3 Things

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Asad Rehman about how protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation developed into a wider confrontation between the Opposition and the BJP-led government, and why the campaign is now moving from the streets to the Supreme Court.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about three cousins from Gujarat who were kidnapped in Ethiopia while allegedly attempting to reach the United States through the illegal “dunki” route, and how Gujarat Police helped secure their release. (14:35)

And in the end, we look at Nandan Nilekani’s proposed solution to examination paper leaks: building a vast digital question bank and generating final papers shortly before examinations begin, leaving little time for them to be stolen or circulated. (25:10)

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

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Soumyarendra Barik about the US government suspending several major IT companies from the Permanent Labor Certification Program, which allows skilled foreign workers to gain permanent residency, and the impact this suspension will have on Indians working in the IT sector. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about the rising cost of healthcare in India and how hospitalisation costs in private hospitals are incredibly high. She discusses the huge gap between government and private hospital prices and the concerns raised by healthcare activists and experts. (19:18)

Lastly, we talk about the Delhi Police announcing that Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site as the INDIA bloc, Cockroach Janta Party and the All India Students’ Association fight to hold protests there. (30:31)

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

Link to the episode with the segment with The Indian Express' Amaal Sheikh on inflated prices of life-saving drugs:
https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/drought-in-maharashtra-high-drug-pricing-and-no-burqa-for-nurses/10906719/

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pragynesh about the sweeping police crackdown on protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, the detention of more than 7,000 people, and the Supreme Court’s intervention over restrictions on movement and peaceful assembly.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar about the first release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild, the factors that pushed the species towards extinction, and the challenges involved in rebuilding its population. (21:10)

And in the end, we look at a fatal crash near Kochi airport that killed three young people and raised serious questions about drunk driving, underage access to alcohol and repeated speeding violations. (33:15)

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 day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Alok Singh about how protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation spread across central Delhi, the challenges of policing multiple groups and the allegations surrounding the police response.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pratip Acharya about a CAG audit that found major failures in Maharashtra’s implementation of the Green India Mission, including poor fund utilisation, missed plantation targets and extremely low sapling-survival rates. (15:50)

And in the end, we look at the GST Council’s decision to remove the arrest powers of tax officers, raise the prosecution threshold from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, and ease other penalties amid concerns about aggressive enforcement. (23:55)

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 day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Sadaf Modak about the toll the drought in Maharashtra is taking on the women of the state. She talks about how women have to carry pots filled with water to their homes when borewells and household taps run dry. She also shares how this arduous task is just one part of their already hectic and physically demanding day and what activists are demanding regarding this.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about Swiss President Guy Parmelin's three day visit to India and the bilateral talks held between the two countries. The visit also came as India and the four member European Free Trade Association marked one year of their Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which includes Switzerland. (15:19)

Lastly, we talk about a police crackdown on alleged illicit liquor trade in Bihar, which resulted in two deaths. (21:51)

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