3 Things

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Ravik Bhattacharya about the anger that people have in West Bengal against the SIR. West Bengal is going to have its assembly election later this month and even currently the fate of 60 lakh voters hangs in the balance. Ravik talks about the protests that are happening, how people are reacting to this and how people are feeling helpless. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Amrita Nayak Dutta about a new addition to India's nuclear submarine fleet - INS Aridaman. It is the third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine after INS Arihant and INS Arighaat. Amrita talks about the submarine, its unique features and the significance of these submarines in terms of India's security. (15:07)

Lastly, we talk about an incident where two minors were killed inside their house in Manipur and how this has led to protests in the Bishnupur district of the state. (23:10)

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’ Sukrita Baruah about the upcoming Assam Assembly Election, where the BJP-led alliance is seeking another term on the back of welfare schemes and political consolidation, while the Congress attempts to rebuild its position amid internal challenges.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express’ Varinder Bhatia about a series of financial frauds across Chandigarh and Haryana, where investigators say a common template was used to siphon off government funds through multiple banks, exposing systemic loopholes. (17:40)

And in the end, we look at a case from Jammu that has drawn attention to alleged recruitment rackets sending young men into the Russia-Ukraine War, after a 24-year-old from the region died on the frontlines under unclear circumstances. (27:35)

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 talk to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the ongoing conflict in West Asia. He shares the recent developments, everything that is going on, President Trump's speech and what all predictions can be made for the upcoming days as far as the war is concerned.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Jatin Anand about AAP leader Raghav Chadha being removed from the position of party's deputy leader in Rajya Sabha. He talks about the reasons that the party has given for doing this, what this step means, and what Raghav Chadha had to say about the same. (16:11)

Lastly, we talk the government of Odisha increasing the percentage of reserved seats for SC, ST and SCBC students. (26:41)

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’ Parul Kulshrestha about how tighter safety norms for sleeper buses have brought Rajasthan’s traditional bus body manufacturing industry to a standstill, with small workshops struggling to adapt to new compliance requirements.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha about Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon’s neighbourhood in more than five decades, and what this test flight means for future lunar landings planned later this decade. (14:10)

And in the end, we look at how the Supreme Court of India has sharply criticised the West Bengal government over violence against judicial officers in Malda, raising concerns about the protection of the judicial process. (26:55)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produceda 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 talk to The Indian Express' Nikhila Henry about the upcoming Kerala elections and the current situation in the state. She elaborates on the campaigns being conducted by the parties, the predictions for the elections, what makes this one different and more. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Jayprakash S. Naidu about the situation in Chhattisgarh's remote areas that have experienced Maoist dominance over the years. He shares how the Defence Ministry's BRO has been building roads and bridges to connect these remote areas to the more prominent regions of the state. (14:18)

Lastly, we talk about the Lok Sabha passing the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which will change the capital of the state. (22:47)

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

Links to our episodes that cover the upcoming elections:

Assam: 

https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/assam-bjp-red-faced-odisha-farm-unrest-and-iaf-to-get-114-rafael-jets/10529424/

West Bengal: 

https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/a-minority-front-in-bengal-farmers-on-strike-and-raga-slams-india-us-deal/10527502/

Tamil Nadu:

https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/vijays-political-entry-khameneis-death-and-welfare-scheme-lapses/10563878/ 

https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/tamil-nadus-poll-mandate-pakistan-as-peacemaker-and-a-rare-birth/10608553/

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express