All Indians Matter

Female-owned businesses create opportunities for other women, thus boosting their workforce participation. Also, they are less likely than male entrepreneurs to exhibit gender discrimination. So, policies that support female entrepreneurship are crucial and lead to greater social inclusion of women – much needed in a culture that perpetuates traditional gender roles. Importantly, female entrepreneurship models business ownership for younger generations of women – thus transforming deep-rooted cultural norms and gender stereotypes. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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Indian agriculture finds itself at the intersection of three major challenges: ensuring food security, climate change and sustainable use of resources like water. Further, there is an overreliance on chemical inputs. Given the environmental crisis, there is a crying need for a pivot towards sustainable farming. This pivot spans policy reforms to awareness and everything in between. How can India do that while achieving its food requirements? Maninder Singh Nayyar, founder and CEO of the CEF Group, an expert on sustainable farming, speaks to All Indians Matter.

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A government survey painting a bleak picture of businesses closing down and jobs being lost in the informal sector was followed by one published by a ratings agency that said the situation was even more grim than indicated. What’s undisputed is that the sector that provides most of the country’s employment and more than half of the GDP is in deep trouble. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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At a time when institutions are failing us and our freedoms are under attack, memes offer a language of resistance that is contemporary, easy to produce and quick to disseminate. They are enabling citizens to project their democratic power and to initiate action. By doing so, memes represent a welcome addition to our democratic discourse. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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The STEM workforce of women in India is estimated at 27% of the total, way behind the global average of 30% and far below the aspired-to 50%. This gender gap is even wider in leadership positions. It's an old story. Women usually have no choice when it comes to domestic and care burdens, and they face prejudice, stereotyping and other systemic barriers. So, the path to an inclusive STEM ecosystem will involve shattering stereotypes and weeding out deep-rooted social prejudices. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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A recent study says that the rate of growth of student suicides now surpasses that of the population and overall suicide trends. Over the past two decades, student suicides surged by 4% that while overall suicide numbers rose by 2% annually. Crushed under the weight of family expectations and social pressures, with little access to counsellors or awareness about mental health, many students are choosing to take their own lives. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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The debate over the need for a higher minimum wage is intensifying as the cost of living and income inequality rise. India hopes to move to a living wage regime by next year, which would set a wage floor that takes into account basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and healthcare. Whatever the regime India adopts, there can be little doubt that worker incomes need to rise. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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Summary: Fast-rising premiums, frequent rejection of claims and complicated contracts are only some of the challenges the health insurance sector presents. As a result, hundreds of millions are left out of the safety net. What’s urgently needed is clarity of what’s covered by policies and what’s not as well as simplified claims processes. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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Summary: In India, like elsewhere in the world, there are serious concerns about the impact of detrimental social media use on the mental health of young people. While some people suggest an authoritarian approach by parents, others prefer laws that regulate social media use by the young. Neither is optimal or practical. What’s needed are more open conversations with children, a greater emphasis on mental health by educators and government bodies as well as a no-compromise approach to child safety by social media networks. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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More than a year since violence began in Manipur, 200 have been killed and hundreds injured. More than 60,000 have been displaced and are living in shelters. There have been several instances of rape, and attacks on homes, shops and places of worship. Locals and activists have alleged an abdication of responsibility by the government to protect lives and properties. Militarisation is at record levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, meanwhile, has found the time to visit country after country but not Manipur. Please listen to the latest episode of All Indians Matter.

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