Dear Readers
India’s greatest strength—its true superpower—lies in its faith traditions and the values they instil in its people.
Religion in India has not merely been a matter of belief but a moral compass that shaped social conduct, cultural coexistence, and a shared sense of humanity.
Awaz–The Voice, as a media platform, has consistently celebrated this diversity and India’s deep-rooted inclusiveness, which has stood the test of time even during global turbulence and domestic communal polarisation.
Awaz has remained committed to a narrative of dialogue, balance, and mutual respect. In doing so, it has sought to amplify the spirit of India rather than its divisions.
Our teams have always been unique in their approach towards content creation. While the norm in journalism is to highlight divisions and negativity, our day starts with ideas that could unite people.
We are mindful that India has nurtured a composite culture that has evolved into an indistinguishable Indian identity -- vibrant and alive. Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and other faith traditions did not exist in isolation; they got inwoven into the broader fabric of Indianness.
While differences in perspectives exist, the overarching value that has bound Indians together has always been humanity.
It is in this context that, despite present-day religious differences, an environment for constructive dialogue among Hindus, Muslims, and other communities is slowly emerging.
There could scarcely be a more important moment than now to strengthen a narrative of inclusiveness. Today, members of different communities are increasingly introspective—recognising their biases and prejudices and making genuine efforts to understand one another better.
For a thousand years, very few sustained and sincere efforts were made to assimilate the sensibilities of all religious communities. In recent times, however, the wave of communal polarisation that appeared to have peaked is gradually receding. Never before have Indian communities discussed their differences as openly as they have over recent years.
Social media has played a complex role in this transformation. On one hand, it disrupted a state-driven narrative of communal harmony that often felt synthetic and lacked depth. On the other hand, it contributed to sharp polarisation. Yet even this polarising effect now seems to be on the decline, making space for more grounded conversations.
Looking ahead, some see artificial intelligence as a transformative force—symbolically likened to Kalki or Mehndi—capable of challenging entrenched biases and ushering in greater harmony and equality. The digital revolution unfolding in India already offers glimpses of this potential.
While the Indian Hindu community has, to a great extent, bridged the gap between where it once stood and where it aspires to be, Indian Muslims and other communities have also witnessed significant progress, driven by education, skill development, and rising aspirations.
The past decade has also seen a remarkable surge in awareness and action around women’s empowerment. With continued social and economic empowerment, India’s communities are poised to prosper further in the years ahead.
As we celebrate our fifth anniversary, the teams of Awaz–the Voice—in English, Hindi, Urdu, Assamese, Marathi, Bangla, and Arabic—remain firmly committed to their mission of bringing Indians closer. We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for Pluralistic Research and Empowerment for its support and for placing its trust in us.
Our Muslim Changemakers series in 2025 resonated strongly with ordinary Indian citizens, and we are confident that our forthcoming series, PARVAAZ, focusing on Indian Muslim women achievers, will receive similar appreciation. Our teams are very excited about this project as well.
ALSO READ: INA represented the real idea of secular India
Awaz–The Voice has seen its website readership and video viewership grow exponentially, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to our audience for their unwavering support and affection.
As we mark our Fifth Anniversary, we renew our pledge to practice first-class journalism—rooted in inclusiveness, integrity, and the enduring idea of India.
Thanks for being part of our journey.
Atir Khan
Editor-in-Chief
.webp "NITI Aayog")
