Indian journalist, historian and bestselling author Shrabani Basu has spent her career rescuing stories that history forgot. She talks about uncovering the extraordinary bond between Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim, bringing spy and SOE agent Noor Inayat Khan into the light, and why these stories matter more than ever.
Preface: From researching the story of curry, to writing about Abdul Karim’s extraordinary relationship with Queen Victoria, and bringing Noor Inayat Khan’s story to light, Shrabani Basu has dedicated her career to uncovering stories that history has overlooked.
From the Archives: Shrabani takes us through her process. Her books often begin with a chance discovery, followed by years of research, poring over archives untouched for over a hundred years.
Legacy: Shrabani shares the pride she feels in reviving buried stories and the impact they’ve had. From reconnecting Abdul Karim's descendants with his story to campaigning for the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial in London, the first plaque dedicated to a woman of Indian origin.
Keeper of History: Shrabani continues her journey to bring untold stories to life, giving trailblazers their rightful place in history.
Featured Clips in this episode:
Victoria & Abdul (2017) Official Trailer
Victoria & Abdul (2017) Movie clip
Noor Inayat Khan: The Unveiling of the Memorial
Credits:
Host: Mallika Kapur
Mallika Kapur is an award-winning journalist and seasoned interviewer with over two decades of experience in television and live journalism. Across three countries and various impactful roles at CNN and Bloomberg, she has reported on major global events, including the London train bombings, the Indian Ocean tsunami and the Mumbai terror attacks. She also moderates news making panels at global forums, leading insightful conversations with the world’s top figures in business and culture.
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This is a Maed In India Production
Creative Director: Mae Mariyam Thomas
Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome
Sound Designer & Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni
Producers: Rachna Sukuru , Meghna Gulati
Sound Engineer: Nihar Temkar
Artwork: Alika Gupta

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