3 Things

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)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of 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 BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarYou can watch the video episode here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALrSXdPxdGo

The headline sof the day by The Indian Express

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)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited 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)Hosted by Shashank BhargavaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited 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 SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited 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 NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited 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 SharmaProduced and written Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited 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 NandaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited 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 NandaEdited 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 SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited 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 NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited 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 SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha SharmaEdited 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 NandaProduced by Niharika NandaEdited 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 NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Drishti Jain about the police crackdown on factory workers protesting for higher wages in Noida, why many spent weeks in jail despite courts finding insufficient evidence against them, and the lasting impact on their families.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Parul Kulshrestha about a government school near Jaipur where children were studying alongside farm animals despite having a school building, and how public attention prompted the authorities to allocate funds for repairs. (14:45)And in the end, we look at the Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s week-long Chandigarh–Mohali mobilisation, the routes and preparations planned for participating farmers, and their demands concerning river waters, MSP, debt relief and agricultural policy. (23:25)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited 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 and Nikhil Ghanekar about flash floods in Nepal. Nikhil discusses the possible reasons behind the floods and why they are so catastrophic and Shubhajit details India's efforts to help Nepal manage the situation. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Aditi Raja about the Gujarat Public Service Commission’s Sales Tax Inspector examination and how one question in the exam turned into a larger debate over answer keys and how public service commissions frame questions. (10:24)Lastly, we discuss why Russia, one of the world’s biggest crude producers and refiners, has been forced to import gasoline from abroad, including from India. (21:12)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Purnima Sah about Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law, why Christian congregations are asking worshippers to sign self-declaration forms, and the concerns surrounding disruptions and monitoring of prayer meetings.ext, we speak to The Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt about Intismeran, a personalised cancer vaccine that has shown promising results against skin cancer, how it works alongside immunotherapy, and whether similar treatments could eventually become accessible in India. (12:50)And in the end, we look at Cricket Australia’s decision to allow former Mumbai Under-19 cricketer Anaya Bangar to play women’s community cricket following her gender transition, and the different eligibility rules governing transgender participation at the community and elite levels. (23:35)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi about the latest Chandipura virus outbreak in Gujarat, where 25 children have died and 39 have been confirmed infected. But the biggest question that medical professionals and researchers can't answer is where the virus is coming from.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Sujit Bisoyi about a cargo ship that sank off the coast of Odisha, leaving 22 seafarers missing. He talks about the ship, the search and rescue operations, the two crew members who have been rescued and the investigation. (12:23)Lastly, we discuss the Delhi Police's decision to expand its information-gathering efforts and collect more specific intelligence ahead of every planned protest, as a takeaway from the CJP protests. (19:21)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Shubham Tigga about why Jharkhand’s 26-day protest over alleged recruitment-exam irregularities ended, how a High Court stay complicated the government’s response, and what the cancellation and suspension of dozens of recruitment processes mean for candidates.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy about US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, what his remarks signal about Washington’s position on the region, and their significance for India-US ties. (14:05) And in the end, we examine an unverified audio clip in which fugitive gangster Goldy Brar purportedly claims involvement in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a case that triggered a major diplomatic crisis between India and Canada. (23:50) Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Earlier this month, Maharashtra allowed practitioners of homeopathy who have completed a specific bridge course to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council — a body traditionally meant for doctors practising modern medicine.The move has sparked protests from doctors, including strikes by the Indian Medical Association that disrupted outpatient services and elective surgeries.Why has Maharashtra introduced this change? Why are doctors so concerned about it? And what does scientific evidence actually tell us about homeopathy?In this episode, we speak to The Indian Express’ health reporter Anonna Dutt, who has been closely following the developments, to understand the controversy and what it could mean for healthcare in Maharashtra.You can watch the video edition of the show here.Produced, writen, and hosted by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra about an audit of Indian non suburban railway stations conducted by the Comptroller and Auditor General. He shares the issues and lapses highlighted during the audit, the concerns they raise and the steps the government is taking. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Pratip Acharya about the Dharavi redevelopment project and the requirement to clear the Deonar landfill for it. He discusses the challenges the project faces, the delay in clearing the landfill, the prescribed timeline and the current status of the project. (11:10)Lastly, we discuss the Supreme Court reconsidering the University Grants Commission regulations aimed at preventing caste discrimination in higher education institutions and why it has put the government in a politically difficult position. (19:30)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Man Aman Singh Chhina about three Bills passed by the Punjab government to establish private digital open universities, why the state says they could transform education, and the concerns raised over their compliance with UGC regulations.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Ritu Sharma about how a food safety complaint at an Ahmedabad school developed into a wider controversy over books by Malala Yousafzai and Anne Frank, and what happened to the original investigation. (07:55)And in the end, we look at the United States’ possible review of its travel advisory for Kashmir, what US Ambassador Sergio Gor said about the region’s security and tourism potential, and the significance of his meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. (18:00)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express.

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Deeptiman Tiwary about  the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment or the FCRA bill which is facing objections from the opposition and Church groups. He discusses how the bill has been referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, what this means and the political significance of the same.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about NASA inviting ISRO to join its Moon Base Programme. Amitabh talks about the programme, its significance for India and why NASA requires international partners for the making it happen. (15:28)Lastly, we talk about Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren announcing the decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by the testing agency TSR Data Processing Private Limited. (23:15)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pratip Acharya about the deadly landslide in Mumbai’s Kurla, why repeated warnings about the vulnerable hillside went unaddressed, and what the tragedy reveals about the city’s failure to mitigate known landslide risks.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Sujit Bisoyi about the steady erosion of Odisha’s coastline, the districts most severely affected, and what the shrinking shoreline means for coastal communities and their livelihoods. (12:20)And in the end, we look at the BJP’s major organisational reshuffle, including Smriti Irani’s return to the central leadership, Amit Malviya’s removal as social media convener, and the party’s attempt to give greater prominence to women and younger leaders. (20:15)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Today on the show, we take a break from our usual programming to bring you a complete guide on what your health checkup should include—regardless of your age, sex, or lifestyle.The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt breaks down which tests are an absolute must, which ones are unnecessary, how often you should get them done, and whether a good result on paper means you can skip a visit to the doctor.This episode was originally recorded in May last year, but the conversation remains just as relevant.Hosted, produced and written by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about a bill being brought by the government to replace the Drugs and Cosmetics Act,1940. She talks about the bill, why it requires an overhaul and why the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry is opposing the new bill. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Ishika Gupta about Maharashtra's new bike and taxi rules and how they will impact food delivery and quick commerce platforms which initially operated largely under central consumer and social security laws. (11:19)Lastly, we talk about Tata Trusts starting the process of finding a successor to N Chandrasekaran, who will step down as chairman of Tata Sons when his current term ends in 2027. (18:50)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express