Ruchira Gupta grew up on her father’s bedtime stories, sparking a desire to become a storyteller like him. Inspired by a childhood article titled The Autobiography of a Pencil, published at the age of ten, Ruchira resolved to become a journalist. Despite initial disinterest in college, she pursued it to secure a job at a Kolkata newspaper.

A turning point occurred during a work assignment in Nepal, where she discovered the harrowing reality of girls being trafficked into Indian brothels. Her documentary, The Selling of Innocents, earned her an Emmy. Unfulfilled, Ruchira left journalism, founded the NGO Apne Aap, and collaborated with the United Nations to combat sex trafficking globally. Despite accolades and a book, I Kick and I Fly, she remains dedicated to eradicating human trafficking and envisions a world free from the buying and selling of human beings.

In this episode of BIC Talks Ruchira shares her story on art and activism and discusses with activist and educator Manira Alva, her book, her work and the work that is yet to be done.

This is an excerpt from an in-person event that took place in the BIC premises in February 2024.