Omkar Khandekar

Jan 24, 2025 | npr.org | Omkar Khandekar |Christine Arrasmith

Ransom-Demanding Monkeys Trade Juice Boxes and Samosas for Visitors' Belongings Download Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1226561683/1265345555" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Thieving monkeys thrive in the Indian holy town Vrindavan. The problem has gotten worse after rapid development. Locals say instead of relying on charity, monkeys are turning to crime.

Jan 12, 2025 | kpbs.org | Omkar Khandekar

VRINDAVAN, India – Krishna, a skinny 12-year-old, waits near a Hindu temple packed with pilgrims. He hears a yell – that's his cue. He zigzags between motorbikes and honking tuk-tuks, elbows his way through the crowd and finds a man waving wildly at a monkey. The monkey, perched on a high ledge, has stolen the man's spectacles — by jumping on the man's shoulder and grabbing them. Now it is trying them on. Krishna knows what that monkey really wants. He swiftly flings a box of mango juice.

Jan 5, 2025 | npr.org | Omkar Khandekar

VRINDAVAN, India – Krishna, a skinny 12-year-old, waits near a Hindu temple packed with pilgrims. He hears a yell – that's his cue. He zigzags between motorbikes and honking tuk-tuks, elbows his way through the crowd and finds a man waving wildly at a monkey. The monkey, perched on a high ledge, has stolen the man's spectacles — by jumping on the man's shoulder and grabbing them. Now it is trying them on. Krishna knows what that monkey really wants. He swiftly flings a box of mango juice.

Dec 15, 2024 | kpbs.org | Diaa Hadid |Omkar Khandekar

KHAMGAON, India – Pork rinds. Dried squirrel. Spicy fish eggs. Dalit Kitchens of Marathwada is part anthology, part cookbook and part rebuke to readers, who may presume Indian food is largely vegetarian. It tells of the culinary traditions of two groups of Dalits, known as Mang and Mahar. Dalits, broadly, occupy the lowest rungs of South Asia's ancient caste system and were once known as untouchables.

Nov 29, 2024 | npr.org | Diaa Hadid |Omkar Khandekar |Greg Dixon

In an episode we first brought you in March, we consider butter chicken. It is a much-loved Indian dish, both within that country and around the world. But who can claim they invented it? That question is the subject of a lawsuit. Our reporter tries to get to the bottom of butter chicken's origin and finds out that it is a journey through India's history. You can find celebrated Indian chef Madhur Jaffrey's recipe for butter chicken here.