The Sandip Roy Show

A renowned conservationist and writer, Gerald Durrell, was known for his unique ability to describe even the most mundane creatures, like slugs, with the same enthusiasm typically reserved for majestic animals. In this episode, host Sandip Roy is in conversation with Lee Durrell, the Honorary Director of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the late Gerald Durrell's wife. Together, they recount Gerald's compassion for wildlife conservation, his childhood experiences in Corfu that led to the creation of his most famous book, and his lasting legacy, particularly through beloved works such as My Family and Other Animals, which has also been adapted into a successful television series.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Once overshadowed by destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Goa, the Northeast is gaining recognition as a hub for unique travel experiences. Beyond the famed Kaziranga rhinos and Shillong waterfalls, cultural festivals like Arunachal’s Ziro Music Festival and Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival have firmly established the region on the travel map.In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Nishant Sinha, co-founder of Chalo Hoppo, and Grace Marbaniang, co-founder of Escape to Meghalaya, to explore the rising appeal of Northeast India as a must-visit destination and examine whether the region is prepared for this tourism boom.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Award-winning journalist Neha Dixit, in her latest book, The Many Lives of Syeda X, tells the story of a young, working-class Muslim woman, spanning from the early 1990s to the present day. Through her narrative, Dixit also traces the profound social, cultural, and political transformations of a changing India.This week, host Sandip Roy speaks to Dixit about the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of capturing such a vast timeline, and how Syeda’s journey reflects broader shifts in Indian society.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Over the past few years, Indian craft chocolatiers have been earning accolades at some of the world's most prestigious international competitions, including the UK-based Academy of Chocolate Awards. To explore this growing chocolate culture, host Sandip Roy speaks with Chaitanya Muppala, Vikas Temani, and Patricia Cosma. Together, they discuss the future of Indian craft chocolate in a market long dominated by established brands like Cadbury and Amul.Muppala is the founder of Manam Chocolate, Temani is the founder of Paul and Mike, and Cosma is the co-founder of the Indian Cacao and Craft Chocolate Festival.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Devdutt Pattanaik, a renowned mythologist and author, delves into the transformative impact of the Indus Valley Civilization on Indian identity. He explores the power of storytelling, emphasizing the interplay of mythology and history in understanding ancient cultures. Pattanaik unpacks the fascinating imagery on Harappan seals, shedding light on themes of conflict and societal constructs. He also discusses the significance of big cats in culture, the merchant community's principles of non-violence, and the symbolic legacy of the unicorn across civilizations.

Historian Ramachandra Guha, author of recent book Speaking with Nature, discusses the often-overlooked pioneers of Indian environmentalism. He illuminates how early activists confronted industrialization's impact long before climate change became a hot topic. Guha contrasts modern environmentalism with community-driven approaches rooted in local traditions. He also emphasizes the importance of reforesting efforts and grassroots movements like Chipko, showcasing how these historical narratives remain relevant to today’s ecological challenges.

In her memoir, This Land We Call Home, Nusrat F. Jafri reflects on the history of her nomadic ancestors, members of the Bhantu tribe from Rajasthan, who were once branded "criminals" under British colonial law. As a response to caste-based discrimination, her family ultimately embraced Christianity. Through the book, Jafri weaves a narrative that explores not only the personal histories we all carry, but also the complex tapestry of our collective past.In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Jafri about her family’s journey, the impact of caste discrimination, and how their quest for belonging through faith and community influenced their evolving sense of identity over time.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

While whiskey, wine, and gin have witnessed a kind of renaissance in India over the past few years, the same hasn't been true for indigenous liquors like Mahua, Feni, and rice beer. Although some of these liquors are now being recognized as 'heritage liquors'—with some even receiving GI tags—their growth has been relatively slow. To understand what’s preventing these traditional liquors from gaining broader acceptance, host Sandip Roy speaks with Aniruddha Mookerjee and Hansel Vaz.Mookerjee, an expert in Mahua liquor, has spent over 20 years researching indigenous Indian alcohols. As an advisor for Heritage Liquor to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, he has helped shape the state’s heritage liquor policy, and established model distilleries with women’s self-help groups to produce India’s first commercial tribal Mahua brands, Mond and Mohulo.Vaz, a geologist by training, is a self-taught “Feni polymath” and founded the internationally recognized brand Cazulo Premium Feni.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Dr. Sudipta Sengupta, one of the first Indian women to set foot on Antarctica, has not only ventured to the frozen south but also explored the Arctic and climbed Himalayan peaks. As an early Indian geologist, she’s broken many barriers along the way. In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to discuss her memoir, Breaking Rocks and Barriers, and the experiences that have shaped her remarkable journey.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Join Senior Supreme Court lawyer Saurabh Kirpal as he dives deep into the complexities of equality in India. He discusses his book 'Who is Equal,' exploring the challenges of Article 14 in contexts like reservations and LGBTQ+ rights. Saurabh shares personal experiences navigating societal inequalities, critiques the reservation system, and examines the balance between personal laws and fundamental rights. He emphasizes the importance of addressing historical injustices and reflects on the hope for genuine equality in an evolving legal landscape.