Welcome to the 112th episode of Tinka Tinka Jail Radio, the only podcast series in India dedicated entirely to voices from the prisons. Conceptualised, scripted and voiced by Professor (Dr.) Vartika Nanda, founder of Tinka Tinka Foundation, these podcasts have been highlighting the original voices of inmates from different prisons of the country since 2020, without any financial support. This podcast series was conceptualised on 30th September, 2020, which is the International Podcasting Day and also the birthday of Vartika Nanda's father.
Professor Vartika Nanda
Journalism, Media Education & Jails
Sep 30, 2026
Sep 26, 2026
Santosh Anand in conversation with Vartika Nanda: 2023
Year: 2023: Today, I came across an interview with the legendary lyricist Santosh Anand, whose words have touched generations of listeners. His poetry gave Hindi cinema some of its most memorable songs in films such as Prem Rog, Kranti, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Pyaasa Sawan, and Shor.
From "Ek Pyar Ka Naghma Hai" to "Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez", "Main Na Bhoolunga" and "Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi", his lyrics continue to resonate with rare emotional depth and simplicity. Rooted in human experience, love, longing, hope, and resilience, Santosh Anand's writing transcends generations.
Listening to him speak is a reminder that great lyricists do not merely write songs; they give language to our deepest emotions. Sharing this interview as a mark of respect to a poet whose words have become a part of our collective memory.
Link: Santosh Anand । Popular lyricist: In conversation with Vartika Nanda। संतोष आनंद। वर्तिका नन्दा
Sep 25, 2026
2026: Tinka Tinka Foundation: The Journey

मीडिया में हिंदी: Collaboration Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Hindi Bhasha Academy & Tinka Tinka Foundation: 7 October, 2026
डॉ. अंबेडकर अंतरराष्ट्रीय केंद्र, हिंदुस्तानी भाषा अकादमी एवं तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन के संयुक्त तत्वावधान में
🗓️ 07 अक्टूबर 2026
🕑 दोपहर 02:00 बजे
📍 कॉन्फ्रेंस हॉल-2, डॉ. अम्बेडकर अंतरराष्ट्रीय केंद्र, 15, जनपथ, नई दिल्ली
✍️ शोध पत्र प्रस्तुति हेतु उपविषय:
• कृत्रिम बुद्धिमत्ता के दौर में हिंदी
• न्यूज़ रूम की भाषा और उसका प्रभाव
• नए जमाने की हिंदी, पुराने जमाने की हिंदी
• प्रिंट मीडिया की हिंदी : आज और कल
• टेलीविजन न्यूज़ की हिंदी – कितनी शुद्ध कितनी विशुद्ध
🎥 वीडियो के माध्यम से भी सहभागिता कर सकते हैं, उपयुक्त विषय या संबंधित विषय पर 2 मिनट की अवधि में वीडियो के माध्यम से अपने विचार हम तक पहुंचा सकते है। सभी सहभागियों को प्रमाण पत्र प्रदान किए जाएंगे और चयनित 3 वीडियो को सम्मानित भी किया जाएगा।
पंजीकरण 👇
☎️ संपर्क सूत्र:
99539 79433 (विनोद पाराशर)
9368004268 ( ध्रुव शिवहरे
*सूचना*
समस्त संबंधित प्रतिभागियों को सूचित किया जाता है कि
1. शोध पत्र अथवा वीडियो के माध्यम से संगोष्ठी में सहभागिता करने वाले सभी प्रतिभागियों को अपना शोध पत्र दिनांक 6 अक्टूबर तक निम्नलिखित ई-मेल आईडी पर भेजना होगा या संगोष्ठी के दिन हार्डकॉपी के रूप में लाना होगा।
**hindustanibhashaakadami@gmail.com*
2. शोध पत्र सभी प्रतिभागियों के लिए अनिवार्य है।
3. वीडियो के माध्यम से सहभागिता का विकल्प विशेष रूप से उन प्रतिभागियों को प्राथमिकता देने हेतु रखा गया है, जो किसी कारणवश संगोष्ठी में प्रत्यक्ष रूप से (व्यक्तिगत उपस्थिति के साथ) सम्मिलित होने में असमर्थ हैं।
Sep 24, 2026
Tinka Tinka Dasna, Nithari Case and Surinder Koli
जेल से रिहाई पाने का मतलब पूरी आजादी पा लेना नहीं होता. कई बार जेल पूरी जिंदगी पीछा नहीं छोड़ती. 2015 से जिस सुरिंदर कोली को मैं अक्सर जिला जेल, गाजियाबाद (डासना) में मिलती थी, वो एक दूसरा कोली था जो 2023 में अपनी रिहाई आते-आते फिर से बदल चुका था.
उसका जिक्र दो जगह विस्तार से है- एक, तिनका तिनका डासना (2016, तिनका तिनका फाउंडेशन) और दूसरी, ज से जेल (2026- प्रभात प्रकाशन)
13 years of Tinka Tinka Tihar। जेल। Vartika Nanda। Vimla Mehra। तिहाड़
Thirteen Years of Tinka Tinka Tihar: A Journey of Hope, Creativity and Prison Reform
As Tinka Tinka Tihar completes thirteen years, it stands as one of India's most remarkable prison reform initiatives, transforming the voices of incarcerated individuals into a powerful movement of literature, music, art and social change. What began in 2013 inside the walls of Tihar Jail has evolved into a nationally and internationally recognized symbol of creative rehabilitation.
The journey began with the publication of the book Tinka Tinka Tihar, co-edited by Dr. Vartika Nanda and Vimla Mehra, then Director General, Delhi Prisons. The book brought together poems written by women inmates of Jail No. 6, offering a rare and authentic glimpse into prison life through the eyes of those living it. Released on 24 September 2013 at the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) in New Delhi, the book created a new space for incarcerated women to express their emotions, aspirations and reflections.
Over the years, the book has travelled far beyond prison walls. It earned a place in the Limca Book of Records for its originality and has since been translated into multiple languages, including English, Tamil, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi and Italian, expanding its reach across diverse audiences. A second edition was released in September 2023, marking a decade of its impact and reaffirming its relevance in discussions on prison reform and restorative justice.
Link:
The spirit of Tinka Tinka Tihar was not confined to the written word. In 2013, a musical experiment began within Tihar Jail, resulting in the creation of the song Tinka Tinka Tihar. Written by Dr. Vartika Nanda and sung by inmates, the song became the official theme song of Tihar Jail. Its musical video, produced by Lok Sabha TV and released by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan in 2015, was the first film of its kind to be shot inside an Indian prison. The song celebrated the creative strength and resilience of inmates and became a powerful medium for spreading the message of reform through art. The musical video later earned recognition in the Limca Book of Records in 2017.
The initiative also inspired the creation of India's longest mural painting on the outer wall of Tihar Jail. Based on the poem Chaardiwari by inmate Seema Raghuvanshi, the wall transformed a prison boundary into a public canvas of expression and hope. Inaugurated in 2014, it remains a lasting visual symbol of the project's philosophy that creativity can flourish even in the most restrictive environments.
Over thirteen years, Tinka Tinka Tihar has become much more than a book or a song. It has developed into a movement that highlights the transformative power of literature, music and art in correctional spaces. It has encouraged dialogue on prison reform, given voice to marginalized individuals, and demonstrated that rehabilitation begins when people are seen, heard and empowered to tell their stories.
Today, as we celebrate thirteen years of Tinka Tinka Tihar, we celebrate not only a pioneering creative initiative but also the enduring belief that every individual deserves dignity, expression and a second chance. The journey continues, carrying forward a message that has resonated far beyond Tihar's walls: even in confinement, the human spirit remains free to dream, create and transform.
Sep 18, 2026
Nominations for Tinka Tinka India Awards and Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards: Year 2026:12th Year
18th September, 2026: Letter No. 2026/15
Dear Sir,
Sub: Requesting nominations for Tinka Tinka India Awards and Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards: Year 2026: 12th Year
The time has come to invite entries for Tinka Tinka India Awards and Tinka Tinka Bandini Awards for the year 2026. The theme for the national awards this year is EDUCATION IN JAIL ( जेल में शिक्षा). This is to request you to kindly circulate this announent in your department/ prisons for maximum participation.
Sep 17, 2026
IIMC, New Delhi: 17 September, 2026
आज भारतीय जन संचार संस्थान, नई दिल्ली द्वारा आयोजित राष्ट्रीय संगोष्ठी “हिन्दी पत्रकारिता के 200 वर्ष: विरासत से नवाचार तक” के अंतर्गत आयोजित सत्र - भाषा, शैली और रिपोर्टिंग के ऐतिहासिक परिवर्तन- की अध्यक्षता करने का सुंदर अवसर मिला. 1993 से लाकर अब तक इस संस्थान से जुड़ी अनगिनत यादें ताजा हो गईं. 2003 से 2006 तक बतौर एसोसिएट प्रोफेसर और यहीं से प्रकाशित पुस्तक- टेलीविजन और अफराध पत्रकारिता- को भारतेंदु हरिश्चंद्र पुरस्कार मिला था. आज के आयोजन के लिए संस्थान की कुलपति डॉा. प्रज्ञा पीलावाल गौड़, डॉ. रचना शर्मा और डॉ. मीता उज्जैन का विशेष आभार.
NHRC, MHA AND MEA: Global Summit: Tinka Tinka Foundation represented Indian Prisons: 17 September, 2026
Prof. (Dr.) Vartika Nanda, Indian Prison Reformer, Media Educator and Founder, Tinka Tinka Foundation, delivered a session on “Life Behind Bars: A Human Rights Perspective” on Day-4 of the ITEC Capacity-Building Programme for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). This 6-day program was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
Prof. Nanda further shared inspiring stories of individual transformation, including the publication of women prisoner’s literary work- “Tinka Tinka Tihar – 2013,” re-released by Director General, Delhi Prisons in 2023. Radio in Prison by National Book Trust and J se Jail by Prabhat Prakashan were also mentioned.
Sep 16, 2026
Blog as a learning platform: Batch 2028: Department of Journalism, LSR
Blog as a learning platform: Batch 2028: Department of Journalism, LSR
Aarya Raina(24/060):Writing blogs has been a deeply enriching academic experience, pushing me to research and express my thoughts like never before. It’s not just about putting words on a page; it has become a process of discovery, allowing me to develop a more thoughtful and structured approach to expressing my ideas. I now feel as if my writing serves a bigger purpose, contributing to a broader conversation and making an impact beyond the classroom. This journey has boosted my confidence and sparked an excitement for future writing ventures, where I can continue to challenge myself and grow.
Sep 15, 2026
My journey with Doordarshan since 80's
For me, the first memory of DD comes from the 80's when as a child artist, I used to visit Jalandhar Doordarshan frequently. Those were the days of tension and fear because Punjab was going through a turbulent phase of terrorism. We witnessed curfews, killings and complete disruption. Despite this, there was Doordarshan, our lifeline. My first entry to DD changed my life forever. From being the youngest anchor on television in Asia at that time, DD opened a vast platform of learning for me. Little did I know at that time that my weekly program would lead me to the world of broadcasting and design the path of my life. Today, as a Professor of Journalism, I bow in gratitude to Doordarshan, the world's largest public service broadcaster, for shaping my journey and inspiring generations of storytellers. My book, Radio in Prison, has some specific mention about this.
Sep 14, 2026
हिंदी दिवस पर कला के माध्यम से भाषा का उत्सव: Government Observation Home, Udham Singh Nagar: DLSA
Sep 11, 2026
20 years of the blog
This year, www.vartikananda.blogspot.com completes twenty years.
What began as a personal digital space gradually evolved into an academic companion for students, researchers, and young learners. Across two decades, the blog has served as a repository of lecture notes, reading materials, classroom reflections, field observations, academic insights, and documentation of college life.
Long before digital learning became commonplace, the blog offered students access to supplementary academic resources beyond the classroom. It became a space where discussions on literature, media, society, gender, prisons, human rights, and social change could continue after lectures had ended. Notes prepared for students, recommended readings, references, and reflections found a permanent place on its pages.
The blog has also documented the rhythms of campus life: seminars, workshops, cultural events, student initiatives, field visits, interactions, and the everyday experiences that shape learning outside textbooks. These records today constitute a valuable archive of academic journeys, intellectual growth, and institutional memory.
For students, documentation is more than record-keeping. It is a way of preserving ideas, tracking learning, and creating knowledge resources for future generations. Notes written today often become references tomorrow. Reflections recorded during college years frequently evolve into research questions, articles, books, and lifelong scholarly pursuits.
As the blog enters its third decade, its purpose remains unchanged: to encourage reading, critical thinking, careful observation, and meaningful engagement with the world. More importantly, it seeks to remind students that learning does not end when a class concludes. It continues through reading, writing, documenting, questioning, and sharing knowledge.
Twenty years later, this blog stands not merely as a website, but as a living archive of academic life, student learning, and the enduring value of documenting knowledge.
Sep 10, 2026
Class test for the paper IOJ
9 September 2026
What: We answered 6 questions : definition of news , hard vs. soft news, attribution, embargo, fairness, and the 5W1H formula.
When: Today, 9th September 2026.
Where: In our IOJ Lecture period.
Why: The test pushed us to actually think about why news works the way it does. Defining "news" made us realize how subjective newsworthiness can be. Comparing hard and soft news help us understand the tone and purpose shift the whole structure of a story. Attribution and embargo made us understand how much trust and timing shape credible reporting, and fairness in journalism is as much an ethical practice as a technical one.
How: By writing full-length answers of 5 marks each.
TOTAL : 30 marks test.
Sep 7, 2026
Book Review: Ja se Jail: जेल की मिट्टी असंभव को भी संभव कर सकती है
"जेल की मिट्टी में वो ताक़त है कि वह असंभव को भी संभव कर सकती है, इंसान में 'जज़्बा' होना चाहिए।" रामधनी द्विवेदी
उपन्यास - ‘ ज से जेल’
लेखिका – वर्तिका नंदा
प्रकाशक – प्रभात प्रकाशन
मूल्य’- 400/- पेज 200
“कुछ के लिए रिहाई वो नहीं जो सरकार देती है, रिहाई वो जो स्थायी तौर पर ईश्वर देता है। ईश्वर का जीवंत रूप जेल में हो सकता है, यह कहां, किसने सोचा था। यहां पर आत्मा का परमात्मा से मिलन भी हो सकता है। जेल से दिखने वाले आधे आकाश से पूरी दुनिया का सीधा साक्षात्कार। अंधेरे में रौशनाई मिल गई तो फिर इस दुनिया की हस्ती ही क्या है। जेल की रिहाई से बड़ी है- दुनिया से रिहाई औऱ अध्यात्म में पिरोई सांसों की माला।“
Sep 5, 2026
Teachers' Day, 2026
This Teachers’ Day was truly special and deeply meaningful. The morning began at the Aanganwadi Hub in Burari, where I had the opportunity to witness inspiring initiatives dedicated to the welfare of women and children. My sincere thanks to Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, for making this enriching experience possible.
Later, I visited the Place of Safety at Majnu Ka Teela with Dr. Singh, where I interacted with young offenders in the presence of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Ms. Puneeta Roy. The conversations were eye-opening and offered valuable insights into the possibilities of rehabilitation, hope, and transformation. A particularly memorable moment was the opportunity to present my book, J Se Jail, to Justice Lokur, whose longstanding commitment to justice and human rights has been a source of inspiration.
Teachers' Day: Sanjana Sanghi in TOI: 5th September, 2026
A delightful Teachers' Day surprise from Delhi Times! This photograph with my former student, Sanjana Sanghi, was featured as part of the newspaper's special tribute to teachers. Sanjana graduated in 2018 and has gone on to become a successful Bollywood star. Yet, beyond her fame and accomplishments, I will always remember her as a sincere, disciplined, and dedicated student. Watching her journey unfold has been both heartening and inspiring.
5th September, 2026: Teachers’ Day: Majnu ka Teela: Place of Safety
5th September, 2026: Teachers’ Day: Majnu ka Teela:
It was a deeply enriching learning experience to visit the Place of Safety at Majnu Ka Tila, Delhi, with Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of Delhi. The facility, which has a capacity of 206, provides a unique insight into the rehabilitation of young offenders. Interacting with the residents was truly eye-opening and offered valuable perspectives on their journeys and aspirations.
SAMARTH Anganwadi Hub: Delhi Government: Teachers' Day: 5 September, 2026
On the occasion of Teachers Day, a visit to SAMARTH Anganwadi Hub in Burari along with Dr. Rashmi Singh Secretary WCD GNCTD, @drrashmisinghias was truly insightful. It was a pleasure to seen the effort put by Aanganwadi teachers for shaping young minds. Also learnt about the journey from Saheli Samanvay Kendra to integrated hub model where poshan, padhai, palna coexist.
Sep 4, 2026
J se Jail: Book Release Ceremony: Report: Transcontinental Times: 21 July, 2026
Vartika Nanda’s ‘J Se Jail’ Explores the Human Realities of Prison Life
Book released by Supreme Court Judge Justice Sandeep Mehta at IGNCA, with speakers highlighting prison reform, rehabilitation and the experiences of inmates











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