She spent twenty years at the BBC, most recently as Chief News Presenter, reporting on major global events including India’s general elections, Brexit, COP climate summits and international geopolitics. In recognition of her contribution to journalism and the arts, she received the Asian Achievement Award and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Cardiff University in 2025.

Her first book, The Corner Shop, was selected as BBC Radio 4’s Book of the Week and received the Business Book of the Year award. She also presented the critically acclaimed Dangerous Borders: The Story of India & Pakistan for BBC Two, marking the 70th anniversary of Partition, as well as The History of the Cornershop for BBC Four.

Beyond broadcasting, Babita delivered a TED Talk examining the cultural and political meaning of immigration in contemporary Britain and co-curated Taking Care of Business exhibition for the Migration Museum, London.

Babita serves as a Distinguished Friend of the Migration Museum, Patron of the South Asian Heritage Trust, and Trustee of Crescent Arts, Northern Ireland and United for Global Mental Health.