3 Things

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the the 26th SCO Summit which was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan this year and was attended by leaders of all ten SCO member states, including India, China, Russia and Pakistan. He talks about India's presence at the summit and the issues PM Modi raised.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Kiran Parashar about a new law in Bengaluru that could allow parts of the city’s protected park land to be used for public utilities. He talks about the amendment and the opposition the amended law is facing from the residents of the city. (11:28)

Lastly, we talk about retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, being appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. (24:37)

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’ National Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath about the unusual complaint against Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice S P Sharma, the allegations of administrative misconduct, and what the controversy reveals about the informal functioning of the collegium system.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Ankita Deshkar about the 13-day protest by tribal students in Maharashtra, the hostel rules that prompted the agitation—including an age cap and allegations involving pregnancy tests—and the demands that remain unresolved. (16:40)

And in the end, we look at the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl aboard a Delhi sleeper bus, how the vehicle continued operating despite 11 traffic challans and apparent safety violations, and whether post-Nirbhaya requirements concerning CCTV cameras, panic buttons and GPS tracking are being enforced. (29:40)

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

This week on Casually Obsessed, Niharika, Aishwarya, and Shruti dive into the great "bikini blouse" debate, why cultural policing always lands on women, and why a Hermès store in Berlin owes a comedian way more than a cheap bottle of champagne. Also, did you know How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is finally getting a sequel? Tune in.Stay tuned to Casually Obsessed for more such fun conversations.

Hosted by Aishwarya Khosla, Shruti Kaushal, and Niharika Nanda
Produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Asad Rehman who talks about a political controversy following a shuddhikaran hawan that happened at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally at the same venue. He discusses how Rahul Gandhi has called it an act of untouchability and the made a demand for registering an FIR.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Divya Goyal about the condition of English language education in Punjab's government schools caused by a shortage of qualified English teachers and the repercussions this shortage is having.

Lastly, we talk about football legend Lionel Messi announcing his retirement from international football with the Argentina National Team.

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’ Drishti Jain about the police crackdown on factory workers protesting for higher wages in Noida, why many spent weeks in jail despite courts finding insufficient evidence against them, and the lasting impact on their families.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Parul Kulshrestha about a government school near Jaipur where children were studying alongside farm animals despite having a school building, and how public attention prompted the authorities to allocate funds for repairs. (14:45)

And in the end, we look at the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s week-long Chandigarh–Mohali mobilisation, the routes and preparations planned for participating farmers, and their demands concerning river waters, MSP, debt relief and agricultural policy. (23:25)

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' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy and Nikhil Ghanekar about flash floods in Nepal. Nikhil discusses the possible reasons behind the floods and why they are so catastrophic and Shubhajit details India's efforts to help Nepal manage the situation. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Aditi Raja about the Gujarat Public Service Commission’s Sales Tax Inspector examination and how one question in the exam turned into a larger debate over answer keys and how public service commissions frame questions. (10:24)

Lastly, we discuss why Russia, one of the world’s biggest crude producers and refiners, has been forced to import gasoline from abroad, including from India. (21:12)

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