3 Things

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Arun Janardhanan about how actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is disrupting Tamil Nadu’s long standing DMK-AIADMK duopoly ahead of Assembly elections and why established parties are taking this new entrant seriously.

Next, The Indian Express’ Asad Rehman explains why Iran’s Supreme Leader had a following in India and how his death has shaped reactions here. (14:32)

And in the end, we look at an audit that flags serious gaps in the implementation of Centre's two welfare schemes in Bihar. (25:27)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced 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 talk to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the crisis that has been going on between Iran and Israel, which has caused the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He talks about him, the situation in Iran, the response of the citizens of the country and the way forward.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sujit Bisoyi about how the paddy procurement system of Odisha has failed a farmer, who sadly passed away while waiting for his paddy to be sold. He talks about the farmer, what caused his death, the probe and how the paddy procurement system of the state works.

Lastly, we talk about Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to India and talks about a free trade agreement between the two nations.

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced 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’ Sohini Ghosh about a Delhi court order discharging Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the CBI’s excise policy case. What does this mean for the investigation, and how does it affect the ED’s parallel case?

Next, we turn to the Panama, Paradise and Pandora Papers investigations, where The Indian Express' Investigative journalist Ritu Sarin explains what it means that Rs 14,600 crore in offshore wealth exposed by these probes has now been brought to tax. (12:55)

And in the end, we look at the deadly industrial explosion near Nagpur that killed at least 16 workers at an explosives manufacturing unit. (20:10)

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' Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath about the concerns that have been raised by TMC MP Dola Sen regarding the Special Intensive Revision going on in West Bengal and what the Supreme Court had to say about it. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about AI entering the medical sphere. She highlights how AI can be put to use in the healthcare sector, the benefits that it can have the challenges that medical professionals might face due to the same. (9:06)

Lastly, we give you updates regarding the class 8 NCERT textbook controversy that arose because it had a section titled "Corruption in Judiciary". (19:35)

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’ Hamza Khan about how a network of scamsters allegedly diverted funds from flagship welfare schemes like PM-Kisan in Rajasthan, roping in thousands of illegal beneficiaries.

Next, The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi and Nikhila Henry explain a ricin-linked bioterror investigation that began in Gujarat and has now been handed over to the National Investigation Agency. (15:20)

And in the end, we look at why NCERT has withdrawn its newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook after objections were raised over a section discussing corruption in the judiciary. (26:00)

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