3 Things

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Alok Deshpande about an announcement made by Sharad Pawar's NCP(SP). Working party president and Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule said that the party would support the Centre’s proposed delimitation Bill, but with one condition, that it must provide for a 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats across all states. Alok talks about the condition, what it means for the party and more. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra about India's first hydrogen train that will be inaugurated by PM Modi, today. He discusses what it means for the Indian Railways, why it is a milestone, how it is environment friendly, and how a hydrogen train works. (9:54)

Lastly, we talk about mission Aagman, India's first-ever attempt to use a privately developed launch vehicle to place a payload into orbit. (20:14)

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

The healdines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Purnima Sah about Maharashtra FDA’s warning over skin-lightening creams found to contain dangerously high levels of mercury and lead, why these toxic ingredients continue to be used, and what consumers should watch out for.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt about Icodec, the world’s first once-a-week insulin shot, recently launched in India, and what it could mean for diabetes treatment by reducing the burden of daily injections for many patients. (13:35)

And in the end, we look at a video from Melbourne that has drawn attention to tensions within the Indian diaspora after a purported confrontation between pro-Khalistan protesters and a BJP supporter during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia. (24:35)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by 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' Dheeraj Mishra about thefts that have been happening in the Indian Railways. He tells us that in the last few years 1.27 crore pieces of linen have been stolen by passengers from the bedroll kits provided to them in the Indian Railway AC coaches. He discusses the investigation, its findings, and the steps the railways are taking. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pratip Acharya about over 1800 trees collapsing in Mumbai, which led to three deaths and many people getting injured. He talks about the possible cause, what the BMC is saying, and the concerns such incidents raise regarding the management of the urban tree cover. (10:30)

Lastly, we talk about a Jammu court allowing the Jammu and Kashmir Police to conduct a 10 day custodial questioning of three publishers arrested in connection with the publication of books allegedly glorifying separatists. (23:44)

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’ Sabah Virani about the landslide that struck the newly inaugurated Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link during its first monsoon, and what the incident reveals about the engineering, safety measures, and long-term resilience of one of Maharashtra’s biggest infrastructure projects.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express’ Sukhbir Siwach about the case of a 16-year-old migrant boy from Bihar who was found in Haryana with his arm severed, and how the incident has exposed the vulnerability of migrant children to exploitation despite existing labour protections. (11:20)

And in the end, we look at a CBI investigation into an alleged scholarship fraud in Bhopal, where nearly ₹99.5 lakh meant for MBA students was allegedly siphoned off through bank accounts opened in their names without their knowledge. (21:20)

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

With the government's ethanol fuel programme under fire, The Indian Express' National Business Editor, Anil Sasi, joins us to answer three questions: Why did the government start blending ethanol with petrol? Can E20 actually damage your vehicle? And what can India learn from Brazil, which made this transition decades ago?

Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express