In this special episode of The India Briefing, Nobel Laureate and development economist Esther Duflo joins hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari for a wide-ranging conversation on poverty, inequality, and evidence-based policymaking in India. Duflo, whose path breaking work on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) has transformed development economics, reflects on two decades of field research across India through the lens of J-PAL—the global research centre she co-founded to reduce poverty by ensuring policy is informed by scientific evidence.

From Tamil Nadu’s welfare innovations to the promise and pitfalls of cash transfers, the episode unpacks the structural realities of India’s poverty alleviation strategies, and the urgent need for better data. Duflo also speaks candidly about common misconceptions about the poor, why children from low-income households struggle in school, and how the role of economists has shifted—from prescribing grand theories to fixing the plumbing of policy.

With insights into the gender gap in labour force participation, the unequal impact of climate change, and the evolving welfare state, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how India can shape a more equitable future.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Further Links -

• Good Economics for Hard Times: Better Answers to Our Biggest Problems byEsther Duflo & Abhijit V. Banerjee

• https://open.spotify.com/episode/2avs2N1iDzeE5rbGgWj7Jw - Podcast EP: Cash Transfer for Women: The New Trend Shaping Indian Electoral Politics

• https://www.povertyactionlab.org/ - J-PAL: Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

• https://poverty-action.org/study/graduating-ultra-poor-india - Graduating the Ultra Poor in India

• https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/394531465569503682/Esther-Duflo-PRESENTATION.pdf - Randomized Controlled Trials, Development Economics and Policy Making in Developing Countries by Esther Duflo

• https://wid.world/www-site/uploads/2024/03/WorldInequalityLab_WP2024_09_Income-and-Wealth-Inequality-in-India-1922-2023_Final.pdf - Income And Wealth Inequality In India, 1922-2023: The Rise Of The Billionaire Raj

• https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pandp.20181073#:~:text=We%20plot%20the%20curve%20of,growth%20rates%20at%20the%20top. - The Elephant Curve of Global Inequality and Growth

• https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/poverty-inequality/weighty-evidence-poverty-estimation-with-missing-data.html - Weighty evidence? Poverty estimation with missing data by Jean Drèze & Anmol Somanchi

• https://www.povertyactionlab.org/case-study/teaching-right-level-improve-learning - Teaching at the Right Level to improve learning

• https://news.mit.edu/2025/study-shows-kids-use-different-math-skills-work-vs-school-0205 - Study in India shows kids use different math skills at work vs. school

• https://www.ft.com/content/2fa5787c-7139-405d-aecc-b07a493cb304 - Esther Duflo: Rich world owes $500bn in ‘moral debt’ to poor countries

• https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/08/india-economy-natural-climate-solutions/#:~:text=India's%20economy%20will%20be%20severely%20affected%20by%20climate%20change&text=Some%2033%25%20of%20its%20GDP,and%20water%20utilities%20and%20construction. - Climate Action; World Economic Forum

• https://www.preventionweb.net/news/women-frontlines-heat-surveys-informing-climate-resilience#:~:text=In%20informal%20settlements%2C%20women%20are,their%20days%20on%20household%20chores. - Women on the frontlines of heat: the surveys informing climate resilience

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305750X17301663#:~:text=Female%20LFPR%20has%20been%20declining,for%20skilled%20female%20job%20seekers - Why is the Labour Force Participation of Women Declining in India?

  https://idronline.org/article/gender/whats-going-on-with-indias-female-labour-force-participation/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5PK_BhBBEiwAL7GTPRT1BYa4BJs3Rs25kySfpFmdw-ZRfk5URqf4jIIN05Po0tMzup4xpBoCvX4QAvD_BwE - India’s female labour force participation..

  
  

This episode of The India Briefing delves into The Great Mughals exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, which celebrates the artistic and cultural achievements of the Mughal Empire’s golden age (1560–1660). Hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari are joined by historian and author Ira Mukhoty to explore the dynasty’s true origins, the influence of Mughal women, and the rich artistic legacy left behind by Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. Through a discussion of rare artifacts—including Persian manuscripts, mother-of-pearl shields, and European-inspired paintings—this episode unpacks how the Mughals shaped India’s pluralistic identity and aesthetic traditions.

The conversation also highlights the cosmopolitan nature of the Mughal court, the interplay of different cultural influences, and the lasting imprint of Mughal art and patronage on Indian history. As the exhibition runs until 5th May, this episode serves as a compelling companion for those looking to understand the deeper historical context behind the objects on display.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Show notes 

• https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/great-mughals-art-architecture-opulence?srsltid=AfmBOoofJC4kPAJ8bGyjUeo3pExEK2yls2AmqUwpvdMUiQiruLx460KP - V&A Exhitbition

• https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Daughters_of_the_Sun.html?id=XjaYuQEACAAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y - Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire by Ira Mukhoty

In this episode, Pragya Tiwari and Mukulika Banerjee take a step back from the news cycle to  reflect on the broader question of democracy and how we can ‘cultivate’ it.

They use the idea of ‘cultivating democracy’ as a framework to look at the socio-political faultlines that impact the health of democracies world over.

The discussion is based on Mukulika’s recent inaugural lecture at the London School of Economics. It also links with Pragya’s work as a journalist, on how democracy manifests and operates on ground. This broad discussion on democratic ethos travels from rural farmlands to international universities and attempts to supplement conversations on democratic rights and institutions. 

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Show notes :

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG99NEfUKg0 Inaugural Lecture
2. https://www.waterstones.com/book/cultivating-democracy/mukulika-banerjee//9780197601877?awaid=3787&utm_source=redbrain&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=css&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrcbTt_Kw8wIVhWDmCh13IgixEAQYASABEgJ2vfD_BwE Buy Cultivating Democracy
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290474512_Education_for_Tomorrow_The_Vision_of_Rabindranath_Tagore Tagore’s vision for education
4. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/178591468042542781/collective-action-and-community-development-evidence-from-self-help-groups-in-rural-india SHG’s economic and social impact

In this episode of The India Briefing, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari speak with Navtej Sarna and Ashley Tellis to analyse the evolving India-US bilateral relationship, particularly in light of Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Washington. Our guests help untangle the complexities of trade dynamics, immigration issues, and the interplay between domestic politics and foreign policy. Listen in for insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both nations, emphasizing the importance of strategic convergence amidst a changing global order.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

More about Navtej Sarna - 

Navtej Sarna was born in 1957 to Punjabi litterateurs Mohinder Singh Sarna and Surjit Sarna. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1980 and served as an Indian diplomat for the next 38 years. His diplomatic journey included assignments in places as diverse as Moscow and Warsaw, Thimphu and Tehran. He held several critical appointments including as the Foreign Office Spokesman, India’s Ambassador to Israel, High Commissioner to the UK and Secretary to the Government of India. He retired from diplomatic service in 2018 as India’s ambassador to the United States.

Pursing a parallel passion as a writer, Navtej Sarna has written ten books that explore different genres – novels, short stories, travel, literary essays and translations. He has been a prolific columnist and commentator on policy, literary and cultural matters, contributing regularly to journals in India and abroad.

Sarna is now a full-time writer, dividing his time between New Delhi and Mashobra in the Shimla Hills. His latest work is the highly acclaimed historical novel, Crimson Spring.

 www.navtejsarna.in | X - https://x.com/navtejsarna 

https://www.navtejsarna.in/post/how-to-do-business-with-donald-trump-in-his-second-term

Ashley Tellis

Ashley J. Tellis is the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of state for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India.

Previously he was commissioned into the U.S. Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. Prior to his government service, Tellis was senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation and professor of policy analysis at the RAND Graduate School.

He is a counselor at the National Bureau of Asian Research, the research director of its Strategic Asia program, and co-editor of the program’s eighteen most recent annual volumes, including this year’s Strategic Asia: Reshaping Economic Interdependence in the Indo-Pacific.

He is the author of Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia (2022) and India’s Emerging Nuclear Posture (2001), the co-author of Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy: Past, Present, and Future (2000), and the co-editor of Getting India Back on Track (2014) and Grasping Greatness: Making India a Leading Power (2022) among other significant publications.

https://carnegieendowment.org/people/ashley-j-tellis

TIB offers a deep dive into India’s dynamic landscape. Hosted by academic Mukulika Banerjee and journalist Pragya Tiwari, this podcast delivers insightful updates on India’s politics, economy, and culture. Whether you’re studying, investing, or simply curious about the country, join us for crisp conversations and debates that decode India’s role in global affairs.

Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari interview Professor Christophe Jaffrelot, a prominent scholar on violence, caste, and Indian politics, currently leading the research projectThe Indian Muslim Today at Sciences Po, where he is a Professor and CERI-CNRS Senior Research Fellow.

The Indian Muslims Today is part of a 4-year research project, Indian Muslims at a time of Hindu Majoritarianism, generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation and Columbia University, and run by Sciences Po with collaboration from Princeton.

The project aims at presenting, through various media, an image of the situation and lives of India’s largest minority community.

It seeks to inform students, academia, the media as well as the general public.

Some of the content presented here is new and emerges from the fieldwork and academic research of the 50-odd core team which contributed to the project.

The conversation delves into key themes such as socio-economic conditions, institutional exclusion, communal violence, ghettoization, and the decline of Muslim leadership. Jaffrelot underscores the growing climate of fear among researchers and the evolving influence of social media on public narratives. His research highlights the persistent marginalization of Muslims in India, particularly in northern regions, despite perceptions of them as a "pampered minority." Educational dropouts and the decline of Urdu in the north are highlighted as concerning trends. Nonetheless, Jaffrelot remains optimistic about the potential for inclusive policies and development-driven progress.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

References

1. The Indian Muslims Today- Science Po  Research Project by Christophe Jaffrelot

2. The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics, 1925 to the 1990s, By Christophe Jaffrelot

3.  Rise of the plebeians ? The changing face of Indian legislative assemblies, By Christophe Jaffrelot and S. Kuamr

4. India’s Silent Revolution – The Rise of the Lower Castes in North India,. By Christophe Jaffrelot

5. Dr Ambedkar and Untouchability. Analysing and Fighting Caste, By Christophe Jaffrelot

6.  Muslims of Indian Cities. Trajectories of marginalization, By Christophe Jaffrelot and Laurent Geyer

7. The BJP and the compulsions of politics in India, By Christophe Jaffrelot and T.B. Hansen

8. The Sangh Parivar : a Reader, By Christophe Jaffrelot

9. Survey by CSDS Lokniti. 

10. Journal Contemporary South Asia

In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the enduring legacy of the sari with author and publisher Malvika Singh. Her latest book, Saris of Memory, intertwines her personal life story with India’s post-independence journey, using the sari as a central motif.

The discussion explores the sari's role as a modern garment, its functionality, cultural identity, and potential for empowerment, while also addressing the challenges faced by artisans and the need for institutional support to preserve India's rich textile heritage.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Show Notes -

Saris of Memory by Malvika Singh

https://www.yali.store/products/saris-of-memory?srsltid=AfmBOorvoCB_7bhNe0WmiOGQ8XCwcDdXZ4CjuhjEB2wYU_3fegVXdT9X 

The Sari by Mukulika Banerjee and Daniel Miller

https://www.amazon.in/Sari-Mukulika-Banerjee/dp/1859737323 

Pupul Jayakar 

https://mapacademy.io/article/pupul-jayakar/ 

Martand Singh

https://mapacademy.io/article/martand-singh/ 

Rajiv Sethi

https://khojstudios.org/supporter/rajiv-sethi-scenographers/ 

Ahalya Matthan

https://www.theregistryofsarees.com/ 

Rehwa Society 

https://rehwasociety.org/ 

Sally Holkar

https://mapacademy.io/article/sally-holkar/ 

Laila Tyabji

https://mapacademy.io/article/laila-tyabji/ 

Dastakar

https://www.dastkar.org/about-us/ 

Uzramma

https://www.india-seminar.com/2003/523/523%20uzramma.htm 

Khadi and Village Industries Corporation

https://www.kvic.gov.in/kvicres/index.php 

Crafts Council of India

https://www.craftscouncilofindia.in/ 

Shama Pawar

https://baromarket.in/collections/shama-pawar 

Jaya Jaitly

https://mapacademy.io/article/jaya-jaitly/ 

Dolly Jain (Instagram)

https://www.instagram.com/dolly.jain/?hl=en 

In this episode of the India Briefing, we speak with Milan Vaishnav, host of The Grand Tamasha and Amit Varma, host of The Seen and the Unseen on the lessons, the critical ideas and observations that they have encountered through conversations across the years and how they have helped shape their understanding of India.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Episode Notes: 

The Seen and the Unseen with Amit Varma

Everything and Everything with Amit Varma and Ajay Shah

The Grand Tamasha Podcast with Milan Vaishnav

Re-examining America’s bet on India - Milan Vaishnav and Ashley Tellis

Ashley J. Tellis on India’s China conundrum 

The Incredible Curiosities of Mukulika Banerjee

Sowmya Dhanaraj Is Making a Difference

Amitava Kumar Finds His Gulmohar Tree

The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande

The Life and Times of Ira Pande

Swapna Liddle and the Many Shades of Delhi

Rakhshanda Jalil Watches the Changing World

The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale

The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto

The Gentle Wisdom of Pratap Bhanu Mehta

What Have We Done With Our Independence? - Pratap Bhanu Mehta joins Amit Varma

Ram Guha Writes a Letter to a Friend 

Kashmir and Article 370 - Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma

The Citizenship Battles - Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma

The Loneliness of the Indian Woman - Shrayana Bhattacharya joins Amit Varma

The Loneliness of the Indian Man - Nikhil Taneja joins Amit Varma

The Forces that Shaped Hinduism - Manu Pillai joins Amit Varma

Ranjit Hoskote is Dancing in Chains

Populism, South Asian Style

Taking On India’s Patriarchal Political Order

Dalits in the New Millennium 

Cultivating Democracy: Politics and Citizenship in Agrarian India by Mukulika Banerjee

Is India a Flailing State?: Detours on the Four Lane Highway to Modernization by Lant Pritchet

The Indian Supreme Court in the Modi Era

Decoding the 2024 Indian General Elections

The Gita Press and Hindu Nationalism - Akshaya Mukul joins Amit Varma

Vinayak Calling Vinayak

Hindutva and Violence: V.D. Savarkar and the Politics of History by Vinayak Chaturvedi

Savarkar by Vaibhav Purandare

The Ferment of our Founders - Shruti Kapila joins Amit Varma

The Life and Times of Indian Economy - Rajeswari Sengupta joins Amit Varma

Chandrahas Choudhury’s Country of Literature
Migrants and Machine Politics: How India's Urban Poor Seek Representation and Responsiveness by Adam Michael Auerbach, Tariq Thachil 
H-Pop : The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars by Kunal Purohit
When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics by Milan Vaishnav 
Savarkar and the Making of Hindutva by Janaki Bakhle
Private Truths, Public Lies – The Social Consequences of Preference Falsification by TImur Kuran 
Accelerating India's Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Effective Governance by Kartik Murlidharan
In Service of the Republic: The Art and: The Art and Science of Economic Policy by Ajay Shah, Vijay Kelkar

In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari look back and discuss the headlines of 2024 in politics, art, culture, cinema, the changing nature of public good in politics, reflections on the future of democracy in India and lots more.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari discuss the growing trend of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) targeted at women voters, especially in the context of electoral politics. Women in India have historically been viewed as a bloc tied to their family, caste, or community, but in recent years, political parties have increasingly targeted them as an independent voting group.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in

Further Reading -

http://www.jstor.org/stable/23391448

http://www.jstor.org/stable/23017228

http://www.jstor.org/stable/43202584

 http://www.jstor.org/stable/41419797

 http://www.jstor.org/stable/23017224. 

https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2021/04/29/Is-There-a-One-Size-Fits-All-Approach-to-Inclusive-Growth-A-Case-Study-Analysis-50279#:~:text=The%20paper%20finds%20that%20there,the%20better%20the%20overall%20outcome. 

https://www.ceew.in/publications/lessons-worlds-largest-subsidy-benefit-transfer-scheme 

https://www.epw.in/journal/2024/48/general-elections-2024/technology-votes.html 

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/opinion/how-women-voters-became-front-and-centre-of-the-electoral-outreach-by-political-parties-10331681.html 

https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/women-voting-patterns-india-2024-lok-sabha-election/article68266079.ece 

https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/big-gains-karnataka-seats-congress-women-votes-8609547/ 

https://www.thehindu.com/elections/himachal-pradesh-assembly/did-women-voters-tip-the-scales-in-favour-of-the-congress-in-himachal-pradesh/article66247886.ece 

https://theprint.in/opinion/mamatas-lakshmir-bhandar-was-a-secret-weapon-bengal-tmc-is-now-reaping-electoral-fruits/2099238/ 

https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/csds-lokniti-post-poll-survey-in-chhattisgarh-women-voters-give-a-push-to-bjp/article68266734.ece 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/cash-is-king-direct-benifit-transfers-crowns-the-winner-in-maharashtra-jharkhand-election-results/articleshow/115609645.cms 

https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/polls-and-freebies-who-doesn-t-love-cash-transfers-but-are-these-really-the-answer-handouts-elections-finances-11732686156261.html 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/cash-transfers-help-bengal-women-take-financial-decisions-says-study/article67669112.ece 

https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/vivek-kaul-cash-transfer-politics-has-an-impact-not-just-on-ballots-but-also-budgets-freebies-elections-populism-states-11733066312582.html 

https://www.business-standard.com/markets/news/nine-states-go-all-in-betting-18-billion-on-women-s-empowerment-124120100466_1.html 

https://thesecretariat.in/article/a-rise-in-education-and-health-budget-allocation-is-needed-to-achieve-the-10-trillion-gdp-dream 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/study-on-cash-transfers-shows-poor-spending-on-schooling-health/articleshow/20441455.cms 

https://www.ifpri.org/blog/india-moves-replace-food-aid-cash-more-evidence-needed-nutritional-impacts/ 

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madhya-pradeshs-new-scheme-for-women-ladli-bahna-yojana-runs-into-trouble-4147839 

https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/patriarchal-political-order/9262E786791FBF6090313B50520F6A31 

https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/direct-transfer-of-money-is-bribing-voters/20241126.htm 

In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the indictment of Gautam Adani and others, exploring the serious charges of securities fraud and bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

The conversation looks at the impact on the company's market value, investor sentiment, and the Indian government's response. The discussion highlights the volatility of Adani's stock, the political implications of the allegations, and the broader context of India's infrastructure development and regulatory environment.

Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in