Arfa Khanum Sherwani is an Indian journalist. He is the only Indian journalist to have covered the Afghan presidential election (2004).
Wiki/Biography
Arfa Khanum Sherwani was born on 1 November 1980 (41 years) in a small town Khurja in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his intermediate education in the city itself. Thereafter he completed B.Sc from Chaudhary Charan Singh University. Arfa did a diploma in journalism from Aligarh University and a doctorate from Jamia Millia Islamia.
early life
Arfa Khanum was born in a traditional, conservative environment, yet into a progressive family. She describes her home as progressive because her parents supported their daughters’ financial independence. After graduation he set for his real passion which was journalism. She recalls that she had left for Delhi before her results were out. On reaching Delhi, she felt as if she had always been there and finally made her home. The hustle and bustle of Delhi made her feel more at home than ever. She had left Delhi with only Rs 500, but with a dream of catching the moon. She was the anchor of a national TV channel at the young age of 22, since then there was no looking back. Reflecting on a memory from her childhood that she documents as life-changing, she recounts the fateful night of December 6, 1992; Demolition of Barbari Masjid. Arfa’s family had to run for their lives. Young Arfa had to run away with her barely a month old brother to save herself. She recalls that being led to safety by some along with other women wearing burqa, it left a lasting impression in her soft impressionable mind. She was confused as to why she was safe with those women and nowhere else. She shares that her father left Pakistan for his only sister to come back to India; the land of his ancestors.
parents and siblings
Not much information is available about his parents and family. He has a brother and 4 sisters, one of whom is a freelance journalist; Bushra Khanum.
Arfa Khanum’s parents
Arfa with her siblings
Arfa with her sisters
husband and children
Arfa is married and has two children, a son and a daughter. Not much information is available about her husband.
Arfa shared a picture on social media while celebrating her anniversary.
Arfa Khanum’s husband with his children
Arfa Khanum’s daughter
Arfa with son
religion/religious thought
Arfa is a Muslim and is also very vocal about her religious beliefs.
livelihood
Arfa Khanum Sherwani is currently the Senior Editor of The Wire. His journey began in 2000 as an apprentice at The Pioneer. He then worked with Asain Age as a trainee sub-editor. She joined Sahara TV. She further joined NDTV as a lead correspondent and anchor. He worked in Rajya Sabha TV till 2017. She always wants to talk to people, know their stories, feels that it is her duty to speak for and represent marginalized people. He is a TEDx speaker and a freelance journalist. Speaking on one such TEDx talk, she talks about her experience during the Batla House encounter. She felt marginalized and became the talk of every newsroom across India. Arfa recalls reporting, who now attribute the convicted Indian Mujahideen to some men and not terrorists. He was accused of favoring his religion. Arfa’s career has had a rough run as she remembers, yet it continues to grow. She has covered the Afghan presidential elections and is the only Indian to do so.
controversies
- A clip of the speech, Arfa Khanum gave at Aligarh University on the Citizenship Amendment Act, (2019), went viral and she was harassed. She remembers receiving countless rape and death threats.
- He interviewed Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on his views on the Ayodhya case. He was interrupted in between by his followers for politicizing the words of the spiritual leader. He claims that the entire interview was later shown by The Wire. She further says that she was abused by her followers for keeping the environment positive.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- She has jointly received the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Female Journalist along with Rohini Mohan (Bengaluru based journalist).
- She is a recipient of Sahitya Samman from Hindi Academy.
Arfa received Sahitya Samman from Hindi Academy
- He has also received Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Award for Journalism.
Arfa Khanum receiving the Mohammed Ali Jauhar Journalism Award
Favorite
Can’t remember when was the last time a film left such a deep impact on me #jai bhimonprime Is.
It is so powerful that it makes you swoon with emotions and leaves you with the hope of a better and more equal India.
Jai Bhim Prakash
jai bhim love
Jai Bhim is the way from darkness to light— Arfa Khanum Sherwani (@khanumarfa) November 4, 2021
Facts / Trivia
- She looks leftist. She does not miss any opportunity to target the right wing.
