Young Journalist Ameya Desai Highlights Untold History in Award-Winning Podcast
Talia Herman/for NPR
In a surprising turn of events, young journalist Ameya Desai, who previously won NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge, found herself uncovering an overlooked piece of history. A neighbor’s request led her to interview Linda Horikawa, an 85-year-old survivor of the Japanese incarceration camps during World War II. This chance encounter sparked the creation of Ameya’s podcast Far From Home – Shikata Ga Nai.
Ameya, who was previously unaware of this chapter of history that unfolded in her hometown of San Jose, Calif., was both shocked and intrigued by Horikawa’s story. Despite initial hesitations, Linda Horikawa decided it was time to share her experiences, stating, “It was a good time to tell everyone what really happened.”
The narrative begins in the 1940s on a berry ranch in Cupertino, Calif., where Horikawa’s childhood was abruptly disrupted following the attack on Pearl Harbor. “Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, there was a growing resentment towards Japanese Americans, many of whom were questioned about their loyalty to the United States,” Ameya elaborates in her podcast.
Horikawa recounts harrowing memories of being relocated to an incarceration camp in Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Her family faced the harsh reality of living in tar-paper shacks, sharing cramped facilities, and enduring prejudice upon their return to California.
Ameya’s podcast not only captured the judges’ attention at NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge but also made her the first returning champion in the competition’s seven-year history. Talia Herman, a senior producer at NPR, praised the podcast’s “StoryCorps vibes,” recognizing both the depth of Horikawa’s account and the thoughtful manner in which Ameya presented it.
In a poignant moment, Horikawa opened a trunk filled with artifacts from her time in the incarceration camp, sharing them with Ameya. These documents, including relocation passes and wartime newsletters, had remained untouched for years until now.
Reflecting on her journey, Ameya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to preserve Horikawa’s story. “I am honored,” she said. “It means that another story will not be lost in time, another story that may help people not repeat the same mistakes.”
For those interested in hearing more, Ameya’s podcast Far From Home – Shikata Ga Nai can be accessed here.
