3 Things

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Ishika Gupta about protests in Delhi and Mumbai against the Election Commission and the irregularities that surfaced during the Special Intensive Revision. She discusses the Mumbai protests, how the city became the base for the Cockroach Janata Party and how the situation differs between Delhi and Mumbai.   

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about lung cancer and its growing burden. She shares how lung cancer is becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country, and yet we have limited screening for it. She discusses the symptoms, the people who are more prone to it, the screening process, and why screening is limited in India. (09:14)

Lastly, we talk about the Kainchi Dham, an ashram in Uttarakhand closely associated with the Hindu saint Neem Karoli Baba, and the sharp increase in visitors it has seen since the release of Hanuman Ansh. (22:03)

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 with The Indian Express' Alok Deshpande about the drought situation in Maharashtra. Last week Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of its 358 tehsils, after prolonged rainfall deficits and dry spells damaged crops across large parts of the state. Alok shares the seriousness of the situation, what this means for the farmers and what can be expected in the upcoming days.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amaal Sheikh about the high cost of life-saving medicines, and why access to essential healthcare remains a major challenge. She discusses the process for pricing medicines, why certain essential medicines are expensive and the Supreme Court's stance on this matter. (14:51)Lastly, we talk about a protest by nursing interns over alleged restrictions on wearing burqas inside the labour room at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda. (24:20)

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

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about Uttarakhand’s proposed Agniveer Cell, how it plans to help the first returning batches find civilian employment, and the challenges involved in matching their skills and aspirations with available opportunities.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about Sahil Majothi, a young man from Gujarat who travelled to Russia as a student, joined its armed forces and later surrendered in Ukraine, where he remains in a prisoner-of-war facility as his family seeks his return. (11:50)

And in the end, we look at the case of Ranchi-based nurse Monica Kachhap, who says she was promised a nursing job in Dubai but became trapped in an exploitative work arrangement and an alleged debt of more than ₹3 lakh. (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' Raakhi Jagga about the protests that took place at Punjab's Chitkara University and Lovely Professional University. She discusses the reasons behind the protests, the resulting violence, and how social media posts triggered both incidents.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about the Research Development and Innovation Fund, the government's initiative to provide funds to companies engaged in research in sectors such as space, robotics and artificial intelligence. He shares how the process worked and why the invitation for funding will now close. (13:57)

Lastly, we discuss an incident where an Indian pilot was credited with saving all the passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that signalled an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. (28:15)

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’ Pragynesh about the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old at Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park, the security gaps across the Capital’s green spaces, and why restricting women’s access cannot substitute for making public places safer.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak about the renewed debate over dividing Uttar Pradesh into four states, how such a reorganisation would work, and why it may not suit the BJP politically. (17:00)

And in the end, we look at a Supreme Court petition questioning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s decision-making and seeking to invalidate the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. (25:50)

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