A lot has been happening at IGMN over the past few months. We are excited to introduce our newly elected board, welcome new members, and share highlights from recent projects and publications. As we approach our tenth anniversary, the network continues to thrive through cross-border collaboration, shared learning and meaningful exchange between media professionals in India and Germany.
In January 2025, on India’s Republic Day, the IGMN elected a new board, bringing fresh energy and commitment to the network. Journalist Natalie Mayroth took on the role once again as First Chairwoman, and is joined by Second Chairwoman Pradnya Bivalkar, Vice Chairwomen Sunaina Kumar and Dunya Wasella, and Treasurer Julia Wadhawan. Board member Sukhada Tatke and cash auditor Petra Sorge complete the team.
In our regular newsletter for members, we invited one of our newest members, the journalist and moderator Amrita Cheema, to share what has been on her radar recently. Having formerly been Bureau Chief of Deutsche Welle in Delhi and a long-standing anchor and editor in Berlin, Amrita brings decades of media experience to the network. She has recently been following the India–Pakistan crisis closely and sharing critical reflections on the role of the Indian media. She also recommends a TV segment on Kashmir and discovered a new musical genre in the process: a Chutney Soca, an infectious blend of Caribbean and Indian rhythms.
Many of our members have continued to make waves with new projects and publications. Journalist Bhavya Dore worked as managing editor on the third season of Friend of the Court, a podcast delving into India’s legal and constitutional history. Sukhada Tatke contributed as a script editor. In the world of sports, Amit Kamath published a widely read piece in The Indian Express exploring the Taliban’s ban on chess and its impact on Afghan players. Meanwhile, Sonja Ernst contributed an article on Indian labor migration to a new India-focused magazine by the Federal Agency for Civic Education in Baden-Württemberg. Julia Wadhawan, our treasurer, launched a weekly German-language newsletter on wellbeing and body awareness, based on her yoga column at SPIEGEL. From London, Times of India journalist Chaitanya Marpakwar shared insights from his Chevening South Asia Journalism Fellowship, where he is researching the Indian diaspora’s influence on regional politics and trade. Our chairwoman, Natalie Mayroth, translated the book "Der Wegbereiter – Wie Rudolf von Leyden Mumbais Kunstszene geprägt hat" into German, which was recently published by Draupadi Verlag Heidelberg. Written by Reema Desai Gehi, the book tells the story of a German art critic who fled Nazi Germany in 1933 and went on to help shape modern Indian art.
On the digital front, IGMN is now on LinkedIn – follow us, tag us, and help us spread the word! And a gentle reminder to all members: if you haven’t paid your annual fee yet, now’s a good time. These contributions are what make our events and exchanges possible.
Finally, a quick look back: IGMN was proud to be part of re:publica 2025 in Berlin, where Natalie Mayroth and Dunya Wasella hosted the session “From Hashtags to Headlines: A Feminist Lens on India and Germany", with speakers Khushboo Jain and Diya Deb. The event sparked vibrant discussion – and even included a quiz.
Looking ahead, we are gearing up to celebrate the IGMN's tenth anniversary in 2026. From our inaugural assembly in Delhi in 2016 to our joint events in Hamburg, Berlin, Mumbai and beyond, the network has been moulded by the enthusiasm, kindness and inquisitiveness of its members. We can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings!
We have also decided to reduce our membership from 2026 onwards. However: To keep our network alive and thriving, please don’t forget to pay your annual IGMN fee — your support makes our events and collaborations possible!
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