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First, we talk to The Indian Express' Ravi Dutta Mishra about India and US finally cracking a trade deal. After months of negotiations, meetings and phone calls, Indian and US have formulated a trade deal. Ravi shares all the considerations, the discussions and what all was included in the deal.  Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra about an AI enabled project that is helping save the lives of elephants. He explains how over the years elephant deaths due to collisions with trains had become very common, hence the new Intrusion Detection System was introduced. (9:34) Lastly, we talk about Rahul Gandhi's recent allegations against PM Modi. (19:32) Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express’ Vineet Bhalla talks about a landmark Supreme Court judgment that declares access to menstrual hygiene a fundamental right, grounded in dignity, education, and constitutional equality.  Next, we turn to TISS Mumbai, where student elections are back after a year, but under a new framework. The Indian Express' Pallavi Smart explains the shift, why it has triggered pushback, and what it means for student representation going forward. (13:30) And in the end, we look at the uproar in Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi cited an unpublished memoir by General M.M. Naravane, sparking debate over what MPs are allowed to quote from on the floor of the House. (20:55) Hosted by Ichha Sharma Written and Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Yesterday in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget, covering the period from April 2026 to March 2027. This budget comes at a time when questions are being raised about India’s actual economic growth, concerns over US tariffs are looming large, and the government continues to shoulder the responsibility of stimulating the economy. To understand how the budget addresses these challenges and what it reveals about the government’s broader plans, we speak to The Indian Express’ Udit Misra in this episode. Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we discuss the new set of UGC anti-discrimination rules for Indian universities now paused by the Supreme Court. We speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about what these rules aimed to change, why they’ve sparked backlash, and what happens next. Next, we discuss a less-talked-about economic risk, public health. The Indian Express' Udit Misra tells us why economists are warning that failing health metrics could derail India’s economic ambitions. (11:50) And in the end, we look at the latest updates in the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering probe into the Anil Ambani group, with fresh assets worth ₹1,885 crore attached. (25:50) Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express’ Ravi Dutta Misra explains the significance of the free trade agreement between India and the EU, and what India will need to do to actually benefit from it. Next, The Indian Express’ Nikhila Henry reports on the spate of stray dog killings in Telangana and what her ground reporting reveals about one such mass killing in the village of Yacharam (16:20). And finally, The Indian Express’ Shubhangi Khapre looks at the vacuum left in the NCP after Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash yesterday (24:58). Hosted by Shashank Bhargava Written and produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express’ National Chief of the Bureau Ritika Chopra about a high-level government meeting that discussed introducing official protocols for India’s national song, Vande Mataram and how this may shape its legal and political standing ahead of the 150th anniversary. Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about a new state-funded BSL-4 lab in Gujarat, only the second civilian facility of its kind in India, and what it means for the country’s ability to respond to deadly outbreaks. (15:30) Lastly, we look at a disturbing case of caste-based violence in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad, where a Dalit sanitation worker was allegedly assaulted after refusing to work without pay. (23:20) Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Mihir Vasavda about how a growing number of athletes and coaches are saying that training outdoors in India is becoming less about performance and more about basic survival in the toxic winter air and extreme summer heat. And what this means when India has put in its bid for Olympics 2036. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about the Bihar police uncovering an illegal SIM network which was allegedly being used to reroute international calls and carry out cyber fraud, with links to countries like Cambodia and Thailand. Lastly, we talk about how extortion rackets are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with shooters taking instructions through encrypted apps and never knowing who is really behind the orders. Hosted by Niharika Nanda Produced by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda, and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

On the occasion of Republic Day, we revisit three key debates—on secularism, reservations, and the cow—that were passionately argued by our founding fathers during the drafting of the Constitution. (This episode was originally released on 25th January 2025). Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava Additional help from Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar