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Check FAQAbout Urmi
Urmi Chanda is a journalist based in Mumbai, India. She specialises in Indic studies and writes on history, art, heritage, and culture. A scholar of religion, she can write incisively on related subjects.
Portfolio
Tools to build peace in a broken world
Reflecting on ongoing global conflicts and the normalization of armed violence, the article emphasizes the importance of peacebuilding through education and moral framing. It highlights the role of peace education in creating just and equitable systems, referencing frameworks like the 'Positive Peace' model by Johan Galtung and reports from the Institute of Economics and Peace. The author, Urmi Chanda, shares her experiences and initiatives in peacebuilding, advocating for organized and precise demands for peace. The article underscores the need for a well-functioning government, equitable resource distribution, and good relations with neighbors to achieve lasting peace.
History for Peace Tracts: Truths, histories may be multifaceted but peaceful existence is the goal
The 'History for Peace Tracts' series by Seagull Books addresses the distortion of history in India and emphasizes the importance of teaching history to foster peaceful perspectives. The series includes significant lectures from the History for Peace conferences, covering topics like the role of education in peace, the impact of visual culture on national consciousness, and the reimagining of Indian secularism. The works of Krishna Kumar, Yousuf Saeed, and Rajeev Bhargava are highlighted, each offering unique insights into how history and culture shape societal values and national identity. The series advocates for a multiplicity of historical narratives as a means to achieve peace.
Love in the time of division: The making of India’s first forum for interfaith arts and dialogue
The article details the creation and inaugural event of 'In Sync,' India's first forum for interfaith arts and dialogue. The forum, conceived by an interfaith research scholar, aims to foster interfaith harmony through syncretic art forms and dialogue sessions. The event featured performances and talks highlighting India's syncretic culture, with notable figures like Sushant Singh and Rahul Gandhi mentioned. Despite initial challenges, the forum received positive feedback, emphasizing the importance of love and unity in overcoming communal tensions.
‘The Indians’: Historians tell the many histories of India with humanness and scholarly objectivity
The article critiques the current BJP-led government's efforts to saffronize Indian history by omitting Muslim contributions. It highlights the book 'The Indians: Histories of a Civilization,' edited by Ganesh N Devy, Tony Joseph, and Ravi Korisettar, as a counter-narrative. The book offers a comprehensive and pluralistic view of India's history, covering a wide range of topics from archaeology to culture. It aims to uphold a scientific view of history while challenging ideologically charged distortions. The article praises the book for its scholarly objectivity and its effort to present multiple perspectives on India's history.
What a new Bollywood film and a recent fatal car crash reveal about road safety in Southasia
The article draws parallels between the Bollywood film 'Ghoomer' and a recent fatal car crash in India, highlighting the dire state of road safety in Southasia. It recounts the tragic accident involving Manoj Kumar Singhdeo and Priyanka Surdeo, which left two children orphaned and underscores the high rate of road fatalities in the region. The piece calls for increased road safety measures and awareness, supported by organizations like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The narrative intertwines personal loss with broader statistics, urging both state and citizens to improve safety norms.
A Bollywood film and a tragic tale: Poor road safety awareness remains region's blight
The article discusses the tragic consequences of poor road safety awareness in South Asia, highlighted by a personal story of a fatal car accident involving Manoj Kumar Singhdeo and Priyanka Surdeo. The narrative is interwoven with a review of the Bollywood film 'Ghoomer', which features a storyline about overcoming adversity. The piece underscores the high rate of road fatalities in South Asia, despite the region having a smaller percentage of the world's vehicle fleet. It calls for increased road safety measures and awareness, supported by organizations like the World Bank and the UN. The article suggests that films like 'Ghoomer' could help raise awareness about road safety issues.
How Shaheen Bagh inspired me to organise India’s first forum for interfaith arts and dialogue
The article details the journey of Urmi Chanda in organizing India's first forum for interfaith arts and dialogue, inspired by the Shaheen Bagh protests. It highlights the challenges and successes of the event, which aimed to foster interfaith harmony through syncretic art forms and dialogue. The forum featured performances, talks, and dialogue sessions, emphasizing the importance of cultural and religious unity in India. The narrative underscores the enduring hope for peace and the power of collective cultural heritage in bridging communal divides.
‘In Search of the Divine’: Where Sufism’s syncretic legacy meets author Rana Safvi’s personal faith
Rana Safvi's book 'In Search of the Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India' explores the history and essence of Sufism, its connection with Islam, and its syncretic traditions in the Indian subcontinent. Safvi combines historical analysis with personal faith, discussing Sufi practices, the Shia-Sunni schism, and the role of Sufism in India's cultural and religious tapestry. The book delves into various Sufi orders, their saints, and the cultural impact of Sufism, including its influence on literature, arts, and festivals. Safvi also addresses gender segregation and the egalitarian nature of Sufi dargahs, highlighting their continued relevance and appeal across different faiths.
How do you recognise ‘peace literature’? It is the new boom in South Asia
The article explores the burgeoning genre of peace literature in South Asia, highlighting its expansive and evolving nature. It discusses the challenges in defining peace literature and emphasizes its role in promoting values like justice, equality, and dignity. The piece features various authors and anthologies that contribute to this genre, including works by Sahana Ahmed, Arushi Sharma, and Jeyamohan. It underscores the importance of naming societal wrongs and fostering a culture of peace through literary expressions. The article also mentions several organizations and initiatives that support peace literature, such as the Dayton Literary Peace Prize and the Southasia Peace Action Network.
A New Book Celebrates Poetic Voices For Peace In Southasia
The article reviews 'Amity,' an anthology of peace poems edited by Sahana Ahmed, featuring 95 poems by 47 writers from various countries. The anthology explores themes of personal, social, political, institutional, and ecological peace. Ahmed's editorial choices reflect her multifaceted roles as a novelist, poet, social leader, and peacebuilder. The book emphasizes that peace begins with small, intentional acts and includes contributions from notable poets and peace advocates. The review highlights the diverse themes and emotional landscapes covered in the anthology, underscoring the importance of honest writing in promoting peace.
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