Dispatches from Kolkata

Apr 02 2025 20 ep. 6 mins 150

Dispatches from Kolkata Podcast artwork

Every week NPR contributor (and former San Franciscian) Sandip Roy brings you a little taste of the 'new India' – a letter home from his other home.

Society & Culture

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Café Canadiano

Apr 02 2025 6 mins

Freedom fries, the Gulf of America and Cafe Canadiano. Sandip Roy explains.

Museums in the Museum

Mar 26 2025 6 mins

A new approach at the Indian Museum in Kolkata is blending up some interesting pairings. Sandip Roy goes for a visit.

Look Before You Post

Mar 19 2025 6 mins

Social media was meant to bear witness to our daily lives. Now it might well become a witness for the prosecution.Sandip Roy explains.

Pure Imagination

Mar 12 2025 6 mins

We all love chocolate. And Sandip used to bring home little samples of the confection to share with his family and friends in India. But perhaps he didn’t need to travel so far.

Durrell at 100

Mar 06 2025 6 mins

March 3rd was World Wildlife Day and Sandip remembers his very first literary autograph, from Gerald Durrell.

Model No More

Feb 26 2025 6 mins

A lot of people think of Indians as the “model minority.” Hard working, paying taxes and fitting in. But Trump’s focus on Indian immigrants has added another layer to their ‘American’ story.

Uncles Just Want to Have Fun

Feb 19 2025 6 mins

The Cadbury company wants to kill Valentine’s Day, and they have released a powerful foe to do it. The Indian Uncle. Of which group Sandip Roy belongs to.

The 48th Kolkata Book Fair

Feb 12 2025 6 mins

This year marks the 48th Kolkata Book Fair, a fair Sandip Roy has been going to his whole life. This year he ruminates on what makes this particular festival so special.

Saraswati Puja

Feb 05 2025 6 mins

This week Sandip celebrates a deity that has always been a bit more personal, but also worries about how the modern world is remaking her influence.

Never on Sunday

Jan 21 2025 6 mins

An Indian CEO has caused a furor over dismissive statements concerning work hours. Sandip Roy considers the implications of a seven day work week.