All Indians Matter

When Ajit Pawar switched loyalties, many suggested that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had influenced the decision. The ED was set up in 1956 to focus on foreign exchange-related offences but in recent times has focused on money laundering, often training its guns on the Opposition. What makes it such a potent political weapon in the hands of the government? Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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ESG is becoming quite the buzzword in India. It’s widely accepted now that, if companies are to be considered corporate citizens, then environmental, social and governance considerations are the key. However, the evolution of ESG regulations in India is at a nascent stage. What lies next for it? Yashika Singh – a veteran of public policy, corporate affairs, economic analysis and corporate strategy and EVP at Pernod Ricard India – speaks to All Indians Matter.

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The multi-train crash in Balasore that claimed 288 lives should awaken us to the need to focus on rail safety, not just speed and comfort. The government argues that it is focusing on elevating the rail experience to a world-class standard. Perhaps safety should be considered a critical part of that experience. Especially when, in 2021, more than 16,000 people were killed in nearly 18,000 rail accidents. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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It is estimated that India spends Rs 9 lakh crore on welfare delivered through thousands of schemes. These schemes are difficult to implement, have leakages and often don’t even reach the intended beneficiaries. They are costly and, despite all our efforts, we still have more impoverished Indians than the entire population of the US. Could a universal basic income be a better way of ensuring social welfare and justice? Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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The Indian girl child is born to tremendous disadvantages. For instance, India is the only large country where more baby girls die than baby boys. The gender differential in child survival, according to UNICEF, is 11%. Girls log fewer hospital admissions, an indicator that parents give less attention to them. It’s a society ridden with structural inequalities for the girl child. Destitute girls lie at the bottom of this very disadvantaged list. Who stands up for them? Anuradha Bhosale, a former child labourer and now a renowned grassroots women’s rights and anti-child labour activist, speaks to All Indians Matter.

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While India rightly celebrates entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs face massive challenges – from financing problems to societal and family pressures. Studies show that their business drive matches the global average and the businesses they helm deliver great results despite having fewer resources. While there are several government programmes that they can benefit from, lack of awareness and implementation issues are serious obstacles. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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India continues its free fall on the World Press Freedom Index. The latest edition has India at 161 out of 180 countries, a drop of 11 ranks. Even Afghanistan fares better! If the press is not free but beholden to that power, as we’re seeing today, it becomes an extension of that power. Those who refuse to become that extension are threatened and prosecuted. If the media is in peril, then so is our democracy. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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 A spate of deaths has given fresh life to the criticism levelled against the way cheetahs were introduced into Kuno in Madhya Pradesh. Not only has the Supreme Court expressed grave concerns at the implementation of the project, even several leading global experts say it is being handled badly. Concerns range from inadequate space to the focus being on publicity rather than conservation. What can India do to get Project Cheetah back on track? Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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Vinayak Deokar was abandoned when he was three months old. He was adopted, but lost his aging foster parents early. He struggled through life and, just as things got better, he was diagnosed with cardiac disease. During the course of his treatment, he met a four-year-old suffering from the same ailment. That turned out to be an inflection point. He has since then devoted his life to helping others. He runs the Mahatma Gandhi School in Pune, a free English-medium institution that ensures education for 425 orphans and children of prisoners, sex workers, single mothers, daily wagers and domestic workers. He details his journey to All Indians Matter.

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An Oxfam report says almost two-thirds of the GST collection comes from the bottom 50% of the population. How does this happen and what are the solutions? Part of the answer lies in tweaking direct taxes – increase annual taxes on the richest 1%. These could span capital gains, inheritance, property and land taxes. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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