Miss Deaf Asia: This Haryana girl hears no evil

Miss Deaf Asia: This Haryana girl hears no evil

Nishtha Dudeja is the first Indian girl to wear the crown of Miss Deaf Asia 2018. While many have perhaps not heard of such a beauty pageant, she contested it and won and now is all set to receive a national award from the President of India in December. She shares her journey of struggle and success with students in a school and IBNS-TWF

by Trans World Features November 24, 2018

I dream of holding a pride march in Kashmir: Aijaz Ahmad Bund

I dream of holding a pride march in Kashmir: Aijaz Ahmad Bund

Unlike other Indian states, LGBTQ community in Jammu and Kashmir did not revel in the joy of the Indian Supreme Court verdict that decriminalised gay sex. Kashmir has its own constitution and follows the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), as opposed to the Indian Penal Code. In an exclusive chat with IBNS correspondent Sudipto Maity, the trouble torn region's prominent LGBTQ activist Dr Aijaz Ahmad Bund opens up about the scene in Kashmir

by Trans World Features September 11, 2018

Indian fixation with marriage and children a hurdle to LGBTQ acceptance: Mr Gay World runner-up

Indian fixation with marriage and children a hurdle to LGBTQ acceptance: Mr Gay World runner-up

A cancer research scientist, a model, an LGBTQ activist and a writer, Kolkata boy Samarpan Maiti, who added another feather in his cap finishing second runner-up in Mr Gay World 2018 this year in South Africa's Knysna, speaks to Sudipto Maity

by Trans World Features July 18, 2018

 The nexus of innovation

The nexus of innovation

Start-up companies in India find a new mentor in the Nexus Incubator at the American Center, New Delhi, a collaborative programme between the two countries. SPAN writer Michael Gallant reports

by Trans World Features March 10, 2018

A home left behind

A home left behind

Most of the time, a filmmaker chases a story. Rarely, the story comes chasing him. For Paul Harris, it was the latter. He discovered a small town called McCluskiegunj while researching for a long term project on Anglo Indians. Thus emerged his documentary Dreams of a Homeland. Shoma A. Chatterji reports

by Trans World Features (TWF) July 10, 2017

Dylan should have won the Nobel Prize a few years back: Valentine Shipley

Dylan should have won the Nobel Prize a few years back: Valentine Shipley

A veteran in the Indian rock circuit, Valentine Shipley was in Kolkata to enthrall the audience in the seventh season of Harley Rock Riders. IBNS correspondent Sudipto Maity caught up with the rockstar before the concert as they discussed Bob Dylan, Indian rock music and bikes. Excerpts:

by Trans World Features October 29, 2016

My dad has always been my idol: Alberto Del Rio

My dad has always been my idol: Alberto Del Rio

Alberto Del Rio is one of the most energetic performers in the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) today. What prevented him from making an Olympic appearance, also paved a way for his successful pro-wrestling career. In Kolkata as a WWE ambassador to promote the company, IBNS-TWF correspondent Sudipto Maity engages in a chat with him. Excerpts :

by Trans World Features (TWF) July 15, 2016

Like a banyan tree

Like a banyan tree

Vandana Gopikumar and her organization, The Banyan, help those dealing with homelessness, mental illness and poverty. SPAN magazine writer Michael Gallant meets Gopikumar to discuss her ideas and work field

by Trans World Features (TWF) December 02, 2015

Voter is more important than representative

Voter is more important than representative

At 90, eminent Gandhian scholar Narayan Desai sees hope in the Aam Admi Party. He is the son of Mahatma Gandhis personal assistant Mahadev Desai and the chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapeet founded by Mahatma Gandhi. Yet, unlike Mahatma Gandhis grandson Rajmohan Gandhi, who has formally joined AAP, Desai, instead, prefers mobilising Gandhians support for AAP. In an exclusive interview to journalist and filmmaker Deepak Parvatiyar, Desai talks about AAP, Narendra Modi, the Congress, and the issues concerning him and other Gandhians. Excerpts:

by Trans World Features (TWF) April 20, 2014

Window to the future

Window to the future

MIT Technology Review named India born Sarbajit Banerjee as one of the worlds top innovators under the age of 35. SPAN writer Jason Chiang reports

by Trans World Features (TWF) April 20, 2014