Arfa Khanum Sherwani is an Indian journalist. She was the only Indian journalist to cover the Afghan presidential elections (2004)
Wiki/Biography
Arfa Khanum Sherwani was born on November 1, 1980 (age 41) in Khurja, a small city in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. She completed her secondary education in the city. Later, she received her bachelor’s degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University. Arfa holds a Diploma in Journalism from Aligarh University and a PhD from Jamia Milia Islamia.
early life
Alpha Khanum was born into a traditional, conservative environment, but into a progressive family. She describes her family as progressive because her parents supported their daughter’s financial independence. After graduation, she began pursuing her true passion – journalism. She remembers leaving for Delhi before the results came out. After arriving in Delhi, she felt as though she had always belonged there and was finally home. The hustle and bustle of Delhi made her feel more at home than ever. She set out for Delhi with only 500 rupees but a dream of catching the moon. At the age of 22, she became an anchor on a national television station and since then, she has never looked back. As she talks about that fateful night of December 6, 1992, she recalls a memory from her childhood that changed her life. Demolish Babri Masjid. Alpha’s family had to run for their lives. Little Alpha had to run for her life with her one-month-old brother to save herself. Her recollections of being led to safety by several men along with other women in burkas left a permanent mark on her fragile and impressionable mind. She was confused as to why she was safe with these women and not somewhere else. She shared that her father left his only sister in Pakistan and returned to India; the land of his ancestors.
Parents and siblings
Not much information is available about her parents and family. She has one brother and four sisters, one of whom is an independent journalist; Bushra Khanum.
Alpha Canum’s Parents
Alpha and her siblings
Alpha and her sisters
husband and children
Alpha is married with two children, a son and a daughter. Not much information is available about her husband.
Alpha shared a photo celebrating her anniversary on social media
Alpha Kanum’s husband and children
daughter of alpha khanum
alpha and son
Religion/Religious Views
Alfa is a Muslim and also very outspoken about his religion.
Profession
Arfa Khanum Sherwani is currently a senior editor at The Wire. Her journey began in 2000 as an intern at The Pioneer. She then worked with Asain Age as a trainee deputy editor. She joined Sahara TV. She further joined NDTV as chief reporter and anchor. She worked in Rajya Sabha TV till 2017. She always wanted to talk to people and understand their stories, and she felt it was her responsibility to give voice and representation to marginalized people. She is a TEDx speaker and freelance journalist. In a TEDx talk, she talked about her experience at Batla House. She feels marginalized and has become the talk of every newsroom in India. Alpha recalled reports that the guilty Indian mujahideen were now individuals, not terrorists. She was accused of supporting her religious beliefs. As far as Alpha can remember, her career trajectory has been difficult, but it has continued to rise. She covered the Afghan presidential elections and was the only Indian to do so.
dispute
- Arfa Khanum was harassed after a clip of her speech on the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019) at Aligarh University went viral. She recalled receiving numerous rape and death threats.
- She interviewed Mr. Gurudev about his views on the Ayodhya case. She was interrupted mid-stream by his followers for overly politicizing the spiritual leader’s remarks. They claimed that The Wire later broadcast the entire interview live. She further stated that she received abuse from his followers for maintaining a positive environment.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- She was jointly awarded the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Female Journalist along with Rohini Mohan (journalist from Bengaluru).
- She is a recipient of Sahitya Samman from Hindi Institute.
Arfa meets Sahitya Samman from Hindi Institute
- She also received the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Journalism Award.
Arfa Khanum wins Mohammad Ali Jakhar Journalism Award
Favorites
I can’t remember the last time a movie left such a profound impact on me. #JaiBhimOnPrime It is so powerful that it will shake your emotions and leave you filled with hope for a better, more equal India. Jai Bhim is light Jai Bhim is love Jai Bhim is a path from darkness to light
— Alpha Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) November 4, 2021
Facts/Trivia
- She appears to be a leftist. She never misses an opportunity to take a dig at right-wingers.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education