The Indian Express: City and I: Why didn’t you teach me about that world, Udaipur? How could I possibly explain that Udaipur taught me to soar, catching the updrafts from the Aravallis? That my family didn’t choose to go to Pakistan, even if they risked losing everything Udaipur has been my Shakespearean stage of life’s... Continue Reading →
Hindustan Times: Ten lessons I learned from Kaziranga
Ten lessons I learned from Kaziranga ByArefa Tehsin Jul 02, 2025 05:02 AM IST The origin of the word ‘safari’ is Kishwahili (Arabic) from ‘safar’—to travel. For a late riser like me, who hasn’t seen sunrises for many years, it can equate to ‘suffer’ too. Our days started when days had not even dawned. We’d... Continue Reading →
The Indian Express: Navigating India’s great dog divide
Between ‘pawtriots’ and protesters, finding middle ground in India’s dog war From urban colonies to forest edges, India’s canine crisis is no longer about animals alone — it’s about us. What does a solution look like? Definitely not Facebook fights in all-caps, but a reasonable, empathetic and evidence-based approach We are a planet divided. Not... Continue Reading →
The Indian Express: The Philosophy of Wet Feet
The Indian Express: The Philosophy of Wet Feet In Dandeli, Karnataka, if you are all for lying on your back and letting the current decide your itinerary, river Kali will surround you with her song Written by Arefa TehsinJune 7, 2025 The Kali river that connects Karnataka and Goa (Credit: Adityavikram More) We may think... Continue Reading →
Cities in Fiction: Interview
CITIESÂ IN FICTION An interview with writer and novelist,Arefa Tehsin By Divya Ravindranath 21 May 2025 Arefa Tehsin grew up treading jungles with her naturalist father. She was often found trying to catch a snake or spin a yarn. Tehsin is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books and contributes columns and features to publications... Continue Reading →
The Indian Express: Insaniyat–The Vanishing Soul of India
Two policemen, and what their actions say about a bruised Insaniyat in India India is losing its Insaniyat. But it can be found again -- not in mandirs, mosques or manifestos, but in how we treat a tree, an animal or a person who can do nothing for us AREFA TEHSIN Apr 20, 2025 13:26... Continue Reading →
The Indian Express: The Great Human Safari
The Indian Express - Author Arefa Tehsin on the Grand Human Safari: when gibbons and tigers went on a tour What if binoculars come out as you go into the bathroom to brush your teeth and take a shower or a pride of lionesses peeks at you as you start your day? Written by Arefa... Continue Reading →
Mid Day Interview
Children’s book author Arefa Tehsin on 'The Witch in the Peepul Tree' being translated into Sinhalese, and more Updated on: 04 March,2025 08:19 PM IST | Mumbai Fiona Fernandez | fiona.fernandez@mid-day.com Children’s book author Arefa Tehsin’s The Witch in the Peepul Tree will be translated into Sinhala. We caught up with the author who juggles time between India and... Continue Reading →
The Indian Express: When a Bird Falls on Ram Setu
Opinion by Arefa Tehsin When a bird falls on Ram Setu For centuries, Mannar has been a lifeline for migratory birds. A mega wind-energy project is threatening to alter its landscape and ecosystem permanently. Ram Setu, the ancient archipelago connecting India and Sri Lanka (Photo credits: earth.esa.int/captured by Landsat 5 in 2018) AREFA TEHSIN New DelhiJan... Continue Reading →