The Central government recently proposed starting an integrated course – MBBS and Ayurveda medicine, at the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) in Puducherry. This proposed move has evoked a strong response from the Indian Medical Association who has said this unscientific mixing of various systems of medicine will benefit neither doctors, nor patients.

This is not the first move to mix traditional and modern systems of medicine in India – other such measures for instance, have included proposals to allow traditional medical practitioners to prescribe modern medicine after a short course.

What are the risks of mixing alternative systems of medicine with the MBBS course? Is there a benefit to integrated systems and if so, how should these be brought in? Has any other country managed to successfully combine alternative systems with modern, evidence based medicine?

Guest: Rajeev Jayadevan is the Chairman, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, Past President, IMA Cochin

Host: Zubeda Hamid

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

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Article 143 of the Constitution allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on matters of law. This provision has been invoked by President Droupadi Murmu to raise 14 questions on a recent Supreme Court judgement. It concerns a case filed by the Tamil Nadu government against its Governor, who had withheld assent to 10 bills indefinitely. The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Tamil Nadu government, laying down a three-month timeline for Governors and the President to act on Bills passed by the State legislatures.

The larger context of this development is the ongoing tussle between the Union government and Opposition-ruled States, with many wondering if this Presidential reference represents a political pushback from the Union government.

Historically, what has been the logic for such references? How is this particular Presidential reference different in its substance from a review petition? Is the Supreme Court bound to take it up or can it decline the reference?

Guest: Supreme Court advocate Deepak Joshi

Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu

Recorded by Jude Francis Weston and Tayyab Hussain

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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Yet again, we are talking about a virus we would much rather forget – Covid-19 is in the news with over 4,300 cases and over deaths as of June 4. New sub-variants, descendent from the Omicron lineage first reported at the end of 2021, are believed to be driving the spike in cases. So far however, a majority of the cases have been mild, with very few requiring hospitalisation, according to the government.

Is Covid-19 here to stay? Do we have any reason to be concerned about the new variants? Do we need vaccines or booster shots again? And, what as individuals, can we do to stay safe?

Guest: V. Ramasubramanian, consultant infectious diseases specialist, Apollo Hospital, Chennai and medical director, Capstone Multispecialty Clinic, Chennai

Host: Zubeda Hamid

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

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At a time when Russia and Ukraine have been exchanging peace proposals, seemingly in a bid to start direct peace talks, Ukraine has carried out an unprecedented drone attack deep inside Russian territory.

This attack comes when Ukraine and Russia have just agreed on a prisoner swap deal. But there has been little progress on peace talks. On the military front, too, there have been no dramatic changes in the frontlines, and that trend seems likely to continue.

What are the implications of Ukraine’s unprecedented drone strikes? How serious are the damages for Russia? Will Russia President Vladimir Putin be under pressure to retaliate harder or will he be more amenable to come to the negotiating table?

Guest: Stanly Johny, The Hindu’s International Affairs Editor.

Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

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India is a union of states — a structure enshrined in the Constitution that gives States a central role in legislating critical areas like health, agriculture, and public order. But how well are India’s State Assemblies functioning?

A new report by PRS Legislative Research that examines how 31 State Assemblies performed in 2024 has found that States passed over 500 Bills, yet most Assemblies met for just 20 days and spent around 100 hours in session. Many laws were cleared on the very day they were introduced, and States issued 100 ordinances in total.

What does this say about legislative scrutiny, accountability, and the democratic process at the state level? 

Guest: Niranjana S Menon, a Senior Analyst at PRS Legislative Research. 

Host: Nivedita V.

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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It’s been a month since Canada’s federal elections. Canadians have voted in a Liberal government, although a minority one, for the fourth straight time.

They have reposed their faith in Mark Carney, a former central banker who had no prior political experience and hadn’t held political office until the start of this year.

Everyone seems to agree that the Trump factor played a big role in the electoral outcome.

What are the challenges facing the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney? With the liberals and Conservatives together polling 85% of the votes, and the new Democrats decimated, is Canada moving toward a two-party system? And with the exit of Justin Trudeau, who was not exactly popular with the Indian political establishment, what are the chances of a reset in Indo-Canada ties?

Guest: Sanjay Ruparelia, Jarislowsky Democracy Chair & Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

Host: G Sampath

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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Manipur has been under President’s rule since February 13, 2025. But this week, a group of 10 MLAs met the Governor and informed him that they would like to form a “popular government” with the support of a total of 44 MLAs. The Manipur Assembly has a strength of 60.

At the same time, the state is again in turmoil over an incident in Gwaltabi village where security forces allegedly asked for the state’s name on a bus to be covered up. Angry protesters locked up central government offices, including the office of the Election Commission, and defaced government signboards as part of a state-wide agitation.

What is behind the latest episode of civil unrest? What has been the impact of the President’s Rule so far? And what are the chances of a “popular” government being formed in the current scenario?

Host: G Sampath

Guest: Abhinay Lakshman from The Hindu’s Delhi Bureau.

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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The Central Board of Secondary Education, or CBSE, recently mandated the establishment of sugar boards at all its schools. These boards will tell children how much sugar there is in common snacks that they eat versus what the recommended sugar intake is. The move also aims to make school canteens healthier so that the food children have access to on a daily basis is healthy and low in sugar.

Why was this move necessary? Reports estimate that by 2030, one of every ten obese children the world over will be from India. India is staring at an obesity crisis among all segments of its population, but public health experts are increasingly worried about the youngest of them – children and adolescents. While diets high in ultra-processed food and lack of physical activity are said to be the main culprits, there is not enough talk about why our diet patterns are changing – relentless advertising and the cheap and easy availability of unhealthy food.

Do our advertising laws need to change to ensure such foods are not marketed to children? Do our food labelling laws need to be modified? Will less access help improve diet patterns?

Guest: Paediatrician and convenor of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi)

Host: Zubeda Hamid

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Earlier this month, reports surfaced alleging that Indian authorities had transported dozens of Rohingya refugees to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and subsequently abandoned them in international waters, in an attempt to deport them to Myanmar. However, on May 16, a Supreme Court Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh declined to pass any interim order to halt the purported deportation. The Court also cast doubt on the credibility of the evidence submitted before it. Meanwhile, the United Nations has launched an inquiry into the incident and has called on the Indian government to cease the inhumane and life-threatening treatment of Rohingya refugees, including their repatriation to perilous conditions in Myanmar.

Does India's alleged forced repatriation of Rohingya refugees constitute a violation of international law? Does the deportation of refugees without adherence to due process infringe upon constitutional protections? In the absence of treaty ratification, is India nonetheless bound by the customary international law principle of non-refoulement? What policy reforms are needed to ensure a humane and rights-compliant refugee framework in India?

Guest: Colin Gonsalves, senior advocate and founder of Human Rights Law Network (HRLN)

Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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The French Open, the only Grand Slam played on clay, kicks off this Sunday in Paris. This is a historic French Open also because it’s the first one to be held after the retirement of Rafael Nadal, the undisputed GOAT on Clay.

On the men’s side, there is tremendous anticipation over the growing rivalry between world No 1 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Another exciting narrative revolves around Novak Djokovic, who would be looking for one last hurrah in the form of a 25th Grand Slam before hanging up his boots.

On the women’s side, the draw is wide open, with four-time champion Iga Swiatek not in the best of form, while Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini (fresh from her Rome Open triumph) would all be fancying their chances.

What does the draw say? What are the match-ups to look out for? Who are the dark horses that could spring a surprise?

Guest: N Sudarshan from The Hindu’s sports bureau.

Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu

Edited by Jude Francis Weston

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