Religion and caste divide Indians in many ways – religion primarily between Hindu and Muslim, with Hindus further divided by a complex caste system that can influence where they work, how they live and who they marry. How is modern India dealing with internal divisions?Guest: Professor Robin JeffreyHost: Matthew Smith

With a fast-growing population and aspirations to join the throwaway prosperity of the developed world, India generates vast quantities of waste, sewage and pollution. How does it deal with the problem?Guests: Emeritus Professor Robin Jeffrey, Associate Professor Assa DoronHost: Matthew Smith

Over the years, the Indian National Congress has largely looked to the Nehru-Gandhi family for leadership, making them powerful figures in India's political landscape. Does current leader Rahul Gandhi have what it takes?Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin JeffreyHost: Matthew Smith

India goes to the polls in 2019, and popular incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently favoured to retain his position. With close to a billion people eligible to vote, elections in India present immense organisational hurdles.Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin JeffreyHost: Matthew Smith

In 2017, India celebrated 70 years of independence from British rule. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country, calling for the people to set aside their differences. “India is about peace, unity and goodwill,” said Modi. “we have to take the country ahead with the determination of creating a new India.” Can a new India emerge from the old? How has it been shaped by its years in the British Empire?Guest: Emeritus Professor Robin JeffreyHost: Matthew Smith

Professor Srila Roy from the University of the Witwatersrand explores the evolution of feminism in India and highlights the local impact of the global #MeToo movement.Hosts: Dr Amanda Gilbertson and Dr Amy PiedalueProducer: Simon PapagiorcopuloAudio Engineer: Gavin Nebauer

What is gender justice, and how can we work toward gender equality and security in India and across the world? In this episode, Dr Kikon, Lecturer in Anthropology and Development at the University of Melbourne some key features of gender justice in India and South Asia with Dr Amy Piedalue.

Land is many things to different people. In India, as elsewhere, it bestows status, is a source of livelihood, and I san asset that earns rents as well as profits. But how has the commodification of land resulted in legal, and sometimes violent contestations involving the state, landowners, corporations, and communities?

Many analyst believe the only way for India to meet rising energy demands will be to build dozens of new coal-fired power stations - much like China during its rapid economic development in recent decades. But is India ready to carve out a new path forward? Guest: Professor Rangan BanerjeeHost: Dr Jonathan BallsProducer: Kog RavindranAudio Engineer: Gavin NebauerThis podcast is brought to you in association with the Melbourne Energy Institute, the Australia India Institute @ Delhi and founding partners La Trobe University and the University of New South Wales.

"'Education is like nectar of the gods' said one parent'... some people were willing work 16 hour days so that their children could remain in school" - Professor Craig JeffreyCREDITSHost: Professor Craig JeffreyProducer: Kog RavindranAudio Engineer: Gavin NebauerThis podcast is brought to you in association with the Australia India Institute @ Delhi and founding partners La Trobe University and the University of New South Wales.