All Indians Matter
by Ideabrew Studios
All Indians Matter is a digital home for conversations with and about India on the issues that truly matter. For most of our post-Independence years, this was done by the news media. However, in recent times, the media have been found wanting. As a result, the issues that should be highlighted are sidelined and the voices that should find a megaphone are muffled. This podcast is an effort to engage with everyone who cares about India, its Constitution, its liberal and secular values. All Indians Matter is the creation of Ashraf Engineer, who was a senior journalist with some of India’s leading newspapers for 17 years. His media work included a stint in 2011 in Afghanistan, where he trained and mentored journalists. He subsequently quit the news media and is now part of the brand communication industry. You can reach at: [email protected]. He is also active on social media: Twitter: @allindianscount Instagram: @al
Episodes
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Beneath The Silence: Gandhi's Shadow over Today's Storm
This episode dives into Mahatma Gandhi’s powerful legacy, his vision of self-reliant villages, dignity of labour, and harmony through non-violence. As India evolves, his timeless ideals offer a compelling lens to rethink development, rural empowerment, and sustainable living. A reflection on how...
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Gandhi: The Question That Remains | Teaser
This series on the Mahatma delves into the relevance of Gandhi’s ideals in a divided and unequal India. Tushar explores rising religious tensions, caste pride, media trials, and economic disparity reflecting on how Gandhi might respond today. A powerful reflection on resistance, rural vision, and...
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Why the uptick in CEO exits should concern you
There’s a strong uptick in the number of CEO departures in recent times – both in India and abroad. Blame it on geopolitical turbulence, market volatility, massive technological and regulatory changes, greater board scrutiny, and a mismatch between talent and company expectations. When it comes…
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The government is at war with the Mughals
The revision of school textbooks to erase Mughal influence on Indian history and culture is in keeping with the BJP-RSS effort to rewrite the past to justify its present and the future it wants to create. This future is saffron, a rejection of the secular ethos of India. Please listen to the…
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Gender credit gap holding India, societal evolution back
Study after study shows that women face serious challenges in accessing credit. The wide gender credit gap is holding back our progress — even though women are increasingly taking up entrepreneurship. Financial inclusion is vital for individual empowerment, and it fosters community and GDP…
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‘Formal schooling structure often fails the underprivileged’
While the Right to Education Act is in place, millions of underprivileged children remain out of school. For those in school, often quality education is out of reach. Poverty, it is clear, is keeping way too many young minds from reaching their full potential. Akash Tandon, an educator dedicated…
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How Trump’s tariffs are wrecking the US’ economy
Donald Trump’s unshakeable commitment to tariffs means that it no longer matters how much evidence there is against their effectiveness. He will use them because he believes in them. Never mind that they will shrink the US’ own competitiveness, are inflationary for Americans and will make many…
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What are FTAs and how do they help developing countries?
The recent India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) put in the spotlight how many countries are using such deals to accelerate growth, access new markets, create jobs and lift people out of poverty. Fewer trade barriers are good for everyone. How exactly do FTAs work and help developing economies? And...
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Bhopal Gas Tragedy survivors’ unending quest for justice
41 years after the world’s worst industrial disaster, survivors of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and their descendants face severe health issues, soil and water contamination and a wall of state and judicial apathy. Dow Chemicals, which bought over Union Carbide, refuses to implement a comprehensive...
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For people with disability in India, every day is a parkour course
India has a serious lack of spaces accessible to the disabled. For that to change, the issue must be viewed not just as a legal one but as a social responsibility. Also, accessibility must go beyond compliance with the law to encompass qualitative aspects such as functionality and comfort. Jacob...
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Why we should not take democracy for granted - 3
In the final part of the series on the cloud over India’s democracy, All Indians Matter looks at how India’s backslide affects our international relationships. What we are determines how other countries work with us. The West sees India as a counter-balance to China but the erosion of its...
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Why we should not take democracy for granted - 2
In the second part of the series on the cloud over India’s democracy, All Indians Matter looks at the factors that have led to the backsliding. From the stifling of dissent to the capture of institutions, there are several reasons for India going from democracy to ‘electoral autocracy’. While...
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Why we should not take democracy for granted - 1
The world over, democracy seems to be in trouble. It is seen to be failing people and trust in it is plummeting. Authoritarians are riding a wave of support, arguing that the old ways of governance don’t work, sideline too many and only they can provide the firm, central control that’s needed. It...
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‘When young people are not meaningfully involved in society, it’s disastrous’
As the world grapples with crisis after crisis, youth involvement in social change is critical. A generation more aware of the world than any other needs to step up to create a shift, whether it’s related to the environment, social justice or economic inequality. However, many of them lack the...
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India’s emergence on fentanyl map could hurt ties with US
A recent US report says India is emerging as a player in the fentanyl trade. The synthetic opioid is a major killer in the US, accounting for thousands of deaths each year. It was one of the reasons President Trump threatened tariffs against even major trading partners. How exactly does India...
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Can Air India reclaim former glory?
The crash in Ahmedabad was among the worst aviation disasters in recent history. It came in the wake of seemingly unending bad news for Air India – delays, cancellations, poor maintenance, staff indifference and revolt… Experts say it’s a long road to recovery for the airline reacquired by the…
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What a satcom licence for Starlink means for you
Elon Musk’s Starlink – a satellite-based high-speed, low-latency broadband offering – could revolutionise Indian telecom and transform the rural economy. However, there are also concerns about data security and geopolitical risks. Local telecom operators also say the low taxes on such services...
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‘Data can point us in the right direction, but behavioural change is critical for social impact’
It’s not just businesses; non-profits, civic agencies and the public sector now recognise the potential of data science to address social challenges and drive positive change. It combines statistical analysis, computer science and domain expertise to solve some of our most complex problems – from...
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How the census affects your life
The much-delayed census has finally gotten the green light. Among the world’s largest administrative exercises, it has a long and fascinating history. It’s almost as if the data tells the story of India itself. This data is critical for a range of decisions, from economic planning and welfare to...
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How developing countries’ debt levels affect their people
More than 3.3 billion people live in developing countries that spend more on interest payments than on education or health. Sovereign debt levels of developing economies are a threat to economic stability. At least 50 such countries spend more than 10% of their revenues on debt servicing, which…
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Why the Chabahar port is so critical to India’s ambitions
The Chabahar port provides India with stable, quicker access to Central Asia and Europe, making it one of the cornerstones of our economic and political strategies. Its strategic location allows India to bypass Pakistan and monitor China’s activities in the Persian Gulf better too. It also builds...
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‘Smart cities need not just tech-driven, but purpose-driven solutions’
As urbanisation grows and so does the pressure on metros, technology is rapidly becoming the foundation of urban management. The solutions span a range of services, from e-governance to waste management and water management to mobility. Jaya Dhindaw, Executive Program Director, Sustainable…
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Prostate cancer on the rise, experts urge regular checkups
Prostate cancer is on the rise in India, posing not just medical but also financial challenges. Low awareness, stigma around the symptoms and the potentially high cost of treatment are serious concerns. If you are over 45 years of age or have a family history of prostate cancer, make sure you...
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Why India’s super-rich are leaving
India’s high net worth individuals are making a beeline for other countries. A better standard of living, lower taxes, ease of doing business, better healthcare and even climate change are some of the reasons they are moving abroad and in many cases even giving up their citizenship. This could…
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How the US dollar became the world’s reserve currency
Not too long ago, US President Donald Trump warned BRICS countries against replacing the dollar as a reserve currency. He threatened 100% tariffs if they did so. Why is the US dollar the world’s reserve currency? What does it mean for the global economy? And what would happen if it lost that...
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‘The architecture of information was central to how rulers wielded power’
While ‘Hicky’s Bengal Gazette’, launched in 1780, was India’s first printed newspaper, the country has had sophisticated and widespread information and news systems for centuries. The evolution of Indian media, therefore, has its roots farther back in time than most believe. Recently, two...
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What is the cost of war?
The latest India-Pakistan conflict has cooled but, for a while, many felt that the threat of a full-scale war was real. What would such a war cost? Experts estimate that India would spend Rs 1,460 crore to Rs 5,000 crore a day in a short-term war. If it prolongs, the cost could rise to an...
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Why India wants to become a major space power
It’s not just the massive and fast-growing market that is driving India’s space ambitions. At stake are also political and strategic objectives. Space is now very much part of international relations that encompass military, civilian and commercial needs. So, while the space programme was…
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India needs to up its game on rare earths
Lithium and rare earths are vital for industries and applications needed to secure our future, from renewable energy systems to EVs and healthcare to modern defence systems. However, India’s dependence on China and its lumbering progress on local extraction and processing are worrying. Please...
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‘Normalise conversations about mental health in rural schools; ASHA workers, teachers could help’
There is an increasing prevalence of poor mental health among adolescents, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Rural students face a tougher situation because access to mental healthcare is often non-existent in their villages. Snehal Joshi, a psychologist and mental health educator who has worked...
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India keeping an eye on Chinese goods dumping efforts
Global trade stresses are forcing Chinese manufacturers to dump goods in markets like India. New Delhi has responded with anti-dumping duties to protect local industries. More could follow. What exactly is dumping and what is its impact on the target country? Please listen to the latest episode…
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Gir’s big cats feel the pressure of growing numbers
286 lions died in Gujarat over the past two years, a significant number of them due to unnatural causes. While Gir’s conservation story has been laudable, it may be falling prey to its own success. The growing lion population, necessitating larger territories, has resulted in greater conflict…
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What happens if there is a recession in the US?
While the US is not experiencing a recession yet, concerns about its onset are growing – despite the pause on reciprocal tariffs. If one does hit, it would have a significant impact on India, churning stock markets, shrinking exports and economic growth, and raising unemployment. However, there…
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‘Nehru’s socialism was not a mistake… Socialism may be in crisis, but capitalism is too’
When I think of the evolution of Indian news media, I divide it into phases: post-independence, a nation finding its feet, the age of despair when the promises of freedom seemed distant, the Emergency, the political churn that followed, the economic reforms, the digital revolution, and so on.…
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Rising cases of cancer among the young sound alarm
Study after study points to a “generational shift” in cancer cases. In other words, there is a rising incidence of cancer among Millennials and Gen Z. These findings bring into sharp perspective the challenges of modern lifestyles and diseases. Researchers say dietary choices, sedentary…
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‘Who is Namdeo Dhasal?’ Censors’ ignorance a chance to remind ourselves of him
Censor board officials, while reviewing a movie on legendary Dalit poet-activist Namdeo Dhasal, asked who he was, stunning the filmmaker and sparking political and social outrage. Dhasal gave voice to not just the Dalit experience but also that of those forced to the fringes of society. His was…
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India and the world need WHO more than ever
President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the WHO could weaken the world’s ability to respond to modern health challenges. More than ever, this is a time to collaborate on disease prevention and management. The milestones WHO has achieved while working with India are a great example of what can...
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Corporate debt write-offs: privatising profits, socialising losses
Corporate loan write-offs are justified as necessary to improve banks’ financial situation and to stimulate economic activity. However, they increase the fiscal deficit and government debt, reducing the money available for social welfare and development programmes. The burden is borne by…
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‘AI can’t tailor investments to individual goals yet’
Like with so many industries, artificial intelligence is transforming personal investing. It offers analysis and services like portfolio management at speeds and depth that were only dreamt of earlier. However, along with these benefits, there is also the spectre of data breaches and errors that...
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Serious challenges to India’s renewable energy push, but solutions on hand too
India’s energy demand will grow faster than that of any other country due to its sheer size and growth potential. Given the climate challenge, most of this new demand must be met by renewable sources. However, that’s anything but easy. The push faces a variety of challenges, from financing to...
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How India came to rely on Russian crude, why that could change and what that means for you
After the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions, India took the opportunity to start buying cheap Russian crude. From 12% earlier, Russia went on to account for 40% of India’s oil imports. Now, fresh US sanctions mean our days of buying cheap Russian crude could be over. If India’s oil...
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EV charging infra needs policy, incentives boost to meet 2030 goal
The goal is to have 30% of newly registered private cars to be electric by 2030 but range anxiety caused by the lack of adequate charging infrastructure could put paid to that. India has 200 EVs per commercial charging point, which compares very poorly to the average of 20 in the US and less than...
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‘The powerless have nothing but their stories to offer’
‘City on Fire: A Boyhood in Aligarh’ is a superb memoir of a boyhood spent in Aligarh on volatile communal faultlines. The author, Zeyad Masroor Khan, details the pains associated with growing up, of joy and grief and loss and evolution. Its greatest success, however, is in portraying how the...
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Should India switch to two time zones?
If you consider mean solar times, there is a two-hour difference across India’s breadth. So, sticking to a single time zone impacts sleep patterns, health, education outcomes and economic output. Yet, governments over the decades have rejected scientific advice to switch to two time zones. They...
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The Indian middle-class is under financial siege
The term ‘shrinking middle-class’ is now common and there are several indicators that it is based in fact. Consumption is down. Last year, two-wheeler sales fell and car inventory rose. The cost of living is through the roof and real wages are stagnating. The once-thriving middle-class is...
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Why China’s mega dam in Tibet worries India, threaten riverine ecology and communities
China is building a dam on the Brahmaputra in Tibet, which will be thrice the size of the Three Gorges project. It will mean China has control over flow of the water into India, raising serious security and economic concerns. What’s more, it lies on an earthquake fault zone and presents a threat…
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‘Future of B-schools likely to be new-format courses, with fewer 2-year MBAs’
Especially after liberalisation and the era of high growth, the demand for MBA degrees skyrocketed. This led to the establishment of several public and private institutions offering the degrees. However, over time, several challenges arose – not least that many of the graduates were not…
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India’s tilt towards oligarchy – Part 2
In the last part of the series on India’s march towards oligarchy, All Indians Matter looks at what can be done to arrest the slide. If we are to return to a state that truly cares for everyone, if we are to have strong social welfare and economic safety nets, we need a new kind of politics – the...
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India’s turn towards oligarchy – Part 1
Oligarchy is a political system in which power lies in the hands of a few individuals or a single class. The source can be wealth, connections, political influence... Joe Biden referred to it in his farewell speech as President, warning of its consequences. After Russia, India has the most...
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The rise of the populist right – Part 3. March of the right brigade in India
What is a nation? And who does it belong to? In India, the far-right project aims for a nation defined by Hindutva, a single language – Hindi – and a tight control on what we eat, think, who we can marry, and a hierarchy based on religion and caste when it comes to rights, freedoms and resources....
About this show
All Indians Matter is a digital home for conversations with and about India on the issues that truly matter.
For most of our post-Independence years, this was done by the news media. However, in recent times, the media have been found wanting. As a result, the issues that should be highlighted are sidelined and the voices that should find a megaphone are muffled. This podcast is an effort to engage with everyone who cares about India, its Constitution, its liberal and secular values.
All Indians Matter is the creation of Ashraf Engineer, who was a senior journalist with some of India’s leading newspapers for 17 years. His media work included a stint in 2011 in Afghanistan, where he trained and mentored journalists. He subsequently quit the news media and is now part of the brand communication industry.
You can reach at: [email protected].
He is also active on social media:
Twitter: @allindianscount
Instagram: @al
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Ideabrew Studios
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