The world has seen an unprecedented rise in the generation and spread of false information, and India is arguably at its epicenter. Their creation is quite often deliberate which is when they are called disinformation. At other times they are unintentional, which is when they are called misinformation. Often dubbed as “fake news”, they spread like an information epidemic through social media, before crippling public opinion and mainstream narratives. In this session, Oishani Bhattacharya (English Correspondent and Researcher, Alt News) will take us behind the scenes of fact-checking — explaining how false claims are identified, verified and debunked.

Websites and WhatsApp tiplines of the Indian fact-checking organisations named in this video:

Alt News: https://www.altnews.in/ +91-76000-11160

Boom Live: https://www.boomlive.in/ +91-77009-06588

Factly: https://factly.in/ +91-92470-52470

The Quint, WebQoof: https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof +91-95405-11818

Ravish Kumar’s Ramon Magsaysay Award (for journalism) acceptance speech video titled "Not All Battles Fought For Victory": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btGX0bL5XY4

Other online references used in this video, last accessed on 29 August 2025: https://bit.ly/CHE_links

In this episode, we dive into how data-driven decision-making can transform India’s legal system. Joining us is Siddharth Raman from XKDR Forum, a former Bain consultant, whose research focuses on applying actuarial thinking to court management. From optimising how manpower is allocated in lower courts to identifying patterns that can reduce case backlogs, Siddharth explains how smart, evidence-based reforms can bring speed, efficiency, and fairness to the justice delivery process. If you've ever wondered how analytics could help untangle India's judicial gridlock, this conversation will give you the clarity—and the numbers—to understand the path forward.

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Join us for an illuminating conversation with Professor Eshan Chattopadhyay of Cornell University, a leading mind in the theory of randomness extractors. After years of pioneering work in this critical area of theoretical computer science, Eshan earned the prestigious Gödel Prize (the first Bengali recipient)—shared with his PhD advisor David Zuckerman—for his breakthrough construction of super-efficient extractors. In this episode, Pratyay and Eshan delve into the story behind that award-winning research, trace his academic journey from graduate student to celebrated faculty, and explore today’s heated landscape of U.S. academia and its intersections with politics and policy. Whether you’re a theory enthusiast or simply curious about how cutting-edge computer science shapes our world, this discussion offers rich insights and candid reflections.

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In this episode, Anushka from the Takshashila Institution joins Souvik to explore India’s evolving strategy toward China. They discuss key issues such as the border tensions and the Galwan incident, India’s trade and manufacturing challenges, and how China’s dominance in sectors like EVs and rare earths impacts Indian policy. The conversation also covers China’s growing military ties with Pakistan, India's defense preparedness, and efforts toward self-reliance. Anushka addresses misinformation around COVID-19 and the lab-leak theory, while emphasizing the importance of countering Chinese narratives on Pakistan, Tibet, and global perception. This episode offers a sharp, Indian perspective on a complex and critical relationship.

The Bangla film industry is facing a storm — caught between deepening trade-union (guild) conflicts and a long-standing decline in both artistic quality and commercial viability. While a few standout films continue to shine, the broader picture reveals a troubling trajectory.

In this conversation, Debarati and Pratyay engage with renowned filmmaker Indranil Roychowdhury — celebrated for Foring, Mayar Janjal, and the acclaimed web series Chhotolok — who is not only a sharp cinematic voice but also a key participant in the ongoing union disputes.

Together, they explore the multiple crises gripping Bangla cinema: the collapse of creative ecosystems, the disconnect with audiences, the erosion of collective bargaining power, and how all of this mirrors larger national and global challenges facing the film world. A must-watch for anyone invested in the future of meaningful cinema.

Hosted by: Debarati and Pratyay

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In this episode, Souvik speaks with Prof. Sumeet from the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy about the history and future of the caste census in India. They explore why the caste census was stopped after 1931, how its absence impacts policymaking and social justice, and the challenges of implementing reservation in today’s largely privatized economy. The conversation also touches on misconceptions around social mobility, the political implications of census data, and the need for transparency and data access. Together, they highlight why caste data matters—not just for academics or politicians, but for technologists and everyday citizens navigating a complex democracy.

Full video: https://youtu.be/RYGCKDslaS0

In this thought-provoking episode of The Coffeehouse Experience, we’re joined by Arindam Goswami, a policy researcher at the Takshashila Institution, where he focuses on technology policy, AI governance, and national security. Alongside hosts Sanjay and Souvik, Arindam unpacks India’s position in the fast-evolving global AI ecosystem.

The discussion explores India’s progress in building critical AI infrastructure—from GPU clusters and data centers to cloud access—and whether government strategies like the National AI Mission are translating into real impact. Are current policies enough to spur innovation while managing AI’s societal risks? How can India balance democratic values with the need for scale and speed in AI?

We also dive into the geopolitical dimensions of AI: Can India leverage its neutrality to attract investment amid U.S.-China tensions? Is a uniquely Indian model of AI, rooted in frugal innovation and inclusion, emerging on the world stage?

Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most critical conversations of our time.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/kjzUrK2GepM

2025 marks Riwtik Ghatak’s birth centenary. To celebrating that we look back at different aspects of Rwitwik Ghatak’s work and life with. In this episode, Debarati and Pratyay engage in a discussion with Prof. Manas Ghosh from Jadavpur University's Film Studies Department, exploring key aspects of Ritwik Ghatak’s cinematic journey. They cover the significance of his first film "Nagarik," which remained unreleased at the time; his venture into Bollywood; his distinctive use of melodrama; his political and ideological departure from the Communist Party and IPTA; and how his influential teaching at FTII shaped filmmakers such as Mani Kaul, Kumar Shahani, and John Abraham, cementing his enduring legacy.

Hosted by: Debarati and Pratyay

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In this episode, we speak with Deepta Roy Chakraverti—Wiccan, author, and daughter of India’s pioneering priestess Ipsita Roy Chakraverti. Deepta unpacks the origins of Wicca and how it took root in her life, not just as a spiritual path but as a lens through which she views the world.

We explore how her supernatural fiction is influenced by her beliefs, and whether her rational, academic background ever clashes with her love for the mystical. At the heart of it all is the legacy of her mother, a figure both commanding and inspiring, whose presence continues to shape Deepta’s journey.

It's a conversation about belief, storytelling, and the space where reason and ritual coexist.

Hosted by: Srinjoy

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In this episode, Prof. Debak Das helps unpack the evolving dynamics of nuclear proliferation in the 21st century. From Cold War doctrines to contemporary strategic rivalries, we trace how major powers like Russia, France, and China shaped their nuclear trajectories — and what lessons were learned (or ignored) along the way. We also examine India's nuclear history, exploring the 24-year gap between Pokhran-I and Pokhran-II, and how Pakistan, often dismissed as a client state, managed to build a credible nuclear arsenal in response. The conversation takes a sharp turn into the aftermath of the 2025 India-Pakistan skirmish, analyzing why nuclear rhetoric — once taboo — is once again part of regional strategy and global discourse.Looking ahead, Dr. Das offers a sobering assessment of the future of non-proliferation, identifying potential breakout states, the erosion of international norms, and the risks of a more multipolar nuclear world.

Hosted by: Srinjoy

https://www.debakdas.com/

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