Jayana Kothari, Supreme Court litigator and founder of the Centre for Law and Policy Research, joins Expressions for a candid conversation on gender equality, constitutionalrights, disability rights and the power of law to bring social change.

With 25 years of litigation, Jayana reflects on representing women, persons with disabilities and transgender communities, and the landmark battles that challenged deeply rooted inequalities.

She speaks about arguing that women are not the property of their husbands, the continuing challenges around domestic violence, and the need to remove the marital rape exception.

From fighting for reservations in promotions for persons with disabilities to challenging outdated assumptions around gender identity, Jayana shares how her clients and cases have also changed her understanding of equality, justice and her own biases.

What to Look For

• Jayana Kothari’s 25-year journey as a human rights lawyer
• The power of courts and constitutional law to create social change
• Her landmark work on gender equality and women’s rights
• The continuing challenges around domestic violence
• Why verbal, sexual and financial abuse are often overlooked
• The debate around restitution of conjugal rights
• Her work advocating for transgender rights and gender identity
• Fighting for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities
• The limitations of fast-track courts in sexual assault cases
• Why witness and victim protection are essential to justice
• Her call to remove the marital rape exception

People and Organisations Mentioned in the Episode

• Indira Jaising: Human rights and feminist lawyer Jayana worked with early in her career
• Supreme Court of India: Discussed in relation to landmark constitutional and rights-based cases
• Centre for Law and Policy Research: Organisation founded by Jayana Kothari
• Karnataka High Court: Discussed in relation to disability rights and government employment
• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act: Discussed in relation to employment and promotions
• Karnataka Administrative Tribunal: Part of the legal journey in the disability rights case
• Section 377: Referenced in the discussion on the decriminalization of homosexuality
• Nirbhaya case: Referenced in the discussion on the creation of fast-track courts
• Fast-track courts: Discussed in relation to sexual assault and child abuse cases

About Jayana Kothari

Jayana Kothari is a Supreme Court litigator and the founder of the Centre for Law and Policy Research.

She has spent around 25 years working on constitutional law, human rights, gender equality, disability rights and the rights of marginalised communities.

Her work has included representing women, persons with disabilities and transgender persons, while taking important questions of equality and access to justice before the courts.
Follow Jayana : @kothari.jayna)

ABOUT EXPRESSIONS

Expressions is a series of thoughtful conversations with the people shaping India’s culture, sport and public life. Honest stories, meaningful insights, and the journeys behind theheadlines.

Connect

Instagram: @expressionsbytnie
Instagram: @newindianexpress
Instagram: @indulgexpress

Website: newindianexpress.com

Ruth Manorama, social activist and 2006 Right Livelihood Award laureate, joins Expressions for a deeply personal conversation on resilience, leadership, dignity and the power of finding your voice.

She reflects on the experiences that shaped her, the influence of her mother, her journey of working alongside marginalized communities, and the importance of education and self-reliance.

From building platforms for women to working with Dalit women, domestic workers, slum dwellers and unorganized labour, Ruth speaks about decades of organizing, mobilizing and empowering communities.

She also shares stories from her life in Bangalore, her partnership with her husband and colleague, and her experiences taking issues of poverty, discrimination and human rights to national and international forums.

Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the views of The New Indian Express, its editorial team, or Expressions.

What does it take to challenge the system for over six decades?

In this episode of Expressions, lawyer and women’s rights advocate Pramila Nesargi speaks candidly about her journey in law, fighting for women’s rights, judicial accountability,access to justice, the Uniform Civil Code and the role of social media in society.

From challenging an examiner as an LLM student to taking on powerful institutions, Nesargi reflects on the battles that shaped her career and shares her views on what needs to change in India’s legal and social systems.

What to Look For:
• Her early battles as a young woman lawyer
• Judicial accountability and access to justice
• Women’s rights, marriage and equality
• Her views on freebies and political welfare schemes
• The Uniform Civil Code and women’s rights
• Justice delayed and the cost of litigation
• The responsibility of social media

People & Organisations Mentioned:
Justice Somnath Iyer
Justice Hombay Gowda
Chanakya
Chandragupta
Lord Basavanna
Justice Malimath
Supreme Court of India
Karnataka State Bar Council
Karnataka State Commission for Women.

About Pramila Nesargi:
Pramila Nesargi is a lawyer, educationist, politician and women’s rights advocate. She has spent decades working in law, public life and social causes, and was the first woman in 50 years to become Chairman of the Karnataka StateBar Council.

ABOUT EXPRESSIONS
Expressions is a series of thoughtful conversations with the people shaping India's culture, sport and public life. Honest stories, meaningful insights, and the journeys behind the headlines.

Connect

Instagram: @expressionsbytnie | @newindianexpress | @indulgexpress
Website: newindianexpress.com

Dr. Sunita Maheshwari, a US Board-certified Pediatric Cardiologist and co-founder of Teleradiology Solutions, shares her remarkable journey from healing newborn hearts to building impactful healthcare innovations.

She discusses the challenges and rewards of medical entrepreneurship, the role of AI in medicine, her philosophy of giving and staying grounded, and her unique parenting hacks.

The conversation delves into her experiences on the board of India's largest private bank and GlaxoSmithPharma, and her insights on leadership, balance, and making decisions that benefit millions.

What to Look For

•The balance between medical practice and entrepreneurship

•The role of AI in healthcare

•The philosophy of giving and groundedness

•Entrepreneurial journey without external funding

• Practical advice for busy parents on raising logical and empathetic children.

• Her simple yet effective approach to making big life decisions.

• Lessons on risk-taking, timing and creative growth

People and Organizations Mentioned in the Episode

•Dr. Arjun Kalyanpur: Dr. Sunita Maheshwari's husband and co-founder.

•Saswita Bagchi: Author who wrote about mental disorders.

•HDFC Bank: India's largest private bank, where Dr. Maheshwari serves as an independent director.

•Teleradiology Solutions: India's largest teleradiology company, co-founded by Dr. Maheshwari.

•RxDx: A chain of primary care clinics in Bangalore, founded by Dr. Maheshwari.

•People for People: A trust fund started by Dr. Maheshwari for philanthropic work.

•Delrad Foundation: Another foundation involved in Dr. Maheshwari's philanthropic efforts.

•Yale University: Where Dr. Maheshwari trained in the US.

•GlaxoSmithPharma: Where Dr. Maheshwari sits on the board.

About Dr. Sunita Maheshwari

Dr. Sunita Maheshwari is a Yale-trained, US Board-certified Pediatric Cardiologist and the "Chief Dreamer" co-founder of Teleradiology Solutions and RxDx clinics. With over 30 years of experience, she serves as an Independent Director for HDFC Bank and GSK Pharma. A dedicated philanthropist through the Delrad Foundation, she champions a life built on gratitude, groundedness, and giving.

#TheNewIndianExpress #Expressions #HealthcareIndia #InspiringStories #ImpactfulConversations #MedicalEntrepreneurship #MentalHealthAwareness #EmpathyInMedicine

In this episode of Expressions by The New Indian Express, host Neha Sonthalia speaks with Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Medical Education, about the future of healthcare, medical education, NEET, AI, public hospitals, organ transplants, nursing, and skill development.

Dr. Patil explains why no exam can fully judge a student's capabilities, shares his vision of establishing governmentmedical colleges in every district, discusses Karnataka's leadership in medical education, and explains why communication and compassion are just as importantas clinical knowledge.

The conversation also explores free organ transplant facilities, preventive healthcare, AI, employment, and why Indian doctors and nurses continue to earn global respect.

01:10 Welcome Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil

01:28 Surprise Visits to Government Hospitals

03:01 From Doctor to Politician

05:02 Student Life & Academic Pressure

07:09 Why Every District Needs a Government Medical College

10:00 Advice for Students Who Miss NEET Cut-offs

11:02 NEET & Challenges for Rural Students

12:20 Can Exams Measure True Potential?

13:17 Nutrition, Lifestyle Diseases & Prevention

16:26 Fitness & Healthy Living

17:02 Why Compassion Makes Better Doctors

20:06 Communication: A Doctor's Greatest Skill

21:21 Free Organ Transplants & Azim Premji Foundation

25:58 Why Young Doctors Choose Government Hospitals

27:59 Karnataka's 800+ Nursing Colleges

29:38 Why Indian Doctors & Nurses Are Respected Worldwide

31:02 Expanding Children's Healthcare

33:00 Preparing for an Ageing Population

34:26 Digital Health Records

35:09 Prevention vs Treatment

36:58 AI, Jobs & Skill Development

43:17 Germany's Apprenticeship Model

46:31 AI: Threat or Opportunity?

48:29 Learning from Electoral Defeat

50:37 His Vision for Karnataka's Healthcare Future

52:45 Closing Thoughts

Mahesh Krishnachari, founder of O'ver Coffee and Director of VEVRA, joins Expressions for a conversation on entrepreneurship, hospitality, architecture and buildingbusinesses with purpose.

From creating one of Bengaluru's most distinctive café and wine destinations to leading industrial projects across India, Mahesh shares how patience, quality and long-term thinking shaped his journey.

He talks about working with renowned chef Abhijit Saha, why he waited four years before launching O'ver Coffee, and how the COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to develop IoT-enabled medical isolation pods that later received recognition from the Karnataka government.

The conversation also explores European café culture, customer experience, mentorship, business failures and why true success is about creating value wherever you're needed.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why patience matters in entrepreneurship

• The story behind O'ver Coffee

• How Chef Abhijit Saha shaped the brand

• Why customer experience is everything

• Lessons from building COVID isolation pods

• Why quality should never be compromised

• What failure teaches every entrepreneur?

• Mahesh's definition of success

 PEOPLE & PROJECTS FEATURED

 • Mahesh Krishnachari

•O'ver Coffee

• VEVRA

• Chef Abhijit Saha

• 48-H Pizza

• COVID Isolation Pods

• Dr. K. Sudhakar

ABOUT MAHESH

 Mahesh Krishnachari is the founder of O'ver Coffee and Director of VEVRA, an architecture, engineering and construction company.

His work spans hospitality, industrial infrastructure and healthcare innovation, including the development of IoT-enabled medical isolation pods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Follow Mahesh :
@maheshkrishnachari

@overcoffeeindia

@overcoffeesadashivanagar

Deputy Commissioner of Police Kasim Raja joins Expressions for a conversation on cybercrime, digital safety, AI's role in policing, and the lessons he learned directly from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

With 30 years of service transforming Bangalore's police force through technology and human judgment, he shares practical tips on spotting scams, protecting your digital footprint, and why prevention will always beat punishment.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• The difference between a digital arrest and a real one
• How language barriers can stop scammers mid-call
• Why criminals will always be one step ahead—and how to stay ahead
• The three golden rules of financial transactions and device security
• How Dr. Kalam's "prevention mindset" revolutionized policing
• Why witness interrogation will always be an art, not an algorithm
• The real cost of peer pressure on teenagers' digital footprints

• How 30 years of police work doesn't killyour belief in human goodness
• The future of crime: What's coming next that doesn't exist yet

PEOPLE AND CONCEPTS FEATURED

• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Whose advice shaped his approach to preventive policing
• Karnataka Police: Modern policing through technology, heat mapping, and facial recognition
• Bangalore City: Where his 30 years transformed public safety through innovation
• Digital Arrest Scams: The concept created by criminals that doesn't exist in Indian law

• AI and Voice Cloning: How criminals use artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones

• MCA Education: His technical background that bridged technology and policing

• Crime Prevention Technology: Electronic Bit System and police data digitalization

• IPL and World Cup: Large-scale event management with Karnataka Police

• Cyber Harassment: Online fraud, cybercrime, and digital safety awareness

ABOUT

RAJA IMAM KASIM P.
Raja Imam Kasim P is Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City Police, with 30 years of service transforming law enforcement through technology and human intelligence. An MCA graduate, he brings a unique combination of technical expertise and investigative skill to modern policing.From preventing cybercrime to managing large-scale events, he has made Bangalore one of India's safest cities.

#expressions #100thepisode #lifelessons #inspiration #podcast #thenewindianexpress #motivation #leadership #successstories #india To mark this milestone, we've handpicked some of the most inspiring conversations and timeless lessons from the Expressions archive. Whether you're a long-time viewer or joining us for the first time, this special episode is a celebration of the ideas, stories, and perspectives that continue to inspire.

Theatre director, filmmaker, actor and restaurateur Arjun Sajnani joins Expressions for a conversation on creativity, success, envy, old Bangalore and building a meaningful life. From directing acclaimed productions like The Fire and the Rain and Amadeus to founding Sunny's, one of Bangalore's most iconic restaurants, Arjun reflects on passion, ambition,legacy and why success isn't always measured by wealth.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why success isn't always about becoming wealthy
• What Girish Karnad taught Arjun about storytelling
• Why theatre demands attention unlike any other art form
• The lesson behind Salieri, envy and creative ambition
• Why Arjun chose passion over scaling a business
• How Bangalore has changed over the decades
• The importance of loyalty in hospitality
• What makes a meaningful legacy
• Lessons on creativity, discipline and purpose

People, Projects & Works Featured in This Episode
● Arjun Sajnani: Theatre director, filmmaker, actor and founder of Sunny's

● Sunny's: One of Bangalore's most iconic restaurants andthe story behind its creation

● Sunny the Dog: The beloved dog whose arrival inspired thename and identity of Sunny's

● Vivek: Arjun's close friend and business partner, whoplayed a key role in the Sunny's journey

● Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: One of Sunny's earliest customers and supporters, remembered through stories from the restaurant's early days

● Geeta Menon, Vikram and Geetanjali Kirloskar:: Mentioned in the discussion on friendship, community and Bangalore's social circles

● Girish Karnad: Playwright, actor and one of India's most influential literary figures

● The Fire and the Rain: The production that became a turning point in Arjun's theatre career

● Amadeus: The acclaimed play that sparked a discussion on genius, ambition and envy

● Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri: Referenced during a conversation on comparison, self-doubt and artistic excellence

ABOUT ARJUNArjun Sajnani is a theatre director, filmmaker, actor and restaurateur best known as the founder of Sunny's. Over the past three decades, he has directed acclaimed stage productions, worked in film and hospitality, and played a significant role in shaping Bangalore's theatre and cultural landscape.

Brand strategist, author, and consumer behavior expert Harish Bijoor joins Expressions for a conversation on branding, AI, digital culture, relationships, and the future of work. From his dream of becoming an IAS officer to advising some of India's biggest brands and political campaigns, he shares the lessons that shaped his journey, his views on a rapidly changing world, and why understanding people remains at the heart of every great idea.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• Why hard work never goes out of fashion
• The failure that still motivates Harish today
• How AI is changing marketing and business
• Why consumer research remains irreplaceable
• What makes brands memorable
• The hidden costs of digital dependency
• Why relationships are becoming more transactional
• The importance of continuous learning
• How curiosity creates opportunity
• Why empathy is a competitive advantage

People, Brands & Topics Mentioned

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee — Former Prime Minister of India
• Neelam Sanjiva Reddy — Former President of India
• V. V. Giri — Former President of India
• George Fernandes — Former Defence Minister of India
• Shiv Khera — Author & Motivational Speaker
• Tata Coffee — Indian Coffee Company
• Brook Bond Lipton — FMCG Company
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Brand Positioning
• Consumer Behaviour
• Political Campaigns
• Dating Apps & Relationships
• Digital Culture
• Rural India Marketing
• Leadership & Entrepreneurship

ABOUT HARISH BIJOOR

Harish Bijoor is a brand strategist, author, business consultant, and consumer behavior expert. Over the years, he has advised leading corporations, startups, political campaigns, and public figures on branding, positioning, market strategy, and consumer insights. Known for his sharp views on marketing, technology, and culture, he continues to be one of India's most influential voices in the world of brands and business.

#HarishBijoor #Branding #Marketing #AI #ConsumerBehaviour #ArtificialIntelligence #Thenewindianexpress #Expressions #DigitalCulture #FutureOfWork