3 Things

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Ritika Chopra about the impact of The Indian Express investigation on the Election Commission of India, the reversals that it led to and the changes in Form 6. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Sophiya Mathew about the deteriorating air quality in Delhi NCR and the sharp rise in the AQI. She also discusses the implementation of GRAP stage II in the region and how Pakistan is worsening Delhi's pollution levels. (15:10)

Lastly, we discuss the Union Cabinet's decision to allow all Agniveers a chance to join the armed forces as regular soldiers. (27:30)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Asad Rehman about the INDIA bloc’s rally demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, its “public impeachment” campaign, and the BJP’s counter-mobilisation in Delhi.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Mihir Vasavda about PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen’s title-winning performances at the Hylo Open, the withdrawal of government funding for India’s European badminton campaign, and its impact on players. (10:00)

And in the end, we look at the BMC’s removal of a Diwali pollution-awareness video featuring Dia Mirza following objections from BJP leaders, even as similar campaign videos featuring other celebrities remained online. (22:50)

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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' Brendan Dabhi about an investigation into a digital wallet application that uncovered an alleged Rs 1200 crore financial scam involving lakhs of users across several states. He shares how investors were encouraged to recruit others, who would then bring in more people, creating a vast multi-level marketing network.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pratip Acharya about a hydropower project which will reduce Maharashtra’s dependence on coal-fired power but will require felling over 32,000 trees. He discusses the project, its significance and its potential impact on the state and nearby villagers. (15:16)

Lastly, we talk about the Supreme Court declining an urgent hearing for an application seeking intervention to cap ‘inflated’ airline fares ahead of the festival season. (31:45)

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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’ Pallavi Smart about Maharashtra’s revised Class 6 textbooks, the greater emphasis on ancient Indian knowledge, and the removal or rewriting of passages dealing with caste and social inequality.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar about the environmental cost of rising tourism and large-scale development in Himachal Pradesh, and the measures recommended by a Supreme Court-appointed committee. (08:00)

And in the end, we look at a Chhattisgarh family’s search for 21-year-old Vineet Kumar Dubey after a job offer took him to Russia, where he was reportedly detained amid fears that he could be drawn into the war in Ukraine. (24:05)

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Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about the ongoing Census, and the government's decision to amend the Census Rules to explicitly state that teachers from government schools, local authorities and unaided private educational institutions can be appointed as census enumerators.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about India's invitation to Pakistan’s National Heritage and Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Civilisational Dialogue Forum, which will take place in New Delhi and what it means for the ties between the two countries. (14:15)

Lastly, we talk about Former BJP MP and Wrestling Federation of India’s ex-President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh being included in the BJP’s Uttar Pradesh state executive committee. (21:36)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Aditi Raja about Gujarat’s decision to allot valuable public land to former cricketer and MP Yusuf Pathan, why part of the plot is being offered as a gift, and the questions this raises about government discretion and public purpose.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Udit Misra about the economic pressures driving protests in France, including rising living costs, unemployment and strained public services, and the lessons the crisis may hold for India. (14:20)

And in the end, we look at the Legislative Council elections across Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra, where the BJP-led alliance made significant gains while the Congress failed to register a victory. (28:45)

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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' Himanshu Harsh who led an investigation into the Bihar drug crisis for the newspaper. He talks about the current situation in the state, its relation to the prohibition of alcohol and the government's response.  

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage created in 2022 to help developing countries deal with disasters. He shares how the fund works, Nepal's emergency request for financial assistance post the recent flash floods, and why it took so long to establish this fund. (18:08)

Lastly, we talk about an incident from Kolkata, where three people were forced to strip at gunpoint, and paraded naked. (30:23)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

In this special episode of 3 Things, The Indian Express Group’s Executive Director Anant Goenka speaks with foreign-policy expert C. Raja Mohan and political theorist Pratap Bhanu Mehta about the Iran war, US-China competition, political upheaval across South Asia and the forces reshaping the global order and India’s place within it.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Watch the episode here:
https://youtu.be/00hFaC00Dj0?si=rTgU89ij8ybZAxoC

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Manraj Grewal Sharma about a new trend emerging in Punjab, where people who had been deported from the US last year on account of illegal migration are once again moving, this time to Spain. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Udit Mishra about the Nobel Prize for Economics 2026, which was awarded to Robert E Hall and Michael Woodford for their work that has helped shape how governments and central banks manage economic crises. (16:24)

Lastly, we talk about Rapido being under the Maharashtra government's scanner post Tiger Shroff's firing incident. (32:52)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we hear from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a special conversation with The Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the proposed India-US trade deal, tensions over tariffs and immigration, and Washington’s evolving relationships with China and Pakistan.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Jayprakash S Naidu about a survey exposing the difficult working conditions of sanitation workers in Chhattisgarh, including inadequate safety equipment, missing identity documents and limited access to welfare schemes. (15:55)

And in the end, we look at why RSS-linked organisations are preparing to protest outside Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s residence over Pyare Khan’s appointment as chairman of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission. (23:55)

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Produced and written by 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' Kaunain Sheriff about weightloss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro being used for cosmetic purposes, especially by brides wanting to lose weight and the potential health consequences.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about this year's Nobel Prize for Physics, awarded for detecting some of the most elusive particles in the universe called neutrinos and the challenges faced in the process. (16:29)

Lastly, we talk about a two-year-old in Keralam who died from starvation-induced anemia and the consequences his family faces for neglecting the child's needs and health.(27:13)

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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’ Mohamed Thaver about the shooting targeting actor Tiger Shroff, the alleged links to organised crime networks, and whether the attack signals the return of an extortion model that once terrorised Bollywood.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Nayonika Bose about a study finding that 35 per cent of Mumbai is vulnerable to seawater intrusion, what this could mean for the city’s groundwater and the measures proposed to contain the threat. (18:20)

And in the end, we look at the FIR filed in Uttarakhand over social media posts questioning the government’s investment claims, and the political dispute surrounding the outcomes of the 2023 Global Investors Summit. (32:25)

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Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

In this episode of 3 Things Deep Dive, we examine how the government gets social media content taken down, the legal powers it can invoke, and what this means for freedom of speech online. Between March and July this year, the government issued nearly 2 lakh takedown orders across 19 online platforms, covering everything from student protests to criticism of its ethanol fuel blending policy. We discuss how this process works, and where the law draws the line between regulating online content and censorship, with The Indian Express’ National Legal Editor, Apurva Vishwanath.

Hosted and Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

You can watch the video episode here:
https://youtu.be/LrpbiIIe8aY?si=ERnFOol1XvMRvt46

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Alok Deshpande about the 11-day protest by Maharashtra government-job aspirants, the allegations of examination irregularities that triggered it, and how political intervention led to an inquiry and the MPSC chairman going on leave.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Ritu Sharma about Garba’s evolution from a traditional Gujarati folk dance into a multi-crore cultural enterprise, and the role played by Bollywood, social media, migration and government promotion. (13:50)

And in the end, we look at the stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal that killed 19 people, the combination of rain, overcrowding and confusing announcements that may have triggered it, and the questions raised over crowd management and safety. (31:50)

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Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Adrija Roy Chowdhury about Durga Puja’s cultural, economic and political significance in Bengal, and whether the BJP’s rise to power is beginning to alter the character of the state’s biggest festival.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about 158 refugees from Pakistan who have received Indian citizenship in Gujarat, the discrimination and uncertainty they endured after crossing the border, and what citizenship changes for their families. (17:10)

And in the end, we look at actor Imran Khan’s order to leave India after authorities alleged that he violated the Foreigners Act by participating in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. (29:10)

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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' Sukalp Sharma about the United States' decision to buy diesel from Russia. This comes after the US repeatedly targeted India over its hefty purchases of Russian oil. He talks about why this is happening and what it means for India.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pratip Acharya about the gymkhana culture in Mumbai and the land they use. He discusses the state government’s plan to change its gymkhana policy and charge them market-rate rent for these spaces. (10:15)

Lastly, we discuss the concerns raised by five states—Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura, regarding the Centre’s flagship urban livelihood mission. (18:54)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava 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’ Asad Rehman about how protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation developed into a wider confrontation between the Opposition and the BJP-led government, and why the campaign is now moving from the streets to the Supreme Court.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about three cousins from Gujarat who were kidnapped in Ethiopia while allegedly attempting to reach the United States through the illegal “dunki” route, and how Gujarat Police helped secure their release. (14:35)

And in the end, we look at Nandan Nilekani’s proposed solution to examination paper leaks: building a vast digital question bank and generating final papers shortly before examinations begin, leaving little time for them to be stolen or circulated. (25:10)

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Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawa

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Soumyarendra Barik about the US government suspending several major IT companies from the Permanent Labor Certification Program, which allows skilled foreign workers to gain permanent residency, and the impact this suspension will have on Indians working in the IT sector. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about the rising cost of healthcare in India and how hospitalisation costs in private hospitals are incredibly high. She discusses the huge gap between government and private hospital prices and the concerns raised by healthcare activists and experts. (19:18)

Lastly, we talk about the Delhi Police announcing that Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site as the INDIA bloc, Cockroach Janta Party and the All India Students’ Association fight to hold protests there. (30:31)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Link to the episode with the segment with The Indian Express' Amaal Sheikh on inflated prices of life-saving drugs:
https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/drought-in-maharashtra-high-drug-pricing-and-no-burqa-for-nurses/10906719/

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pragynesh about the sweeping police crackdown on protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, the detention of more than 7,000 people, and the Supreme Court’s intervention over restrictions on movement and peaceful assembly.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Nikhil Ghanekar about the first release of captive-bred Great Indian Bustards into the wild, the factors that pushed the species towards extinction, and the challenges involved in rebuilding its population. (21:10)

And in the end, we look at a fatal crash near Kochi airport that killed three young people and raised serious questions about drunk driving, underage access to alcohol and repeated speeding violations. (33:15)

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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’ Alok Singh about how protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation spread across central Delhi, the challenges of policing multiple groups and the allegations surrounding the police response.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pratip Acharya about a CAG audit that found major failures in Maharashtra’s implementation of the Green India Mission, including poor fund utilisation, missed plantation targets and extremely low sapling-survival rates. (15:50)

And in the end, we look at the GST Council’s decision to remove the arrest powers of tax officers, raise the prosecution threshold from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, and ease other penalties amid concerns about aggressive enforcement. (23:55)

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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' Sadaf Modak about the toll the drought in Maharashtra is taking on the women of the state. She talks about how women have to carry pots filled with water to their homes when borewells and household taps run dry. She also shares how this arduous task is just one part of their already hectic and physically demanding day and what activists are demanding regarding this.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about Swiss President Guy Parmelin's three day visit to India and the bilateral talks held between the two countries. The visit also came as India and the four member European Free Trade Association marked one year of their Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, which includes Switzerland. (15:19)

Lastly, we talk about a police crackdown on alleged illicit liquor trade in Bihar, which resulted in two deaths. (21:51)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

In this episode of 3 Things Deep Dive, we take a look at the alleged corruption inside the Karnataka Public Service Commission, where paper leaks, manipulated recruitment processes and bribes have raised questions about how government jobs are awarded. 

An Indian Express investigation found that these were not isolated incidents, but part of a larger pattern during the tenure of KPSC chairman Shivashankarappa S Sahukar. We speak to journalist Jay Mazoomdar, who led the investigation, about how the racket worked, who benefited from it, and what happened to those who tried to speak out.

Hosted and Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

You can watch the video episode here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9ch4Jhzfgc&t=1s

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Ishika Gupta about protests in Delhi and Mumbai against the Election Commission and the irregularities that surfaced during the Special Intensive Revision. She discusses the Mumbai protests, how the city became the base for the Cockroach Janata Party and how the situation differs between Delhi and Mumbai.   

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about lung cancer and its growing burden. She shares how lung cancer is becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths in the country, and yet we have limited screening for it. She discusses the symptoms, the people who are more prone to it, the screening process, and why screening is limited in India. (09:14)

Lastly, we talk about the Kainchi Dham, an ashram in Uttarakhand closely associated with the Hindu saint Neem Karoli Baba, and the sharp increase in visitors it has seen since the release of Hanuman Ansh. (22:03)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express.

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Alok Deshpande about the drought situation in Maharashtra. Last week Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of its 358 tehsils, after prolonged rainfall deficits and dry spells damaged crops across large parts of the state. Alok shares the seriousness of the situation, what this means for the farmers and what can be expected in the upcoming days.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amaal Sheikh about the high cost of life-saving medicines, and why access to essential healthcare remains a major challenge. She discusses the process for pricing medicines, why certain essential medicines are expensive and the Supreme Court's stance on this matter. (14:51)Lastly, we talk about a protest by nursing interns over alleged restrictions on wearing burqas inside the labour room at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda. (24:20)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Iccha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about Uttarakhand’s proposed Agniveer Cell, how it plans to help the first returning batches find civilian employment, and the challenges involved in matching their skills and aspirations with available opportunities.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about Sahil Majothi, a young man from Gujarat who travelled to Russia as a student, joined its armed forces and later surrendered in Ukraine, where he remains in a prisoner-of-war facility as his family seeks his return. (11:50)

And in the end, we look at the case of Ranchi-based nurse Monica Kachhap, who says she was promised a nursing job in Dubai but became trapped in an exploitative work arrangement and an alleged debt of more than ₹3 lakh. (23:55)

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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' Raakhi Jagga about the protests that took place at Punjab's Chitkara University and Lovely Professional University. She discusses the reasons behind the protests, the resulting violence, and how social media posts triggered both incidents.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about the Research Development and Innovation Fund, the government's initiative to provide funds to companies engaged in research in sectors such as space, robotics and artificial intelligence. He shares how the process worked and why the invitation for funding will now close. (13:57)

Lastly, we discuss an incident where an Indian pilot was credited with saving all the passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that signalled an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. (28:15)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, 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’ Pragynesh about the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old at Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park, the security gaps across the Capital’s green spaces, and why restricting women’s access cannot substitute for making public places safer.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak about the renewed debate over dividing Uttar Pradesh into four states, how such a reorganisation would work, and why it may not suit the BJP politically. (17:00)

And in the end, we look at a Supreme Court petition questioning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s decision-making and seeking to invalidate the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. (25:50)

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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' Jayprakash S. Naidu about certain notices put up outside churches in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh saying that non-Christians entering the church are doing so on their own responsibility. He talks about the communal disturbances occurring in the state and the concerns of the Christian community. 

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi about Gujarat's CCTV network. He talks about a case of five year old's kidnapping, for which the Gujarat police was dependent on the CCTV network and the gaps in the system that were highlighted during the case. (7:14)

Lastly, we discuss a BJD-led protest in Odisha against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 (19:58)

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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’ Shubham Tigga about how Jharkhand’s voter-roll revision has left a small Afghan-origin community in Jamshedpur fearful, and the difficult questions it raises about residence, documentation and citizenship.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about how human-made noise is changing the calls of the Himalayan monal, why this behavioural adaptation matters, and how development and climate change are affecting the bird’s habitat. (08:30)

And in the end, we look at the major avalanche on Nepal’s Himlung Himal, where at least two people have died and 14 remain missing as rescue efforts continue amid hazardous weather conditions. (21:30)

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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

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which began in Bihar last year, has resulted in more than 13 crore names being removed from draft rolls across 30 States and Union Territories, putting the Election Commission at the centre of an intense public debate.

But questions about the exercise were also raised within the three-member Election Commission itself. An investigation by The Indian Express found that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected, at least 14 times over 10 months, to decisions taken and orders issued, they say, without their knowledge.

In this episode, we discuss this unprecedented rift within the Election Commission with The Indian Express' Ritika Chopra, who investigated the story.

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Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pallavi Smart about the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, the protests and demands that followed, and the questions being raised about institutional accountability and mental-health support on campus.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Alok Deshpande about the Rakhandar Yatra, through which young activists are walking across Maharashtra’s Konkan region to connect concerns over development projects with local culture, livelihoods and environmental protection. (7:55)

And in the end, we look at why Amul stopped supplying milk to 400 anganwadis in Vadodara, leaving around 5,500 children without their daily nutritional entitlement because of a dispute over bills and payments. (18:00)

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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

The way we work is changing rapidly, driven by new technologies, evolving industries and shifting expectations from employers and employees. For professionals, this means that the skills they begin their careers with may not always be enough to meet the demands of a changing workplace. Continuous learning is therefore becoming increasingly important, helping people stay updated, adapt to new roles and remain prepared for what lies ahead.

As part of our ongoing collaboration with XLRI, Jamshedpur, we bring to you our 3rd episode of the series where we discuss how professionals need to keep learning to stay relevant. And to talk about this we’re joined by Professor Sunil Kumar Sarangi, Convenor - VIL and Corporate Programmes, XLRI, Jamshedpur. He is the Program Director of Basic Leadership Skills, the flagship Management Development Program of XLRI and has over 20 years of corporate and academic experience.

Hosted by Roshun Povaiah
Produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar 

Links to our previous two episodes:

Episode 1
Episode 2

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about a recent case that surfaced in Bihar where a teenage girl and boy were questioned and assaulted, and the girl was molested. This incident has once again raised questions about women's safety and law and order in the state. 

Next, the hosts of the Express Sports podcast Amit Kamath and Mihir Vasavda discuss the Asian Games, India's progress, and the issues that athletes and coaches are facing in Nagoya, Japan, where the games are being held. (11:32)

Lastly, we discuss a Forest Ranger in Rajasthan who was crushed by a dumper truck accused of illegally transporting soil. (24:19)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar


Our previous episodes with XLRI, Jamshedpur:

Episode 1
Episode 2

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt about the Union Health Ministry’s proposal to make CCTV cameras mandatory in medical stores, whether surveillance can curb the misuse of prescription drugs, and why chemists are raising concerns about cost and privacy.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Apoorva Agashe about the redevelopment of Mumbai’s Kamathipura, how the historic red-light district has already changed, and why sex workers without formal ownership or tenancy rights risk being excluded from rehabilitation. (12:15)

And in the end, we examine the death by suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, the allegations of caste-based discrimination made by his family, the institute’s handling of the case, and the demands raised by protesting students. (18:40)

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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' Devansh Mittal about a strike by Delhi Transport Corporation bus drivers and conductors that has disrupted public transport across the city. He shares the reasons behind the strike, the demands made by the drivers and the conductors, and the response from the government.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pallavi Smart about Maharashtra, where school students have taken up the responsibility to highlight civic infrastructure problems, using social media. She shares that in several districts across the state, students have been posting videos highlighting the problems they face on their daily commute to school, hoping the posts would reach the authorities and a solution would be found. (12:54)

Lastly, we talk about top bureaucrats, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal being issued notices for discrepancy and to prove their eligibility during the Special Intensive Revision. (22:14)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

EdTech can play an important role in making learning more engaging, interactive and accessible for children. In government schools, access to EdTech can help bridge gaps in educational opportunities. And Personalised Adaptive Learning or PAL can provide students with targeted practice while giving teachers information about individual learning levels.

As part of our ongoing collaboration with Central Square Foundation, we are excited to bring to you our second episode, where we will be talking to Harish Doraiswamy, Project Director, EdTech, Central Square Foundation, and Abhijeet Singh, Co-Chair, Education, J-PAL. They will both share their insights on how EdTech can help make classrooms more inclusive by catering to different learning needs and abilities. 

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Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

Link to our first episode with CSF:
https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/teachers-day-central-square-foundation-beyond-training-investing-in-teachers-for-nipun/10863336/

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sweety Kumari about the transfer of IPS officer Dr Bushara Bano following a video in which she praised an AMU coaching academy, how the government has justified its action, and why the case has raised concerns about its treatment of minority expression.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Raakhi Jagga about the Punjab government’s noticeably softer response to protests by employees and farmers, the electoral influence claimed by these groups, and why the shift is being read as political damage control.

And in the end, we look at the National Green Tribunal’s order directing the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department to plant 7,000 trees after around 700 were felled for a road linked to a proposed cricket stadium in the Bhoj Wetland catchment area.

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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' Sohini Ghosh about a case involving a same-sex couple that has raised an important question about who gets to make medical decisions for a partner. She talks about what the Health Ministry has told the High Court in this regard and the rights of queer couples in India.

Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about the United States admitting that it has deployed active weapons in space. He talks about the rules and regulations in place regarding the weaponization of space, the debate around it and what it means for other countries. (15:20)

Lastly, we discuss the government’s decision not to roll back the proposed MDR on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. (27:43)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Man Aman Singh Chhina about how increasingly sophisticated drones are transforming cross-border smuggling along Punjab’s border with Pakistan, what they are carrying, and the growing challenge for security agencies and border villages.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sujit Bisoyi about an amendment to India’s mining law that gives the Centre the power to restrict state taxes on minerals, why it is facing opposition in Odisha, and what it could mean for the mineral-rich state. (14:50)

And in the end, we examine a curious result from Rajasthan’s urban local body elections, where candidate Omprakash Bawri has alleged irregularities after officially receiving zero votes despite claiming that he and members of his family voted for him. (26:11)

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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

The headline sof the day by The Indian Express

Delhi’s gang networks are changing. From local betting and extortion rackets to cocaine cartels, sophisticated weapons, foreign-based gang leaders and social-media recruitment, the nature of organised crime in the capital has taken a darker turn.

In this episode of Three Things, we look at how Delhi’s gangs operate today, the rise of cocaine trafficking, the mechanics of extortion, and why young recruits are increasingly being drawn into the gangster ecosystem through the promise of money, fame and notoriety. And to discuss this, we are joined by The Indian Express' Pragynesh.

Hosted and Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

You can watch the video episode here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALrSXdPxdGo

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the BRICS Summit, how India bridged divisions over the West Asia war, and what the document reveals about the grouping’s expanding global ambitions.

Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Damini Nath about Raghav Chadha’s removal from Punjab’s draft electoral roll and subsequent reappearance in Delhi, the questions surrounding his registration, and what the case reveals about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision process. (17:40)

And in the end, we look at why Tata Sons may be pushed towards a public listing after the RBI rejected its request to surrender its registration, and how differences among major shareholders could shape what may become one of India’s most consequential IPOs. (30:00)

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Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

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)

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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)

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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

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’ 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)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

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)

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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)

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Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express.

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.

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Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar

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.

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Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

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)

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Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

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)

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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' 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