Podcasts about farhana haider

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Best podcasts about farhana haider

Latest podcast episodes about farhana haider

Witness History
How bloodshed in Selma led to the US Voting Rights Act 1965

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 9:53


In March 1965, hundreds of peaceful civil rights protesters in Selma were brutally beaten by Alabama state troops.They had been marching to demonstrate against the denial of voting rights to Black Americans.The bloodshed in Selma prompted President Lyndon B Johnson to push for the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant pieces of legislation ever passed by Congress. The landmark Act was brought in to tackle racial discrimination during elections and to guarantee the rights of African Americans to vote. Farhana Haider has been listening to the archive. A version of this programme was first broadcast in 2020.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic' and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy's Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they've had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America's occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King at the Selma to Montgomery march. Credit: Getty Images)

Ouch: Disability Talk
Disabled film director: ‘It was like I was invisible'

Ouch: Disability Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 29:49


Owen Tooth is the first wheelchair user to direct EastEnders — he's already handled his first "duff duff" moment and is due on set for a string of episodes in early 2025. But he says he moved into TV after his film career collapsed when he became a wheelchair user and people acted as if he was “invisible”. Also on the programme, millions of people rent properties and yet nearly half of private landlords in England say they would be “unwilling” to rent to tenants who require adaptations to be made to the property.More than 9,000 people answered the English Private Landlords Survey - with 47% saying they would be reluctant to provide adaptations. Sam Lewis, who lives in privately rented accommodation in London and has Crohn's Disease and rheumatoid arthritis, shares her experience of asking numerous landlords to make their properties more accessible for her. We also hear from Paul Smith, Director of Foundations, the public body advising prospective tenants who require adaptations and the agencies who provide them. He also has some advice if you're about to begin the process of requesting adaptations yourself.Presenter: Emma Tracey Produced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Recorded and mixed by Dave O'Neill Edited by Beth Rose and Farhana Haider

Ouch: Disability Talk
Mental health campaigners want government to give up "unhealthy benefit war rhetoric"

Ouch: Disability Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 37:24


Mental health campaigners have warned the government to avoid "unhealthy benefit war rhetoric" strategy when it finalises its plans to get more benefits claimants back to work. We hear the reaction of Catherine Parsons, who oversees the Big Issue's specialist employment service Big Issue Recruit. The service helps find work for those who face barriers including homeless people, ex offenders and others with mental health issues. We also investigate data from a children's rights charity suggesting that many disabled kids in care, and care leavers, could be missing out on vital support. And Emma speaks to CBeebies presenter George Webster, who has Down's Syndrome.Presenter: Emma Tracey Produced by: Daniel Gordon, Alex Collins Recorded and Mixed by Dave O'Neill Edited by: Farhana Haider

Sporting Witness
Brojen Das: Bangladesh's Channel swimming champ

Sporting Witness

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 9:08


In 1961, Brojen Das, a swimmer from the Ganges Delta, set a new world record for swimming from France to England. It was his sixth attempt. The achievement earned him an audience with the Queen and made him a hero in what is now Bangladesh. Farhana Haider spoke to his daughter, Sanghita Pal, in 2016.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive and testimony. Sporting Witness is for those fascinated by sporting history. We take you to the events that have shaped the sports world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes, you become a fan in the stands as we take you back in time to examine memorable victories and agonising defeats from all over the world. You'll hear from people who have achieved sporting immortality, or those who were there as incredible sporting moments unfolded.Recent episodes explore the forgotten football Women's World Cup, the plasterer who fought a boxing legend, international football's biggest ever beating and the man who swam the Amazon river. We look at the lives of some of the most famous F1 drivers, tennis players and athletes as well as people who've had ground-breaking impact in their chosen sporting field, including: the most decorated Paralympian, the woman who was the number 1 squash player in the world for nine years, and the first figure skater to wear a hijab. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the tennis player who escaped the Nazis, how a man finally beat a horse in a race, and how the FIFA computer game was created.(Photo: Brojen Das completing his Channel challenge. Credit: Shutterstock)

Profile
Eben Upton

Profile

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 14:21


It's a tiny computer with a catchy name: Raspberry Pi. But what's the story behind the man who thought up this affordable device?His name is Eben Upton. He has gone from being a child desperate to make computer games, to the head of a company described as a ‘city darling'.The firm reported higher than expected profits in its first report, after being listed on the London Stock Exchange.Stephen Smith has been speaking to Eben Upton's childhood friends, former colleagues and some big hitters in tech and business.Contributors Holly Williams - Business Editor, Press Association news agency Hermann Hauser - Entrepreneur, venture capitalist and co-founder of Amadeus Capital Partners Harriet Green - Investor, philanthropist. Former chair and CEO of IBM Asia Pacific Pete Thornhill - School friend Victoria Drew - School friend David Cleevely - Entrepreneur and former Raspberry Pi chairmanProduction team Producers: Julie Ball, Farhana Haider, Ben Morris, Michaela Graichen Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound: Gareth Jones Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleArchive Centre for Computing History, Cambridge Kerbal Space Program: Take-Two Interactive, publisher Private Division, developer Squad Sensible Soccer: developer Sensible Software

Profile
Lee Carsley

Profile

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 14:30


Some of world football's biggest names have been linked to England's top job since Gareth Southgate hung up his waistcoat. But, for now at least, it is Lee Carsley who takes over as England's interim manager.The modest, methodical and quietly spoken coach started his footballing journey at Derby County – before making his name at Everton.Family and charity work are Lee Carsley's other priorities. He's a patron of the Solihull Down Syndrome Support Group – after they helped his middle child, Connor following his diagnosis. Lee also volunteers at the Solihull Moors Foundation. Some say this collection bucket rattler has all the attributes required to lead England to glory, so Mark Coles speaks to his friends, and colleagues to find out more.Contributors Becci Fox - CEO, Solihull Moors Foundation Kevin Turner - Former PE Teacher, Cockshut Hill School Kevin Kilbane - Former footballer, Everton Football Club Jack Gaughan - Northern Football Reporter, Daily MailProduction team Producers: Di Richardson, Farhana Haider, Drew Hyndman and Ben Morris Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: John Scott Production Co-ordinator: Maria OgundeleArchive RAMS TV The Football Association Match of The Day 11/12/04 (BBC) BBC Radio 5 Live

Witness History
President Richard Nixon resigns

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 8:54


On 8 August 1974, Richard Nixon became the first US president in history to resign from office, following the Watergate scandal. This scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in 1972, which was linked to Nixon's re-election campaign. The release of tapes from within the White House, dubbed the Nixon Tapes, revealed Nixon's involvement in the cover-up, leading to a loss of political support and impending impeachment proceedings. In 2014, Farhana Haider spoke to journalist Tom DeFrank, who watched the drama unfold minute by minute.Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more. Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic' and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy's Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they've had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America's occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.(Photo: Richard Nixon. Credit: Getty Images)

Witness History
Finding a home for Bulgaria's dancing bears

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2024 8:57


In 1998, brown bears were declared a protected species in Bulgaria and the ancient tradition of forcing them to dance for people's entertainment became illegal.A veterinarian called Dr Amir Khalil helped establish a bear sanctuary in the country, to look after the retired animals. In this programme, first broadcast in 2018, he spoke to Farhana Haider. (Photo: Brown bear in Bulgaria. Credit: Getty Images)

Ukrainecast
Q&A: How are global elections impacting Ukraine?

Ukrainecast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2024 28:30


There are number of elections taking place across Europe many have seen a move to the right. At the same time the Hungarian president, Victor Orban, who holds the current presidency of the European Union is in Moscow just a few days after he was in Kyiv. To talk about what this all means for Ukraine we put your questions to the BBC's France correspondent Andrew Harding and Armida van Rij who heads up the Europe programme at Chatham House. Today's episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko. It was made by Farhana Haider with Arsenii Sokolov, Bella Saltiel and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Ricardo McCarthy. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480 You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast's Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Ouch: Disability Talk
Election Q and A: mental health, children and housing

Ouch: Disability Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2024 32:53


Another episode dedicated to election-related topics suggested by you, the audience.This time round, we look at mental health, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), housing and how, for many immunocompromised, disabled people, the COVID pandemic never ended.This week's panel – Fazilet Hadi from Disability Rights UK, and veteran of our previous panel; Sam Carlisle from Disabled Children's Partnership; and Nil Guzelgun from mental health charity Mind – look at what the seven main parties standing in the General Election on 4 July are offering on those issues.Presented by Emma Tracey Production by Daniel Gordon and Natasha Mayo Sound recording and editing by Dave O'Neill Edited by Farhana Haider

Witness History
Friends: The making of a smash hit

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 8:57


When a new show called Friends hit American TV screens in September 1994, it made household names of its cast.Over 10 series, it charted the lives of six young New Yorkers, through marriages, divorces, births and deaths. The final episode was broadcast on 6 May 2004.In 2014, executive producer Kevin Bright told Farhana Haider how the show was born - and how it became one of the biggest comedies of all time.(Photo: The cast on the last day of filming. Credit: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

Witness History
The friendship train: Connecting India and Bangladesh

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2024 9:03


When the train service between India and Bangladesh was suspended in 1965, following war between Pakistan and India, it lay dormant for 43 years.But in a day of celebration in 2008, the Maitree (or Friendship) Express rumbled into life and connected the two countries once more.In 2020, Farhana Haider spoke to Dr Azad Chowdhury who was on the inaugural train journey. (Photo: Crowds line the tracks for the train's first journey. Credit: STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)

connecting pakistan bangladesh farhana haider friendship train
The Global Story
New King in Denmark: How European royals are future proofing their monarchies

The Global Story

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 24:26


The Danish Queen abdicates, taking her country by surprise. The oldest monarchy in Europe will now have a King, and so will all other monarchies in continental Europe. The Global Story talks to the US Special Correspondent for BBC Studios, Katty Kay. Katty has travelled from Denmark to Belgium to explore how European monarchies have survived in the 21st century. Katya also discusses the state of European royal families with Roger Lundgren who's a royal expert for Swedish National broadcasting, SVT. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Farhana Haider and Emilia Jansson. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The Global Story
What to expect next year: Global predictions for 2024

The Global Story

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 50:21


With the help of Nuala McGovern, we ask some of the BBC's best correspondents from around the world to gaze into their crystal balls and predict what 2024 might have in store. Next year will see nearly half of the world's population going to the polls - 40 elections are scheduled to take place in countries including the USA, UK, South Africa, India, Russia, and Pakistan. How will the results of some of those elections shift the geopolitical tectonic plates, and will we see any resolution to the conflicts that have dominated 2023? Big questions, but luckily, we have some of the BBC's best minds on hand to provide plenty of answers.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories, and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com. You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp at +44 330 123 9480.Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Farhana Haider, Ben Carter and Richard Moran. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas, and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The Global Story
The Christmas number one formula (and why old songs do best)

The Global Story

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 24:30


Inside the multi-million dollar scramble for a top hit on the festive music charts. How can new artists take on the likes of Mariah Carey and Slade? Katya gets answers and music – lots of it – from the BBC's music correspondent Mark Savage, and writer and musician Chris Lochery.Warning: this episode may leave you humming.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStoryToday's episode was made by Neal Razzell, Farhana Haider and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Matt Hewitt and Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The Global Story
Inside Trump's legal strategy

The Global Story

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2023 27:54


Former US President Donald Trump has been criminally indicted four times and will have a series of trials to attend in 2024 as he pursues a comeback bid for the White House. In total, Trump faces 91 felony charges, including 44 federal and 47 state charges. He denies all the charges. What is his strategy, and what do these cases mean for his presidential campaign? We unpack all the legal complexities surrounding Trump with the BBC's Nada Tawfik and CBS News Chief Election & Campaign correspondent Robert Costa. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note on WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Farhana Haider and Emilia Jansson. The technical producers were Ricardo McCarthy and Mike Regaard. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

The Global Story
Will Argentina's new president nicknamed 'The Madman' deliver his radical promises?

The Global Story

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 28:03


Javier Milei is far from your average politician. His critics call him ‘El Loco', meaning The Madman and he certainly plays up to that reputation having claimed that he ‘hears voices' and frequently ‘talks to his dead dog.' Milei ran his campaign mostly on TikTok where he became known for his fiery and sometimes wild campaign promises. He has claimed he was going to shut down the central bank and axe a whole host of government departments. Many Argentinians who have suffered through the long economic crisis in Argentina were won over by his anti-establishment stance, passionate proclamations and seemingly simple solutions to big problems. We explore whether Javier Milei can deliver on those radical promises and what does his election mean for South America? With our South America Correspondent Katy Watson and Luis Fajardo from BBC Monitoring.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC experts around the world, with Katya Adler. We're keen to hear from you wherever you are in the world. #TheGlobalStory we want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com you can also message us or leave a voice note on Whatsapp +44330 123 9480. Today's episode of The Global Story was made by Farhana Haider and Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Witness History
Rosalind Franklin: DNA pioneer

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 9:11


In 1951, Rosalind Franklin began one of the key scientific investigations of the century. The young British scientist produced an X-ray photograph that helped show the structure of DNA, the molecule that holds the genetic code that underpins all life. The discovery was integral to the transformation of modern medicine and has been described as one of the greatest scientific achievements ever. Farhana Haider spoke to Rosalind's younger sister, Jenifer Glynn, in 2017. (Photo: Dr Rosalind Franklin. Credit: Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)

Witness History
Camp David Summit: How Middle East peace talks failed

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 9:55


In 2000, President Bill Clinton led a major effort to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The two sides were brought together at the leafy presidential retreat in Maryland. The Israeli leader, Ehud Barak and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, failed to reach any agreement and the summit ended in failure. In 2017, Farhana Haider spoke to senior American diplomatic interpreter and policy adviser, Gamal Helal, who attended the Camp David summit. (Photo: US President Bill Clinton with Israeli leader, Ehud Barak and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafa, at Camp David. Credit: Getty Images)

Witness History
Leaving China to study after the Cultural Revolution

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 10:36


Launched in 1966 by Communist leader Mao Zedong, the Cultural Revolution plunged China into a decade of chaos. The education of millions of young people was disrupted and China was cut off from the rest of the world. When students first started venturing out, it was still a country feeling the after effects of the Cultural Revolution. Farhana Haider spoke to writer Zha Jianying in 2021. She was one of the first batch of Chinese students to arrive in the USA in the early 1980s. (Photo: Zha Jianying. Credit: Simon Song/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

Witness History
Mallory on Everest

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 10:06


In 1999 the body of the legendary British mountaineer, George Mallory, was found on Mount Everest. Mallory disappeared on the mountain in 1924 after making a final push for the summit with his fellow climber Andrew Irvine. They were never seen again. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Jochen Hemmleb one of the original members of the team that discovered George Mallory's remains.Photo: George Mallory. Credit: Getty

Witness History
Mallory's body discovered on Everest

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 10:06


In 1999 the body of the legendary British mountaineer, George Mallory, was found on Mount Everest. Mallory disappeared on the mountain in 1924 together with his fellow climber Andrew Irvine. In 2016, Farhana Haider spoke to Jochen Hemmleb, one of the original members of the team that discovered George Mallory's remains. (Photo: George Mallory in 1909. Credit: AFP via Getty Images)

Witness History
Last King of Bulgaria

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2023 8:52


In June 2001, more than half a century after being driven into exile by communists, Bulgaria's former King Simeon II made a dramatic comeback by winning the country's parliamentary election. In 2018, Farhana Haider spoke to Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha about his remarkable journey from child king to prime minister. (Photo: Former King Simeon II of Bulgaria. Credit: Luc Castel/Getty Images)

bulgaria farhana haider
Witness History
First women's minister in Iran

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2022 8:59


Iran's first ever minister for women's affairs was appointed in 1975. Mahnaz Afkhami was the first person in the Muslim world to hold that position. While she was in that role, the government granted women equal divorce rights, raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 and supported women's employment with maternity leave and childcare. In 2018, Farhana Haider spoke to her about being the only woman in the pre-revolutionary Iranian cabinet. (Photo: Mahnaz Afkhami at the UN in 1975. Credit: Mahnaz Afkhami)

Witness History
First Emirati female teacher

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2022 10:20


It was rare for women in what is now the United Arab Emirates to go to school in the 1960s. At the time, the future country was a collection of emirates under British protection. The Sheikdoms were traditional societies. This is the story of a young woman who was among the first to graduate from high school. She went on to become the first teacher there. Nama bint Majid Al Qasimi tells Farhana Haider about her trailblazing experience. (Photo: Nama bint Majid Al Qasimi with her students at Fatima Al Zahra School, Sharjah, 1970. Credit: Shaikha Nama bint Majid bin Saqr Al Qasimi)

Witness History
The Bard of Bengal

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 9:00


In August 1941, one of the greatest poets India has ever produced died. Known as the "Bard of Bengal", Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European to win a Nobel Prize for Literature. Farhana Haider spoke to Professor Bashabi Fraser, Director of the Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies, in 2017. Photo: June 1921, Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore in London. Credit: Getty Images

Witness History
The resignation of President Nixon

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 8:56


On 8 August 1974 Richard Nixon became the first US president in history to resign from office, following the Watergate scandal. In 2014, Farhana Haider spoke to journalist Tom DeFrank, who watched the drama unfold minute by minute. (Photo: Nixon announces his resignation on national television. Credit: Getty Images)

resignation watergate richard nixon farhana haider tom defrank
Witness History
Madhur Jaffrey's ‘Indian Cookery'

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 19, 2022 10:30


A ground-breaking Indian cookery programme broadcast on the BBC, launched 40 years ago. It was presented by actor turned food writer, Madhur Jaffrey. She's been speaking to Farhana Haider about the programme. (Photo: Madhur Jaffrey in front of a table of food. Credit: BBC)

The History Hour
Egypt's first democratic Presidential election

The History Hour

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2022 51:20 Very Popular


In June 2012, Egypt held its first ever free democratic Presidential election. Mohamed Morsi, representing the Muslim Brotherhood, emerged victorious. Ben Henderson spoke to Rabab El-Mahdi, Chief Strategist to one of Morsi's rival candidates. She described what it was like to be involved in the first election of its kind, how Morsi tried to recruit her, and the personal impact of political campaigning in such a polarised country. In June 1982 a young Chinese-American engineer was murdered with a baseball bat by two white men in the US city of Detroit. The lenient sentences the perpetrators received sparked an Asian-American activist movement with protests across the US. At the time, America was going through an economic depression and many blamed Japan, which was perceived to be flooding the US with its cars. For Asian-Americans, it was a time of fear. Farhana Haider spoke to Helen Zia, one of the activists who led the fight for justice. This programme was first broadcast in 2017. In 2003, Dr Nayana Patel, who ran her own fertility clinic in the state of Gujarat in India, carried out her first surrogacy procedure. It involved a surrogate mother and her own daughter. Dr Patel's clinic would go on to become one of the biggest in India attracting Western couples. It was legalised in 2002 but due to growing criticism, the government banned couples from the West from paying Indian surrogates to bear their children in 2015, arguing that the industry was exploiting poor women. Reena Stanton-Sharma spoke to Dr Nayana Patel. In 1985, the first robot-assisted medical surgery took place in Vancouver, Canada. It's now become a standard feature of operating theatres worldwide. The original gadget was named Arthrobot. A member of the original project team, Geof Auchinleck, told his story to Kurt Brookes. A Made in Manchester production. The UK's first official gay Pride march took place 50 years ago – on 1st July 1972. Alex Collins talked to Ted Brown, who took part in the London march.

Witness History
The killing of Vincent Chin

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 12:25


In June 1982 a young Chinese-American engineer was murdered with a baseball bat by two white men in the US city of Detroit. The lenient sentences the perpetrators received sparked an Asian-American civil rights movement with protests across the US. At the time, America was going through an economic depression and many were blaming Japan which was perceived to be flooding the US with its cars. For Asian-Americans it was a time of fear. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Helen Zia, one of the activists leading the fight for justice. This programme was first broadcast in 2017. Photo: Helen Zia addressing a 10th anniversary commemoration event New York City, 1992. Credit: Helen Zia.

Witness History
Zaha Hadid's Cincinnati Arts Center

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 11:10


When the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati opened to the public in 2003 it wowed both the public and critics. With its undulating curves and galleries that interlock, it was the first major project that the renowned architect had completed, and also the first American museum to be designed by a woman. The New York Times hailed the Contemporary Arts Center as the most important building to be completed in the US since the Cold War. Farhana Haider has been listening to archive interviews with the late Zaha Hadid and speaking to Jay Chatterjee, Dean Emeritus at the college of Design Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. He was on the panel that chose her ground-breaking design. Photo Credit Courtesy of the Contemporary Arts Center

Witness History: Witness Black History
The murder of black teenager Emmett Till

Witness History: Witness Black History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2019 9:36


A white woman from Mississippi, whose false accusation led to the lynching of Emmett Till, has died aged 88. Emmett Till, an African-American teenager from Chicago, was brutally murdered in America's deep south in August 1955. His death was one of the key events that energized the American civil rights movement. An all-white jury acquitted the two white suspects. Farhana Haider has been listening through interviews with some of Emmett's family, to tell the story of the young boy who became an icon in the struggle against racism in America. (Photo: Emmett Till lying on his bed in Chicago, in 1955. Credit: Getty Images)

Witness History
Britain's first Muslim woman in government

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2019 12:50


Sayeeda Warsi made history when she was appointed to the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government's Cabinet in May 2010, and was also made Conservative party co-chair. The daughter of working-class Pakistani immigrants, she walked up Downing Street for her first Cabinet meeting dressed in a traditional South Asian salwar-kameez; it was a landmark moment in British politics. Sayeeda Warsi talks to Farhana Haider about her journey into government and about Islamophobia in politics.(Photo: Baroness Sayeeda Warsi outside 10 Downing Street in London, May 2010. Credit: Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)

Witness History
Strikers In Saris

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2019 10:12


In 1976 South Asian women workers who had made Britain their home, led a strike against poor working conditions in a British factory. Lakshmi Patel was one of the South Asian women who picketed the Grunwick film-processing factory in north London for two years, defying the stereotype of submissive South Asian women. They gained the support of tens of thousands of trade unionists along the way. Lakshmi talks to Farhana Haider about how the strike was a defining moment for race relations in the UK in the 1970s.(Photo: Jayaben Desai, leader of the Grunwick strike committee holding placard 1977 Credit: Getty images)

Witness History
The US Apologises for Wartime Internment

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2018 9:52


In 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act which gave a presidential apology and compensation to Japanese Americans interned during World War II. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Norman Mineta a former congressman who was instrumental in pushing through the landmark legislation and was himself incarcerated as a child.Image: Japanese-American child waits with luggage to be transported to internment camps for the duration of WWII 01/07/1942 Copyright Getty Images

Witness History
The Killing of Steve Biko

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2018 9:47


On September 12th 1977 the anti-Apartheid activist and leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa died from injuries sustained while in police custody. The South African police claimed that Steve Biko had gone on hunger strike and had starved himself to death. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Peter Jones, a fellow anti-Apartheid activist, who was arrested alongside Biko a few weeks before his brutal death.Photo: Steve Biko Inquest, November 1977 (Credit: Alamy)

Witness History
The Battle for Brick Lane

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2018 9:13


In 1978 the racist murder of a young Bangladeshi textile worker in east London galvanised an immigrant community. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Rafique Ullah who took part in the protests and community action that followed the death of Altab Ali. (Photo: Anti-racist protest in east London 1978. Credit: Altab Ali Foundation)

Witness History
Photographing Martin Luther King and His Family

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2018 9:37


In 1969 photo journalist Moneta Sleet became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism. He won for the black and white image of Coretta Scott King the widow of Martin Luther King taken at the funeral of the murdered civil rights leader. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Moneta Sleet's son Gregory Sleet about his father's remarkable career capturing many of the images that defined the struggle for racial equality in America.Photo: Moneta Sleet's Pulitzer Prize winning photo of Coretta Scott King and daughter Bernice. Credit. Getty

Witness History
The Retirement Home For Dancing Bears

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2018 9:09


In 1998 brown bears were declared a protected species in Bulgaria and the ancient tradition of forcing them to dance for people's entertainment became illegal. Farhana Haider had been speaking to Dr Amir Khalil, a veterinarian who helped establish a bear sanctuary in Bulgaria to look after the retired animals.Photo: Brown Bear. Copyright: EPA

Witness History
Pakistan's Theatre Revolution

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2018 9:29


In 1984 a group of young people formed the Ajoka theatre group. Created at a time of heightened tensions and censorship due to the state of emergency imposed by the then military dictatorship of General Zia ul-Huq, it pioneered theatre for social change in Pakistan. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Fawzia Afzal-Khan who acted in the company's first original play.(Members of the Ajoka theatre group 1988; Credit Fawzia Afzal-Khan)

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Witness History
The Last King of Bulgaria

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2018 9:01


In June 2001, more than half a century after being driven into exile by communists, Bulgaria's former King Simeon II made a dramatic comeback by winning the country's parliamentary election. Farhana Haider has been speaking to Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha about his remarkable journey from child king to prime minister.Photo: King Simeon II 1943 Credit: Bulgarian Royal Family

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Witness History
Earth Day

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2018 9:34


On April the 22 1970, 20 million Americans came out on to the streets to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in the first so-called Earth Day. Mass rallies were held to highlight concerns about pollution and the destruction of America's natural heritage. Some see it as the birth of the modern environmental movement. Farhana Haider spoke to Denis Hayes, the organiser of that first Earth Day. Photo credit: Robert Sabo-Pool/Getty Images

Witness History
M*A*S*H

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2018 10:03


On the 28th of February 1983 the final episode of the iconic US TV series M*A*S*H was broadcast. It was watched by a record 125 million viewers. Set during the Korean War. M*A*S*H centred on the lives of the doctors and nurses in an army medical unit. Farhana Haider has been hearing from one of the show's writers Karen Hall about the sitcom that presented a wry take on war.Photo Cast of M*A*S*H 1980 Karen Hall far right. Credit Karen Hall

Witness History
Women's Rights In Iran

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2018 9:21


Iran's first ever minister for Women's Affairs was appointed in 1975. Mahnaz Afkhami was the first person in the Muslim world to hold that position. While she was Minister of Women's Affairs, Iran's legislation granted women equal rights regarding divorce, raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 and supported women's employment with maternity leave and childcare provisions. Farhana Haider has been speaking to her about being the only woman in the pre-revolutionary Iranian cabinet.Photo: Mahnaz Afkhami at the UN in 1975. Credit: Mahnaz Afkhami

Witness History
The Writer With Cerebral Palsy Who Made History

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2018 9:11


Irish writer Christopher Nolan became the first severely disabled person to win the prestigious British literary prize, the Whitbread Book of the Year in 1988. Nolan was physically disabled at birth by severe cerebral palsy, leaving him paralysed from the neck down. He won for his autobiographical book: Under the Eye of the Clock. Christy wrote by tapping a keyboard with a device strapped to his head. Farhana Haider has been listening to the BBC archives and speaking to the art critic Eileen Battersby about the remarkable writer.(Photo: The finalists for the Whitbread Book of the Year prize in London Christopher Nolan (seated) (L-R) Bernadette Nolan and fellow finalists Francis Wyndham, Geraldine McCaughrean, Joanna Mackle (representing Seamus Heaney) and Ian McEwan. Credit: PA)

Witness History
Spelling Bee - The Children's Competition that Grips America

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2018 9:27


In 1985 one of the most famous children's competitions in the world was won by an Indian-American for the first time. Balu Natarajan was 13 years old when he won the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which has been running in the USA since 1925. Balu tells Farhana Haider how he first got interested in competitive spelling and why he thinks people of South Asian background have excelled in the Bee.Photo: Balu Natarajan poses with his National Spelling Bee championship trophy 1985. Credit: Balu Natarajan.

Witness History
Britain's withdrawal from South Yemen

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2017 10:20


In 1967 the British withdrawal from their colony of Aden led to the creation of the People's Republic of South Yemen. Britain had colonised the port city in 1839. Aden had been at the centre of the British colonial trading system and had been one of the busiest ports in the world. The handover has been described as one of the most chaotic in British colonial history. Farhana Haider has been speaking to the former British diplomat, Oliver Miles and to Ghassan Luqman who says the scars of Britain's quick withdrawal are still being felt in Yemen today.Photo: Aden 1967 Copyright: Alamy.

Witness History
The Naked Ape

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2017 9:27


In 1967 the zoologist and broadcaster, Desmond Morris, wrote about humans in the same way that animals were described. The Naked Ape provoked criticism from religious thinkers and feminists alike, but it was an instant bestseller. His idea that we're not so different from our animal cousins was revolutionary at the time. Farhana Haider speaks to Desmond Morris about his provocative book.Photo: Desmond Morris author of the Naked Ape. Credit: BBC

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Witness History
The Revolutionary Head Scan

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2017 9:15


1983 saw a major breakthrough in the treatment of facial deformities. When the first three-dimensional reconstruction of a human head using CT scans was presented to the medical world. The images allowed plastic surgeons a far more precise way of planning surgical procedures. Farhana Haider has been speaking to radiologist Dr Michael Vannier who invented the 3D imaging technique which has revolutionised medicine.Photo: Three-dimensional CT scan of a male skull and arterial system. Credit SPL

Witness History
Rabindranath Tagore

Witness History

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2017 10:26


In August 1941 one of the greatest poets India has ever produced died. Known as the "Bard of Bengal" Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European to win a Nobel Prize for Literature and has been called one of the outstanding thinkers of the 20th century. Farhana Haider and has been listening to material from the BBC archives and hearing from Professor Bashabi Fraser, Director of the Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies.Photo June 1921, Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore in London. Credit: Getty Images