WorklifeIndia

Transphobia is on the rise, recent studies indicate. In the UK alone, trans-hate crimes recorded by the police rose by 81% since last year. Another study of nearly 10 million social media posts across the US and UK by analytics firm Brandwatch says that there is 'inhumane' harassment and transphobhic abuse on digital platforms.

In India, over half a million transgender people continue to struggle against discrimination. Many opt for expensive and complicated gender reassignment surgeries to gain social acceptance.

So what can be done to make society more inclusive towards transgender people? Could providing better education and legislation improve their rights?

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Air pollution in the north of India has reached unbearable levels this month. Many areas of the country’s capital, Delhi, reported hazardous air quality, with the potential to cause respiratory illnesses. Schools were closed for two days and people advised to stay indoors. Low visibility due to a persistent haze caused many flights to be diverted. Rules also went into effect to allow only cars with odd or even number plates to be driven on given days.

While politicians blame each other for the conditions, the city’s residents are taking to the streets and the social media to express discontent. Last week, protests were held demanding action to curb pollution using long-term and sustainable anti-pollution measures.

So, how are people surviving the toxic air? And what can be done to make the city’s air cleaner?

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Dr Tarun Sahni, senior consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals; Harinder Chhabra, director, The Infinity School; Ayush Bahl, student; Christine Pemberton, marathon runner; Sushila Saripalli Bahl, blogger & parent

Many countries are moving towards cashless payment systems. In India too, the trend is picking up. Cards, online banking, digital wallets and other digital payment systems are quite popular.

But this also puts users at risk, as cybercriminals target unsuspecting consumers with different kinds of financial frauds. From ATM fraud to social engineering – where someone tries to extract personal information like a password from you – cyber scams are everywhere.

How can you avoid becoming prey to one? #WorklifeIndia asks how you can protect your money in the digital age.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Subimal Bhattacharjee, cybersecurity policy consultant; Puneet Bhasin, advocate and cyber law expert; Trishneet Arora, ethical hacker, CEO – TAC Security Solutions

Plus-size people often battle issues with social acceptance and self-esteem. They often have to face bullying, harassment, body-shaming and unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, shopping can be a nightmare, due to a shortage of clothing options.

But social attitudes are changing. Brands are increasingly recognising plus-size fashion as a business opportunity, and understanding that plus-size fashion can be trendy too.

#WorklifeIndia asks if India is ready for plus-size fashion.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Sakshi Sindwani, plus-size model and fashion influencer; Shefalee Vasudev, author, fashion writer and editor, The Voice of Fashion; Hetal Kotak, CEO, aLL Plus Size Store

As the global economy slows down, people's purchasing power is taking a hit. The International Monetary Fund has forecast that the global economy will grow at just 3% this year - the slowest since the recession of 2008-09. India's central bank too says that consumer confidence has dipped to a six-year low in the country.

According to experts, consumer confidence is like an oil tanker - once moved, it can take a very long time to turn around.

So, how significant are the current consumer trends? And what can be done to revive consumer confidence?

#WorklifeIndia discusses the best ways to create fresh demand and asks what some of the innovative measures are to reform the market and to boost consumer confidence.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

There are 450 million smartphone users in India - the second-highest number globally, behind only China.

Dirt-cheap data and affordable mobile phones are driving this boom in connectivity. It’s bringing key services like healthcare, education and banking to millions, and for both local and foreign companies, India is becoming a preferred market for their next billion users.

Yet parts of India remain under-penetrated with lack of infrastructure and connectivity. A significant population is still in the dark.

#WorklifeIndia asks how the mobile revolution is transforming India and impacting our lives, and how digital inclusion can be achieved.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: P Balaji, chief regulatory and corporate affairs officer, Vodafone Idea Limited; Rudra Dalmia, executive director, Paytm Mall; Tanvi Sharma, telecom analyst, Counterpoint Research

Not a single woman won a Nobel Prize in the science category this year. This is not unusual: according to the United Nations, only 20 women have made it to the list of winners in physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine in more than a hundred years.

While women are increasingly opting to be scientists, there is still a huge gap. Women are often told that subjects like engineering and mathematics are not for them. They face discrimination in hiring, growth and funding for research.

In this special edition, #WorklifeIndia heads to the India Economic Summit organised in Delhi by the World Economic Forum. We speak to female tech entrepreneurs and scientists and ask them what’s holding women back in the field of science.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Sabine Klauke, head of engineering, Airbus Defence and Space; Dr Ruchi Saxena, founder, Caerobotics Healthcare Solutions and director, India Flying Labs; Sarah Zhang, founder, Guangzhishu Technology (Points); Pritika Mehta, data scientist and entrepreneur

India produces an estimated 26,000 tonnes of plastic a day. The majority is packaging material, for everything ranging from takeaway food to online shopping.

Most of it ends up at crowded landfill sites in the city along with other waste. A lot of it finds its way into drains and waterways, and eventually into the oceans. It’s toxic not just for the environment and wildlife, but for human health as well.

The Indian government has started a campaign to rid the country of single-use plastic over the next three years. But plastic is cheap and ubiquitous, and alternative materials aren’t as easily available and are often more expensive.

Are we ready to embrace a life without single-use plastic? Are companies willing to make the change? And what can consumers do to switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle?

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Dia Mirza, actor, producer, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador & United Nations Secretary General Advocate for Sustainable Development Goals; Bahar Dutt, environment journalist and conservation biologist; Jayesh Rambhia, managing director, Premsons Plastics and Co-chairman, All India Plastic Manufacturers' Association (AIPMA)

Image: Volunteers of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Sulabh International hold cloth bags (Credit: Prakash Singh/AFP/Getty Images)

Big cities around the world are getting increasingly congested. In some Indian cities, the average commute time easily runs into several hours.

A lot of commuters spend their commutes working, answering emails and taking calls. They are often stressed and tired even before the workday officially starts. It can affect performance, health, and work-life balance.

So, how can employers make the daily commute less painful and more productive? Should it be counted as part of your workday?

#WorklifeIndia speaks to the co-founder of an on-demand commuting service, a human resources professional and a long-distance commuter.

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Amit Singh, co-founder and CEO, Shuttl; Rachna Saxena, chief human resources officer, ABC Consultants; Aaliya Batool, consultant and long-distance commuter

Image: Indian commuters travel in the compartment reserved for women on the metro in New Delhi, India, on June 10, 2015 (Credit: Anna Zieminski/AFP/Getty Images)

Globally, over 40 million people use vapes or e-cigarettes: battery-powered smoking devices filled with a liquid that contains nicotine, which is then heated into vapours that users inhale.

Vapes are often available in attractive flavours and designs, making them popular with young people, and because they don’t contain tobacco, they are perceived by some as a healthier alternative to smoking.

But many health experts feel they are dangerous, and could also be a gateway to smoking for others. That’s one of the reasons why India, the country with the world’s second-largest number of smokers, has banned vapes, joining many other countries around the world.

Despite this, traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco are still legal here. There is also scepticism about the implementation of the ban, and questions on why the government did not decide to regulate the industry instead.

So is banning vapes the solution, and who are the winners and losers from this decision in India?

Presenter: Devina Gupta

Contributors: Dr Ritu Malani, respiratory disease and allergy specialist; Aalok Avasthi, vape supplier and store owner; Kanav Kumar, vaper and former smoker

Image: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addresses a press conference to announce the cabinet decision to ban e-cigarettes on September 18, 2019 in New Delhi, India (Credit: Mohd Zakir/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)