WorklifeIndia

Many top sports events, disrupted by Covid, are finally back. And so is the BBC’s Indian sportswoman of the year award. Public voting is now underway to pick a winner from the five nominees: shooter Manu Baker, sprinter Dutee Chand, chess player Koneru Humpy, wrestler Vinesh Phogat and hockey player Rani. (You can read more about them on the BBC India website.) Each one of them has inspiring stories of grit and perseverance.

Sports changed their lives, but is the going now easier for the next generation of potential stars, or are issues like sexism and the gender pay gap holding them back? Can young women athletes follow genuine career pathways in professional sports?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we talk to three aspiring stars to discuss how sports can be a gamechanger for women.

Interfaith relationships in India have always faced the heat. Love remains difficult and at times dangerous across large sections of Indian society, which runs on patriarchy, caste, and religion.

New anti-conversion laws implemented by some states now make interfaith marriages even more difficult. Their apparent target is the so-called 'love jihad', a term used by radical Hindu groups to accuse Muslim men of converting Hindu women by marriage.

We speak with two interfaith couples, one married for over 20 years and the other for nearly two years, to hear their stories – and struggles – of love, faith and religious identity. They tell us what keeps them going, as we ask if love is bound by religion.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Image: A group of housewives and working professionals heading various voluntary organisations demonstrate demanding an anti-conversion law along the lines of Uttar Pradesh government's Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance, at Central Park, on December 10, 2020 in Jaipur, India. (Photo by Himanshu Vyas/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Warning: This programme contains racial slurs.

Whether it is impulsive or intended, structural or whispered, racism in sport has been growing over the decades. Racial bias and inequalities not only interfere with the game but also affect players’ morale and sometimes lead to lost opportunities.

How do top players deal with racism on and off the field and what needs to be done to stamp it out? How can sporting federations address this issue, and can audiences be made more aware of the impact racial slurs have on players?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we talk to three Olympians about ways to tackle racism in sport.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Anju Bobby George, former athlete, senior vice president, Athletics Federation of India; Jwala Gutta, Indian shuttler; Anita Asante, Aston Villa defender, former England international

India ranks fourth highest in the world when it comes to unicorns - privately-owned startups with valuations of over $1bn. But despite being a global startup hub, only a handful reach unicorn status and nearly 90% new ventures fail within the first five years of their inception.

So, what is the secret to building a billion-dollar business? What should your strategy be when picking an idea, trying to secure investment or putting a team together? And what about the long-term viability of businesses once they become unicorns?

Three Indian entrepreneurs tell us stories of their struggles and success, and share tips on how to build a billion-dollar startup.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

(Photo: Young businessman standing in his factory. Credit: Getty Images)

When signing up on a social media platform or installing an app, do you take even a couple of minutes to think what information is being asked for? Do you feel comfortable sharing your location, contacts and photos, or agreeing to the terms & conditions? How much of your personal information do you give away with that single click, and do you know who is benefiting from it?

Be it a social media company, a messaging app, or an e-commerce website, your personal data is significant as a core underpinning of these companies’ business models - so should you, as a user, be made more aware of who is using your data, and where?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss data privacy and bring you tips on how to keep your data safe.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

For many people, spending time at home, indulging in a hobby helps to escape the stresses of a global health crisis - and what better way than books?

A recent study says people across the world read more during the lockdown - but despite this, the publishing industry and bookstores struggled. Many had to put their shutters down.

So, is 2021 going to put that ember of hope in book sales? What genres are set to capture the readers’ imaginations? And what can you do to motivate yourself to read more or to inculcate a love for books in your kids? We bring you some easy-to-follow tips.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Audio for this episode was updated on 18 January 2021.

Covid-19 has changed the way many people look at fitness. Shredding pounds has given way to immunity building, and physical fitness has expanded to include mental wellbeing. With gyms closed during the lockdowns, virtual exercises and home workouts have gained immense popularity, and an explosion in fitness tech has replaced the gym’s personal trainer.

So, how permanent is this shift? Is it a temporary trend or here to stay? As 2021 begins, what are some of the most pressing fitness requirements?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how to stay fit during a pandemic.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Are there lessons in the pandemic upheaval about the evolving nature of work? In the new world, there is a new economic possibility - making money out of small, passion-fuelled endeavours, rather than the conventional 9-to-5 routines of the pre-pandemic world.

Social media influencers are getting younger and younger, and the alpha generation - those born entirely in the 21st century - is becoming the newest power broker in this space.

While kid influencers remain a relatively new concept to India, their growth has spiked in recent years. They play pranks, review toys, and break down gadgets on their online platforms. Many are immensely popular and have millions of subscribers, attracting bigger and bigger brands for digital marketing and promotions. But is that taking their childhood away? Or is it simply a part of growing up these days?

In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we listen to young social media stars telling us their stories and discuss with them the rise of India’s child influencers.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Many people dream of a trip to Switzerland’s fairytale-like snowy peaks, or the pristine waters of Hawaii. But plans for these and other holidays in 2020 were brought to an abrupt halt by the coronavirus pandemic. With international and domestic travel replete with restrictions, there is no immediate relief in sight.

But the holiday season is nearly here, and as the world gets closer to a vaccine, the holidaying sentiment is also seeing an uptick.

But what is the new normal in planning a holiday? Are hotels and travel companies quick to adapt to travellers’ changed preferences? And how do safety and hygiene concerns affect people’s travel plans?

Presenter: Devina Gupta