Guest Info
Grattan Puxton is a celebrated Roma activist and Global Indian Ambassador to the Romani Community. He has been actively involved in activism since the 1960s and played an instrumental role in organising the first ever World Roma Congress and brought together vital voices. He has authored a book called “Free Born Traveller” which is in talks for a film adaptation.
About the Show
Tune into the latest episode of the Global Indian Podcast, where Chief Explorer Rajan Nazran engages in a captivating one-on-one conversation with Grattan Puxton—an inspiring Roma activist and esteemed Global Indian Ambassador to the Romani community.
Originating from India over a millennium ago, the Roma community embarked on a transformative journey, settling across Europe and beyond. Astonishingly, their history is marred by unimaginable suffering, including over six centuries of enslavement in Romania—an untold chapter absent from mainstream narratives.
While India holds significance for this community, the question lingers: Does India reciprocate the same sentiment? Sadly, the road for Romani people has been far from easy. Struggling for acceptance in their adopted homelands, they continue to bear the burden of being perceived as perpetual “outsiders,” yearning for a sense of belonging that eludes them to this day.
Enter Grattan Puxton, who identifies as a “world citizen” and a passionate advocate. With deep introspection, he recounts his early activist years, expressing his frustration with governments, challenging rigid political definitions of identity, and voicing concerns about the community’s survival. Puxton astutely reminds us that migration is an ongoing process where individuals do not carry their national flag but a profound sense of identity. Finally, he dispels common misconceptions by shedding light on the community, often misinterpreted as solely nomadic.
Join us as our extraordinary guest takes us on an unforgettable journey, unveiling the untold stories of the Roma community and leaving an indelible mark on our understanding of their resilience and struggles.
Experience this remarkable episode—listen and be inspired.
Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.
Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/SilverIllusionist)
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