Zubeida Ansari is our Nairobi correspondent, reporting on East Africa — elections, infrastructure, counter-terrorism, and the Indian diaspora's long commercial presence in the region. Her beat is the whole continental East.
Recent work
Ajanta Caves: Where Stone Remembers What Time Forgot
Hidden in a remote horseshoe gorge in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district, the Ajanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising 30 rock-cut Buddhist monuments carved between the 2nd century BCE and 480 CE. They house the world's finest surviving examples of ancient Indian fresco painting and sculpture, offering visitors a direct, unmediated encounter with the creative and spiritual life of early India. Far from being a ruin, Ajanta is a living argument for India's civilisational continuity — a place where philosophy, art, and devotion fused into something that still breathes.
Konark Sun Temple: Where Stone Becomes an Act of Devotion
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, built by King Narasimhadeva I in the thirteenth century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site conceived as a colossal stone chariot of the sun god Surya. Its intricately carved wheels, walls alive with sculptural narratives, and its commanding presence on the Bay of Bengal coastline make it one of the most extraordinary architectural achievements in human history. Far from being a relic locked in the past, Konark continues to pulse with cultural energy — drawing pilgrims, scholars, artists, and travellers who find in its stones both a spiritual encounter and a reminder of India's astonishing creative inheritance.
Shillong: Where Scotland Meets the Soul of India
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, enchants visitors with its Scottish Highland resemblance, colonial architecture, cascading waterfalls, and the vibrant traditions of its indigenous Khasi people. From the panoramic sweep of Shillong Peak to the serene waters of Umiam Lake, the city offers a rare fusion of natural grandeur and deep cultural roots. It stands as a reminder that India's civilisational story is not confined to the plains and temples of the heartland — it breathes just as powerfully in the northeast.