logo
Avantika Malik On Divorce With Imran Khan: ‘Would Never Poison My Daughter Against Him'

Avantika Malik On Divorce With Imran Khan: ‘Would Never Poison My Daughter Against Him'

News1804-06-2025
Last Updated:
Avantika Malik says she would never come between Imran Khan and their daughter, calling attempts to hurt their bond "damaging to the child."
Imran Khan's ex-wife Avantika Malik has opened up about their separation and its impact on their daughter Imara, stating that she would never let personal emotions come in the way of their child's bond with her father. In a candid conversation on Nayandeep Rakshit's YouTube channel, Avantika reflected on the emotional challenges of their divorce and the decisions she made for the sake of their daughter.
Imran and Avantika parted ways after nearly a decade of marriage. When they broke the news of their separation to their daughter, who was just five at the time, it sparked confusion and fear in the child. 'When we told Imara for the first time that I and Imran were not going to be married anymore, the first question that popped into her head was whether she was going to lose her parents," Avantika recalled. She added that having examples within her family helped Imara understand that both her parents would remain constants in her life.
Acknowledging that it's often tough for children to accept new relationships in their parents' lives, Avantika admitted it took time for Imara to adjust. 'Every child has a certain preconceived notion of what a family is supposed to look like," she said. Over time, however, Imara adapted. Avantika shared light-heartedly, 'We joke about it now, and I will ask her whether I should get a new boyfriend or not? She tells me there is no need and it is perfect, just the two of us."
Avantika was also asked whether her own relationship with Imran ever interfered with co-parenting. She responded firmly, 'I didn't have a very good relationship with my father in my early years, and I was very clear from the beginning that I did not want that for my child." She added, 'If you decide to poison your child… it's because you are bitter and you have certain resentments. I wanted her to have a very beautiful relationship with him, and me trying to damage that is ultimately going to hurt her."
First Published:
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Is traditional knowledge vanishing with new media or is it being documented?
Is traditional knowledge vanishing with new media or is it being documented?

Hans India

time15 hours ago

  • Hans India

Is traditional knowledge vanishing with new media or is it being documented?

Inthe heart of a small village in Odisha, an old woman sings lullabies passed down from her grandmother. The songs speak of the changing seasons, planting rituals, and prayers to forgotten gods. Her granddaughter listens with half-heartedly by busy scrolling through reels of a trending dance challenge on Instagram. This everyday moment, seemingly trivial, holds the essence of a question many of us are asking today: Is traditional knowledge vanishing in the age of new media, or is it finally finding a way to be documented and preserved? The answer isn't as simple as choosing one over the other. It's layered with human choices, systemic neglect, promising innovations, and urgent questions about what we choose to value. What Is Traditional Knowledge? Traditional knowledge (TK) refers to the wisdom, practices, beliefs, and skills developed by communities over centuries, often orally transmitted. This includes herbal medicine, folklore, agricultural practices, textiles, ritual art, architecture, astrology, community governance, and more. It's more than just information; it's lived knowledge which is contextual, experiential, and deeply connected to place and culture. For millennia, traditional knowledge systems were passed down through oral traditions, apprenticeship, songs, performances, stories, and observation. But with globalization, urbanization, and the rise of digital content, many of these systems are at risk which is not because of new media existence rather how we've prioritized it. Vanishing or Evolving? Understanding the Current Reality It's true that traditional knowledge is on the verge of extinction. Languages are dying at the rate of one every two weeks. Rituals are disappearing as younger generations migrate to cities. Sacred forests, once preserved by taboo and ritual, are now logged or turned into resorts. Here's where new media plays a double-edged role. The Threats: Short-Form Culture:Platforms like Youtube's Shorts andFacebook's Instagram promote speed, trends, and aesthetic over depth. Traditional practices, which are often slow, ritualistic, and time-consuming, struggle to find a space. Commercialization without Context:Yoga, for example, has been globalized yet often stripped of its basic essence, its spiritual and philosophical roots. Cultural Homogenization:Global media often celebrates a narrow range of 'acceptable' or 'modern' lifestyles, eroding the perceived value of traditional ways. But Here's the Paradox: These very platforms are also enabling documentation like never before. YouTube channels run by village grandmothers explaining native recipes and traditional health tips. Podcasts reviving tribal local knowledge and oral epics. Instagram reels showcasing handmade tribal art or ancient weaving museums and archives using AR/VR to showcase lost dance forms, architecture, or tools. So, traditional knowledge is not vanishing only because of new media. The bigger challenge is how we choose to use media and for what purpose. Documented, But How Much? lets look at the Facts, UNESCO and WIPO Initiatives: Several programs by international bodies aim to safeguard intangible cultural heritage and protect traditional knowledge from misuse or exploitation. Bharat's Digital Efforts: Digital India Mission includes platforms like the National Digital Library and IGNCA's digital archives. Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), a collaboration between CSIR and AYUSH, has documented over 2 lakh formulations in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems, now used globally to prevent patent misuse. The National Mission on Manuscripts is digitizing lakhs of palm-leaf manuscripts. Grassroots Initiatives: Many NGOs and educational institutions now run digital storytelling workshops in rural communities to preserve and share knowledge locally and globally. Yet, only a fraction of Bharat's traditional knowledge systems are currently documented or digitally archived. Why Are We Losing So Much So Fast? .Generational Disconnect: Young people don't always see the relevance of traditional knowledge in modern life. Lack of Recognition: Traditional knowledge is often visualised from the lens of Western knowledge systems. Economic Pressure: Many traditional practices are not monetizable or sustainable in the modern market, leading people to abandon them. Language Loss: Much of this knowledge is embedded in local dialects and indigenous languages losing the language means losing the wisdom too. Can New Media Be the Solution? Yes, if used mindfully and inclusively, new media can be the bridge between tradition and tomorrow. 1. Digital Storytelling by the Bearers Instead of documenting for communities, platforms can train them to document and share their own stories on their terms. For instance, a tribal youth making a short film on forest rituals or a weaver documenting dyeing techniques in a vlog or a grandmother curating lullabies as podcasts. 2. Technology for Translationand Accessibility AI-powered translation tools can preserve dialects, translate chants, or subtitles for wider reach. Local folklore translated into English, Hindi, and regional languages. AR apps that explain rituals or temple architecture to school children. 3. Creative Economy Integration Linking traditional knowledge to livelihoods can ensure sustainability. Reviving traditional textiles via e-commerce platforms. Monetizing tribal dances or folk theatre as part of tourism circuits. Culinary traditions presented through online cooking shows or food-tech startups. 4. Open-Source Cultural Archives Platforms like Wikimedia Commons or community-run digital repositories can store songs, remedies, and oral histories with metadata, photos, and geotags. 5. Policy and Legal Protection New media documentation should be accompanied by legal protection, so communities retain ownership. Misappropriation of sacred practices without consent must be addressed. What Can We Do as Individuals? Record your grandparents' stories and rituals. You can follow and support content creators preserving local culture. Volunteer with digital heritage projects, include local knowledge in your art, writing, or teaching. (The writer is an Expert Creative Economy)

Meet UPSC topper Taruni Pandey, quit MBBS, cracked UPSC with just 120 days preparation and no coaching, her AIR was..., she is now...
Meet UPSC topper Taruni Pandey, quit MBBS, cracked UPSC with just 120 days preparation and no coaching, her AIR was..., she is now...

India.com

timea day ago

  • India.com

Meet UPSC topper Taruni Pandey, quit MBBS, cracked UPSC with just 120 days preparation and no coaching, her AIR was..., she is now...

IAS Taruni Pandey (File) UPSC Success Story: The UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is arguably one of the toughest recruitment tests in India, and requires years of preparation and dedicated coaching classes to prepare aspirants for the formidable examination. However, there a few who, on the back of their sheer dedication and singular focus, are able to achieve the impossible by acing the tough exam with just a few months of self-study and zero coaching. One such inspirational story is that of UPSC topper IAS Taruni Pandey, who quit her MBBS studies to pursue her dream of becoming a civil servant, an achieved that goal with just four months of dedicated preparation. Who is IAS Taruni Pandey? Born in middle-income household in Chittaranjan, West Bengal, but raised in Jamtara, Jharkhand, Taruni Pandey had an education-oriented and studious environment at home as both her parents are government employees. Growing up, Taruni was always an exceptional student in school and desired to become a doctor. After her schooling, Taruni Pandey earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in English literature from IGNOU, and later pursued her dream of becoming a doctor, but fate had something else in store for her as health issues forced her to quit her MBBS studies during her second year, and prompting the young woman to explore new career avenues. How a tragic event inspired Taruni Pandey for UPSC? A crucial moment, which changed Taruni's perspective on life, and inspired her to become an IAS officer, came when her brother-in-law, a CRPF captain, was martyred in action. The event took a toll on her, but also served as an inspiration as she witnessed IAS officers and top bureaucrats coming forward to help her family. Taruni made up her mind and immediately engrossed herself in preparation for UPSC CSE by relying on self-study, online resources such as YouTube, and her own notes. Unlike majority of aspirants, Taruni Pandey did not opt for coaching classes and instead trusted her own study plan to crack the tough exam. What was her All-India Rank (AIR)? After just four months or 120 days of preparation, Taruni Pandey was ready to appear in the 2020 UPSC Prelims, but COVID-19 outbreak derailed her plans. This was a major setback as Taruni realized that her next UPSC attempt would be her last because of the age limit for Open Merit or general category candidates. However, Taruni's hard work and dedication bore fruit when she aced the UPSC CSE in 2021 with an impressive All India Rank (AIR) of 14, and achieved her dream of becoming an IAS officer.

‘4-5 months had passed, was in depression, got anxiety attacks': Yuzvendra Chahal on how his divorce from Dhanashree affected his mental health
‘4-5 months had passed, was in depression, got anxiety attacks': Yuzvendra Chahal on how his divorce from Dhanashree affected his mental health

Indian Express

timea day ago

  • Indian Express

‘4-5 months had passed, was in depression, got anxiety attacks': Yuzvendra Chahal on how his divorce from Dhanashree affected his mental health

In a candid conversation on entrepreneur Raj Shamani's YouTube podcast, Indian cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal opened up for the first time about the emotional turmoil he experienced after his highly public divorce from actor and content creator Dhanashree Verma. Chahal reflected on the intense mental health challenges he faced: 'After the divorce happened, it occurred to me that people think I'm a cheater. And I have never cheated in my life. I am not that person. You won't find someone more loyal than me. I always think from my heart for my loved ones. I have two sisters—I've seen how girls should be respected. That's what my family taught me.' The months that followed were particularly dark. 'Four-five months had passed, I was in depression, I got anxiety attacks. My close ones saw it with their own eyes. I don't need sympathy. I had a problem, and sociopathic thoughts arose in my mind. My mind had just stopped working after seeing all this in the media,' he shared. Chahal also criticised social media for amplifying false narratives and dragging his name through public scrutiny. 'I know my close friends, and they know I've never done something like that. So why should I go and prove myself to others? When the people who truly matter don't care about these rumours, why should I?' Muskan Marwah, clinical psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, said divorce is one of the most emotionally disruptive life events a person can go through. 'It doesn't just mark the end of a marriage, it brings emotional stress, major lifestyle changes, and often a prolonged adjustment phase. While some may feel relief, many others face lasting emotional and mental health impacts,' she said. Marwah also said that in the long run, divorce can trigger a profound sense of loss –– not only of the partner but also of the shared dreams, routines, and identities that were built together. 'This emotional pain often surfaces as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, or even numbness,' she said. If unresolved, these feelings may evolve into chronic stress, depression, or low self-esteem. According to Dr Jyoti Kapoor, founder-director and senior psychiatrist, Manasthali, here are some strategies to navigate coping with your divorce: Acknowledge that divorce is not just the dissolution of a legal union but a loss that warrants mourning. It is perfectly normal to experience a rollercoaster of emotions — from profound sadness to flashes of anger or even unexpected relief. Allow yourself the space and time to grieve the end of your relationship. Reach out to a support network composed of friends, family, or a compassionate therapist. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust can provide solace, understanding, and a fresh perspective on your situation. Prioritise your well-being –– physical and emotional. Divorce can be emotionally taxing, and taking care of yourself becomes paramount. Ensure you get adequate rest, nourish your body with healthy food, and engage in activities that bring you joy. Cultivating self-care habits can be a crucial lifeline during times of upheaval. Understand that healing is a gradual process that unfolds over time. It's essential to set realistic expectations for yourself, acknowledging that there will be both good and challenging days. Grant yourself the grace to navigate this journey at your own pace. Establishing a new routine tailored to your current circumstances can instil a sense of stability and control amidst the chaos of change. Routine provides a scaffolding upon which you can rebuild a semblance of normalcy. Rediscover the passions and pastimes that once brought you happiness and fulfilment. Engaging in these activities not only provides a therapeutic outlet but also aids in rebuilding a sense of identity independent of the marital context. While acknowledging the past is crucial, redirect your gaze towards the future. Chart out new personal and professional goals and gradually work towards them. Shifting your focus to the possibilities that lie ahead can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and renewal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store