We are delighted and honoured to welcome current MA Governance student Jigyasa Agarwal as guest editor of Between the Lines, IDS’s flagship podcast.
Between the Lines, now in it’s fifth year, was created as a global platform to discuss latest development/social justice related books. Jigyasa, who has many years of journalistic experience, will be using the podcast to explore themes within international development from the perspectives of those who have overcome barriers and undertaken unique and extraordinary journeys to study at IDS.
Here, Jigyasa explains how she came up with the concept for this podcast takeover, and what she hopes people will take away from it.
How did you come up with the theme for your podcast series?
I am a huge advocate of the diversity of Institute of Development Studies. To understand the different cultures and development practices in countries all over the world, I started learning about stories of people here at IDS. During the course of my Master’s, I realised while stories do not tell the entire truth, they do tell truth that belongs to someone and with shared stories, the truth becomes data and eventually, materialises into a concrete truth. As a result, I decided to bring out stories and their importance in development sector which encouraged me to start this podcast series.
What is the purpose, and what do you want people to take away from it?
The purpose of the podcast is to give voice to the marginalised and echo their journeys. The intent is to understand development from the perspective of those who require development policies the most. While these stories are individual encounters, the guests on this podcast are development practitioners themselves and are urging the world to hear them, and to acknowledge them and create a world that is more inclusive. As the podcast is titled, “Between the Lines,” I would like people listening to it to understand the importance of each story in development sector and how shared experiences are a reflection of weak states, weak institutions and rigidity of the society towards change.
What journalistic experience do you have?
I have worked as a reporter and editor since my college days. During my undergrad, I have worked with different media organisations in India including Hindustan Times, Newslaundry, and The Wire. I have worked as a misinformation specialist with Reuters. Working with media organisations including the ones that run without advertisement or sponsorship of any kind, I have acquainted myself with the power of independent journalism. With this podcast, I intend to give a platform to voices in the absence of fear of censorship, bias or repression.
Did anything surprise you or strike you after your first interview?
My first interview was with Naimat Zafary, an Afghan scholar who was evacuated with his family from Afghanistan after Taliban invasion. After the first interview, I realised that Naimat’s story was one of many, and his experience with the government of UK does not echo majority’s experience in Afghanistan who were stranded at the airport waiting to be evacuated. While this is humanly impossible, going forward in this podcast I will try to echo as many perspectives as I can.
Listen to the episode that Jigyasa hosted
What other topics would you like to cover?
I would like to cover stories of the marginalised. This can range from their experience of discrimination based on gender, class, caste, disability, among others. I would like to know the policy suggestions from these people who themselves work in the development sector and try in my ways to communicate their demands for an inclusive world.
If people would like to contribute by sharing their stories, how can they do so?
I would encourage people to write to me and let me be a medium through which they share their story and the world they would like to see. Please write to me at [email protected] to share your story.
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