History

Join host Abhra on 'Stories and Stanza' as he delves into the captivating journey of Diane Clarke and her debut novel, 'The Photograph.' Listen as Diane shares the inspiration and extensive research behind her compelling historical fiction, which spans from World War II to the COVID-19 pandemic. Uncover the intricacies of her characters, family secrets, and the emotional search for a lost brother. This episode is rich with insights for aspiring writers and literary enthusiasts alike.

Hey everyone, welcome back to 'Stories and Stanza', a podcast that explores poetry and the stories behind them. On today's episode, we will share a powerful poem that reflects on the cultural footprint of time and the lasting impact of our actions on the environment.
History has always fascinated me, and today's story is about the often-overlooked role of Australia's first cameleers. These skilled camel handlers, many from regions like Baloch and Sindh, were crucial in building infrastructure across the harsh outback in the 1860s. But what happened to them? We'll explore the challenges they faced and the surprising bond they formed with Indigenous Australians. We'll also discuss the legacy of these cameleers - the feral camel population that now thrives in Australia, and the environmental issues it presents.
Much like the one about rabbits in Australia, this story highlights the unintended consequences of introduced species. To wrap it up, I'll share a touching poem titled "Our Footprints Remain" by Elyas Alavi.

Welcome to the latest episode of Stories and Stanzas! In this episode, we delve into a topic that many outside of Australia may not be familiar with - the rabbit troubles. We explore the history and impact of rabbits in Australia, a species that, despite their cute appearance, are considered pests in the country due to their detrimental effect on native wildlife and vegetation.
In our fascinating narrative, we take you through the journey of how the first domesticated rabbits arrived in Australia, how their population exploded, and the attempts made in controlling the burgeoning rabbit population. We also shed light on the negative effects that these creatures have on agriculture and native plant and animal species, thus illustrating the devastatingly broad impact that one invasive species can have in its adopted environment.
What makes this story more gripping is the various attempts made to curb rabbit population growth that ranged from constructing a rabbit-proof fence, spreading a disease targeting rabbits, to releasing another virus. With each new measure introduced, rabbits developed resistance, thereby making it extremely challenging to control their population growth.
Beyond Australia's bunny issue, the ripple effects caused by invasive species in other parts of the world are briefly highlighted, setting a potential stage for our future episodes. This episode's conclusion features a poignant poem reflecting on our relationship with the environment, stirring some deep, introspective thoughts on our interactions with the natural world.
This episode offers a unique perspective on Australia's wildlife story and serves as a hard-hitting reminder on the importance of maintaining ecological balance, and the consequences we face when it's disrupted. To know more about the environment and various intriguing aspects of life, join us on our next episode of Stories and Stanzas!

Join me on a linguistic journey across continents as we celebrate International Mother Language Day! Today, we'll explore the rich tapestry of languages spoken in India and Australia, their fascinating histories, unique characteristics, and the challenges they face.