram: / beyond_borderspod ‘The Mooknayak’ is dedicated to marginalised, underprivileged and Bahujan society. It works on the principle of Dr. Ambedkar, Phule, Birsa, Periyar and Constitution. 'The मूकनायक' लोकतंत्र, संविधान, स्वतंत्रता, सामाजिक न्याय पर चलने वाला चैनल है. आप सभी से गुजारिश है कि इसे हर प्लेटफॉर्म पर फॉलो करें और हमारा हौसला अफजाई करें चैनल सब्सक्राइब करें: / @themooknayakhindi हमारे फेसबुक पेज को लाइक करें : / themooknayak101 हमें ट्विटर पर फॉलो करें : / the_mooknayak हमें इंस्टाग्राम पर फॉलो करें : @The_Mooknayak

Today, in our Episode 22, we have with us, very talented & creative Art Director, Production designer, and (soon to be) producer Shiuli Thukral. Let's uncover with her some secrets of Bollywood, the reality of Nepotism, and the challenges of surviving and succeeding in the film industry.

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.

In today’s Beyond Border Podcast, Episode 21, we have renowned actor, producer, director – the one and only Rahul Vohra. Besides being a versatile and conscientious actor, he is a profound human. In our podcast, we have explored his journey as a theatre artist, an actor, producer and director, his experience working with superstars like Shahrukh and Alia, and the 4-time Oscar-winning team. This episode is especially inspiring for those who want to gain a deep understanding of the world of art, cinema, and connecting with audiences. Disclaimer: It's for entertainment purposes only.

Unlock the Secrets Behind Celebrity Fitness & Indian Football with Karan Sawhney! In this episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation revealing Karan’s journey from a pro footballer to a top celebrity fitness coach. Discover insights into Indian football’s challenges, myths around fitness and diet, and how fitness culture is evolving in India post-Covid. Plus, learn practical tips for mental well-being, prenatal fitness, and training like the stars. Karan Sawhney is a former professional footballer and, former player of Kerala Blasters and transitioned full-time into fitness coaching.

He trains Bollywood celebrities like @aliabhatt and Arjun Rampal, blending athletic discipline with holistic health approaches. Passionate about putting India on the fitness map, Karan also engages in football commentary and advocates for sports for longevity and mental wellness.

-- What does it really take to be a sports commentator in India — especially during the Asia Cup 2025?

In this episode of Beyond Borders Podcast, we sit with ⁨@ThukralTales⁩ and go behind the mic with insights into what it means to call one of the biggest cricket tournaments in the world. From high-pressure moments to unseen preparation, we unpack the discipline, storytelling, and chaos that define Indian sports commentary today. 🏏

💬 Hear how commentators handle live pressure, connect with millions of fans, and bring every over to life — all while staying composed when the stakes are sky-high.

📺 Watch the full episode now to see the side of cricket you’ve never experienced before!

#AsiaCup2025 #SportsCommentary #BeyondBorders #AakritiDhawan #CricketIndia #BehindTheMic #SportsJournalism #IndiaVsPakistan #CommentatorLife

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of Beyond Borders or its producers.

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