Fida Fathima
Kissa Khaki Ka – Stories of crime and humanity: Delhi Police’s Podcast ‘Kissa Khaki Ka’ Hosted by Prison Reformer Vartika Nanda Leaves Lasting Impact
In the realm of crime and criminal justice, the podcast series “Kissa Khaki Ka” has emerged as a powerful platform, bridging the gap between law enforcement and the public. Started by Delhi Police in January 2022, this podcast series is the brainchild of India’s renowned prison reformer Vartika Nanda. She is the official storyteller and the scriptwriter of these podcasts. Kissa Khaki Ka podcast is posted weekly (every Sunday) on all the social media platforms of Delhi Police, as well as YouTube and Spotify. It is bite sized of about 2 minutes
Objective
Kissa Khaki Ka podcast delves into the intricacies of crime, explores the human aspect behind criminal acts, and advocates for meaningful reforms within the criminal justice system. With 89 episodes completed to date *(24 October, 2023), “Kissa Khaki Ka” has made a significant impact on society, highlighting the importance and relevance of its content.
The podcast serves as a medium to foster transparency and trust between the police force and the general public.”Kissa Khaki Ka” challenges prevailing stereotypes and encourages empathy. Listeners gain valuable insights into the more comprehensive understanding of crime in society.
Significance and impact
In today’s context, “Kissa Khaki Ka” holds immense significance for several reasons. it opens up avenues for dialogue, encouraging discussions on criminal justice reform and the need for rehabilitation and reintegration programs. Through powerful narratives, expert analysis, and thought-provoking content, the podcast prompts listeners to reflect on systemic issues contributing to criminal behavior, fostering a more compassionate approach to addressing crime.
“Kissa Khaki Ka” has covered a diverse range of crime-related topics, including high-profile cases, social issues, and personal stories. To mention one of the interesting stories told is Ep 72 – Manveey moolyon kee kahani, https://youtu.be/mlx6euM4a88?si=KHaSPXmVOLXB5WZ6
a story about a young girl and the immense dedication of officer Nidhi Sharma to unleash the hidden truth and bring the culprits to light and bring back the hope of justice to every girl child. Each episode offers in-depth exploration, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding crime. The podcast’s milestone highlights its commitment to providing valuable content that sparks discussions and encourages positive change within society.
The impact of “Kissa Khaki Ka” extends beyond its listeners. By showcasing the work of the Delhi Police in solving crimes, protecting communities, and ensuring justice, the podcast reinforces the relevance and importance of law enforcement in today’s society. It brings forth a sense of appreciation for the efforts made by the police force while shedding light on the challenges they face.
“Kissa Khaki Ka” stands as a remarkable crime podcast by Delhi Police with media educator and prison reformer Vartika Nanda, the official voice of Delhi Police. Through its thought-provoking episodes, the podcast serves as a catalyst for dialogue, challenging societal perceptions, and empowering listeners to advocate for progressive reforms within the criminal justice system. With its significant impact and relevance, “Kissa Khaki Ka” continues to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the public, fostering understanding, and driving positive change in the realm of crime and justice.
Started by former police commissioner Rakesh Asthana, Kissa Khaki Ka has continued its journey under the leadership of Sanjay Arora. Both the officers have felt the need to have podcasts as a tool of communication.
Interestingly, while Kissa Khaki Ka is a standout initiative and is the ONLY podcast run by Delhi Police. Tinka Tinka Jail Radio is the ONLY podcast in the Indian domain, solely dedicated to the cause of prison reforms. Both these podcasts are conceived and narrated by Vartika Nandda. She extends this mission with ‘Tinka Tinka Jail Radio’, giving inmates a voice. Nanda’s dedication to reshaping lives is evident in these powerful platforms. Both these podcasts have emerged as unique platforms to understand crime and punishment and also the road to reformation and transformation.
Having completed 74 episodes ( 24th October 2023 ) Tinka Tinka Jail Radio is a pioneering program that revolutionizes lives by bringing radio broadcasting into the lives of inmates. This innovative initiative not only allows incarcerated individuals to host and participate in radio shows, but also provides them with a powerful platform for self-expression and rehabilitation. By engaging in this creative endeavor, inmates have the opportunity to develop vital communication and teamwork skills, thereby empowering themselves and fostering a sense of community within the correctional facility.Tinka Tinka Jail Radio offers a wide range of content, including educational segments, entertainment, and moments of relaxation, benefiting both inmates and staff. Additionally, it has the potential to raise public awareness about the unique challenges faced by incarcerated individuals. This comprehensive approach aims to transform the nature of incarceration, making it more rehabilitative and inclusive. Ultimately, the program seeks to pave the way for successful reintegration of inmates into society, emphasizing their potential for positive change and contribution.
Future
Clearly, both these podcasts have emerged as powerful podcasts in the Indian domain. They also offer a space to understand crime, punishment and reforms.
In the future, the role of jail radio may evolve significantly. With advancements in technology and changes in how we consume media, it’s possible that correctional facilities will adapt their radio programming to better serve inmates’ educational and rehabilitative needs. This could involve offering a wider range of content, such as vocational training programs, mental health resources, and educational materials. Additionally, the use of digital streaming services or podcasts within correctional facilities could become more common, providing inmates with access to a broader array of content and information to support their reintegration into society upon release. Overall, the future of jail radio may be shaped by a greater focus on rehabilitation and preparing inmates for successful reentry into the community.
These podcasts clearly have a long way to go.
This article has been written for VN Ki Paathshala
Fida Fathima
BA(hons) Journalism
2022- 2025/26
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