In Focus by The Hindu

The Hindu In Focus Podcast

In this episode of the In Focus Podcast The Hindu's cinema editor Namrata Joshi sits down to chat with acclaimed film director Vikramaditya Motwane about Parasite's sweep at the Oscars, the films of Bong Joon-ho and the factors that have allowed Korean cinema to reach such a pinnacle of international success. How far does Indian cinema have to go?

Guest: Vikramaditya Motwane, film director

Interview by Namrata Joshi, Cinema Editor, The Hindu

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The Aam Aadmi Party today swept to power with a decisive majority in the national capital for a second time, bagging 63 out of 70 seats. Our initial analysis of the Delhi election results breaks down the vote shares of each party, analyses the differences between the Lok Saba polls and state elections and speculates on a possible future path for the AAP.

Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu

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The 2018 Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala claimed 17 lives but also resulted in the State setting up a sophisticated surveillance and detection system to contain future outbreaks. In this episode, a top virologist who led the battle to contain the Nipah outbreak, speaks of the steps that Kerala can now take in containing the Novel Coronavirus, the what is yet to be learnt about the new outbreak and the lessons that other States can take.

Guest: Dr. G Arunkumar, Director, Manipal Institute of Virology

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In this episode we do a quick catch up with three major news events that all seemed to occur virtually simultaneously in the U.S. The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump ended with his acquittal by the United States Senate. Mr Trump then proceeded to deliver a State of the Union Speech that was something of a victory lap. Meanwhile the Democratic primary process to pick a challenger to go up against Mr Trump in the November election got off to a rocky start with controversy surrounding the Iowa caucuses.

Guest: Narayan Lakshman, Associate Editor and former U.S. correspondent, The Hindu

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In this episode we drill down into the specifics of the optional new tax regime proposed in the Union Budget which proposes that individuals foregoing exemptions and deductions would be taxed at reduced rates. What effect will this new opt-in structure have on the market for insurance, how will it affect home loans and most importantly, which structure may benefit you in the short or long term. We speak to an expert on taxation.

Guest: Rama Karmakar, Partner, People Advisory Services, Ernst & Young India

For a larger discussion on the Budget and economic growth:

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/does-the-budget-do-enough-in-providing-a-stimulus-to-growth/article30755337.ece

To see various income and tax scenarios: http://bit.ly/2uTzPEi

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As Delhi goes to vote on February 8, the BJP has targeted anti-CAA protesters as the central plank of its campaign, unleashing a level of vitriol that observers in the capital say they have never seen. The AAP has manoeuvred artfully, with their manifesto delivering a few surprising twists of its own. The Congress meanwhile, is making a last minute push. The second of our two part series on the Delhi elections lays the ground before voting. Guest: Varghese George, Associate Editor, The Hindu

Links to Parley podcast on free speech laws:

https://www.thehindu.com/podcast/do-free-speech-laws-need-to-be-reworked-in-todays-context-the-hindu-parley-podcast/article30693469.ece

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-restrictions-on-free-speech-be-reviewed/article30694970.ece

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As the national capital gears up to vote on February 8 the ruling Aam Aadmi Party have emerged as the clear front runners, showcasing their governance record over the last five years. The BJP has responded by pitching its campaign on national issues like the CAA. And where does the Congress stand? Our first episode on the Delhi elections is a quick primer on the campaign of each party.

Guest: Varghese George, Associate Editor, The Hindu

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Over the past few months Australia has seen some of the worst bushfires in its history, devastating land, property and wildlife as they have swept along the continent. At the time of our recording this episode, fire season is still on and warnings continue to be issued in several States. What caused the severity of this crisis in Australia and what lessons can the rest of the world take from it?

Guest: Ken Thompson, former deputy commissioner of New South Wales Fire and Rescue

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The Supreme Court on January 27, asked the government to explain why a law meant to protect the transgender community requires a magistrate’s certificate as a prior condition for the State to even identify a transperson. The court was responding to a petition filed by Swati Bidhan Baruah, an Assam-based advocate and transgender rights activist. As this story develops, here's our podcast on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, when it was made into law by Parliament in November last year. This podcast looks at which provisions in the Bill are problematic and why it was met by protests from activists and the transgender community, who said it showed a poor understanding of gender and sexual identity.

Guest: Ramya Kannan, Chief of Bureau, T.N., The Hindu 

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Our first sports analysis podcast, soon to be a regular feature, features a discussion on the newly-appointed Barcelona boss, his history as a player and manager and most importantly, his devotion to the Cruyff style. Where do Barça go with him at the helm? Guest: Ram Mahesh, Senior Deputy Sports Editor, The Hindu

Also read: https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/what-quique-setien-brings-to-barcelona/article30646841.ece

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