3 Things

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about the seat sharing arrangement within the National Democratic Alliance for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections. He shares the number of seats that each party has gotten and the significance that it holds.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about the Karnataka state cabinet approving the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, which allows one day of paid leave each month for women working in all government offices, as well as industries like IT and textiles. She shares why this decision matters and the concerns regarding it. (17:56)

Lastly, we talk about Google announcing its biggest ever investment in India: A 15 billion dollar plan to build an artificial intelligence data centre in Andhra Pradesh over the next five years. (25:48)

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

The headlines of the day The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express' Udit Misra talks about the Indian economy and why many experts are surprised by the fact that it appears to be doing well.
Next, we are joined by The Indian Express' Saman Hussian who explains how a man allegedly killed his entire immediate family for the payout from their insurance policies, and why this may not be an isolated incident. (15:54)

Lastly, we discuss a rare moment of optimism in a 2 year conflict, Israel and Hamas begin a fragile truce under a deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. (26:49)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Written and produced 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 Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's first official visit to India. He shares what this visit means and how significant this visit is for India's foreign policy. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Tanushree Bose about another case of sexual assault reported in West Bengal. A MBBS student from a private medical college in Paschim Bardhaman district has allegedly been sexually assaulted in a jungle near the campus. Tanushree shares the details of the case and the investigation. (16:56)
Lastly, we talk about a case of caste based humiliation that has happened in Madhya Pradesh due to an AI generated image and a social media video. (28:12)

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

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Sweety Kumari about the devastation that has happened in West Bengal due to heavy rains. Sweety shares details of how the situation unfolded, the impact the rains have had and the rescue operations. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sujit Bisoyi about the communal unrest in Odisha's Cuttack where violence broke out while a procession was happening for the immersion of Goddess Durga's idols to mark the end of Durga Puja. (10:46)

Lastly, we talk about the promise made by RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the Bihar elections approach. (20:04)

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

In this bonus episode, we speak to Shyamal Majumdar, editor at Financial Express about the unfolding turmoil within one of India’s most trusted business groups, the Tata Group, and what this internal rift means for corporate governance and investor confidence. At the centre of this crisis is a split within the Tata Trusts, which controls a majority stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the group.

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express' National Legal Editor Apurva Viswanath talks about the attack that disrupted proceedings before Chief Justice BR Gavai over his remarks on Khajuraho temple complex.

Next, Girish Kuber, the editor of the Marathi daily Loksatta talks about Maharashtra's Marathwada region, where record breaking rainfall has turned one of India’s most drought prone areas into a flood zone. (10:00)

In the end, we also take a quick look at the developments in Kerala, where the ED has raided the homes and offices of Malayalam film stars as part of a probe into alleged luxury car smuggling violations. (21:12)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar