“Voice Beyond Borders, Soul of India”
Few voices have carried the soul of India across continents as gracefully as Achala Sharma’s. A trailblazer in Hindi broadcasting and literature, her work has connected millions to their cultural roots, whether through the airwaves of the BBC Hindi Service or the pages of her evocative stories. Now based in London, she continues to champion Hindi through her podcast ‘Kitaab Kaulum’, proving that distance cannot dim the light of identity.
An Indian Soul in a Global Landscape
Born in Jalandhar, India, and now based in London, Achala Sharma’s journey reflects the path of a modern Indian, firmly rooted in her heritage, yet embracing the world with confidence. A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College and a PhD holder in Hindi Literature from Delhi University, Achala’s early academic pursuits laid the foundation for a life dedicated to language, culture, and communication.
She served for a long time with the BBC Hindi Service, which was established in 1940 and was originally known as the Hindustani Service. Its first director was Z.A. Bukhari. Though born in Jalandhar, she eventually made the United Kingdom her permanent home.
Despite moving abroad, her identity has always remained deeply Indian. Her storytelling, infused with cultural nuance and emotional depth, reflects the ethos of the land she hails from. As she once put it, “India lives within me. The scent of its soil never leaves my pen.”
A Voice That Traveled the World
Achala Sharma started her broadcasting career at All India Radio, curating and managing national broadcasts like all the addresses of the Prime Minister, and President, as well as the Republic Day and Independence Day commentaries. She worked on many segments during Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s U.S. visit, for which she filed daily updates for AIR. She received incredible feedback for her reporting.
As she continued to build her international media bow, Achala took on roles at Voice of America in Washington D.C. and a dynamic phase at the BBC Hindi Service in London. Starting as a producer, rotating down, Achala rose to Head of the Service, which she carried out for 11 years. During her decade-long tenure, BBC Hindi quickly established itself as a communication bridge for the diaspora by enabling the voices linking South Asia to the world to be traditional, bold, accurate, thoughtful, and influential.
At present, she is the Co-Director of Cine Ink, whereas a medium, she hosts ‘Kitaab Kaulum’, a fortnightly podcast that deeply reflects on many authors and readers through literary discussions.
Accolades and Influence
Achala Sharma’s contributions span literature, broadcasting, and cultural leadership.
- Literary Works: She has authored three short story collections, Bardasht Bahar, Sookha Hua Samudra, and Madhyanatar, as well as two BBC-aired volumes of radio plays Jaren and Passport. She has also edited the book New Age of Mass Communication and Hindi.
Her story ‘Us Din Aasman Mein Kitne Rang The’ explores the emotional complexities of modern marriages and exemplifies her ability to blend storytelling with social insight. - Broadcasting Recognition: Her BBC programme ‘Rajiv Assassinated’ received the ABU International Award, and in 2006, she was conferred the Padmanand Sahitya Samman. She was also honoured for her service to Hindi journalism at the 7th World Hindi Conference in Suriname.
- Leadership & Community Impact: She managed a team of over 40 correspondents across South Asia and the UK and served as the Secretary of the Indian Journalists’ Association in the UK and Europe.
Interview with Achala Sharma
Question: You’ve had such a dynamic career across continents. Tell us about your current role at Cine Ink and the inspiration behind ‘Kitaab Kaulum’.
Achala Sharma: ‘Kitaab Kaulum’ was born out of a love for literature and the desire to give authors a space to reflect on their work. With so much noise around, I wanted to create a space where readers could listen, think, and connect deeply with books and their creators.
Question: Your tenure at BBC Hindi was long and transformative. Any defining moments you’d like to share?
Achala Sharma: Leading the BBC Hindi Service was both a privilege and a responsibility. One of the most defining moments was the production of the programme ‘Rajiv Assassinated’. Reporting such a historic and emotional event with care, accuracy, and sensitivity was challenging and rewarding.
Question: You’re an acclaimed author. How do you balance writing and broadcasting?
Achala Sharma: Writing and broadcasting fulfill different creative urges. Broadcasting demands precision and immediacy, while writing allows reflection and nuance. They inform each other. Much of what I write is shaped by what I hear and observe in the world of media.
Question: You were honoured at the World Hindi Conference. What does such recognition mean to you?
Achala Sharma: It meant a lot, especially being recognized for promoting Hindi on a global platform. Hindi journalism today isn’t just about reporting news from India it is about keeping a vast diaspora connected, culturally and emotionally.
Question: Your work, even when set abroad, reflects an unmistakable Indian essence. How do you maintain that?
Achala Sharma: Because it’s who I am. India’s emotions, culture, and contradictions are embedded in me. Even when I write about modern relationships or global experiences, the Indian emotional grammar remains central.
Conclusion: A Voice That Belongs to India and the World
Achala Sharma embodies the spirit of what it means to be an Indian abroad as she deftly acknowledges her roots while adopting a global voice. Her broadcast journey, written works, and her cultural advocacy work, keeps the language and spirit of India alive across miles.
We salute all such custodians of Indian identity, people who may exist beyond the borders and limits of India, but who support a constant reminder that India exists with every spoken word and every narrated experience.
