In the second part of the series on the cloud over India’s democracy, All Indians Matter looks at the factors that have led to the backsliding. From the stifling of dissent to the capture of institutions, there are several reasons for India going from democracy to ‘electoral autocracy’. While authoritarianism may seem entrenched today, a democratic revival is not impossible.

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The world over, democracy seems to be in trouble. It is seen to be failing people and trust in it is plummeting. Authoritarians are riding a wave of support, arguing that the old ways of governance don’t work, sideline too many and only they can provide the firm, central control that’s needed. It may mean the loss of freedoms and the erosion of institutions but so be it, they say. All Indians Matter launches a three-part series that examines how we got here and what we can do now to preserve our democracy.

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As the world grapples with crisis after crisis, youth involvement in social change is critical. A generation more aware of the world than any other needs to step up to create a shift, whether it’s related to the environment, social justice or economic inequality. However, many of them lack the training and direction needed to create real impact. How can this gap be bridged? Kuldeep Dantewadia, co-founder of Reap Benefit, a social enterprise that empowers youth, speaks to All Indians Matter.

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A recent US report says India is emerging as a player in the fentanyl trade. The synthetic opioid is a major killer in the US, accounting for thousands of deaths each year. It was one of the reasons President Trump threatened tariffs against even major trading partners. How exactly does India figure in the fentanyl trade and what can it do to crack down on it? Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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The crash in Ahmedabad was among the worst aviation disasters in recent history. It came in the wake of seemingly unending bad news for Air India – delays, cancellations, poor maintenance, staff indifference and revolt… Experts say it’s a long road to recovery for the airline reacquired by the Tata Group. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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Elon Musk’s Starlink – a satellite-based high-speed, low-latency broadband offering – could revolutionise Indian telecom and transform the rural economy. However, there are also concerns about data security and geopolitical risks. Local telecom operators also say the low taxes on such services could hurt their business. There is, however, no doubting the potential of such an offering. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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It’s not just businesses; non-profits, civic agencies and the public sector now recognise the potential of data science to address social challenges and drive positive change. It combines statistical analysis, computer science and domain expertise to solve some of our most complex problems – from climate change to poverty and education to hunger. Can India use data science to deliver social impact at scale? Srikrishna Sridhar Murthy, Co-founder and CEO of Sattva Consulting, and an expert on the use of data for social impact, speaks to All Indians Matter.

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The much-delayed census has finally gotten the green light. Among the world’s largest administrative exercises, it has a long and fascinating history. It’s almost as if the data tells the story of India itself. This data is critical for a range of decisions, from economic planning and welfare to how many electoral constituencies there should be and their shape. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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More than 3.3 billion people live in developing countries that spend more on interest payments than on education or health. Sovereign debt levels of developing economies are a threat to economic stability. At least 50 such countries spend more than 10% of their revenues on debt servicing, which is squeezing their finances and creating risks. In these countries, interest payments also outweigh climate investments, adding further risks to existing vulnerabilities. A UNCTAD report says global public debt hit a record high of $97 trillion in 2023, with developing countries accounting for $29 trillion. Their debt has grown twice as fast as the others’ since 2010. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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The Chabahar port provides India with stable, quicker access to Central Asia and Europe, making it one of the cornerstones of our economic and political strategies. Its strategic location allows India to bypass Pakistan and monitor China’s activities in the Persian Gulf better too. It also builds on India’s ancient, historic ties with Eurasia. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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