Dhauru

Welcome to Episode 29 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa. Today, for our World Population Day special, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir look beyond the concrete infrastructure and focus on the humans driving the statistics.

We are joined by Shadiya Ibrahim, Head of Office at UNFPA Maldives, to discuss a quiet crisis: the Maldives is graying rapidly. With birth rates dropping and the cost of living skyrocketing in Malé, young people are delaying starting families. We explore the heavy burden of the "care economy," the looming pressure on Aasandha and the national pension scheme, and why policymakers need to urgently rethink their long-term demographic strategies before it is too late.

In this full episode, we discuss:*The transition from a "youth bulge" to a rapidly aging population.*Why young Maldivians are delaying family formation and having smaller families.*The unmonetized "Care Economy" and how elder care keeps capable people—mostly women—out of the formal workforce.*Solutions for professionalizing care workers and decentralizing health systems.

Welcome to Episode 28 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa. Today, Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir are joined by former Finance Minister Dr Ahmed Inaz for an in-depth discussion on the Maldives’ economy, public policy and the decisions shaping the country’s financial future.

Dr Inaz served as Minister of Finance and Treasury from April 2011 to 2012 under the administration of former President Mohamed Nasheed. He later served as Chairperson of the Maldives Pension Administration Office, stepping down from the position in February 2026 following policy disagreements.

In this unfiltered conversation, Dr Inaz reflects on his time in government, examines the country’s current economic direction and discusses the challenges facing public institutions. He also explains the policy differences that led to his resignation from the Pension Office and shares his assessment of the choices facing the Maldives.

In this full episode, we discuss:

The current state and direction of the Maldivian economy.

Economic decisions made during the Nasheed administration.

The role and independence of public institutions.

The policy disagreements behind his resignation from the Pension Office.

The fiscal and economic choices facing the Maldives in the years ahead.

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Subscribe to Dhauru News for weekly unfiltered analysis and deep dives into the stories shaping the Maldives.

Welcome to Episode 27 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa. Today, Hiriga Ahmed Zahir are joined by former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail to unpack one of the most heavily debated dynamics in the country today.As the political landscape continues to evolve, all eyes are on the relationship between Fayyaz Ismail and former President Mohamed Nasheed. In this unfiltered sit-down, Fayyaz addresses the rumors, the strategies, and the reality of their political pairing. We discuss the hurdles they face, their shared vision for the Maldivian Democratic Party, and what happens next for this alliance.In this full episode, we discuss:The current reality of the Fayyaz and Nasheed political pair.Internal MDP dynamics and strategies for the future.How this alliance plans to navigate the current political climate.The road ahead for the party's leadership and grassroots members.Watch More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8YuTjcGpOg

Are political coalitions actually necessary in our presidential system, or are they just a recipe for backdoor deals?

In Episode 26 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir are joined by former parliamentarian Hassan Latheef to debate the complex math and hidden realities of Maldivian elections.

With PNC winning the 2023 election essentially on their own, and smaller parties like JP and MRM securing a mere 1-2% of the vote, we ask the big question: Is the era of coalition politics finally over?

We dive deep into the conflicting strategies for the upcoming 2028 elections. While former President Ibu Solih insists coalitions remain the only way to win, former President Mohamed Nasheed argues MDP is strong enough to win in a single round. Hassan Latheef breaks down this divide, alongside the grassroots frustration over disproportionate ministries being handed to untested parties like Adhaalath, and the glaring lack of transparency in past coalition agreements.

If you want to understand the numbers, the strategy, and the future of Maldivian politics, this is a must-listen. A Dhauru original production.

The tipping point for democratic change in the Maldives was the national outrage over prison torture. So why are the cells still fundamentally the same?

In Episode 25 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir are joined by Adhadhu journalists Shahuzan and Leevaan. They bravely detail the inhuman treatment, the psychological toll, and the shocking physical conditions they endured while jailed.

This is a chilling, necessary look at the reality of the Maldivian penal system. We explore why true reform is still missing, the historical parallels to our democratic uprising, and the ongoing risks faced by reporters fighting for the truth.

Listen to the full, hard-hitting conversation now. A Dhauru original production.

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dBidoldzhTM

What is really holding Addu City back?

In Episode 24 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir are joined by a man whose political career is deeply intertwined with the south: Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe).

As a three-term Mayor, former State Minister for Addu Development, and the current MDP candidate for the Hithadhoo Uthuru by-election, Sobe brings a wealth of insider knowledge to the table. We dive straight into the persistent roadblocks to Addu's growth, discussing why successive administrations have struggled to deliver on their promises to the southern hub. Sobe lays out his vision for the future, explaining what needs to change at a systemic level to finally unlock Addu's economic potential.

Tune in for an essential deep dive into the politics and future of the south. A Dhauru original production.

Is the Maldivian criminal justice system being hijacked for political gain?

In Episode 23 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir are joined by former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem for an unfiltered look into the state of our courts and law enforcement.

We dive straight into the systematic tactics driving modern political witch-hunts, exposing the reality of fake police intelligence reports and the manufacturing of artificial evidence. Shameem explains exactly why the recent wave of gag orders is deeply problematic for a democratic society, the vital importance of a strong defense, and his roadmap for genuine judicial reform to make the system fairer for everyone.

Listen to the full, hard-hitting conversation now. A Dhauru original production.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed takes the mic for a highly anticipated Episode 22 of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa.

Running for the MDP Chairperson seat, Nasheed is back with a bold new vision. In this exclusive conversation, he breaks down his 'Bodu Badhalu' reform agenda, his comprehensive plan to reform the constitution and completely change the style of governance in the Maldives.

We don't just talk politics. Nasheed opens up about the hard lessons he learned during his time away from MDP, shares personal life advice specifically tailored for Gen Z and young Maldivians, and dives deep into the economy. With the nation facing an unprecedented financial crisis, he outlines his strategies for economic diversification and why immediate debt restructuring is the only way forward.

Listen to the full, unfiltered conversation now. A Dhauru original production.

Happy May Day. But is there actually a reason to celebrate for the average Maldivian worker?

In this special May Day episode of Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir sit down with prominent labor rights advocate Fathimath Zimna to uncover the harsh realities facing employees across the Maldives.

We tackle the everyday struggles of the working class: the culture of job insecurity, the fear of political dismissals, and the roadblocks employers place on staff trying to earn a living wage through secondary work. Why are our employment laws failing to protect us, and how can workers' unions actually tip the scales toward justice?

Tune in for a powerful conversation on what it will truly take to secure fair treatment for every worker. A Dhauru original production.

For the very first time on Ehbasve Dhebasvamaa, a government official has accepted our invitation to go on the record.

In this milestone Episode 20, hosts Naaif Ahmed and Hiriga Ahmed Zahir sit down with Chief Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu). We are addressing the elephant in the room: the aftermath of the April 4th elections. We dive straight into how the administration is interpreting the message from the voters, the controversies surrounding political appointments and the cabinet reshuffle, and ultimately, whether the government's trajectory is actually going to shift.

Listen in for an exclusive, unfiltered conversation where the state finally answers back. A Dhauru original production.