Hvad sker der, når en nedladende betegnelse bliver vendt til et symbol på protest?

I denne episode taler Freddy og Jens om den indiske Cockroach Janta Party, som voksede frem blandt unge efter protester over problemer med landets adgangsgivende eksamener - især NEET, adgangseksamenen for at læse medicin og til tandlæge.

Det hele begyndte med en bemærkning om unge som “cockroaches”. Abhijeet Dipke gjorde ordet til et samlingspunkt, og en satirisk onlinebevægelse udviklede sig hurtigt til omfattende protester.

Da undervisningsminister Dharmendra Pradhan trådte tilbage i juli efter uger med ungdomsprotester, fik bevægelsen en bemærkelsesværdig sejr.

Men hvad fortæller Kakkelakbevægelsen om Indiens unge – og om et Indien, hvor en ny generation kræver at blive hørt?

Freddy og Jens ser på ungdom, uddannelse, sociale medier og politisk mobilisering i det moderne Indien.

Indien på Kryds og Tværs - sæson 2, særudgave 1.

Hvordan forstår vi det moderne Indien, hvis vi ikke kender dencivilisation, de idéer og traditioner, der har formet landet gennem årtusinder?

I denne særudgave taler Jens Bache med Jacob Schmidt-Madsen, postdoc ved Max Planck Instituttet i Berlin, om forbindelsen mellem det klassiske og det moderne Indien.

Med en historie fra Varanasi og Jacobs forskning i gamle indiske brætspil bliver det tydeligt, hvordan fortid og nutid lever side om side.

En samtale om Indien nu fra Indien før - og om hvorfor nutidens Indien ikke kan forstås gennem nyheder ogoverskrifter alene.

Samtalen tager udgangspunkt i vores fælles indologi-studier på Københavns Universitet.

Indien står foran et vigtigt BRIKS-topmøde i New Delhi 12.-13. september. Men hvad fortæller det om Indiens rolle i en verden, der bliver mere multipolær?

Freddy og Jens taler om Indiens tilnærmelse til Kina efter mange års spændinger og om, hvordan Indien forsøger at stabilisere relationen uden at underlægge sig Kina.

For Indien handler det om strategisk uafhængighed: at kunne samarbejde med forskellige lande og grupperinger uden at være bundet til én bestemt blok.

BRIKS er derfor ikke nødvendigvis et opgør med Vesten, men et forsøg på at skabe flere muligheder for samarbejde blandt andet inden for handel, energi, teknologi og finansielle systemer.

Hvad betyder det for Europa og Danmark, når Indien i stigende grad markerer sig som en selvstændig global spiller?

Indien søger ikke en verden opdelt i to blokke – menplads til selv at kunne manøvrere.

Vi er tilbage efter sommerpausen med sæson 2 og starter naturligvis med fejringen af den indiske uafhængighedsdag d. 15. august, som på bedste diplomat-manér fandt sted både på den indiske ambassade i København og med reception hos den indiske ambassadør Manish Prabhat senere på ugen.

Hvad betyder selvstændigheden for Indien i dag, og hvordan har uafhængigheden formet landets identitet og voksende selvtillid på den globale scene?

Freddy og Jens taler også om det stadig tættere forhold mellem Danmark og Indien, grøn omstilling og de muligheder, der ligger i at matche danske kompetencer med Indiens enorme udvikling.

Og hvor er Indien på vej hen frem mod 2047 i 100-året for uafhængigheden?

Til sidst kan du høre et autentisk lydklip optaget på ambassaden om morgenen d. 15. august, umiddelbart efter at ambassadøren havde hejst det indiske flag. Her lyder de klassiske råb “Bharat Mata Ki - Jai!” tre gange, efterfulgt af det kraftfulde “Vande Mataram!”.

Velkommen til sæson 2 af Indien på Kryds og Tværs.

In this last episode of Indien på Kryds og Tværs – Special Edition, we conclude our conversation with Ambassador Manish Prabhat.

In a rapidly changing world, what creates strong and lasting international partnerships?

Together we explore the growing India-Nordic relationship and reflect on the role of trust, cultural understanding and personal relationships in diplomacy. Ambassador Manish Prabhat shares how trust develops differently across cultures, while Ambassador Freddy Svane reflects on why successful diplomacy ultimately depends on investing in people, not only institutions.

This conversation brings our six-part Special Edition to a close, highlighting dialogue, partnership and the human dimension of India-Denmark relations with Ambassador Manish Prabhat.

We hope these conversations have contributed to greater understanding, stronger relationships and new possibilities between India and Denmark.

As Ambassador Freddy Svane says during our conversation, our ambition is to bring India a little closer to everyone who is curious to learn more.

We are now taking a short summer break and look forward to returning in August with Season 2, where we will continue exploring India, Denmark and the world we share.

The podcast where India is the lens through, which we explore the world.

In this fifth episode of Indien på Kryds og Tværs - Special Edition, we continue the conversation with Ambassador Manish Prabhat and former Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane.

"Jal Hi Jeevan Hai" - Water is Life - is more than a Hindi expression. It reflects one of India's most ambitious national missions: providing clean drinking water to every household.

Ambassador Prabhat explains why water is central to India's sustainable development and how Denmark has become India's official partner in the Jal Jeevan Mission. Together, we explore how technology, knowledge-sharing and long-term cooperation are helping improve water management and groundwater mapping across India.

A conversation about how trust, innovation and practical collaboration can make a real difference for millions of people.

The podcast with India as the lens we explore the world through.

In this fourth episode of Indien på Kryds og Tværs –Special Edition, host Jens Bache continues the conversation with Ambassador Manish Prabhat and former Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane.

Where could the India–Denmark partnership go next?

Together, we explore future opportunities for cooperation in Arctic research, Nordic collaboration, maritime security and space. Ambassador Prabhat shares India's perspective on emerging strategic priorities, while Ambassador Svane reflects on Denmark's strengths and the potential for deeper cooperation. A conversation about trust, shared ambitions and building partnerships for the future.

The podcast where India is the lens through which we explore the world.

In this third episode of Indien på Kryds og Tværs -Special Edition, host Jens Bache continues the conversation with Ambassador Manish Prabhat and former Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane.

What makes India and Denmark natural partners?

Ambassador Prabhat explains India's ambitions for sustainable growth and why Denmark has become a strategic partner in areas such as renewable energy, innovation, education and green transition.

Ambassador Svane offers the Danish perspective, reflecting on the opportunities, strengths and shared interests that have brought the two countries closer together.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain a unique insight into how partnerships are built - even at the highest diplomatic level - through trust, dialogue, shared ambitions, and a willingness to listen, learn and create together.

This episode continues our summer series on Danish-Indian relations from cultural, human and diplomatic perspectives.

The podcast where India is the lens through which we explore the world.

Our continued Special Edition series with Indian Ambassador Manish Prabhat.

In this conversation we explore the International Day of Yoga and India’s contribution to global health, cultural diplomacy and mindfulness. Ambassador Prabhat takes us through yoga’s 3,500-year history in ancient India and explains how it developed into a practical and universal approach to health, mental balance and everyday wellbeing - accessible today to people across cultures, religions and lifestyles.

Finally, we look ahead to the upcoming International Day of Yoga celebration at Operaparken in Copenhagen on 21 June, where people from all backgrounds are invited to take part.

This episode continues our summer series on Danish-Indian relations through real conversations about culture, people and shared experiences.

Special Edition: Conversations with Indian Ambassador Manish Prabhat.

In this first Special Edition episode, we welcome India's Ambassador to Denmark, Manish Prabhat. After two years in Denmark, Ambassador Prabhat reflects on Danish society, culture and business life, sharing observations about social cohesion, trust, direct communication and the strong sense of community that characterises Denmark. Together with former Danish Ambassador to India Freddy Svane and podcast host Jens Bache, the conversation explores both the differences and similarities between India and Denmark. From Nordic directness and efficiency to India's remarkable diversity, tolerance and hospitality, the episode highlights how two very different societies can learn from each other.

This conversation marks the beginning of a summer series exploring Danish-Indian relations from strategic, bilateral and cultural perspectives with ambassador Prabhat.

Our conversations were recorded at the Office Podcast Studio on Frederiksberg.