By KLTV Newsdesk –

In this inaugural episode of the Cultural Leaders Group Podcast, host Michelle Brown sits down with Dr Sarah Hussain, a Huddersfield-based PhD researcher and author, to discuss her debut novel, In the Foothills of the Himalayas.

This groundbreaking work challenges traditional narratives surrounding the British Raj era and aims to rebalance the portrayal of British colonialism in India.

Dr. Hussain shares the journey behind her novel, which is the culmination of over seven years of post-colonial research and a deeply personal exploration of her heritage.

The novel looks at family tragedy, environmental catastrophe, and conspiracy in 20th-century India, offering a perspective that centres on Indian voices and women’s resilience—something rarely seen in classic works.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Hussain reflects on the challenges of writing her first full-length book while balancing her academic career, motherhood, and the pressures of the pandemic.

She also talks about the importance of connecting with her roots and her journey of learning about the long history of India’s female anticolonial environmentalism.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation about the power of storytelling to reclaim and reframe history.