3 Things

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi about an investigation into a digital wallet application that uncovered an alleged Rs 1200 crore financial scam involving lakhs of users across several states. He shares how investors were encouraged to recruit others, who would then bring in more people, creating a vast multi-level marketing network.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pratip Acharya about a hydropower project which will reduce Maharashtra’s dependence on coal-fired power but will require felling over 32,000 trees. He discusses the project, its significance and its potential impact on the state and nearby villagers. (15:16)

Lastly, we talk about the Supreme Court declining an urgent hearing for an application seeking intervention to cap ‘inflated’ airline fares ahead of the festival season. (31:45)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pallavi Smart about Maharashtra’s revised Class 6 textbooks, the greater emphasis on ancient Indian knowledge, and the removal or rewriting of passages dealing with caste and social inequality.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar about the environmental cost of rising tourism and large-scale development in Himachal Pradesh, and the measures recommended by a Supreme Court-appointed committee. (08:00)

And in the end, we look at a Chhattisgarh family’s search for 21-year-old Vineet Kumar Dubey after a job offer took him to Russia, where he was reportedly detained amid fears that he could be drawn into the war in Ukraine. (24:05)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma 
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about the ongoing Census, and the government's decision to amend the Census Rules to explicitly state that teachers from government schools, local authorities and unaided private educational institutions can be appointed as census enumerators.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about India's invitation to Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which will take place in New Delhi and what it means for the ties between the two countries. (14:15)

Lastly, we talk about Former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India’s ex-President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh being included in the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh state executive committee. (21:36)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Aditi Raja about Gujarat’s decision to allot valuable public land to former cricketer and MP Yusuf Pathan, why part of the plot is being offered as a gift, and the questions this raises about government discretion and public purpose.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Udit Misra about the economic pressures driving protests in France, including rising living costs, unemployment and strained public services, and the lessons the crisis may hold for India. (14:20)

And in the end, we look at the Legislative Council elections across Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, where the BJP-led alliance made significant gains while the Congress failed to register a victory. (28:45)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh who led an investigation into the Bihar drug crisis for the newspaper. He talks about the current situation in the state, its relation to the prohibition of alcohol and the government's response.  

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage created in 2022 to help developing countries deal with disasters. He shares how the fund works, Nepal's emergency request for financial assistance post the recent flash floods, and why it took so long to establish this fund. (18:08)

Lastly, we talk about an incident from Kolkata, where three people were forced to strip at gunpoint, and paraded naked. (30:23)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar