Can the next generation turn empathy into lasting impact? Host Umayal Eswaran speaks with Pranati Panda, Programme Director at Parinaama Development Foundation, about what it takes to move from awareness to real action. 

The conversation explores what it takes to motivate young changemakers in a world of distractions. Together, they unpack how purpose, technology, and mentorship can ignite a new wave of socially-conscious leaders determined to create lasting change. 

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00:00:06 to 00:00:38 | What Drives Change 

• Sparking lasting impact among youth 

• Health, education, and upskilling in underserved India 

• Invitation to a purpose-led conversation 

00:01:14 to 00:01:42 | Parinaama & Partnership 

• Closing gender gaps; removing barriers 

• Longstanding RYTHM Foundation ally 

• Menstrual health & sustainable agriculture wins 

00:03:08 to 00:06:20 | From Sceptic to Builder 

• Watching a non-profit start from scratch 

• Management skills meet grassroots action 

• Field visits that changed perspective 

00:08:00 to 00:11:03 | “Impact Is Fun” 

• From “NGO” to “for-purpose” mindset 

• Try volunteering; exposure shifts views 

• Value beyond corporate status 

00:15:01 to 00:18:37 | Youth, Tech & Literacy 

• Rural phones = new opportunities 

• Creator economy requires fundamental skills 

• Digital literacy over endless scrolling 

00:21:42 to 00:23:44 | Nonprofits, Upgraded 

• Education to keep pace with automation 

• Foundational literacy with RHYTHM 

• Storytelling that scales impact 

00:27:30 to 00:28:54 | Leading Earlier 

Can tourism finally break free of mass consumption and become a method for meaningful community engagement? Host Umayal Eswaran dives into the world of sustainable tourism with Madhurjya Sarma, a Senior Project Manager at Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE).

This insightful conversation breaks down how sustainable tourism and climate action converge to help transform communities in the remotest parts of the world, and how community-driven solutions can unlock long-term change.

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Episode Highlights

00:00 – 03:41 | A Purpose-Driven Journey

* From teacher to tourism and clean energy advocate

* Unlocking purpose on a field trip

* The sustainable development journey

03:42 – 07:35 | Lighting Up Remote Communities 

* Over 60 years without light

* Taking the wonders of technology to over 200 villages

* The milestone of electricity 

07:36 – 11:54 | Where The Roads Do Not Go

* The terrain challenge

* 20,000 steps, multiplied 

* Stranded in the mountains

* Reiterating community needs

11:55 – 13:29 | Acting When It Matters

* Connecting people to human realities

* The big why: Choosing to act

* Waking up to our roles

13:30 – 17:59 | Traditional Wisdom vs. Modern Solutions

* Resistance to change

* Building trust through collaboration

* Cultivating community leadership

* Local knowledge as the basis for creating solutions

18:00 – 22:47 | Infrastructure Sustainability

* Long-term technical concerns

* Enabling community-driven systems and creating ‘climate engineers’

* Committees for continuity

22:48 – 27:16 | Tourism for Climate Action

* Going ‘carbon negative’

* Minimising damage, maximising positive impact 

* A holistic approach to sustainable tourism 

27:18 – 30:26 | Government Involvement

* Government support for development rollout 

* Preventing over tourism

* Sharing responsibility between sectors

30:27 – 33:47 | Vision For The Future

* The tourism industry in 5 to 10 years

* A community-first approach

* The necessity of a circular economy

* Localism for long-term sustainability

33:48 – 38:50 | The Unconventional Path

* Shifting parental expectations

* Supporting the changemaker’s passion and purpose

* Partnerships for the future

END

In this inspiring episode of RYTHM Connect, Dr. Agnes Callamard, one of the world’s most respected human rights advocates, speaks with Datin Sri Umayal Eswaran about the power of standing up—for justice, dignity, and freedom. From her deeply personal beginnings in rural France to leading Amnesty International, Dr. Callamard reflects on the importance of courage, compassion, and speaking truth to power. 

Their conversation offers a grounded look at today’s human rights landscape while also highlighting practical ways individuals, governments, and organisations can spark positive change. 

Episode Highlights 

00:00 – 01:39 | A Courageous Life 

Meet human rights leader Agnes Callamard 

A global voice for dignity and truth

Lifelong journey driven by compassion 

01:40 – 08:43 | Values That Shape Us 

08:44 – 14:54 | Facing Global Shifts 

Human rights amid rising challenges 

The need for collective responsibility 

Strengthening systems through cooperation 
 

14:55 – 20:40 | A Call for Leadership 

Encouraging climate accountability worldwide 

Elevating justice in global decisions 

Why vision and action must align 
 

20:41 – 27:47 | Supporting the Marginalised 

Ending inequality through legal reform 

Protecting land, rights, and livelihoods 

Uplifting refugees and at-risk communities 
 

27:48 – 34:26 | The Role of Business 

Corporate voices as allies for change 

Engage in policy with purpose 

Embed sustainability in every initiative 
 

34:27 – 39:30 | Reasons for Hope 

Courage from youth and activists 

Collective action makes impact possible 

Most people believe in a better world 

39:31 – 40:21 | Keep the Conversation Going 

Advocate for inclusive global progress 

Use your platform for good 

Change begins with all of us

Can a sport break barriers and bring people ofall abilities together? Parabowls—a modified version of lawn bowls—is doing just that. Host Umayal Eswaran speaks with Ganesh Ramanathan, President of Parabowls Singapore, about his journey as an athlete and advocate championing accessibility in the sport. This episode also explores sports’ role in inclusion, Singapore’s leadership in disability sports, and the push for global representation. Tune in for an inspiring talk on breaking stereotypes and promoting equality!

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00:00-02:21 – Introduction 

• Welcome to RYTHM Connect 

• Introducing Ganesh Ramanathan 

• Parabowls: driving inclusion through sport 

02:22-06:51 – Passion for Lawn Bowls and Advocacy 

• An athlete and an advocate 

• What the game entails 

• Bringing lawn bowls to athletes with disabilities 

06:52-09:58 – The Power of Sports in Inclusion 

• The sport’s unique sportsmanship 

• Playing for enjoyment and empowering others 

• Expanding access through leadership 

09:59-13:22 – Competitive Representation in Sports 

• National and international level opportunities 

• Gaining recognition on the big stage 

• Platforms for athletes with disabilities to thrive 

13:23-19:38 – An Inspiring Story of Transformation 

• Mahindran Pasupathy’s inspiring journey 

• A life renewed for an athlete with a visual impairment 

• Family and community support for athletes with disabilities 

19:39-25:00 – Breaking Stereotypes in Adaptive Sports 

• The societal shift needed for true inclusion 

• A rare sport uniting all abilities 

• Plans for fully inclusive competitions 

25:01-29:39 – Singapore’s Leadership in Disability Inclusion 

• Government initiatives and policy changes 

• The “Disability Sports Master Plan 2024” 

• Expanding access and boosting participation 

29:40-31:55 – Challenging Disability Stigmas 

• How Parabowls Singapore is shifting perceptions 

• Inspiring more people with disabilities to join sports 

• The importance of long-term community support 

31:56-38:52 – Expanding Accessibility Through Innovation 

• Short mat bowls for easier accessibility 

• Adapting Parabowls for All Ages and Environments 

• Boosting participation through local partnerships 

38:53-40:01 – Closing Thoughts 

• The uniting power of sports 

• Inclusion: Opportunity, not charity 

• Inspiring communities to foster belonging 

Social entrepreneur and gender equality advocate Eena Khalil Lim discusses community-driven change, holistic education, and the importance of fostering a love for learning in this engaging instalment of RYTHM Connect, hosted by Umayal Eswaran. She also shares insights into her work on social entrepreneurship with The Good Shop and the CHILD initiative, which empowers parents to make informed choices for their children’s well-being.

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00:00-01:01 – Introduction

01:02-04:09 – Eena Khalil Lim’s Background

04:10-06:10 – Change Through Social Entrepreneurship

06:11-09:00 – Hope in Changemaking

09:01-12:58 – Holistic Education

12:59-15:20 – The Love of Learning

15:21-20:15 – Learning and Technology

20:16-24:19 – The Arau Approach

24:20-29:40 – The Inspiration for CHILD

29:41-35:25 – The Good Shop

35:26-40:25 – Creating Curiosity

40:26-42:59 – Closing Thoughts

In this episode, Ghana’s Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Gertrude Torkornoo, reflects on her distinguished journey as the country’s third female Chief Justice with host Umayal Eswaran. She delves into her guiding principles of authenticity, the complexities of balancing leadership demands, and the pivotal role of support systems. Join this captivating conversation on resilience, visionary leadership, and the pursuit of excellence at the highest levels.

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00:00-00:40 – Introduction

Introducing Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo

Welcoming her to RYTHM Connect

00:41-01:55 – Ghana’s 3rd Female Chief Justice

Chief Justice Torkornoo’s background and achievements

02:15-04:03 – Authenticity as a Philosophy

Chief Justice Torkornoo’s guiding philosophy is authenticity

Being yourself and not anybody else

Your unique self is a gift to your community

04:04-05:31 – Challenges on the Journey

Juggling multiple roles without conflict

Balancing professional and personal responsibilities

The burden of leadership

05:37-06:14 – The Weight of Leadership

Balancing diverse expectations from 35 million people

Leading a government arm for both the vulnerable and the privileged

06:15-08:16 – A Balancing Act

Discovering balance without compromising well-being

Staying true to her identity as Gertrude

Women’s struggle to maintain a work-life balance

08:25-09:30 – Quietly Rising to the Top

Surprised by anonymity despite years of service

Women often identify themselves before their profession

09:38-12:48 – Strong Support System

A loving family foundation instils confidence

A supportive spouse offers stability

A supportive work environment encourages growth

12:52-15:16 – Parents Shape Futures

Parental support builds confidence from childhood

Loving and supportive fathers play a key role in a daughter’s strength

Balanced perspectives from both parents are essential

15:17-17:26 – Trust at the Core

Trust is key to collaboration and teamwork

Focus on real needs to build strong connections

Clear communication ensures everyone works toward shared goals

17:27-20:39 – Curiosity Opens Doors

Proactiveness led to an unexpected opportunity

Expertise in business law opened new doors

20:40-24:13 - Learning is Lifelong

Embrace deliberate learning for leadership growth

Find role models to guide your journey

24:14-27:45 - On Creative Pursuits

- Creative pursuits enrich leadership perspective

- Humanity thrives on diverse experiences

27:46-32:06 - Pivotal Career Moments

- Gained trust through active involvement and support

- Led committees, shaping key reforms and initiatives

- Helped execute chief justices' visions with dedication

32:07-36:26 - Advice for Aspiring Women Leaders

- Choose to understand where people are coming from

- Define your problems and develop solutions

- Engage people with kindness and compassion

36:27-37:38 – Closing Thoughts

- Owning your space is about making an impact

- Never be afraid to ask for help

In this inspirational episode, host Umayal Eswaran engages with Dr Suria Selasih Angit, a proud member of Malaysia’s Indigenous Orang Asli Temiar community and an educationalist at the University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Learn more about:

Dr Suria on LinkedIn

Dr Suria at the University of

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0:00:04 - 0:00:55 – Introduction

0:00:56 - 0:02:07 – A Proud Orang Asli’s

00:02:08 - 00:06:32 – Foresight and Talent

00:06:33 - 00:08:00 – Indigenous Community

00:08:01 - 00:10:37 – Dismantling Educational

00:14:57-00:21:00 – Engaging the Community

00:21:01 - 00:25:09 – World Bank Project

00:25:10 - 00:28:17 – Partnering Policymakers

00:28:18 - 00:29:43 – Closing Thoughts

00:29:45-00:31:02 – Outro

END

In this informative episode of RYTHM Connect, host Umayal Eswaran speaks with Dr Hajah Yatela Zainal Abidin, CEO of Sime Darby Foundation (Yayasan Sime Darby), who shares her rich experiences and deep insights on the topics of diversity, empowerment, and leadership. Through an engaging dialogue and thoughtful reflection, they navigate the complex terrain of societal challenges and triumphs, offering a compelling narrative that speaks to the heart of gender equality, social justice, and the full realisation of women’s talents. 

Learn more about: 

Dr Yatela on LinkedIn 

Yayasan Sime Darby 

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0:00:07-0:02:28 – Introduction  

0:03:40-0:08:36 – Of Adversity and Allyship 

0:10:13-0:12:38 – Unconscious Biasness 

0:12:50-0:14:25 – Equality Everywhere 

0:14:26-0:17:07 – Perspectives on Family and Talent Retention 

0:17:33- 0:24:01 – The Dilemma of Underprivileged Women 

0:24:26-0:29:33 – Effective Governance 

0:29:43-0:34:03 – Closing Thoughts 

0:34:04-0:35:26 – Outro 

While prominent organisations and specialists around the world are helping to demystify neurodivergence and its various profiles, access to the necessary services and support systems remains scarce, especially in developing countries.

Learn more about: 

Dr Tricia Yeoh on LinkedIn  

IDEAS Malaysia 

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0:00:08-0:02:22 – Introduction  

– Introducing RYTHM Connect and Dr Tricia Yeoh 

0:03:23-0:06:10 – Equity and Policy Reform 

– Dr Tricia’s passion for addressing social injustices and public policy 

– Of lasting, impactful, and systemic institutional changes 

0:08:22-0:10:25 – Inclusivity in Education 

– The IDEAS Autism Centre 

–  Addressing educational disparities for marginalised communities 

0:12:42-0:16:28 – The IDEAS Experience 

– The think tank’s policy recommendations 

– Dr Tricia on inclusive vs. specialised schools 

0:20:44-0:24:23 – Challenging Policy Shifts 

– The difficulty in executing changes 

– The efforts of the private and third sectors 

0:26:01-0:27:11 – Recommended Measures 

– Inspiring students to pursue SEN studies 

– Short-term stop-gap measures 

0:30:09-0:32:08 – The Orang Asli Experience 

– Exploring synergy with the Education Ministry 

– “Taking what we can get” 

0:36:41-0:40:00 – The Role of Parents and Communities at Large 

– Managing misunderstandings and expectations 

– An All-Party Parliamentary Group on SEN? 

0:41:00-0:46:16 – Closing Thoughts 

– The “art” of policy advocacy 

– Dr Tricia on sustaining efforts 

—Indicators of progress 

0:46:16-0:48:38 – Outro 

– Thank you for tuning in to RYTHM Connect  

– Takeaways  

– Reminders to subscribe and follow us on social media 

In this inspiring episode of RYTHM Connect, host Umayal Eswaran sits with the trailblazing Natasha Zulkifli, founder of Women in Rail Malaysia and a director at YTL Construction. Join us as we delve into Natasha’s remarkable journey, where she has consistently shattered glass ceilings in the traditionally male-dominated fields of both rail and construction.

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Show Notes

[00:00:01] – Introduction

- Welcome to RYTHM Connect

- Introducing guest, Natasha Zulkifli

[00:03:29] – Natasha’s Early Career

- Her early experiences in the construction and rail industries

- Exploring challenges within a male-dominated profession

[00:04:15] – Founding Women in Rail Malaysia

- The inspiration behind Women in Rail Malaysia

- Natasha shares anecdotes from the organisation’s early days

[00:07:22] – Exploring Science, Tech, Engineering, and Math subjects

- Why STEM matters, especially for girls

- Society’s role in fostering and supporting the initiative

[00:09:29] – Overcoming Barriers

- An inspiring narrative of defying conventional norms

- Support for brave and adventurous women

[00:13:18] – Future Aspirations

- Expanding Women in Rail across Asia Pacific

- “Don’t overthink it, just do it!”

[00:15:18] – Closing Thoughts

- Natasha’s final thoughts and advice

- Thanking Natasha for her time and insights

[00:18:30] – Outro

- Thank you for tuning in to RYTHM Connect

- Preview of the next episode

- Reminders to subscribe and follow on social media

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RYTHM Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rythmfoundation/ RYTHM Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RYTHMFound Women in Rail Malaysia: https://womeninrail.org.my/