Chhavi Sachdev

The World

Chhavi Sachdev is a reporter based in Mumbai.

Chhavi Sachdev is a reporter, producer, and editor who finds herself drawn always to stories of oddities, quirks, and the little man trying to make a big change. And chocolate. 

When she's not working (and sometimes even when she is) you can find her plotting her next journey, baking, or making mix tapes for friends. She's a science nerd, animal slave, wine snob  and action flick junkie. After living on three continents, she now resides in Mumbai, but her travel case is always packed.

Screenshot of "Pasoori" official music video from the Coke Studio, Season 14

'It is pure magic': Pakistani song 'Pasoori' climbs the charts in India and beyond

Since its February release, the song “Pasoori,” which translates to “difficulty” or “conflict” in Punjabi, has racked up more than 250 million views on YouTube and on Instagram.

'It is pure magic': Pakistani song 'Pasoori' climbs the charts in India and beyond
In this photo taken Wednesday, April 13, 2011, a graffiti against revealing the gender of unborn fetuses stands outside a clinic in Morena in the Central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh. 

India's abortion law still lacks a rights-based approach, gynecologist says

India's abortion law still lacks a rights-based approach, gynecologist says
Superhero Priya fights injustice along with her trusted tiger Sahas.

Superhero Priya tries to rescue New Delhi from air pollution on Earth Day

Superhero Priya tries to rescue New Delhi from air pollution on Earth Day
President Joe Biden meets virtually with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington, Monday, April 11, 2022. 

Amid war in Ukraine, India maintains 'strategic partnership' with Russia

Amid war in Ukraine, India maintains 'strategic partnership' with Russia
Anuja Bali asks a family in Pashan, Pune about their consumption of liquid petroleum gas.

India’s Warrior Moms tackle indoor air pollution — ‘the silent killer’ 

India’s Warrior Moms tackle indoor air pollution — ‘the silent killer’ 
People pay tribute in front of a portrait of Lata Mangeshkar, the legendary singer placed on a decorated podium in Kolkata, India, Feb. 7, 2022. 

'She had an aura': The world mourns late Indian songstress Lata Mangeshkar

Mangeshkar, also known as the Queen of Melody, was cremated with full state honors in Mumbai on Sunday, a funeral attended by film and music luminaries as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

'She had an aura': The world mourns late Indian songstress Lata Mangeshkar
An Indian teen reacts as she receives Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine at a government school in Hyderabad, India, Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. 

India postpones in-school learning as omicron surges 

This month, parents, teachers and kids in India were poised to reenter their classrooms full time. Omicron has pumped the brakes on that.

India postpones in-school learning as omicron surges 
a collage of photos from Kashyap's dinner

Cross-border meals connect people from countries in conflict

Ragini Kashyap hosts pop-up dinners around the world in an effort to showcase the underlying similarities between cultures that are separated by conflict.

Cross-border meals connect people from countries in conflict
A woman is talking into a screen next to a microphone in a dark room. On the right, words say, "composer, music producer, singer songwriter Sawan Dutta"

This Indian composer's first hit was a song about Boroline. Now she's an internet sensation.

Sawan Dutta has done music for television and stage shows, but the world knows her as Bengali Aunty.

This Indian composer's first hit was a song about Boroline. Now she's an internet sensation.
Three women stand in a line with their hands on their visibly pregnant stomachs. Their faces are cropped out of the image.

Once the go-to place for surrogacy, India tightens control over its baby industry

A new bill seeks to limit surrogacy to altruistic surrogates only, killing a business that injects $400 billion into the Indian economy every year.

Once the go-to place for surrogacy, India tightens control over its baby industry
nawaz sharif

What's good for democracy can be bad for stability

The Panama Papers revealed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's offshore accounts. Mass protests demanded his ouster... and then the military took matters into their own hands.

What's good for democracy can be bad for stability
Volunteers crouch on the wet sand as they pick up trash from a beach near Mumbai's Versova jetty

This Mumbai lawyer inspired a massive beach cleanup

He couldn't stand by while his beloved childhood landscape piled up with trash.

This Mumbai lawyer inspired a massive beach cleanup
Farha Faiz, a lawyer, speaks with the media

Instant divorce is unconstitutional in India, finally

According to a Muslim custom that is rooted in tradition but not Islamic law, men have to say just three words to their wives if they want to dissolve their marriages.

Instant divorce is unconstitutional in India, finally
Child of a sex worker comforts another child of another sex worker.

For India's sex trafficking victims, family members often bear part of the blame

Sex trafficking affects 16 million people in India at any given time. Often, a family member is responsible for their circumstances, but getting away is complicated.

For India's sex trafficking victims, family members often bear part of the blame
Team USA on the kabaddi mat at the World Cup in October

The ancient sport that mixes tag, wrestling, rugby and chanting

Forget about cricket. Kabaddi is king in India.

The ancient sport that mixes tag, wrestling, rugby and chanting