You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot-button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo.

Sajid Yousuf Shah was only 8-years-old when terrorists murdered his parents. Deeply impacted by the incident, Sajid vowed to demolish the jihadist narrative that emboldened the spirit of terrorists in the valley.

A lawyer by profession and activist by passion, Sajid runs a news media portal in Srinagar. He believes social media is a powerful tool to bring the desired change in the mindset of youth. He talks about his battles, struggles as an activist, and aspirations as an upcoming young leader in the valley.

‘Sonth’ signifies the arrival of the spring season in Kashmir. Falling in the month of March-April, this day is observed by Kashmiri Pandits every year. It marks the transition from the desolate winters to the bountiful spring as it gives way to a buzz of life in nature.

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot-button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo. 

Waheed thinks that Kashmir still carries the wounds of 1947 partition when this princely state was a point of contention between India and Pakistan. He laments the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits; and their slow disappearance from the collective memory of Kashmiris. He also talks about PDP's political agenda, and changing attitude of Kashmiris in recent years. 

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot-button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo.

Meher Rather is a behavioral psychologist and social activist based in Srinagar. In this episode, she talks about the predicament of a Kashmiri Muslim woman arrested in a culture deeply influenced by dogmatic beliefs. Wriggling her way out of an abusive relationship, Meher narrates her journey to finding freedom as a public speaker and activist working towards the betterment of women in the valley. She shares insights on Kashmiri Muslim girls growing up in conflict-ridden Kashmir and issues plaguing their young minds. 

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot-button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir, hosted by Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo.

Maulvi Mohammad Ashraf Thukroo is a Sufi saint, scholar and educator based in South Kashmir. In this episode, he talks about the origin, history and impact of Sufism in Kashmir. Influenced by the teachings of Darvesh that he encountered at a young age, Mohd Ashraf recalls the time when he decided to embark on the life-long spiritual journey in conflict-ridden Kashmir valley. He also shares insights about the convoluted cultural affair between Kashmiri Muslims and Kashmiri Hindus, who share common ancestral roots.

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir. 

In this episode, Major General Sunil Kumar Razdan shares his experience as an army officer on-duty in the Kashmir valley. Ordained with the responsibility to curb the menace of growing jihadi terrorism in early 90s, he talks about the lesser-known side of terrorism which affected locals severely, and made their life difficult. He narrates the events of the fateful day when he was shot by a terrorist during counter-insurgency operation in Naugam, Kashmir. Leading his pack, he was tasked to rescue 14 Kashmiri muslim women held captive by Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists.

Major General S. K. Razdan, KC, VSM is a retired army officer who served in the 7th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. He's the first paraplegic officer of Indian Army to be promoted to the rank of Major General.

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

Political activist Muhammad Sajjad Raja from Pak-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) joins Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo in this episode of Sonth. They discuss the relationship between the Pakistan government and the region of PoJK comprising districts of Mirpur, Muzaffrabad, a few tehsils of Poonch, Gilgit, and Baltistan. Sajjad Raja talks about the grave problems faced by the residents of PoJK engineered by the Pakistan government and exposes their double standards on the issue of the Kashmir conflict and Pak-manufactured terrorism.

Sajjad Raja is the founding member of the Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party (JKNAP), which is active in PoJK. He was arrested in 1977 for his political involvement in the struggle to end Zia ul Haq's Martial Law. Originally hailing from the Dogra clan of Jammu, Sajjad now resides in the UK.

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this episode, The New Indian Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo is joined by Shujaat Wani, a young activist based in Srinagar.  Shujaat who runs an NGO is Kashmir speaks about the changing perception in the valley since abrogation of Article 370, role of youth in setting a constructive political discourse, knowledge transfer between generations since the peak of Jihadi terrorism in 90s and the impact of conflict on the minds of youth. Aarti Tikoo, who as a young journalist reported extensively from the valley in early 2000s probes the young activist to learn about how an ordinary Kashmiri citizen adapted to an atmosphere charged with varying political narratives that impacted their lives.

You’re listening to ‘Sonth’, a Kashmiri- Hindustani bilingual podcast on hot button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this episode, The New Indian Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo is joined by Professor Amitabh Mattoo who discuss the role of Sheikh Abdullah, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maharaja Hari Singh during the accession of the princely state into the Indian dominion. They analyze the series of political events leading up to the surge of jihadi terrorism in the valley which resulted in the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from their homeland. 

Amitabh Mattoo is one of India's leading political scientists  and writers on Modern and Contemporary History, Political science, International relations. He was awarded Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009. He’s a professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University and honorary professor of international relations at the University of Melbourne.

You’re listening to Sonth- a Kashmiri language podcast on hot button historical, political, and socio-economic issues of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this first episode, The New Indian Editor-in-Chief Aarti Tikoo explores the nexus between politicians and land mafia operating in Gulmarg and Srinagar, based on investigative reports. She talks about the history of land reforms in J&K and the ground-breaking impact of recently notified J&K Land Grant Rules 2022 on state politics and tourism industry.