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On the Contrary by IDR
by India Development Review & Maed in India
On the Contrary by IDR is an award-winning show about listening to people not like us. In every episode, the host chats with guests as they share their diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise on an issue—water security, gender, climate change, caste, mental health, and more. The goal is to get people to explore their similarities and differences, and find a new, shared understanding. New episode out every Wednesday.
Episodes
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Well-being in a tech-first world
We live in an era of infinite scrolls, curated feeds, and algorithms, with each click designed to keep us hooked just a little longer. But the promise of technology has too often become a race for metrics and growth, moving further away from its original purpose: connecting people. In this…
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Lessons on well-being in activism: Kumi Naidoo and Louisa Zondo
Activism can often feel like a race against time; the gravity of injustice too urgent to look away from. But what does this constant sense of urgency mean for the well-being of those at the frontlines of responding to these crises? In this week’s episode of On the Contrary by IDR, we speak to two...
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Rooting philanthropy in well-being
When we talk about philanthropy, we usually focus on the tangible: what’s being funded, where the money goes, and what results it delivers. But behind every outcome is a relationship—between funders and grantees, between organisations and the people they serve. So what would it take to centre...
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Centering well-being in conflict: Notes from Colombia and Rwanda
What does well-being mean when systems are built on conflict and violence, and who gets to define what healing looks like? This week’s episode of On the Contrary by IDR brings together two guests who have witnessed conflict up close. Paula Moreno, founder of Manos Visibles (Visible Hands), works…
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Not always breaking news: Well-being in journalism
How does the media function in times of crisis? How do audiences respond to multiple stories of crisis one after another? Is it possible for journalists to cover conflict without causing harm to themselves or others? And what is the emotional cost of journalism in the 21st century? In this…
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Women in the workforce part II: What the data doesn't tell us
In this episode, journalist Namita Bhandare, researcher Sharon Buteau, and author and economist Shrayana Bhattacharya, delve into the data on female labour force participation, revealing the truth about Indian women’s engagement in paid work. Host: Saloni Meghani Produced and edited by: Sneha...
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Women in the workforce part I: Where women work
In this episode, Gayathri Vasudevan (Chief Impact Officer, Sambhav Foundation and Chairperson, LabourNet Services India), and feminist and queer activist Manak Matiyani discuss how gender norms and masculinities shape women's access to the workforce. Host: Smarinita Shetty Produced and edited by:...
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Do climate protests work?
In this special episode, we speak with climate activist Disha Ravi, environmental lawyer Mridula Vijairaghavan, and nonprofit leader Stalin Dayanand. Together, they unpack the dynamics of environmental protests—what works, what doesn't, and whether these movements hold the key to shaping climate...
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Water security: Community vs Corporate action
Water conservation is the need of the hour, and it requires both community-led initiatives and increased corporate engagement. In this episode, Shraman Jha, CEO of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, and Padma Shri awardee Uma Shankar Pandey, a jal yoddha or water warrior from Bundelkhand, Uttar...
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What will the future of farming in India look like?
In this special episode, we travel across India's farming landscape with three experts—Narendranath Damodaran (Pradan), Naseem Shaikh (SSP), and Swapna Sarangi (FES) as they help us envision a more sustainable future for agriculture and farmers in the country. Host: Sneha Philip Produced and…
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What if women in India stopped farming?
Women play a vital role in India's agrarian economy, but are often excluded in policy considerations. In this episode, our two guests Ireena Vittal and Kavitha Kuruganti help us understand the contribution of women in agriculture, while also getting us to imagine what a future without women…
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Agriculture in India: The past, present, and future
"Two leaders belonging to different generations, PANI's Bharat Bhushan and Deo Datt Singh, unpack the evolution of farming in the country over the last 7 decades, and discuss what needs to change in light of the current threats of climate change and water scarcity." Host: Sneha Philip Produced…
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How do we fix India’s groundwater problem?
Groundwater is key to achieving water security for the nation. However, very little is understood of its importance and the need to manage it. In this episode, Mala Subramaniam, CEO at Arghyam, and Himanshu Kulkarni, executive director at ACWADAM, discuss the state of India's groundwater today,...
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Is India going to run out of water?
India’s water challenges are complex, but there are innovative solutions that are being championed by a range of diverse stakeholders—governments, civil society, the private sector, and others. How can they come together to ensure water security for India? In this episode, Ajith Radhakrishnan...
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Trailer
On the Contrary by IDR is back with a new season and this time, we’re diving deep into India’s water crisis. Hear from policymakers, practitioners, and business heads as they discuss and debate what it will take to achieve water security in India. For more information, visit: www.idronline.org...
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How is the climate affecting women?
In this episode, Archana Soreng, a young climate activist belonging to the Kharia tribe in Odisha, speaks with Bijal Brahmbhatt, director at the nonprofit Mahila Housing Trust. They discuss how the climate crisis is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities across rural and urban India, especially…
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How is the climate crisis affecting our jobs?
As the climate emergency worsens, can we continue to work the way we do? And if the nature of jobs needs to change, how can we ensure that the most vulnerable communities don’t bear the brunt? Harish Hande, the co-founder of SELCO, argues that moving away from centralised businesses and…
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Is tech killing the planet?
Technology is emerging as a crucial lever for climate action. However, there is also an urgent need to discuss its consequences. Is adopting tech truly the only low carbon answer or just a more profitable one? And who gets to control it? The big tech companies or the communities facing the...
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Food vs Water
Much needs to change in India when it comes to agriculture, especially given the climate crisis and its impact on our food systems. On this episode, Crispino Lobo, co-founder of the Watershed Organisation Trust, and Mark Kahn, co-founder of the agritech-focused venture capital firm, Omnivore,...
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CSR, philanthropy, and climate funding
With the increasing focus on climate action in India, all eyes are on the funding landscape to back it up. But where do corporate, individual, and private philanthropy stand when it comes to funding climate solutions? What are their constraints, and given the quantum of funds required, is a...
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How to talk about climate
The climate change story has largely been all doom-and-gloom. As we wake up to the impacts of worsening climate change, it still feels a bit abstract. How does the crisis relate to people’s day to day lives? Is there a role for individuals to play? This week, Navroz Dubash, policy advisor and...
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Trailer
India Development Review’s podcast, On the Contrary by IDR returns with Season 4, and this time it's focussing on the most serious crisis of our times—climate change. In every episode, two climate experts discuss the interplay between the climate emergency and gender, livelihoods, technology, and...
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Schools in India: Public vs private
Can investing in government schools result in an improved education system? Or does the answer lie in developing affordable private schools? In this episode, Aditya Natraj, CEO of Piramal Foundation, and Parth Shah, founder-president of the Centre for Civil Society, discuss the pros and cons of...
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What should India learn from disasters?
In this episode KK Shailaja, former health minister of Kerala, and Liby Johnson, executive director of Gram Vikas, discuss why disaster preparedness is about more than just building back better. What is needed is a model of development that is inclusive and prioritises the well-being of all...
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Philanthropy and power
Would philanthropy be more impactful if donors took a trust-based approach? In this episode Reshma Anand, CEO of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, and Anand Sinha, India country adviser at Packard Foundation, discuss the role of trust in philanthropy and why power needs to be shared in order to…
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Notes on anti-caste allyship: Christina Dhanaraj and Dhanya Rajendran
How can anti-caste allyship move beyond lip service and cede power? In this episode, Christina Dhanaraj and Dhanya Rajendran discuss what it really means to be an anti-caste ally, the role institutions must play, and why caste-marginalised people should take centre stage in the anti-caste…
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Have gender attitudes really changed in our country?
Have gender attitudes really changed in our country? In this episode, writer and professor Nivedita Menon speaks with Sujata Khandekar, founding director of CORO, about gender identities and norms, the need to challenge them, and how we can change traditional attitudes towards gender. Highlights...
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Mental health at work: Productivity vs well-being
Is mental health and well-being an individual or an organisational responsibility? In this episode, Raj Mariwala, director at Mariwala Health Initiative, and Santrupt Misra, director of Group HR at Aditya Birla Group, discuss the importance of talking about mental health at work and how...
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How to fix India’s healthcare system
Dr Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and Dr Sangita Reddy, joint managing director of Apollo Hospitals, talk about India’s public health system—what the largest gaps are, where the greatest needs are, and what the role of private players and the public…
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Social impact: What does it mean and how do we measure it?
In this episode, Hari Menon, who heads the India office of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Vineet Rai, founder and chairperson of Aavishkaar Group, discuss all things social impact—what it means, how the investing world calculates it, and why we need to expand our definition of what...
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Technology: Democratising or dividing?
Kiran Karnik, former president of NASSCOM, and Osama Manzar, co-founder of Digital Empowerment Foundation, discuss the promises and pitfalls of technology, the gaps in its application in India, and the role the government can play in making access to technology more equitable. Highlights (for the...
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What makes a good city?
What makes a city liveable? Who should benefit the most from the growth of a city—financial investors or its residents? On this episode, Sheela Patel, director of SPARC, and Ireena Vittal, former partner at McKinsey, answer these questions and more. Highlights: Who are our cities built for? Whose...
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Climate change: Top down, bottom up
In this episode, we discuss how global climate policy is made, how it negatively impacts communities on the ground, and what needs to change when it comes to policy at a national level. Speakers include Nitin Desai, Indian economist and key draftsman of the landmark Brundtland Commission report,...
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COVID-19: Vaccine vs Virus
Microbiologist and virologist, Dr Gagandeep Kang speaks with Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder-chairperson of one of India’s largest pharmaceutical companies, about India’s flawed vaccine roll-out, and the trade-offs between patents and pricing. Highlights India’s vaccine roll-out programme: How...
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The purpose of education: learn, do, become.
Politician and educator, Atishi Marlena, and founder of some of India’s leading educational institutions, Pramath Raj Sinha talk about the purpose of education in a rapidly changing world. Can government schools provide a ‘good’ education to our children? Is the private sector the answer to a...
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Fighting the pandemic: two contrasting approaches
Nachiket Mor, expert in health systems design, and Dr Abhay Bang, public health expert with deep experience working at the grassroots, debate the approach India must take when fighting the second wave of COVID-19. Mor is in favour of a more centralised approach, grounded in science and trust. On...
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A Message from IDR
Given the dire crisis that our country is facing because of the second wave of Covid-19, On the Contrary is taking a break this week. If you would like to support the fight against COVID-19, check out this page ( https://idronline.org/covid-19-in-2021-latest-updates-for-the-social-sector/ ) on…
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Environment vs Economy
In the race for economic growth, who wins and who loses? In this episode, Bittu Sahgal, environmental activist and writer, and TV Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel, discuss the conflict between the economy, industry and environment. Highlights – The need to move beyond GDP and...
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The architecture of good markets
In this episode, business leader and ex-President of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Naushad Forbes, speaks with former journalist and philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, about what a good market looks like. They discuss what markets must include, whom they should serve, and the role they must...
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Caste discrimination: Fighting it, ending it
Yashica Dutt, journalist and author of Coming out as Dalit, and Ashif Shaikh, Dalit activist and leader of Jan Sahas, have a conversation about caste-based violence and oppression, manual scavenging, dignity, the Black Lives Matter movement, and, what it means to be an ally in the fight against...
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Productivity vs poverty
Manish Sabharwal, Chairperson and Co-founder of Teamlease argues that in order to compete in a global economy, India needs greater productivity and formal employment. Renana Jhabvala, best known for her long association with SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Association) where she organised women into...
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Farmer protests, dissent, and disappointment
Former Agriculture Secretary Siraj Hussain and leader of a farmer collective, Kavitha Kuruganthi, discuss the ongoing farmer protests and what they tell us about dissent, and the process of consultation and policy reform in India. Highlights – Why the process of consultation with farmers failed...
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Trailer
Welcome to India Development Review's podcast, On the Contrary, a show that brings you a better understanding of the most pressing issues of our time by listening to informed yet differing perspectives. In every episode, host and thought leader, Arun Maira brings two experts from different…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
On the Contrary by IDR is an award-winning show about listening to people not like us. In every episode, the host chats with guests as they share their diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise on an issue—water security, gender, climate change, caste, mental health, and more. The goal is to get people to explore their similarities and differences, and find a new, shared understanding. New episode out every Wednesday.
HOSTED BY
India Development Review & Maed in India
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does On the Contrary by IDR have?
On the Contrary by IDR currently has 43 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is On the Contrary by IDR about?
On the Contrary by IDR is an award-winning show about listening to people not like us. In every episode, the host chats with guests as they share their diverse experiences, perspectives, and expertise on an issue—water security, gender, climate change, caste, mental health, and more. The goal is to...
How often does On the Contrary by IDR release new episodes?
On the Contrary by IDR has 43 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to On the Contrary by IDR?
You can listen to On the Contrary by IDR on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts On the Contrary by IDR?
On the Contrary by IDR is created and hosted by India Development Review & Maed in India.
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