3 Things

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi, disagreements over the war in West Asia, and the significance of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first visit to India in seven years. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt about the red warning labels that could soon appear on packaged foods, what they will tell consumers, and whether such front-of-pack warnings can influence purchasing decisions. (15:00) And in the end, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sujit Bisoyi about five orangutans found in Odisha’s Balasore district, the steps being taken to protect them, and suspicions that they were brought into India through an international wildlife-smuggling network. (22:51) Hosted by Shashank Bhargava Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Nayonika Bose about the proposed Amazon hyperscale data centre in Thane, residents’ concerns over its demand for water and electricity, and whether the economic benefits justify its environmental and civic costs. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sakshi Chand about the alleged killing of Manipuri musician Chongtham Vikram Singh in Delhi, what CCTV footage and the police investigation have revealed, and why the case has renewed concerns about the safety of people from the Northeast. (13:40) And in the end, we examine the controversy surrounding a Hindu religious delegation’s private visit to the Eiffel Tower, allegations that women employees were sidelined, and the protests and official investigation that followed. (21:45) Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express’ Amaal Sheikh about The National Human Rights Commission issuing notices to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Delhi Police regarding paid Instagram advertisements that allegedly directed users to Telegram channels offering child sexual abuse material. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Jayprakash S. Naidu about the recent convictions made in the Jhiram Ghati massacre, one of the most audacious attacks carried out by Maoists in the country, which nearly wiped out the entire Chhattisgarh Congress leadership in 2013. (11:36) And, in the end, we talk about Chinese President Xi Jinping attending the upcoming BRICS Summit with a sizeable business delegation and the expected developments on the sidelines of the summit. (18:15) Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Deeptiman Tiwary about why the Census has been halted in Manipur, the demand from Meitei and Naga groups for an NRC, and how questions of migration, citizenship and delimitation have deepened existing ethnic divisions. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Tabshir Shams about serious gaps at the Delhi State Cancer Institute, where staff shortages and unused medical equipment are forcing patients to pay privately for essential tests and medicines while facing dangerous delays in treatment. (11:30) And in the end, we examine the Allahabad High Court’s decision to quash the NSA detention of 25-year-old Aakriti Chaudhary, award her compensation and issue a sharp warning against bureaucratic overreach and the suppression of peaceful protest. (23:30) Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Udit Misra and Aanchal Magazine about the rising trend of taking loans in India. They share how easy access to credit is one of the reasons India’s household debt has risen sharply in recent years. And why this is also something the Reserve Bank of India is increasingly concerned about. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sweety Kumari about Kolkata's RG Kar hospital which was the site for a 31 year old junior doctor's sexual assault and murder two years back. She talks about the hospital, the changes it has seen in the last two years and whether or not the doctors feel safe. (14:43) And in the end, we talk about a building collapse in Delhi's Satya Niketan that took multiple lives and critically injured many others. (25:23) Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Teachers are at the heart of foundational learning. Their role goes beyond delivering lessons, it includes identifying learning gaps, encouraging curiosity and creating a supportive environment for students to grow. In the last five years of the NIPUN Bharat Mission, the country invested in building awareness about the need for such competencies, creating FLN teaching materials, establishing learning targets, and bringing foundational learning to the centre of the school education discourse. Now, in the next phase of India's foundational learning journey, we need to invest heavily in our teachers. Today, on the occasion of Teachers' Day, The Indian Express in association with Central Square Foundation brings to you a special episode where we discuss the role of teachers in FLN with our guest Ishmeet Singh, CEO, Central Square Foundation. He shares his insights on supporting teachers through efforts like regular training, access to better teaching tools & resources, mentoring frameworks and manageable classroom workloads. Hosted and Produced by Niharika Nanda Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express.

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Udit Misra about the controversy surrounding India’s latest GDP figures, how the reported 7.8% real growth was calculated, and whether former Finance Secretary Subhash Chandra Garg’s criticism of the data is justified. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Shubham Tigga about an investigation that found BJP booth-level agents seeking the deletion of voters from electoral rolls in Jharkhand’s Godda district, many of them Muslims and migrant workers, and the concerns this has raised during the revision exercise. And in the end, we look at the month-long strike by sanitation workers in Haryana, why regularisation remains the central point of disagreement, and how the agitation has become politically sensitive for the BJP because of the workforce’s links to the Valmiki community. Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the the 26th SCO Summit which was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan this year and was attended by leaders of all ten SCO member states, including India, China, Russia and Pakistan. He talks about India's presence at the summit and the issues PM Modi raised. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Kiran Parashar about a new law in Bengaluru that could allow parts of the city’s protected park land to be used for public utilities. He talks about the amendment and the opposition the amended law is facing from the residents of the city. (11:28) Lastly, we talk about retired Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, being appointed as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. (24:37) Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express.

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ National Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath about the unusual complaint against Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice S P Sharma, the allegations of administrative misconduct, and what the controversy reveals about the informal functioning of the collegium system. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Ankita Deshkar about the 13-day protest by tribal students in Maharashtra, the hostel rules that prompted the agitation—including an age cap and allegations involving pregnancy tests—and the demands that remain unresolved. (16:40) And in the end, we look at the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl aboard a Delhi sleeper bus, how the vehicle continued operating despite 11 traffic challans and apparent safety violations, and whether post-Nirbhaya requirements concerning CCTV cameras, panic buttons and GPS tracking are being enforced. (29:40) Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

This week on Casually Obsessed, Niharika, Aishwarya, and Shruti dive into the great "bikini blouse" debate, why cultural policing always lands on women, and why a Hermès store in Berlin owes a comedian way more than a cheap bottle of champagne. Also, did you know How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is finally getting a sequel? Tune in.Stay tuned to Casually Obsessed for more such fun conversations. Hosted by Aishwarya Khosla, Shruti Kaushal, and Niharika Nanda Produced by Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Asad Rehman who talks about a political controversy following a shuddhikaran hawan that happened at Haldwani's Ramlila Maidan two days after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a rally at the same venue. He discusses how Rahul Gandhi has called it an act of untouchability and the made a demand for registering an FIR. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Divya Goyal about the condition of English language education in Punjab's government schools caused by a shortage of qualified English teachers and the repercussions this shortage is having. Lastly, we talk about football legend Lionel Messi announcing his retirement from international football with the Argentina National Team. Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express