History's Footnotes

This is the first of a mini series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building. In this first episode: we hear first-hand accounts from leaders who witnessed some of India’s most important historical events and moments. From the violent rupture of partition to the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the Bangladesh War that left a devastating famine and refugee crisis in its wake to the horrific rape of Bhanwari Devi, each of these events left a profound impact on these social leaders and informed the course their life and work took. Featuring the voices of Dr Kamal Bawa, Aloysius Fernandez, Aruna Roy, Ravi Chopra, and Ashok Khosla. Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.