https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-sandip-roy-show--5007968enSociety & CultureCopyright Express Audiohttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/ed2075daae404ec672975acc13f44f5e.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-sandip-roy-show--5007968Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:01:51 +0000Express AudioExpress Audiopodcasts@indianexpress.comWhat makes people tick? What are the stories they carry with them? In a world of shouting heads, veteran journalist, radio commentator and novelist Sandip Roy sits down to have real conversations about the fascinating world around us and the people...falseepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/do-we-really-need-a-caste-census-ft-anand-teltumbde-and-yogendra-yadav--69578844
Is the exercise simply about collecting data? Does it focus only on historically marginalised communities? And can the act of counting caste alter social identities themselves?

In this episode, host Sandip Roy asks these questions to social activist and writer Anand Teltumbde, author of The Caste Census, and Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India, who also serves as the national convenor of the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69578844Sun, 25 Jan 2026 12:00:12 +0000Express AudioFew policy ideas in India have generated as much political heat as the caste census. From television studios to opinion pages, the argument is no longer just whether a caste census should be conducted, but what it is meant to achieve. Is the exercise...
Is the exercise simply about collecting data? Does it focus only on historically marginalised communities? And can the act of counting caste alter social identities themselves?

In this episode, host Sandip Roy asks these questions to social activist and writer Anand Teltumbde, author of The Caste Census, and Yogendra Yadav of Swaraj India, who also serves as the national convenor of the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3624caste,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/anuradha-roy-on-leaving-city-life-for-the-mountains--69293783
In Called by the Hills, Roy reflects on a life lived close to nature but never apart from its pressures, documenting both its quiet rewards and the damage caused by climate change and unchecked development in the Himalaya.

This week on the podcast, Anuradha Roy joins host Sandip Roy to talk about what it means to make a home in the mountains.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69293783Sun, 04 Jan 2026 06:42:54 +0000Express AudioThe mountains are often imagined as an escape from city life. A place to visit, slow down, and leave behind. But for writer Anuradha Roy, they are something else entirely. The hills near Ranikhet are where she and her husband chose to move, turning a...
In Called by the Hills, Roy reflects on a life lived close to nature but never apart from its pressures, documenting both its quiet rewards and the damage caused by climate change and unchecked development in the Himalaya.

This week on the podcast, Anuradha Roy joins host Sandip Roy to talk about what it means to make a home in the mountains.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3165falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-colonialism-shoved-india-s-queer-history-into-the-closet-ft-sindhu-rajasekaran--69008753
And this week host Sandip Roy is joined by writer Sindhu Rajasekaran, whose new book traces how the British reformed and silenced India’s queer futures, to take a look at erased lineages and what they mean for Pride in India.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69008753Sun, 14 Dec 2025 05:00:08 +0000Express AudioJune is Pride Month around the world but does India need to march to that calendar? More Indian cities now hold Pride in winter, when it’s cooler and the streets are fuller. And that practical shift opens a bigger question, why has India so often...
And this week host Sandip Roy is joined by writer Sindhu Rajasekaran, whose new book traces how the British reformed and silenced India’s queer futures, to take a look at erased lineages and what they mean for Pride in India.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
]]>3458falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indulge-is-fine-dining-in-india-going-small-ft-gauri-devidayal-yash-bhanage-and-shuli-ghosh--68804289
Gauri Devidayal, entrepreneur and restaurateur, co-founded The Table in Mumbai, as well as brands like Mag St. Bread Co., Iktara, and Magazine St. Kitchen. 

Shuli Ghosh, co-founder and creative force behind Sienna Calcutta. 

Yash Bhanage, founder and COO of Hunger Inc. Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., the company behind restaurants such as The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, Bombay Sweet Shop, Veronica’s, and Papa’s.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68804289Sun, 30 Nov 2025 07:01:41 +0000Express AudioFine dining in India has shifted dramatically. What once meant dressing up for a five-star hotel is now shaped by standalone restaurants that are bolder, more experimental, and at the centre of culinary buzz. And in an unexpected twist, some of the...
Gauri Devidayal, entrepreneur and restaurateur, co-founded The Table in Mumbai, as well as brands like Mag St. Bread Co., Iktara, and Magazine St. Kitchen. 

Shuli Ghosh, co-founder and creative force behind Sienna Calcutta. 

Yash Bhanage, founder and COO of Hunger Inc. Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., the company behind restaurants such as The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, Bombay Sweet Shop, Veronica’s, and Papa’s.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>4161culture,entertainment,feature,foodfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rakshit-sonawane-on-the-rarely-told-urban-dalit-story--68552842
That’s what makes Rakshit Sonawane’s novel The Scum of the Earth stand out. Drawing from his own life as a first-generation learner from a family that once faced untouchability and later embraced Buddhism, Sonawane tells a deeply personal story of caste and identity.

A graduate in English literature who has worked with media houses like The Indian Express, Mid-Day, and The Free Press Journal, he joins Sandip this week to talk about his journey and why he chose fiction to tell his truth.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68552842Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:03:10 +0000Express AudioWhen people from upper castes talk about caste, it’s often through headlines — about atrocities or reservations — stories reduced to data, distant and impersonal. And even when caste violence is discussed, it’s usually set in faraway villages, rarely...
That’s what makes Rakshit Sonawane’s novel The Scum of the Earth stand out. Drawing from his own life as a first-generation learner from a family that once faced untouchability and later embraced Buddhism, Sonawane tells a deeply personal story of caste and identity.

A graduate in English literature who has worked with media houses like The Indian Express, Mid-Day, and The Free Press Journal, he joins Sandip this week to talk about his journey and why he chose fiction to tell his truth.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3321caste,educational,news,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-history-of-rubber-we-would-rather-erase-ft-vidya-rajan--68295312
With growing concerns about whether we have enough rubber to sustain our future needs, host Sandip Roy speaks with Vidya Rajan about her book Rubber: The Social and Natural History of an Indispensable Substance.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68295312Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:30:10 +0000Express AudioEven though many of us in India immediately think of an eraser when we hear the word rubber, the material has long become an inseparable part of our lives. Yet, like many indispensable everyday items, its history is deeply tied to colonialism and...
With growing concerns about whether we have enough rubber to sustain our future needs, host Sandip Roy speaks with Vidya Rajan about her book Rubber: The Social and Natural History of an Indispensable Substance.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3215falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-the-hindi-heartland-becoming-india-s-hindu-heartland-ft-ghazala-wahab--68107598
This week on the show, host Sandip Roy speaks with Ghazala Wahab, whose new book, The Hindi Heartland, traces the region’s complex history and examines its continuing influence on India’s politics and society.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68107598Sun, 12 Oct 2025 13:00:07 +0000Express AudioEvery election season, attention turns to India’s Hindi heartland,  a region central to the country’s politics and identity. It has produced most of India’s prime ministers and a large share of its parliamentarians, while also witnessing some of the...
This week on the show, host Sandip Roy speaks with Ghazala Wahab, whose new book, The Hindi Heartland, traces the region’s complex history and examines its continuing influence on India’s politics and society.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3284educational,history,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indulge-is-india-the-next-cheese-frontier-ft-namrata-sundaresan-and-mansi-jasani--67849614
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67849614Mon, 22 Sep 2025 11:24:54 +0000Express AudioWhen we think of cheese, names like Brie, Gouda, or Cheddar usually come to mind — but nothing much from India. Yet India, home to the world’s largest dairy herd, is now witnessing a quiet but remarkable cheese revolution. At farmer’s markets,...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3717falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/kunzang-choden-on-bhutan-beyond-the-tourist-trail--67675538Telling Me My Stories, which paints a complex portrait of a country caught in the winds of change.

This week on the show, Sandip speaks to Choden about her childhood in Bhutan, the transformations she witnessed, and how they continue to shape the country today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67675538Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:30:08 +0000Express AudioMany of us grew up with only a patchy knowledge of Bhutan. And these days, most stories about the country in India tend to focus on tourism. But what was it like to grow up in Bhutan in the 1950s and 60s? Kunzang Choden, who grew up in a landed...Telling Me My Stories, which paints a complex portrait of a country caught in the winds of change.

This week on the show, Sandip speaks to Choden about her childhood in Bhutan, the transformations she witnessed, and how they continue to shape the country today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3281bhutan,culture,educational,historyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-india-needs-to-take-sleep-seriously-ft-dr-gc-khilnani--67401928
They discuss everything from sleep hygiene and circadian rhythm disruptions to insomnia, sleep apnea, and how modern lifestyles, screen addiction, and late-night habits are quietly eroding the quality of our sleep and our health.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67401928Sun, 17 Aug 2025 13:44:51 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, host Sandip Roy discusses India’s national sleep crisis, a problem that affects all ages, from anxious teenagers to overworked professionals, with Dr. G.C. Khilnani, a renowned pulmonologist and chairman of the PSRI Institute of...
They discuss everything from sleep hygiene and circadian rhythm disruptions to insomnia, sleep apnea, and how modern lifestyles, screen addiction, and late-night habits are quietly eroding the quality of our sleep and our health.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2722falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-underbelly-of-the-gig-economy-ft-vandana-vasudevan--67255965OTP Please: Online Buyers, Sellers and Gig Workers in South Asia, to explore the hidden human stories behind the apps and algorithms that power our everyday lives.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67255965Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:30:08 +0000Express AudioIn recent years, online retail has transformed how we shop—bringing everything from food to taxis to our doorstep. The convenience is undeniable, but the gig economy behind it remains largely unexamined. How does this system impact those who work in...OTP Please: Online Buyers, Sellers and Gig Workers in South Asia, to explore the hidden human stories behind the apps and algorithms that power our everyday lives.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3757economy,educational,gigfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-we-love-the-mango-but-know-very-little-about-it-ft-sopan-joshi--67084168
So, as the mango season nears its end, host Sandip Roy speaks to Joshi to discuss the real state of the mango today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67084168Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:00:08 +0000Express AudioSummer in India brings with it the irresistible charm of mangoes, and the predictable flood of mango themed stories. These usually blend nostalgia, tales of nawabi indulgence, exotic varieties, and the timeless Alphonso-versus-the-rest debate. But...
So, as the mango season nears its end, host Sandip Roy speaks to Joshi to discuss the real state of the mango today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3441culture,educational,historyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lal-bahadur-shastri-india-s-forgotten-pm-ft-sanjeev-chopra--66883517
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Sanjeev Chopra, author of The Great Conciliator, a new biography of Shastri. Chopra, a former IAS officer and former director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, traces Shastri’s rise to power and explores why India’s second Prime Minister deserves a closer look today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66883517Mon, 07 Jul 2025 13:27:16 +0000Express AudioLong relegated to the footnotes of history, Lal Bahadur Shastri is often overshadowed by the towering legacies of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. But what if Shastri hadn’t died suddenly after signing the Tashkent Agreement with Pakistan? Would...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Sanjeev Chopra, author of The Great Conciliator, a new biography of Shastri. Chopra, a former IAS officer and former director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, traces Shastri’s rise to power and explores why India’s second Prime Minister deserves a closer look today.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3439history,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-indians-in-america-took-on-indira-gandhi-s-emergency-ft-prof-anand-kumar-and-sugata-srinivasaraju--66736146
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66736146Wed, 25 Jun 2025 08:07:46 +0000Express AudioOn June 25, 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of Emergency in India—an era marked by censorship, arrests, and a suspension of civil liberties. While the resistance within India is well-documented, far less is known about how Indians...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3380emergency,history,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ruchir-joshi-on-the-calcutta-you-don-t-know--66577646
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66577646Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:00:09 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, host Sandip Roy Show is joined by author Ruchir Joshi who takes us back to Calcutta in the early 1940s, an era charged with political upheaval, global war, and cultural ferment. Set against the backdrop of Tagore’s death, Subhash...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3202falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pride-month-special-how-has-gayness-evolved-in-popular-culture--66354580
Sridhar Rangayan is a filmmaker and activist who, along with his partner Sagar Gupta, founded the Kashish Pride Film Festival in Mumbai — the first queer film festival in India to be held in a mainstream movie theatre.

Santanu Bhattacharya is a novelist whose book Deviants follows three generations of gay men in a single family.

Rohin Bhatt is a queer non-binary lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court and the author of The Urban Elite v. Union of India.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66354580Sun, 01 Jun 2025 07:58:05 +0000Express AudioTo what extent has gay representation in Indian popular culture evolved? Is it now simply trendy to include gay characters, or are these portrayals also becoming deeper and more meaningful? This week, to kick off Pride Month, we explore how the...
Sridhar Rangayan is a filmmaker and activist who, along with his partner Sagar Gupta, founded the Kashish Pride Film Festival in Mumbai — the first queer film festival in India to be held in a mainstream movie theatre.

Santanu Bhattacharya is a novelist whose book Deviants follows three generations of gay men in a single family.

Rohin Bhatt is a queer non-binary lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court and the author of The Urban Elite v. Union of India.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3444books,culture,films,gay,lgbt,lgbtq,popularfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/forget-hindi-or-english-what-about-the-other-777-languages-ft-ganesh-devy-and-anvita-abbi--66037598
But as we argue over Hindi versus English, or regional versus national languages, a deeper concern often gets overlooked: the hundreds of other languages quietly fading away. According to the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, the country had at least 780 languages in 2010 — many of them endangered, some down to their last handful of speakers.

In this episode, we explore India’s vast linguistic diversity with two people who’ve spent their lives working to preserve it. Host Sandip Roy speaks to G.N. Devy, cultural activist and editor of the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, and linguist Anvita Abbi, known for her work on minority and tribal languages across India, especially those of the Great Andamanese.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66037598Sun, 11 May 2025 11:23:55 +0000Express AudioIndia recently saw heated debates around the three-language formula — a policy suggesting students learn a modern Indian language like Hindi, and English. While some saw it as a backdoor push for Hindi, the real picture might be far more layered. But...
But as we argue over Hindi versus English, or regional versus national languages, a deeper concern often gets overlooked: the hundreds of other languages quietly fading away. According to the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, the country had at least 780 languages in 2010 — many of them endangered, some down to their last handful of speakers.

In this episode, we explore India’s vast linguistic diversity with two people who’ve spent their lives working to preserve it. Host Sandip Roy speaks to G.N. Devy, cultural activist and editor of the People’s Linguistic Survey of India, and linguist Anvita Abbi, known for her work on minority and tribal languages across India, especially those of the Great Andamanese.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3268culture,educational,history,india,languagefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-mystery-of-the-awadh-royals-of-delhi-s-malcha-mahal-ft-aletta-andre-and-abhimanyu-kumar--65759507
A new book, The House of Awadh by Aletta André and Abhimanyu Kumar, attempts to uncover the truth. In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to the authors about what their cross border reporting, archival research and intimate interviews uncovered.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65759507Sun, 27 Apr 2025 06:54:22 +0000Express AudioIn 1975, Begum Wilayat Mahal and her children, Princess Sakina and Prince Ali Raza, moved into New Delhi Railway Station, claiming to be descendants of the House of Awadh. After a decade at the station, the government granted them Malcha Mahal, a 14th...
A new book, The House of Awadh by Aletta André and Abhimanyu Kumar, attempts to uncover the truth. In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to the authors about what their cross border reporting, archival research and intimate interviews uncovered.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3500history,mysteryfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-urdu-newspaper-that-dared-to-speak-truth-to-power-ft-chander-mohan-and-jyotsna-mohan--65555127
After independence, its legacy continued with the launch of Vir Pratap, its Hindi successor. But how fearless did these publications remain after independence?

This week, host Sandip Roy speaks to Chander Mohan, who served as editor of Vir Pratap for forty years, and his daughter Jyotsna Mohan, a journalist with nearly three decades of experience, to explore the journey and enduring impact of these pioneering publications.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65555127Sun, 13 Apr 2025 07:37:31 +0000Express AudioLong before press freedom indexes were even conceived, the Urdu newspaper Pratap was speaking truth to power in undivided India — and paying a heavy price for it. Launched in 1919, Pratap quickly ran afoul of the British Raj but remained defiantly...
After independence, its legacy continued with the launch of Vir Pratap, its Hindi successor. But how fearless did these publications remain after independence?

This week, host Sandip Roy speaks to Chander Mohan, who served as editor of Vir Pratap for forty years, and his daughter Jyotsna Mohan, a journalist with nearly three decades of experience, to explore the journey and enduring impact of these pioneering publications.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3145british,colonial,educational,history,media,newspaper,rajfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/manu-pillai-on-how-hinduism-and-christianity-transformed-each-other--65228885
Produced by Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65228885Sun, 30 Mar 2025 06:01:16 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, we discuss how early Christian missionaries encountered Hinduism during colonial rule depending on where they landed and whom they met and how they saw very different faiths with different gods, rituals, and customs. Host Sandip Roy...
Produced by Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3553falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-caste-influences-food-from-cookbooks-to-public-health-ft-sylvia-karpagam-and-sucharita-kanjilal--64930027
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Dr Sucharita Kanjilal, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Bard College, and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor and researcher to discuss how food continues to shape identity, social boundaries, and even public health in India.


Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64930027Mon, 17 Mar 2025 11:30:07 +0000Express AudioSocial media has revolutionised the world of home chefs, bringing everyday cooks into the spotlight. From a woman in the Northeast showcasing her daily thali of fermented foods to a mother-son duo in rural Bengal cooking over a mud stove, food...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Dr Sucharita Kanjilal, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Bard College, and Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor and researcher to discuss how food continues to shape identity, social boundaries, and even public health in India.


Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2999falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-holy-cow-and-the-dairy-dilemma-ft-yamini-narayanan--64653822
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Yamini Narayanan about her new book, Mother Cow, Mother India. She unpacks the complexities of India’s dairy industry and the uncomfortable truths consumers often ignore.

Yamini is a Senior Lecturer in International and Community Development at Deakin University, Australia.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64653822Sun, 02 Mar 2025 06:47:42 +0000Express AudioFor millions in India, the cow is sacred, and many states have laws prohibiting its slaughter. But this raises a question—what do we do with all these cows? And while India reveres the 'Mother Cow,' does the cow herself want to mother anyone beyond...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Yamini Narayanan about her new book, Mother Cow, Mother India. She unpacks the complexities of India’s dairy industry and the uncomfortable truths consumers often ignore.

Yamini is a Senior Lecturer in International and Community Development at Deakin University, Australia.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2854animalrights,animals,cow,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indulge-how-is-india-s-speciality-coffee-scene-brewing--64401364
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

In episode image (from left to right): Raghunath Rajaram, Binny Varghese, and Namisha Parthasarathy.

Further listening: 

Is India neglecting its indigenous spirits?

The brave new world of Indian craft chocolate
 ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64401364Sun, 16 Feb 2025 07:34:14 +0000Express AudioWhile India has long been known as a tea-drinking nation, the specialtiy coffee scene is rapidly growing, with consumption on the rise and the industry projected to surpass $1 billion by 2032. But is this growth as promising as it seems? In this...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

In episode image (from left to right): Raghunath Rajaram, Binny Varghese, and Namisha Parthasarathy.

Further listening: 

Is India neglecting its indigenous spirits?

The brave new world of Indian craft chocolate
 ]]>3787falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lee-durrell-on-100-years-of-gerald-durrell--64140799
Together, they recount Gerald's compassion for wildlife conservation, his childhood experiences in Corfu that led to the creation of his most famous book, and his lasting legacy, particularly through beloved works such as My Family and Other Animals, which has also been adapted into a successful television series.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64140799Sun, 02 Feb 2025 05:35:00 +0000Express AudioA renowned conservationist and writer, Gerald Durrell, was known for his unique ability to describe even the most mundane creatures, like slugs, with the same enthusiasm typically reserved for majestic animals. In this episode, host Sandip Roy is in...
Together, they recount Gerald's compassion for wildlife conservation, his childhood experiences in Corfu that led to the creation of his most famous book, and his lasting legacy, particularly through beloved works such as My Family and Other Animals, which has also been adapted into a successful television series.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
]]>3267animals,books,children,culture,reading,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/northeast-india-wants-tourists-but-is-it-ready--63775211
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Nishant Sinha, co-founder of Chalo Hoppo, and Grace Marbaniang, co-founder of Escape to Meghalaya, to explore the rising appeal of Northeast India as a must-visit destination and examine whether the region is prepared for this tourism boom.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63775211Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:30:06 +0000Express AudioOnce overshadowed by destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Goa, the Northeast is gaining recognition as a hub for unique travel experiences. Beyond the famed Kaziranga rhinos and Shillong waterfalls, cultural festivals like Arunachal’s Ziro Music...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Nishant Sinha, co-founder of Chalo Hoppo, and Grace Marbaniang, co-founder of Escape to Meghalaya, to explore the rising appeal of Northeast India as a must-visit destination and examine whether the region is prepared for this tourism boom.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3439culture,northeast,tourismfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mapping-the-story-of-new-india-through-its-working-class-ft-neha-dixit--63579057The Many Lives of Syeda X, tells the story of a young, working-class Muslim woman, spanning from the early 1990s to the present day. Through her narrative, Dixit also traces the profound social, cultural, and political transformations of a changing India.

This week, host Sandip Roy speaks to Dixit about the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of capturing such a vast timeline, and how Syeda’s journey reflects broader shifts in Indian society.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63579057Sun, 05 Jan 2025 08:06:52 +0000Express AudioAward-winning journalist Neha Dixit, in her latest book, The Many Lives of Syeda X, tells the story of a young, working-class Muslim woman, spanning from the early 1990s to the present day. Through her narrative, Dixit also traces the profound social,...The Many Lives of Syeda X, tells the story of a young, working-class Muslim woman, spanning from the early 1990s to the present day. Through her narrative, Dixit also traces the profound social, cultural, and political transformations of a changing India.

This week, host Sandip Roy speaks to Dixit about the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of capturing such a vast timeline, and how Syeda’s journey reflects broader shifts in Indian society.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3323books,culture,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indulge-the-brave-new-world-of-indian-craft-chocolate--63444183
Muppala is the founder of Manam Chocolate, Temani is the founder of Paul and Mike, and Cosma is the co-founder of the Indian Cacao and Craft Chocolate Festival.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63444183Mon, 23 Dec 2024 03:51:45 +0000Express AudioOver the past few years, Indian craft chocolatiers have been earning accolades at some of the world's most prestigious international competitions, including the UK-based Academy of Chocolate Awards. To explore this growing chocolate culture, host...
Muppala is the founder of Manam Chocolate, Temani is the founder of Paul and Mike, and Cosma is the co-founder of the Indian Cacao and Craft Chocolate Festival.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3855chocolate,culture,food,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/devdutt-pattanaik-on-how-harappa-changed-india-s-sense-of-self--63232887
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63232887Mon, 09 Dec 2024 06:37:09 +0000Express AudioThe transformative discovery made in 1924 by John Marshall, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, revealed the existence of the Indus Valley Civilisation, pushing back the origins of Indian civilisation by millennia. Now, Devdutt...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3617educational,history,india,informativefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ramachandra-guha-on-what-india-s-forgotten-environmentalists-can-teach-us--62984198Speaking with Nature, sheds light on India's early environmentalists. These pioneers raised alarms about ecological concerns at a time when the focus was on industrialization as a means to alleviate poverty for millions. Their stories reveal how environmentalism in India evolved in a distinctly different way from the Western models prevalent today. This week, Guha joins host Sandip Roy to share some of these fascinating stories.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62984198Sun, 24 Nov 2024 06:09:49 +0000Express AudioAt a time when the news about the environment seems to be worsening by the day, historian Ramachandra Guha's latest book, Speaking with Nature, sheds light on India's early environmentalists. These pioneers raised alarms about ecological concerns at a...Speaking with Nature, sheds light on India's early environmentalists. These pioneers raised alarms about ecological concerns at a time when the focus was on industrialization as a means to alleviate poverty for millions. Their stories reveal how environmentalism in India evolved in a distinctly different way from the Western models prevalent today. This week, Guha joins host Sandip Roy to share some of these fascinating stories.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2623culture,educational,environment,history,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nusrat-jafri-on-caste-conversion-and-why-india-can-t-talk-about-it--62689549This Land We Call Home, Nusrat F. Jafri reflects on the history of her nomadic ancestors, members of the Bhantu tribe from Rajasthan, who were once branded "criminals" under British colonial law. As a response to caste-based discrimination, her family ultimately embraced Christianity. Through the book, Jafri weaves a narrative that explores not only the personal histories we all carry, but also the complex tapestry of our collective past.

In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Jafri about her family’s journey, the impact of caste discrimination, and how their quest for belonging through faith and community influenced their evolving sense of identity over time.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62689549Mon, 11 Nov 2024 11:30:02 +0000Express AudioIn her memoir, This Land We Call Home, Nusrat F. Jafri reflects on the history of her nomadic ancestors, members of the Bhantu tribe from Rajasthan, who were once branded "criminals" under British colonial law. As a response to caste-based...This Land We Call Home, Nusrat F. Jafri reflects on the history of her nomadic ancestors, members of the Bhantu tribe from Rajasthan, who were once branded "criminals" under British colonial law. As a response to caste-based discrimination, her family ultimately embraced Christianity. Through the book, Jafri weaves a narrative that explores not only the personal histories we all carry, but also the complex tapestry of our collective past.

In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Jafri about her family’s journey, the impact of caste discrimination, and how their quest for belonging through faith and community influenced their evolving sense of identity over time.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2809culture,politics,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indulge-is-india-neglecting-its-indigenous-spirits-ft-aniruddha-mookerjee-and-hansel-vaz--62520574
Mookerjee, an expert in Mahua liquor, has spent over 20 years researching indigenous Indian alcohols. As an advisor for Heritage Liquor to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, he has helped shape the state’s heritage liquor policy, and established model distilleries with women’s self-help groups to produce India’s first commercial tribal Mahua brands, Mond and Mohulo.

Vaz, a geologist by training, is a self-taught “Feni polymath” and founded the internationally recognized brand Cazulo Premium Feni.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62520574Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:30:01 +0000Express AudioWhile whiskey, wine, and gin have witnessed a kind of renaissance in India over the past few years, the same hasn't been true for indigenous liquors like Mahua, Feni, and rice beer. Although some of these liquors are now being recognized as 'heritage...
Mookerjee, an expert in Mahua liquor, has spent over 20 years researching indigenous Indian alcohols. As an advisor for Heritage Liquor to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, he has helped shape the state’s heritage liquor policy, and established model distilleries with women’s self-help groups to produce India’s first commercial tribal Mahua brands, Mond and Mohulo.

Vaz, a geologist by training, is a self-taught “Feni polymath” and founded the internationally recognized brand Cazulo Premium Feni.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3304culture,drinking,india,spiritsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/breaking-the-glass-ceiling-in-geology-ft-dr-sudipta-sengupta--62347652
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62347652Sun, 13 Oct 2024 05:24:19 +0000Express AudioDr. Sudipta Sengupta, one of the first Indian women to set foot on Antarctica, has not only ventured to the frozen south but also explored the Arctic and climbed Himalayan peaks. As an early Indian geologist, she’s broken many barriers along the way....
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2975adventure,culture,india,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-attainable-is-equality-in-india-ft-saurabh-kirpal--62152318
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Senior Supreme Court lawyer Saurabh Kirpal about his new book, Who is Equal, which unpacks the equality code of the Indian Constitution.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62152318Sun, 29 Sep 2024 06:58:58 +0000Express AudioArticle 14 of the Indian Constitution states: “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India." And who could argue with that?Yet, some of India’s most fraught political...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Senior Supreme Court lawyer Saurabh Kirpal about his new book, Who is Equal, which unpacks the equality code of the Indian Constitution.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3668india,law,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-promise-and-peril-of-ai-ft-madhumita-murgia--61699275
In her new book, Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI, Madhumita Murgia explores how AI impacts our security, health, and privacy—from the ads we see on Instagram to decisions about loans or even governments predicting dissent. In this episode, Sandip talks to Murgia about her book and the broader implications of living in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61699275Sun, 15 Sep 2024 06:56:22 +0000Express AudioSchools and colleges are increasingly concerned that the widespread use of AI tools like ChatGPT could weaken critical thinking and research skills among students. There's also growing unease about academic integrity, with fears that students may turn...
In her new book, Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI, Madhumita Murgia explores how AI impacts our security, health, and privacy—from the ads we see on Instagram to decisions about loans or even governments predicting dissent. In this episode, Sandip talks to Murgia about her book and the broader implications of living in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3472ai,educational,future,tech,technologyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-rg-kar-tells-us-about-women-s-safety-ft-jhuma-sen-and-amrita-dasgupta--61235671
Sen is an advocate at the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court and is adjunct faculty at the National University of Juridical Sciences in Kolkata. She has a focus on gender justice. Dasgupta is executive director of Swayam, a feminist organization working to end discrimination and violence against women and girls.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61235671Mon, 02 Sep 2024 05:38:49 +0000Express AudioThe RG case has once again drawn public attention, highlighting the need for thorough investigations and justice. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about women's safety and the urgent need for stronger protections. There have been renewed...
Sen is an advocate at the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court and is adjunct faculty at the National University of Juridical Sciences in Kolkata. She has a focus on gender justice. Dasgupta is executive director of Swayam, a feminist organization working to end discrimination and violence against women and girls.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3077india,news,rights,safety,womenfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/can-the-bjp-rewrite-the-freedom-movement-ft-aditya-mukherjee--60985151
Mukherjee retired as Professor of Contemporary Indian History, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has authored books like India's Struggle for Independence, and India After Independence.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60985151Sun, 11 Aug 2024 10:04:19 +0000Express AudioWith Indian Independence around the corner, host Sandip Roy speaks to Professor Aditya Mukherjee about the politicization of the freedom struggle and the attempts to rewrite by the current establishment.   Mukherjee retired as Professor of...
Mukherjee retired as Professor of Contemporary Indian History, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has authored books like India's Struggle for Independence, and India After Independence.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3445history,independence,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-actually-sets-bengaluru-apart-ft-malini-goyal--60835051
In this episode, Malini Goyal, the author of Unboxing Bengaluru, joins Sandip to discuss how Bengaluru evolved into its current state and what sets it apart among Indian cities.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60835051Sun, 28 Jul 2024 09:00:39 +0000Express AudioOnce known as the back office of the world, Bengaluru is now seen as India's startup capital and tech hub. However, the city’s rapid growth has brought significant challenges, with traffic congestion and water issues becoming as notorious as its...
In this episode, Malini Goyal, the author of Unboxing Bengaluru, joins Sandip to discuss how Bengaluru evolved into its current state and what sets it apart among Indian cities.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3657bangalore,bengaluru,cities,culture,india,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-it-modi-model-or-gujarat-model-ft-christophe-jaffrelot--60687274Gujarat Under Modi: The Blueprint for Today's India.

Jaffrelot is Research Director at CERI-Sciences Po/CNRS, Professor of Indian politics and sociology at King’s College (London), President of the French Political Science Association and Chair of the British Association for South Asian Studies.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60687274Sun, 14 Jul 2024 06:47:25 +0000Express AudioWhen Narendra Modi first appeared on the national stage, his supporters touted the Gujarat model as crucial for national success, while opponents feared it might weaken India's foundational pillars. Now, after 20 years, how has the Gujarat model...Gujarat Under Modi: The Blueprint for Today's India.

Jaffrelot is Research Director at CERI-Sciences Po/CNRS, Professor of Indian politics and sociology at King’s College (London), President of the French Political Science Association and Chair of the British Association for South Asian Studies.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2957bjp,india,modi,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/grace-banu-on-how-transgender-lives-have-changed-10-years-after-nalsa--60553071
That judgment, in many ways, helped pave the way for the landmark Section 377 verdict. But ten years on, how much of the promise of that verdict has been realized in practice for the transgender community? To answer this question, Sandip is joined by Dalit and transgender rights activist Grace Banu.

Grace is India's first transgender engineer and the founder of the Trans Rights Now Collective.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawat]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60553071Sun, 30 Jun 2024 05:43:50 +0000Express AudioIn 2014, the Supreme Court ruled on a writ filed by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), stating that the government, both at the state and Centre, must grant full legal recognition to transgender individuals. That judgment, in many ways,...
That judgment, in many ways, helped pave the way for the landmark Section 377 verdict. But ten years on, how much of the promise of that verdict has been realized in practice for the transgender community? To answer this question, Sandip is joined by Dalit and transgender rights activist Grace Banu.

Grace is India's first transgender engineer and the founder of the Trans Rights Now Collective.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawat]]>2808india,lgbtq,pride,rights,transgenderfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-puzzling-questions-of-the-bhima-koregaon-case-ft-alpa-shah--60336950The Incarcerations, a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing, unravels and uncovers the chilling story of the Bhima Koregaon case and how sixteen human rights defenders—including academics, poets, trade unionists, and Dalit organizers—were labeled urban Naxalites, charged with inciting violence, and accused of waging a war against the Indian state. In this episode, Shah joins host Sandip Roy to unpack the case and discuss some of its most puzzling questions.

Alpa Shah is a professor of anthropology at the London School of Economics.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60336950Mon, 10 Jun 2024 07:27:43 +0000Express AudioAlpa Shah’s latest book, The Incarcerations, a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing, unravels and uncovers the chilling story of the Bhima Koregaon case and how sixteen human rights defenders—including academics, poets, trade unionists,...The Incarcerations, a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Political Writing, unravels and uncovers the chilling story of the Bhima Koregaon case and how sixteen human rights defenders—including academics, poets, trade unionists, and Dalit organizers—were labeled urban Naxalites, charged with inciting violence, and accused of waging a war against the Indian state. In this episode, Shah joins host Sandip Roy to unpack the case and discuss some of its most puzzling questions.

Alpa Shah is a professor of anthropology at the London School of Economics.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3165culure,educational,india,news,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-aap-a-game-changer-or-has-the-game-changed-it-ft-ashutosh-and-neelanjan-sircar--60177628
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Ashutosh and Neelanjan Sircar to discuss the evolution of the party, its current standing, the threat it poses to the BJP, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Ashutosh is a former member of AAP, the co-founder and editor of SatyaHindi, and the author of Hindu Rashtra. Sircar is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR). 

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60177628Sun, 26 May 2024 12:39:35 +0000Express AudioThe Aam Aadmi Party, led by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is one of the most formidable political parties in the country and has often been described as a game-changer. But to what extent has that been the case? Has it truly transformed Indian...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Ashutosh and Neelanjan Sircar to discuss the evolution of the party, its current standing, the threat it poses to the BJP, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Ashutosh is a former member of AAP, the co-founder and editor of SatyaHindi, and the author of Hindu Rashtra. Sircar is a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR). 

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2695aap,elections,india,news,pollsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-india-is-a-magnet-for-crypto-scams-ft-mitali-mukherjee--59983303
Mukherjee is the director of the Journalist Programmes at the Reuters Institute at Oxford.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59983303Sun, 12 May 2024 05:00:04 +0000Express AudioThis week on the show, Sandip Roy speaks with journalist Mitali Mukherjee, whose book "Crypto Crimes" gives us a window into the underbelly of the crypto world and its rapid expansion throughout India. Through personal anecdotes and firsthand...
Mukherjee is the director of the Journalist Programmes at the Reuters Institute at Oxford.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3091crime,crypto,india,tech,truecrimefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mridula-koshy-and-rituparna-neog-on-india-s-missing-libraries--59678358
Koshy, an award winning writer, founded The Community Library Project in Delhi in 2015 and is the member of the FLN's steering committee. Neog, a queer rights activist and a library educator, is the founder-director of the Akam Foundation.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59678358Sun, 28 Apr 2024 06:00:05 +0000Express AudioDespite the frequent buzz around new book releases and the increasing popularity of literary festivals, one glaring absence in the country remains: free public libraries. Join host Sandip Roy this week as he engages in a conversation with Mridula...
Koshy, an award winning writer, founded The Community Library Project in Delhi in 2015 and is the member of the FLN's steering committee. Neog, a queer rights activist and a library educator, is the founder-director of the Akam Foundation.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3286culture,educational,india,librariesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-india-lags-behind-its-neighbours-in-human-development-ft-swati-narayan--59465373Unequal: Why India Lags Behind Its Neighbours by Swati Narayan argues that this growth hasn't automatically translated into the empowerment of the poor or an improvement in their social mobility. When compared with its less prosperous neighbors such as Bangladesh and Nepal, India still falls behind in numerous human development indexes. However, is it fair to compare India to these other countries, or are there additional complexities to consider? In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Swati to find out.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59465373Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:52:40 +0000Express AudioDuring a time when India's economy is on the rise, a new book called Unequal: Why India Lags Behind Its Neighbours by Swati Narayan argues that this growth hasn't automatically translated into the empowerment of the poor or an improvement in their...Unequal: Why India Lags Behind Its Neighbours by Swati Narayan argues that this growth hasn't automatically translated into the empowerment of the poor or an improvement in their social mobility. When compared with its less prosperous neighbors such as Bangladesh and Nepal, India still falls behind in numerous human development indexes. However, is it fair to compare India to these other countries, or are there additional complexities to consider? In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Swati to find out.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3422economy,educational,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/getting-kids-to-care-about-climate-change-ft-bijal-vachharajani-and-rohan-chakravarty--59238329
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Bijal Vachharajani and Rohan Chakravarty, who regularly grapple with these questions in their work.Bijal is a children's book author, climate warrior and commissioning editor at Pratham Books. And Rohan is a cartoonist, illustrator, wildlife enthusiast, and the creator of Green Humour.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59238329Sun, 31 Mar 2024 12:23:05 +0000Express AudioAs summer sweeps in, we find ourselves once again inundated with reports of record-breaking temperatures, unprecedented heat waves, and other climate disasters. As adults, one question to consider is: How do we talk about climate change with young...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Bijal Vachharajani and Rohan Chakravarty, who regularly grapple with these questions in their work.Bijal is a children's book author, climate warrior and commissioning editor at Pratham Books. And Rohan is a cartoonist, illustrator, wildlife enthusiast, and the creator of Green Humour.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2772falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-congress-pms-fueled-the-rise-of-hindu-nationalism--59067284
In this episode, leading up to the crucial Lok Sabha polls, she joins Sandip Roy to discuss some of the decisions that altered India and the processes through which they unfolded.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59067284Sun, 17 Mar 2024 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioVeteran journalist and contributing editor of The Indian Express, Neerja Chowdhury, in her book 'How Prime Ministers Decide,' recounts the stories of what transpired behind the scenes as Indian Prime Ministers made some of the most monumental...
In this episode, leading up to the crucial Lok Sabha polls, she joins Sandip Roy to discuss some of the decisions that altered India and the processes through which they unfolded.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3383bjp,congress,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-should-be-done-about-india-s-street-dogs-ft-abi-t-vanak--58905789
This incident underscores the swift polarization between animal welfare advocates and those concerned for public safety. Some regard those who feed street dogs as good Samaritans, while others believe they only exacerbate the problem.

In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with ecologist Abi T Vanak about the management of street dogs and what actions authorities should take. Vanak is the Director of the Centre for Policy Design at ATREE.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58905789Sun, 03 Mar 2024 10:24:42 +0000Express AudioLast month, a one-and-a-half-year-old girl was allegedly mauled to death by street dogs in central Delhi’s Tughlaq Lane. In response, the National Human Rights Commission directed authorities to submit a detailed report within six weeks and to control...
This incident underscores the swift polarization between animal welfare advocates and those concerned for public safety. Some regard those who feed street dogs as good Samaritans, while others believe they only exacerbate the problem.

In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with ecologist Abi T Vanak about the management of street dogs and what actions authorities should take. Vanak is the Director of the Centre for Policy Design at ATREE.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3341falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-inner-lives-of-varanasi-s-corpse-burners-ft-radhika-iyengar--58720328
In this episode, Sandip Roy is joined by journalist Radhika Iyengar, who spent several years documenting the lives of the Doms of Varanasi through many ups and downs. Her book, 'Fire on the Ganges', delves into the dreams and aspirations of this community, whose job is to help others attain salvation.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58720328Sun, 18 Feb 2024 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioVaranasi holds sacred significance for many Hindus who believe that being cremated at its famous Manikarnika ghat will grant them Moksha or salvation. However, most of us know little about the lives of the Doms who work at these ghats. In this...
In this episode, Sandip Roy is joined by journalist Radhika Iyengar, who spent several years documenting the lives of the Doms of Varanasi through many ups and downs. Her book, 'Fire on the Ganges', delves into the dreams and aspirations of this community, whose job is to help others attain salvation.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2816culture,educational,india,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/krish-ashok-busts-myths-about-the-indian-thali--58562085
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58562085Sun, 04 Feb 2024 08:49:26 +0000Express AudioKrish Ashok, the author of the bestselling book "The Masala Lab," has become hugely popular on social media as the man who demystifies the science behind our cooking. In this episode, he joins Sandip to debunk myths about the Indian thali. Produced...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3694falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-colonial-is-our-constitution-ft-arghya-sengupta--58390315
On the occassion of Republic Day, Sandip speaks to its author, Arghya Sengupta, who is the Research Director at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58390315Fri, 26 Jan 2024 04:54:55 +0000Express AudioThe provocatively titled book, "The Colonial Constitution," examines how we got the Constitution we did and argues that, despite being crafted by the individuals who secured India's independence, it ultimately embodies strong colonial influences. On...
On the occassion of Republic Day, Sandip speaks to its author, Arghya Sengupta, who is the Research Director at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3150constitution,educational,india,lawfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sanjay-patel-on-animating-indian-myths-for-kids--58156091
In this episode, Sandip speaks to Patel, delving into his illustrious career, exploring how he drew inspiration from the Ramayana, discussing his response to criticism, and uncovering the factors that led him to pursue a career as an animator.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58156091Sun, 31 Dec 2023 05:00:03 +0000Express AudioFor two decades, Sanjay Patel served as an animator and storyboard artist for Pixar, contributing to beloved films such as Ratatouille, Cars, and Toy Story 2. Notably, he also wrote and directed "Sanjay's Super Team," a short film released in 2015...
In this episode, Sandip speaks to Patel, delving into his illustrious career, exploring how he drew inspiration from the Ramayana, discussing his response to criticism, and uncovering the factors that led him to pursue a career as an animator.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>1755animation,culture,film,hollywood,oscarfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/is-secularism-still-half-baked-in-india-ft-rajeev-bhargava--58035412
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58035412Sun, 17 Dec 2023 12:35:08 +0000Express AudioWhat makes Indian secularism so unique? Why is it so often misunderstood? And what challenges does it face at the moment? In this episode, Sandip Roy speaks to Rajeev Bhargava, the Director of the Parekh Institute of Indian Thought at the Centre for...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed Suresh Pawar]]>2117culture,india,religion,secularismfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-pop-stars-leading-hindutva-s-cultural-revolution-ft-kunal-purohit--57891291
In this episode, Sandip speaks to journalist Kunal Purohit who in his book, 'H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars', profiles key figures in Hindutva Pop, and delves into the motivations behind the audience's consumption of their 'daily dose of bigotry'.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57891291Sun, 03 Dec 2023 12:00:03 +0000Express AudioThey could be the biggest pop stars you've never come across. Absent from your social media feed, yet integral to the pop culture consumed by millions. Meet some of Hindutva's prominent pop stars who say they are on a mission, spearheading a cultural...
In this episode, Sandip speaks to journalist Kunal Purohit who in his book, 'H-Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars', profiles key figures in Hindutva Pop, and delves into the motivations behind the audience's consumption of their 'daily dose of bigotry'.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3087hindutva,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/does-the-bjp-need-rahul-gandhi-more-than-the-congress-ft-sugata-srinivasaraju--57705440
Joining host Sandip Roy in this episode is journalist and author Sugata Srinivasaraju, who explores the politics and predicaments of Rahul Gandhi in the book, Strange Burdens.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57705440Sun, 19 Nov 2023 03:30:02 +0000Express AudioEven though Rahul Gandhi is the guardian of the Nehru-Gandhi holy flame, at times it seems that his real mission is to reinvent his own party. On the other hand, many supporters of his party feel that the real stumbling block to its reinvention is...
Joining host Sandip Roy in this episode is journalist and author Sugata Srinivasaraju, who explores the politics and predicaments of Rahul Gandhi in the book, Strange Burdens.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3061bjp,congress,india,politics,rahulgandhifalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sunil-pant-and-nepal-s-lessons-for-india-s-lgbti-movement--57422332
In this episode, Sandip Roy speaks to Sunil Babu Pant, one of the country's best-known LGBTI activists, about the lessons that India can learn from Nepal.

Hosted, written and produced by Sandip Roy
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57422332Sun, 29 Oct 2023 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioAfter the Supreme Court’s disheartening verdict on same-sex marriage, it appears that we are still struggling to make progress in this regard. However, if we were to look just beyond our northern border, we would realise that Nepal is actually several...
In this episode, Sandip Roy speaks to Sunil Babu Pant, one of the country's best-known LGBTI activists, about the lessons that India can learn from Nepal.

Hosted, written and produced by Sandip Roy
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2197educational,equality,gayrights,lgbti,lgbtqfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ujjal-dosanjh-on-the-india-canada-tensions-and-the-khalistan-gap--57238160
In this episode host Sandip Roy speaks to Ujjal Dosanjh, the former Premier of British Columbia and federal minister, to explore how this controversy is unfolding in Canada, what Trudeau aims to achieve through it, and why Khalistan is a ‘western’ movement now.

Produced by Utsa Sarmin and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57238160Sun, 15 Oct 2023 05:32:46 +0000Express AudioIndia-Canada relations are currently at an all-time low. And it all started after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged active connections between agents of the Government of India and the killing of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a...
In this episode host Sandip Roy speaks to Ujjal Dosanjh, the former Premier of British Columbia and federal minister, to explore how this controversy is unfolding in Canada, what Trudeau aims to achieve through it, and why Khalistan is a ‘western’ movement now.

Produced by Utsa Sarmin and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2500canada,diplomacy,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gautam-bhatia-on-the-state-of-top-courts-under-the-modi-era--57004326
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to lawyer and constitutional scholar Gautam Bhatia regarding his latest book, 'Unsealed Covers,' and what the past decade of India's top court decisions reveals about the country's trajectory.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57004326Sun, 01 Oct 2023 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioOver the past decade, India's top courts have presided over numerous landmark cases, including those related to Aadhar, Sabarimala, the Hijab row, anti-defection laws, privacy, Section 377, and the UAPA. While each of these cases holds significant...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to lawyer and constitutional scholar Gautam Bhatia regarding his latest book, 'Unsealed Covers,' and what the past decade of India's top court decisions reveals about the country's trajectory.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2685courts,educational,judiciary,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/does-india-have-a-women-in-science-problem-ft-aashima-dogra-and-nandita-jayaraj--56828954
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Aashima Dogra and Nandita Jayaraj, who have been profiling the stories of women and non-binary individuals in science in India through their website, thelifeofscience.com. Their recently released book, "Lab Hopping," reveals the obstacles these individuals face and their extraordinary efforts to rectify a seemingly broken system.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

(In the episode image: Indian Space Research Organization scientists and other officials cheer as they celebrate the success of Mars Orbiter Mission at their Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network complex in Bangalore.)]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56828954Sun, 17 Sep 2023 07:29:48 +0000Express AudioWhen ISRO launched its Mars orbiter, it drew attention to the women working at the space agency. And the recent Chandrayaan-3 landing also celebrated this idea. However, the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar prizes, which were announced after a...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks with Aashima Dogra and Nandita Jayaraj, who have been profiling the stories of women and non-binary individuals in science in India through their website, thelifeofscience.com. Their recently released book, "Lab Hopping," reveals the obstacles these individuals face and their extraordinary efforts to rectify a seemingly broken system.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

(In the episode image: Indian Space Research Organization scientists and other officials cheer as they celebrate the success of Mars Orbiter Mission at their Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network complex in Bangalore.)]]>3040educational,isro,science,space,womenfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/siddhartha-basu-on-taking-india-from-quiz-time-to-kbc--56672477
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56672477Sun, 03 Sep 2023 05:30:02 +0000Express AudioFrom hosting and producing popular shows like Quiz Time and Mastermind India to becoming the producer-director of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), Siddhartha Basu is widely regarded as the father of Indian quizzing. In this episode, he talks to host...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2931falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/shubhra-gupta-on-what-makes-a-crossover-star-from-irrfan-to-priyanka--56525277
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Indian Express film critic and columnist Shubhra Gupta to discuss all of this and more, including her recently released book, ‘Irrfan: A Life in Movies.’

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56525277Sun, 20 Aug 2023 07:27:17 +0000Express AudioWith Priyanka Chopra starring in ‘Citadel’ (an American spy thriller TV series) and Alia Bhatt starring in ‘Heart of Stone’ (an American spy thriller film), has Bollywood finally made the crossover? Was Irrfan Khan India's first genuine crossover...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Indian Express film critic and columnist Shubhra Gupta to discuss all of this and more, including her recently released book, ‘Irrfan: A Life in Movies.’

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2609bollywood,entertainment,films,moviesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sudha-pai-and-sajjan-kumar-on-the-dalit-vote-mystery-in-up--56379501
In their new book titled 'Maya, Modi, Azad: Dalit Politics in the Time of Hindutva' authors Sudha Pai and Sajjan Kumar attempt to shed light on this conundrum. In this episode, Sandip Roy is joined by both of them to discuss the insights gained from their research for the book.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Abhishek Kumar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56379501Sun, 06 Aug 2023 05:00:03 +0000Express AudioThere is a mystery surrounding Dalit politics in Uttar Pradesh. Over the past decade, the Bahujan Samaj Party's Dalit voter base appears to have been co-opted by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is often perceived as an upper-caste Hindu party....
In their new book titled 'Maya, Modi, Azad: Dalit Politics in the Time of Hindutva' authors Sudha Pai and Sajjan Kumar attempt to shed light on this conundrum. In this episode, Sandip Roy is joined by both of them to discuss the insights gained from their research for the book.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Abhishek Kumar]]>3304culture,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/hansal-mehta-on-making-scoop-and-using-characters-to-confront-his-demons--56188298
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56188298Sun, 23 Jul 2023 06:48:28 +0000Express AudioFilmmaker Hansal Mehta joins Sandip Roy to talk about his latest TV series, Scoop, which is based on journalist Jigna Vora's book 'Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison.' In the book, she shares her experience of being accused, arrested, and tried...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2266culture,entertainment,film,movies,tvfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-laws-have-not-ended-caste-violence-in-india-with-manoj-mitta--56039407
In this episode, Sandip Roy talks to journalist Manoj Mitta, who in his latest book 'Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India' examines the resilience and violence of the Hindu caste system through the legal lens, and ends up uncovering the controversies and decisions that have shaped the fight against caste.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56039407Sun, 09 Jul 2023 06:46:38 +0000Express AudioEven though we talk about caste through the lens of politics, reportage, and even personalities, the intersection of caste and law is often overlooked. Even though it is the law that has been used again and again as the main weapon in the fight for...
In this episode, Sandip Roy talks to journalist Manoj Mitta, who in his latest book 'Caste Pride: Battles for Equality in Hindu India' examines the resilience and violence of the Hindu caste system through the legal lens, and ends up uncovering the controversies and decisions that have shaped the fight against caste.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2917books,caste,india,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/hoshang-merchant-still-a-poster-boy-for-gay-liberation-at-75--54937975
In this candid conversation, Merchant talks about his experiences of growing up gay, reinventing love at 75, his thoughts on the same sex marriage debate, and more.

This episode contains the use of explicit language and adult themes. Listener discretion is advised.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54937975Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:51:02 +0000Express AudioIn this special Pride Month episode, Sandip interviews Hoshang Merchant, a poet and writer who has never been shy about discussing love, sex, and religion. Born in 1947, Merchant has led a life that has taken him across the globe, from Mumbai to Los...
In this candid conversation, Merchant talks about his experiences of growing up gay, reinventing love at 75, his thoughts on the same sex marriage debate, and more.

This episode contains the use of explicit language and adult themes. Listener discretion is advised.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2270culture,gay,lgbt,lgbtqi,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/angela-saini-on-why-there-is-nothing-natural-about-patriarchy--54229878The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule.

In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to talk about what she found out while looking to answer these questions, and the role we play in keeping Patricharial structures alive.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54229878Sun, 11 Jun 2023 06:00:02 +0000Express AudioPatriarchy seems like an entrenched fact today, and many argue that it is the 'natural' order of things. But is it? What do we really know about its roots? How did male domination spread across different societies and cultures? And what can science,...The Patriarchs: How Men Came to Rule.

In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to talk about what she found out while looking to answer these questions, and the role we play in keeping Patricharial structures alive.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3168educational,feminism,history,sexismfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ujjal-dosanjh-on-how-canada-became-a-haven-for-khalistanis--54020531
In this conversation, Dosanjh speaks about meeting the Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, how Canada became a haven for Khalistanis, and his novel, The Past is Never Dead, that tells the story of a rural Punjabi family in search of a better life, and the ‘stranglehold of caste over Sikh immigrants in Britain.’

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54020531Sun, 28 May 2023 06:10:01 +0000Express AudioFrom taking on the Khalistan movement in Canada, and surviving an assassination attempt, to discussing multiculturalism (and why it is a double edged sword) and caste in Sikhism, in this episode Sandip Roy speak to Ujjal Dosanjh, the former Premier of...
In this conversation, Dosanjh speaks about meeting the Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, how Canada became a haven for Khalistanis, and his novel, The Past is Never Dead, that tells the story of a rural Punjabi family in search of a better life, and the ‘stranglehold of caste over Sikh immigrants in Britain.’

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
]]>2953canada,culture,educational,khalistanfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/chitra-banerjee-divakaruni-on-why-a-world-without-villains-might-be-scarier--53853311
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53853311Sun, 14 May 2023 05:41:33 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, host Sandip Roy interviews bestselling author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni about her latest novel ‘Independence’, which tells the story of three sisters who are separated after the Partition of Bengal. They discuss her approach to...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3018falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/writing-dalits-back-into-history-with-yogesh-maitreya--53693228
Maitreya also speaks candidly about his beginnings, the alienation that Dalits often feel in academic spaces, and the pervasive nature of caste in Indian society and how it affects us all.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Abhishek Kumar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53693228Sun, 30 Apr 2023 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip Roy speaks to Dalit poet and publisher Yogesh Maitreya and discusses his memoir Water in a Broken Pot, the experiences that led him to becoming a writer, and why he places his hope on the power of literature. Maitreya also...
Maitreya also speaks candidly about his beginnings, the alienation that Dalits often feel in academic spaces, and the pervasive nature of caste in Indian society and how it affects us all.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Abhishek Kumar]]>3040caste,culture,educational,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nilanjana-bhowmick-on-why-men-prefer-wives-in-cages-and-daughters-to-fly--53549354Lies Our Mothers Told Us, writer and journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick talks about how middle-class homes can be a laboratory for patriarchy, and the burden that women have to bear in India. In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to talk about what inspired her to write the book, fighting patriarchy at home, the lack of women in public spaces, a possible solution to break the cycle of caregiving burden, and much more.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53549354Sun, 16 Apr 2023 07:15:03 +0000Express AudioIn her book, Lies Our Mothers Told Us, writer and journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick talks about how middle-class homes can be a laboratory for patriarchy, and the burden that women have to bear in India. In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to talk about...Lies Our Mothers Told Us, writer and journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick talks about how middle-class homes can be a laboratory for patriarchy, and the burden that women have to bear in India. In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to talk about what inspired her to write the book, fighting patriarchy at home, the lack of women in public spaces, a possible solution to break the cycle of caregiving burden, and much more.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2795culture,india,sexism,society,womenfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nilanjana-roy-on-writing-crime-eating-books-and-falling-for-delhi--53416045
(Episode image credit: Gauri Gill)

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53416045Sun, 02 Apr 2023 07:13:02 +0000Express AudioWriter and journalist Nilanjana Roy's new novel, Black River, is a police procedural set in a dusty little town in Northern India that revolves around the horrendous murder of an eight year old girl. In this episode, she joins Sandip Roy to talk about...
(Episode image credit: Gauri Gill)

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3473arts,crime,culture,fiction,literature,society,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-documentary-won-when-will-our-elephants-ft-vivek-menon-and-alok-gupta--53249094
Vivek Menon is the Founder Trustee & Executive Director, Wildlife Trust of India. Alok Hisarwala Gupta is a lawyer and founder of the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53249094Sun, 19 Mar 2023 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioWhat is the actual state of elephants in India? How many of them are currently in captivity, and what are the reasons for that? And what challenges do conservationists face in trying to help them? After the recent Oscar win of The Elephant Whisperers,...
Vivek Menon is the Founder Trustee & Executive Director, Wildlife Trust of India. Alok Hisarwala Gupta is a lawyer and founder of the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2587conservation,elephants,environments,wildlifefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/manil-suri-on-how-mathematics-saved-his-life--53097314The Death of Vishnu, and The Age of Shiva, but Manil Suri is also a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. And in his latest book, The Big Bang of Numbers, he writes about creating the universe in seven days using only maths. In this episode, he joins Sandip Roy to talk about the book, how maths helped save his life, why it is hard to teach it, and the time he danced to 'Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja'.

Also, listen till the end for an audio postcard about the 150th anniversary of Calcutta's trams.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed bby Abhishek Kumar


(Manil Suri's photograph by José Villarrubia)]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53097314Sun, 05 Mar 2023 07:00:02 +0000Express AudioThe literary world may know him as the author of books like The Death of Vishnu, and The Age of Shiva, but Manil Suri is also a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. And in his latest book, The Big Bang of Numbers,...The Death of Vishnu, and The Age of Shiva, but Manil Suri is also a professor of mathematics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. And in his latest book, The Big Bang of Numbers, he writes about creating the universe in seven days using only maths. In this episode, he joins Sandip Roy to talk about the book, how maths helped save his life, why it is hard to teach it, and the time he danced to 'Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja'.

Also, listen till the end for an audio postcard about the 150th anniversary of Calcutta's trams.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed bby Abhishek Kumar


(Manil Suri's photograph by José Villarrubia)]]>3344books,culture,entertainment,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/timepass-or-subversion-ira-bhaskar-and-ghazala-wahab-on-pathaan-s-politics--52779746
Ira Bhaskar is Professor, Cinema Studies, School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University. And Ghazala Wahab is executive editor, FORCE, and the author of the award winning book, 'Born A Muslim: Some Truths About Islam In India'.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52779746Sun, 19 Feb 2023 09:55:04 +0000Express AudioWhy did Pathaan become such a success? Is it just an action film or a 'daring act of subversion'? And what does it say about the role of Muslims in Hindi films? In this episode, host Sandip Roy talks to Professor Ira Bhaskar, and author Ghazala Wahab...
Ira Bhaskar is Professor, Cinema Studies, School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University. And Ghazala Wahab is executive editor, FORCE, and the author of the award winning book, 'Born A Muslim: Some Truths About Islam In India'.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3347bollywood,culture,entertainment,history,movies,politics,shahrukhfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-shobhaa-de-remains-insatiable-at-75--52639511
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52639511Sun, 05 Feb 2023 05:30:01 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, host Sandip Roy talks to the novelist and columnist Shobhaa De about her recently released memoir 'Insatiable' — from her early modelling career and how she developed her writing style, to her past controversies and her reaction to...
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>2866culture,de,entertainment,india,literature,shobhaa,writingfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/no-country-for-the-elderly-with-himanshu-rath-and-indira-jai-prakash--52505785
Himanshu Rath is the founder and chairman of Agewell Foundation Himanshu Rath, and Indira Jai Prakash is the former Professor of Post Graduate Department of Psychology, Bangalore University, who has researched ageing for years in India.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Abhishek Kumar and Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52505785Sun, 22 Jan 2023 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioWho is taking care of India’s elderly? UN statistics project that 48 million Indians will be over the age of 80 by 2050. That’s more than the population of California. But is India ready for that? In this episode, host Sandip Roy speaks to Himanshu...
Himanshu Rath is the founder and chairman of Agewell Foundation Himanshu Rath, and Indira Jai Prakash is the former Professor of Post Graduate Department of Psychology, Bangalore University, who has researched ageing for years in India.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Abhishek Kumar and Suresh Pawar]]>3272culture,india,oldagefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/p-sainath-on-the-freedom-fighters-india-forgot--52381550The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom, which tells the incredible stories of freedom fighters who still have not been recognized for their contribution and struggle.

Episode image credit: Bharat Tiwari

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52381550Sun, 08 Jan 2023 05:18:09 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip is joined by veteran journalist and the founding editor of People’s Archives of Rural India (PARI) to talk about his book, The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom, which tells the incredible stories of freedom fighters...The Last Heroes: Foot Soldiers of Indian Freedom, which tells the incredible stories of freedom fighters who still have not been recognized for their contribution and struggle.

Episode image credit: Bharat Tiwari

Produced by Shashank Bhargava and Utsa Sarmin
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3133books,culture,educational,history,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/50-shades-of-christmas-in-india-with-jerry-pinto-and-madhulika-liddle--52274448Indian Christmas, writers Jerry Pinto and Madhulika Liddle bring together essays that capture the many unique flavors of an Indian Christmas — from a village in Nagaland, to Bow Barrack in Kolkata, and from churches to Goa to even rural Jharkhand. In this episode, they join host Sandip Roy to talk about what is really unique about Christmas in India.

(Cover image of Jerry Pinto by Ashima Narain)

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52274448Sun, 25 Dec 2022 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioIn a new anthology titled, Indian Christmas, writers Jerry Pinto and Madhulika Liddle bring together essays that capture the many unique flavors of an Indian Christmas — from a village in Nagaland, to Bow Barrack in Kolkata, and from churches to Goa...Indian Christmas, writers Jerry Pinto and Madhulika Liddle bring together essays that capture the many unique flavors of an Indian Christmas — from a village in Nagaland, to Bow Barrack in Kolkata, and from churches to Goa to even rural Jharkhand. In this episode, they join host Sandip Roy to talk about what is really unique about Christmas in India.

(Cover image of Jerry Pinto by Ashima Narain)

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3393christmas,culture,entertainment,history,india,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-indian-languages-say-about-who-we-are-with-peggy-mohan--52151504
Peggy Mohan has taught linguistics at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia, and is the author of three novels.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52151504Sun, 11 Dec 2022 06:12:44 +0000Express AudioWhat makes Indian languages different from other ones? We all know about a mother tongue, but is there also a father tongue? Why did invaders from Uzbekistan bring us Persian? And will English cannibalise every other language or is the future of...
Peggy Mohan has taught linguistics at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Jamia Millia Islamia, and is the author of three novels.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3243cultute,educational,history,india,languages,linguistics,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-mallika-sarabhai-isn-t-shy-of-taking-the-alternative-path--52018060https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52018060Sun, 27 Nov 2022 06:00:02 +0000Express Audio3229false116fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/changing-the-way-we-talk-to-kids-about-sex-with-reema-ahmad-and-ramya-anand--51875388
Reema Ahmad is a life coach, sexuality educator, and the author of 'Unparenting: Sharing Awkward Truths with Curious Kids'. And Ramya Anand is a Senior Programme Officer with Tarshi (Talking About Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues), a not-for-profit organisation that works on issues of sexuality.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava

Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51875388Sun, 13 Nov 2022 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioWhen it comes to sex education, there are many questions that don't have easy answers. Like, who should do it? Should it be parents or schools? And when should you do it? And should it just be about the reproductive system or infections or abstinence?...
Reema Ahmad is a life coach, sexuality educator, and the author of 'Unparenting: Sharing Awkward Truths with Curious Kids'. And Ramya Anand is a Senior Programme Officer with Tarshi (Talking About Reproductive and Sexual Health Issues), a not-for-profit organisation that works on issues of sexuality.

Produced by Shashank Bhargava

Edited and Mixed by Suresh Pawar]]>3105culture,education,india,sex,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-safe-are-the-drugs-we-take-with-dinesh-thakur--51728945https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51728945Sun, 30 Oct 2022 08:35:01 +0000Express AudioThe Gambian cough syrup tragedy in which 66 children died has once again raised alarm about India's drug regulation policy. But was Gambia just one rotten apple? Or this apple cart itself full of loopholes? In this episode Dinesh Thakur, who became...3009drugs,india,medicinesfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/kuch-meetha-ho-jaye-with-rajyasree-sen--51587156
Listen till the end as Rajyasree takes part in a rapid fire, and Sandip brings you an audio postcard about the economic and environmental impact of Durga Puja.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51587156Sun, 16 Oct 2022 07:35:36 +0000Express AudioWith Diwali around the corner, columnist and host of the Awful and Awesome podcast Rajyasree Sen joins Sandip Roy to talk about her latest book, The Sweet Kitchen, which includes tales and recipes of India's favourite desserts — from Daulat ki Chaat...
Listen till the end as Rajyasree takes part in a rapid fire, and Sandip brings you an audio postcard about the economic and environmental impact of Durga Puja.]]>3152culture,desserts,entertainment,food,india,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/gopalkrishna-gandhi-on-how-bengal-shaped-the-mahatma--51439006
Though it is only when we read his letters to friends, family and opponents, or their accounts of encounters with him, we get a much more three dimensional picture of the Mahatma. Recently, his grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the former governor of West Bengal, has compiled and edited, A Frank Friendship, that brings out these details. The book is about the Mahatma's long history with Bengal, a state that brought him great joy, but also tested his life's philosophy. On the occasion of the 153rd anniversary of the Mahatma's birth, he joins host Sandip Roy to talk about the book, and how the state shaped the father of the nation.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51439006Sun, 02 Oct 2022 03:30:01 +0000Express AudioEven though Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most well known figures in Indian history, for many, especially the young, he has become a bit of a two dimensional figure. Someone who helped us get independence from the British, but also someone whose face...
Though it is only when we read his letters to friends, family and opponents, or their accounts of encounters with him, we get a much more three dimensional picture of the Mahatma. Recently, his grandson, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the former governor of West Bengal, has compiled and edited, A Frank Friendship, that brings out these details. The book is about the Mahatma's long history with Bengal, a state that brought him great joy, but also tested his life's philosophy. On the occasion of the 153rd anniversary of the Mahatma's birth, he joins host Sandip Roy to talk about the book, and how the state shaped the father of the nation.]]>3093bengal,culture,gandhi,history,independence,india,news,politics,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/shaili-chopra-on-why-every-woman-doesn-t-need-to-be-indra-nooyi--51295590https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51295590Sun, 18 Sep 2022 05:30:02 +0000Express AudioIs the female CEO the only model for female empowerment? To what extent are women still split down the middle when it comes to home and work? And what does success, independence, and agency mean to women today? These are some of the questions that...3335culture,feminism,india,news,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rohini-nilekani-on-why-india-s-wealthy-need-to-do-more-to-boost-civil-society--51136283
Nilkani has been associated with several civil society movements, and has been a founding member of organisations such as Pratham Books, and EkStep Foundation.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51136283Sun, 04 Sep 2022 06:31:14 +0000Express AudioAt a time when the government and the marketplace have assumed enormous power over our lives and choices, Rohini Nilekani argues that now is the time for civil societies to be boosted, and that India’s wealth creators need to do more about it. In this...
Nilkani has been associated with several civil society movements, and has been a founding member of organisations such as Pratham Books, and EkStep Foundation.]]>2599culture,india,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rahul-sagar-on-the-19th-century-debates-to-make-india-great-again--50971803
In this episode, Sagar, Global Network Associate Professor of Political Science at NYU Abu Dhabi, joins host Sandip Roy to talk about these debates, and what they reveal about our past and present.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50971803Sun, 21 Aug 2022 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioIn his latest book, To Raise A Fallen People, Rahul Sagar points out that the debates around what role India should play on the world stage started way back in the 19th century. This was the time when public figures were questioning the kind of power...
In this episode, Sagar, Global Network Associate Professor of Political Science at NYU Abu Dhabi, joins host Sandip Roy to talk about these debates, and what they reveal about our past and present.]]>3213history,india,politics,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-unanswered-questions-about-the-cheetah-project-with-ravi-chellam-and-prerna-bindra--50839819https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50839819Sun, 07 Aug 2022 06:00:38 +0000Express AudioIn 1952, the cheetah was officially declared extinct in India. Now, the animal, albeit a different subspecies, might be set for a comeback - not in the wild, but to Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. Wildlife conservationists in India, though, are in...2542cheetahs,india,news,wildlifefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/seema-chishti-on-love-food-and-the-challenges-of-diversity--50693344https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50693344Sun, 24 Jul 2022 05:30:02 +0000Express AudioJournalist Seema Chishti's mother, Sumitra, wrote a cookbook so that she could pass down recipes from their rather unique kitchen - a kitchen which was shared by Sumitra, who was a Kshatriya Hindu from Mysore in Karnataka, and her husband Anees, a...2829culture,food,india,islamophobia,love,societyfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/vauhini-vara-imagines-how-a-dalit-ceo-shapes-an-algorithm-to-rule-the-world--50520328https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50520328Sun, 10 Jul 2022 03:30:02 +0000Express AudioJournalist Vauhini Vara's debut novel, The Immortal King Rao, has been making waves because it marries a vision of technocapitalism with caste. The book imagines a Dalit man who escapes the coconut plantations of his childhood to live the American...2324caste,india,literature,novel,tech,usfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/pride-month-special-a-lesbian-couple-about-life-and-love-in-india--50360006
So in this special episode, host Sandip Roy talks to a lesbian couple, Rituparna Borah and Amrita Tripathi, living in Delhi to understand whether lesbian lives have changed since Pride became more celebrated and 'cool' in India.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50360006Sun, 26 Jun 2022 05:51:05 +0000Express AudioEven though the Pride Month is now embraced across India, its coverage mostly focuses on gay men and sometimes transgender women activists. But lesbians seem to be largely missing from this coverage and conversation. So in this special episode,...
So in this special episode, host Sandip Roy talks to a lesbian couple, Rituparna Borah and Amrita Tripathi, living in Delhi to understand whether lesbian lives have changed since Pride became more celebrated and 'cool' in India.]]>3083gay,india,lgbt,lgtbqa+,pride,queerfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-untold-story-of-a-slave-rebellion-in-up-with-laura-t-murphy--50171089https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50171089Sun, 12 Jun 2022 03:58:36 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip Roy speaks to Laura T Murphy, professor of human rights and contemporary slavery at Sheffield Hallam University. They speak about the people still living in modern day slavery, the role of violence in overthrowing oppression,...2650falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ramachandra-guha-on-7-original-anti-nationals-who-fought-the-british--49982190https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49982190Sun, 29 May 2022 05:30:02 +0000Express AudioAt a time when nationalism and patriotism are increasingly conflated, historian Ramachandra Guha's latest book, Rebels Against The Raj, tells the story of seven remarkable westerners who went to jail or were expelled from the country for rebelling...2407british,culture,guha,history,india,ramachandrafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/estimating-india-s-real-covid-death-toll-with-dr-bhramar-mukherjee--49800278https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49800278Sun, 15 May 2022 03:32:18 +0000Express AudioData scientist Dr Bhramar Mukherjee joins host Sandip Roy to talk about the challenges of estimating India's real Covid death toll.2904falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/aparna-piramal-raje-on-living-and-thriving-with-bipolar-disorder--49611517https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49611517Sun, 01 May 2022 06:05:37 +0000Express AudioThe pandemic has been tough on many of us, but for those with mental health problems, it's been even tougher. Former CEO of BP Ergo, and columnist Aparna Piramal Raje has had to deal with Bipolar disorder during this time, and which she talks about in...2389aparna,bipolar,health,india,mentalfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/100th-episode-special-usha-uthup-on-her-unique-musical-journey--49454713https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49454713Sun, 17 Apr 2022 03:30:03 +0000Express AudioOn this show’s 100th episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by the iconic pop singer Usha Ushup as she takes a trip down memory lane, remembering her unique musical journey so far, recounting her experience of working in the Indian film industry, giving...3455india,music,pop,usha,uthupfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/making-sense-of-india-s-ukraine-strategy-with-krishnan-srinivasan--49296402https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49296402Sun, 03 Apr 2022 03:30:02 +0000Express AudioAfter five weeks of the Russian invasion of Ukraine not going as planned, what end game does Vladimir Putin have in mind? How well can India continue to walk the tight diplomatic rope? And how will this crisis reshape the geo-political chess game? In...2631diplomacy,india,news,russia,ukrainefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/saeed-naqvi-on-why-hindutva-needs-the-indian-muslim--49098075https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49098075Sat, 19 Mar 2022 21:20:02 +0000Express AudioIn veteran journalist Saeed Naqvi’s play, The Muslim Vanishes, overnight everyone Muslim, and everyone thing deemed Muslim in the country, suddenly vanishes into thin air. This leads to consequences that no one could have foreseen, including problems...2764caste,hindu,hindutva,india,islamophobia,muslims,naqvi,saaedfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-delhi-s-street-names-reveal-its-history-with-adrija-roychowdhury--48954749https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48954749Sun, 06 Mar 2022 05:00:03 +0000Express AudioJournalist Adrija Roychowdhury joins Sandip Roy to speak about her new book, 'Delhi in Thy Name' which traces the history of the capital city through the naming of its streets. She delves into six neighborhoods of Delhi to trace the different...2711delhi,history,indiafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/using-srk-to-understand-womanhood-and-the-indian-economy-with-shrayana-bhattacharya--48797943https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48797943Sun, 20 Feb 2022 05:00:03 +0000Express AudioShrayana Bhattacharya is trained in development economics and is currently working at a multilateral development bank. But, to the surprise of many around her, she spent the last 15 years interviewing women who are Shah Rukh Khan fans. And she did...3151bollywood,books,economy,feminism,shahrukh,srkfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-we-don-t-understand-about-india-s-data-with-rukmini-s--48607809https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48607809Sun, 06 Feb 2022 05:38:46 +0000Express AudioWe often use data to understand India and its problems. Be it data about unemployment, how we vote, what crimes we commit, and even who we choose to love. But data journalist Rukmini S' new book, Whole Numbers and Half Truths, talks about how we use...2716data,india,statisticsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-new-election-series-by-the-indian-express--48593568
3 Things - https://bit.ly/34jEQbp

Express Elections - https://bit.ly/3gvzDQ1]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48593568Sat, 05 Feb 2022 03:30:03 +0000Express AudioYou can listen to the series at: 3 Things - https://bit.ly/34jEQbp Express Elections - https://bit.ly/3gvzDQ1
3 Things - https://bit.ly/34jEQbp

Express Elections - https://bit.ly/3gvzDQ1]]>65falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/johann-hari-on-how-our-attention-is-being-stolen--48410431
In this episode, best-selling author Johann Hari speaks to Sandip about his new book, Stolen Focus, in which he writes about how we have profoundly misunderstood what’s happening to our attention, and calls for an attention rebellion.

Episode image credit: Kathrin Baumbach]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48410431Sun, 23 Jan 2022 05:11:30 +0000Express AudioA lot of us can relate to the idea that increasingly, we are finding it harder to focus and are more distracted. Many blame themselves and their smartphones for shorter attention spans, but a new book claims that there is another reason why we can’t...
In this episode, best-selling author Johann Hari speaks to Sandip about his new book, Stolen Focus, in which he writes about how we have profoundly misunderstood what’s happening to our attention, and calls for an attention rebellion.

Episode image credit: Kathrin Baumbach]]>3422falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/mridula-ramesh-on-what-it-would-take-to-solve-india-s-water-crisis--48221341
Ramesh is the author of the new book, Watershed: How We Destroyed India's Water and How We Can Save It. She is founder of the Sundaram Climate Institute, which focuses on waste and water solutions.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48221341Sun, 09 Jan 2022 05:30:19 +0000Express AudioHow bad is India's water crisis? What has led us to this place? And what can be done to solve it? In this episode, Sandip is joined by Mridula Ramesh to talk about India's groundwater crisis. From the Indus Valley civilisation, to British policies...
Ramesh is the author of the new book, Watershed: How We Destroyed India's Water and How We Can Save It. She is founder of the Sundaram Climate Institute, which focuses on waste and water solutions.]]>2886environment,india,waterfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/why-eating-insects-makes-sense-with-srishtaa-aparna-pallavi-and-tansha-vohra--48059467
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Srishtaa Aparna Pallavi and Tansha Vohra to talk about the past, present and future of eating insects in India. They discuss what insects are the most popular as food, why certain foods are considered inferior, the concerns around popularizing this practice, and their favourite insect recipes.

Shrishta Aparna Pallavi, writes about indigenous people and their traditions and foods, and has given an acclaimed TED talk on what food our ancestors loved.

Tansha Vohra is a permaculture designer, and runs the Boochi project, which explores insect eating in India.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/48059467Sun, 26 Dec 2021 05:46:23 +0000Express AudioThe United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation has said that eating insects can help us fight hunger and malnutrition. This is considering they are rich in protein, and farming them can be more sustainable and environment-friendly. Now, even...
In this episode, host Sandip Roy is joined by Srishtaa Aparna Pallavi and Tansha Vohra to talk about the past, present and future of eating insects in India. They discuss what insects are the most popular as food, why certain foods are considered inferior, the concerns around popularizing this practice, and their favourite insect recipes.

Shrishta Aparna Pallavi, writes about indigenous people and their traditions and foods, and has given an acclaimed TED talk on what food our ancestors loved.

Tansha Vohra is a permaculture designer, and runs the Boochi project, which explores insect eating in India.]]>2535culture,entomology,food,insectsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/amitav-ghosh-on-whether-a-climate-apocalypse-is-inevitable--47888106
Also in the end, an audio postcard from Shillong.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47888106Sun, 12 Dec 2021 05:20:16 +0000Express AudioAre all countries obliged to tighten their belts equally for the sake of climate change? Based on our current efforts, have we reached a point of no return? And do we need a new narrative to change that? In this episode, Sandip Roy is joined by...
Also in the end, an audio postcard from Shillong.]]>2195amitav,climatechange,ghoshfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-nehru-debated-his-adversaries-with-adeel-hussain-and-tripurdaman-singh--47686940
Adeel Hussain is an assistant professor at Leiden University and a senior research affiliate at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg. And Tripurdaman Singh is a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47686940Sun, 28 Nov 2021 05:01:44 +0000Express AudioIn their latest book, Nehru: The Debates that Defined India, Adeel Hussain and Tripurdaman Singh look at four men debated the first Prime Minister – Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Sardar Patel and Syama Prasad Mookerjee – and how theses...
Adeel Hussain is an assistant professor at Leiden University and a senior research affiliate at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law in Heidelberg. And Tripurdaman Singh is a British Academy postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London.]]>2913history,india,nehru,politicsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/josy-joseph-on-how-india-s-deep-state-is-threatening-our-democracy--47464613https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47464613Sun, 14 Nov 2021 05:08:06 +0000Express AudioWhat is ailing India's democratic institutions today? – This question is at the heart of investigative journalist Josy Joseph's latest book, The Silent Coup: A History of India's Deep State. In this episode, host Sandip Roy talks to him about it,...2634democracy,india,josy,josyjoseph,journalism,modi,pmmodifalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rethinking-the-indian-monsoon-with-dr-sulochana-gadgil--47240067
In this episode, Sandip speaks to one of the world's foremost monsoon meteorologists, Dr Sulochana Gadgil about the myths and realities surrounding the monsoons. Dr Gadgil was with the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47240067Sun, 31 Oct 2021 05:00:02 +0000Express AudioThe arrival of the monsoon is always big news in India. But its drama and romance is also accompanied by anxiety and tension, especially now, with the rains growing more erratic, and some places getting less of it while others experience floods and...
In this episode, Sandip speaks to one of the world's foremost monsoon meteorologists, Dr Sulochana Gadgil about the myths and realities surrounding the monsoons. Dr Gadgil was with the Centre for Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru.]]>2853monsoon,monsoons,rainsfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-battles-of-india-s-first-women-in-medicine-with-kavitha-rao--47012520
Kavitha Rao’s new book, ‘Lady Doctors’ tells the inspiring stories of these women, and the battles they fought. She joins Sandip in this episode to talk about it.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/47012520Sun, 17 Oct 2021 05:37:23 +0000Express AudioWhile it isn’t unusual to have women doctors in India now, and the rise of women in the medical field seems to have been steady, the road that led us to this place wasn’t easy. India’s first "lady doctors" battled everything from unsupportive husbands...
Kavitha Rao’s new book, ‘Lady Doctors’ tells the inspiring stories of these women, and the battles they fought. She joins Sandip in this episode to talk about it.]]>3049india,medical,medicine,sciencefalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-we-don-t-understand-about-gandhi-s-non-violence-with-jyotirmaya-sharma--46797112
They discuss what influenced Gandhi’s idea of non-violence, why the Hindu community largely rejected his ideals, whether he actually believed in equality and diversity, what has survived of his ideas, and more.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46797112Sun, 03 Oct 2021 05:00:10 +0000Express AudioMahatma Gandhi is known around the world as the apostle of non-violence, but what did his insistence on ahimsa actually mean for him? In this episode, Sandip talks to Jyotirmaya Sharma, professor of political science at the University of Hyderabad,...
They discuss what influenced Gandhi’s idea of non-violence, why the Hindu community largely rejected his ideals, whether he actually believed in equality and diversity, what has survived of his ideas, and more.]]>2258gandhi,mahatmafalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/how-alternate-realities-really-work-beyond-whatsapp-forwards--46581205
In this episode, Shivam Shankar Singh and Anand Venkatanarayanan join Sandip to answer these questions and talk about their book, 'The Art of Conjuring Alternate Realities: How Information Warfare Shapes Your World'.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46581205Sun, 19 Sep 2021 05:00:08 +0000Express AudioHow does information warfare shape our realities? Has the problem of alternate realities worsened now? Does fake news or Whatsapp forwards create the problem or only add to it? And to what extent does fact-checking help? In this episode, Shivam...
In this episode, Shivam Shankar Singh and Anand Venkatanarayanan join Sandip to answer these questions and talk about their book, 'The Art of Conjuring Alternate Realities: How Information Warfare Shapes Your World'.]]>2649fakenews,news,whatsappfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-story-of-india-through-100-objects-with-vidya-dehejia--46380375https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46380375Sun, 05 Sep 2021 05:33:46 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to Vidya Dehejia, Barbara Stoler Miller Professor of Indian and South Asian Art at Columbia University, about her latest book, India: A Story through 100 Objects.3048falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-a-pak-china-afghan-axis-will-mean-for-india-with-c-raja-mohan--46189624
In this episode, Sandip Roy talks to Professor C Raja Mohan about the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, and its implications for India.

Professor Mohan is the Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at National University of Singapore, and is also a contributing editor on foreign affairs for The Indian Express.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46189624Sun, 22 Aug 2021 06:08:00 +0000Express AudioWhat leverage points does the international community have over the Taliban right now? In what way does the situation in Afghanistan affect India? And what will a Pak-China-Afghan axis mean for India? In this episode, Sandip Roy talks to Professor C...
In this episode, Sandip Roy talks to Professor C Raja Mohan about the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, and its implications for India.

Professor Mohan is the Director of the Institute of South Asian Studies at National University of Singapore, and is also a contributing editor on foreign affairs for The Indian Express.]]>2047afghanistan,china,pakistan,talibanfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/shahrukh-aamir-salman-how-the-3-khans-changed-india-with-kaveree-bamzai--46004147
In this episode, Sandip talks to veteran journalist Kaveree Bamzai about all this and more, along with her latest book, 'The Three Khans: And the Emergence of New India'.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/46004147Sun, 08 Aug 2021 04:00:07 +0000Express AudioHow have the three Khans of Bollywood helped shape how Indians see themselves? How have their characters helped us grapple with a changing India? How have they negotiated their religious identities on screen? And is the age of the Khans finally over?...
In this episode, Sandip talks to veteran journalist Kaveree Bamzai about all this and more, along with her latest book, 'The Three Khans: And the Emergence of New India'.]]>2539aamir,bollywood,salman,sharukhfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/an-intimate-history-of-a-changing-kashmir-with-farah-bashir--45832116https://api.spreaker.com/episode/45832116Sun, 25 Jul 2021 05:42:43 +0000Express AudioHow does the conflict-ridden state of Kashmir affect the everyday lives of people? How does the trauma get processed? And what stories get lost in the usual reportage of the area? In this episode Sandip talks to author Farah Bashir about her memoir...2491falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/80-how-china-spun-the-covid-19-narrative-with-manoj-kewalramani--45677427tag:audioboom.com,2021-07-11:/posts/7902533Sun, 11 Jul 2021 05:18:35 +0000Express AudioManoj Kewalramani on whether China has successfully spun the Covid-19 narrative to its advantage, and his latest book Smokeless War: China's Quest for Geopolitical Dominance.2678falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/79-chinmay-tumbe-on-what-we-can-learn-from-past-pandemics--45677429tag:audioboom.com,2021-06-27:/posts/7894348Sun, 27 Jun 2021 05:13:47 +0000Express AudioSandip Roy talks to Chinmay Tumbe about the pandemics India has witnessed in the past, how they changed the country, and what we can learn from them.2606falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/78-nik-sharma-on-the-science-of-taste-and-why-we-like-the-things-we-do--45677455tag:audioboom.com,2021-06-12:/posts/7885748Sun, 13 Jun 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioChef Nik Sharma breaks down the science of taste, talks about the joy of cooking, and discusses his latest book – The Flavor Equation.2538falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/77-dr-gagandeep-kang-addresses-the-concerns-around-india-s-vaccine-policy--45677431tag:audioboom.com,2021-05-29:/posts/7877117Sun, 30 May 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to Dr Gagandeep Kang, who addresses the concerns around India’s vaccine policy.2673falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/76-ghazala-wahab-on-what-it-means-to-be-an-indian-muslim-today--45677434tag:audioboom.com,2021-05-16:/posts/7866320Sun, 16 May 2021 05:22:09 +0000Express AudioDiscussing the the changing face of Indian Islam, and what it really means to be an ‘Indian Muslim’ today.2447falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/75-sharmila-tagore-remembers-satyajit-ray-on-his-100th-birth-anniversary--45677445tag:audioboom.com,2021-05-01:/posts/7856955Sun, 02 May 2021 03:30:00 +0000Express AudioRenowned actor Sharmila Tagore joins Sandip to celebrate this occasion, take a look back at his films, and talk about what made him stand apart from others.3687falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/74-memories-of-food-and-what-s-missing-on-our-plate-with-anumitra-dastidar-and-shalini-krishan--45677447tag:audioboom.com,2021-04-18:/posts/7846776Sun, 18 Apr 2021 05:18:44 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to the co-founder of Edible Archives, a restaurant-cum-research centre in Goa that is spearheading a new way to think about food memory and food heritage.2327falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/73-the-conundrum-of-bjp-s-meteoric-rise-in-bengal-with-neelanjan-sircar-and-sajjan-kumar--45677462tag:audioboom.com,2021-04-04:/posts/7836884Sun, 04 Apr 2021 05:31:17 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip is joined by political analyst Sajjan Kumar and Neelajan Sircar, assistant professor of political science at Ashoka University, to talk about the West Bengal state polls 2021.2864falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/72-anuja-chauhan-on-the-pleasures-of-murder-and-perils-of-romance--45677428tag:audioboom.com,2021-03-21:/posts/7827068Sun, 21 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioAnuja Chauhan joins Sandip to talk about her new novel, the politics of Delhi (and Bangalore) clubs, the perils of writing romance in the time of ‘love-jihad’, and more.2032falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/71-what-s-next-for-bihar-after-lalu-and-nitish-with-santosh-singh--45677432tag:audioboom.com,2021-03-06:/posts/7816809Sun, 07 Mar 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Indian Express' Associate Editor Santosh Singh about what Bihar politics will look like after Nitish Kumar, Lalu Prasad's lasting impact on the state, and his latest book – JP to BJP: Bihar After Lalu and Nitish.1766falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/70-stephen-alter-on-what-uttarakhand-tells-us-about-fragility-of-himalaya--45677435tag:audioboom.com,2021-02-21:/posts/7805385Sun, 21 Feb 2021 05:13:00 +0000Express AudioAuthor Stephen Alter on what the history of Himalaya can tell us about the present, lessons we can learn from past disasters, and his latest book ‘Wild Himalaya’.2669falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/69-dr-gagandeep-kang-on-the-mystery-of-india-s-declining-covid-numbers--45677433tag:audioboom.com,2021-02-06:/posts/7793097Sun, 07 Feb 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, microbiologist Dr Gagandeep Kang and Sandip Roy discuss why South Asian and Sub-Saharan countries have shown higher seropositivity than the West, why vaccinations are necessary but not enough and the pressing need for more clinical...2381falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/68-harsh-mander-on-how-india-s-covid-strategy-forgot-its-most-vulnerable--45677441tag:audioboom.com,2021-01-22:/posts/7779398Sun, 24 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSocial activist Harsh Mander on how the pandemic has impacted the country's most vulnerable, his own harrowing experience of getting COVID-19, and his latest book Locking Down the Poor: The Pandemic and India’s Moral Centre.2034falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/67-the-a-to-z-of-ghosts-and-monsters-of-india-with-rakesh-khanna--45677439tag:audioboom.com,2021-01-09:/posts/7768535Sun, 10 Jan 2021 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioRakesh Khanna, the founder of Blaft Publications, talks about his new book which is an encyclopedia of ‘Ghosts, Monsters and Demons of India’.2360falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/66-why-the-bjp-keeps-winning-with-vinay-sitapati--45677440tag:audioboom.com,2020-12-27:/posts/7759338Sun, 27 Dec 2020 04:00:00 +0000Express AudioPolitical scientist Dr Vinay Sitapati talks to Sandip about this latest book, Jugalbandi: The BJP before Modi.3141falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/65-dr-shashi-tharoor-on-the-gap-between-nationalism-and-patriotism-in-india--45677443tag:audioboom.com,2020-12-13:/posts/7749920Sun, 13 Dec 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioDr Shashi Tharoor on who does nationalism really mean in the Indian context, and how it is different from patriotism.2560falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/64-why-india-s-better-placed-to-do-a-huge-vaccine-roll-out-than-most-other-countries-according-to-dr-giridhar-r-babu--45677446tag:audioboom.com,2020-11-28:/posts/7739740Sun, 29 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip speaks with epidemiologist Dr Giridhar R Babu about the great vaccine race, and whether millions of COVID-19 infections are being undercounted.2268falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/63-the-fascinating-career-of-the-actor-and-fitness-icon-mandira-bedi--45677453tag:audioboom.com,2020-11-14:/posts/7730283Sun, 15 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Mandira about her career, how she has reinvented herself over the years, and her memoir, Happy For No Reason.2180falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/62-why-life-won-t-go-back-to-normal-even-after-a-covid-19-vaccine-with-dr-gagandeep-kang--45677469tag:audioboom.com,2020-10-31:/posts/7719260Sun, 01 Nov 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Dr Gagandeep Kang about what we’re really looking for in a COVID-19 vaccine, and clears up some burning coronavirus concerns.2356falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/61-the-untold-story-of-the-unraveling-of-parveen-babi-s-mind-with-karishma-upadhyay--45677457tag:audioboom.com,2020-10-17:/posts/7707987Sun, 18 Oct 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to author Karishma Upadhyay about her new book on Parveen Babi, the glamorous star whose life was turned upside down by her mental health struggles, and discusses how far we've come, or not come, since then.2779falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/60-romila-thapar-on-dissent-in-india-from-vedic-brahmanism-to-shaheen-bagh--45677448tag:audioboom.com,2020-10-03:/posts/7697270Sun, 04 Oct 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioHistorian Romila Thapar on the history of dissent in India – from Vedic Brahmanism to Shaheen Bagh.2529falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/59-ssr-case-and-why-india-s-drug-laws-are-out-of-date-with-ronny-sen--45677437tag:audioboom.com,2020-09-19:/posts/7686607Sun, 20 Sep 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioAward winning photographer and filmmaker, Ronny Sen on the questions we should be asking about drug addiction and the issues that India's drug laws fail to address.2278falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/58-apurva-asrani-on-whether-bollywood-has-changed-2-years-after-the-377-verdict--45677454tag:audioboom.com,2020-09-05:/posts/7675741Sun, 06 Sep 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioNational Award winning film editor and writer Apurva Asrani on why he has been overwhelmed by the changes he has seen in Bollywood since the Section 377 verdict was announced two years back.2810falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/57-comic-books-as-art-protests-and-propaganda-with-paul-gravett--45677444tag:audioboom.com,2020-08-23:/posts/7664425Sun, 23 Aug 2020 05:30:00 +0000Express AudioSandip speaks to Paul Gravett, the world's foremost comic book authorities, about the unique power of comic books to absorb and reflect cultures.2249falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/56-how-to-overcome-anxiety-in-the-middle-of-this-pandemic-with-dr-sonali-gupta--45677442tag:audioboom.com,2020-08-09:/posts/7652596Sun, 09 Aug 2020 05:05:42 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talk to clinical psychologist Dr Sonali Gupta about how to cope with anxiety during this pandemic and her book, 'Anxiety: Overcome It and Live without Fear'.2525falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/55-the-cisco-case-and-how-indians-took-casteism-to-the-us-with-thenmozhi-soundararajan--45677476tag:audioboom.com,2020-07-26:/posts/7641189Sun, 26 Jul 2020 05:44:13 +0000Express AudioIn the latest episode of the Sandip Roy Show, Dalit activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan talks about how the Cisco case highlights the problem of caste discrimination in the US.2211falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/54-what-the-tiktok-ban-means-for-young-india-with-snigdha-poonam--45677449tag:audioboom.com,2020-07-12:/posts/7630178Sun, 12 Jul 2020 05:23:08 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to journalist Snigdha Poonam about what made TikTok different from other social media apps, how it affected the lives of young Indians, and why it has been a cultural phenomenon.2486falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/53-what-india-s-environment-ministry-s-been-doing-while-we-were-preoccupied-with-covid-19-with-kanchi-kohli--45677471tag:audioboom.com,2020-06-28:/posts/7618089Sun, 28 Jun 2020 05:09:54 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to Kanchi Kohli, senior researcher at Center for Policy Research (CPR), about how the pandemic has affected the way the ministry has been taking decisions and changing the fundamentals of the environment assessments process.2210falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/52-angela-saini-on-black-lives-matter-and-how-race-science-helped-harden-discrimination--45677458tag:audioboom.com,2020-06-14:/posts/7607219Sun, 14 Jun 2020 06:39:22 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to award-winning science writer Angela Saini, whose latest book Superior, talks about how the feeling of racial superiority has been hardened through 'race science' that lets people believe that is not prejudice but...2233falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/51-how-cyclone-amphan-warns-us-about-the-future-of-sundarbans-with-nilanjan-ghosh--45677464tag:audioboom.com,2020-05-31:/posts/7595378Sun, 31 May 2020 05:29:11 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to ecological economist, Nilanjan Ghosh, Director of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Kolkata about the future of Sundarbans and the damage that cyclone Amphan has done to the region.1952falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/50-how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-bois-locker-room-with-tanu-shree-singh--45677456tag:audioboom.com,2020-05-17:/posts/7584082Sun, 17 May 2020 05:23:21 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to psychologist and author, Tanu Shree Singh, about how to talk to your kids about Bois Locker Room and have other difficult conversations.1760falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/49-the-lockdown-s-toll-on-mental-health-with-dr-pratima-murthy--45677452tag:audioboom.com,2020-05-02:/posts/7572481Sun, 03 May 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioDr Pratima Murthy on how mental health is suffering during this time. From the toll that the lockdown has taken on people suffering from alcohol addiction and severe mental illness like schizophrenia to the problems being faced by the elderly and the...2337falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/48-what-will-it-take-for-india-to-come-out-of-lockdown-with-dr-giridhar-babu--45677466tag:audioboom.com,2020-04-18:/posts/7560145Sun, 19 Apr 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to Dr. Giridhar R Babu, professor and head of life course epidemiology at the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) about how we will know whether India is ready to come out of the lockdown on May 3, and the kind of...2152falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/47-understanding-how-india-migrates-with-chinmay-tumbe--45677451tag:audioboom.com,2020-04-05:/posts/7548358Sun, 05 Apr 2020 06:14:57 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to Chinmay about India’s internal migrants, the myths that surround them, how the government can better address their problems, the emerging trends in migration and his book, India Moving: A History of Migration.2346falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/46-when-india-locked-up-3-000-chinese-indians-in-internment-camps-with-dilip-d-souza--45677460tag:audioboom.com,2020-03-22:/posts/7536972Sun, 22 Mar 2020 05:32:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talk to journalist Dilip D'Souza about this latest book, The Deoliwallahs: The True Story of the 1962 Chinese-Indian Internment.2159falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/45-getting-a-coronavirus-reality-check-with-dr-gagandeep-kang--45677463tag:audioboom.com,2020-03-07:/posts/7524676Sun, 08 Mar 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Dr Gagandeep Kang, one of India's leading clinical scientists, busts myths about coronavirus, talks about why she is hopeful for a vaccine and how climate change affects the spread of such viruses.2111falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/44-viswanathan-anand-on-being-a-bad-loser-and-why-he-admires-john-mcenroe--45677459tag:audioboom.com,2020-02-22:/posts/7511963Sun, 23 Feb 2020 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talk to Viswanathan Anand about how he deals with losing, why he admires John McEnroe, his autobiography and more.1678falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/43-how-congress-helped-the-bjp-come-to-power-with-kapil-komireddi--45677481tag:audioboom.com,2020-02-09:/posts/7499628Sun, 09 Feb 2020 05:30:05 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to Kapil Komireddi about how secularism was worn down in India, how historians inadvertently contributed to it and his latest book, Malevolent Republic.1904falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/42-what-ranbaxy-and-indian-pharma-don-t-want-you-to-know-with-katherine-eban--45677478tag:audioboom.com,2020-01-26:/posts/7487699Sun, 26 Jan 2020 05:16:27 +0000Express AudioInvestigative journalist, Katherine Eban, on her book Bottle of Lies that documents global fraud, large-scale data fabrication and unsafe practices inside Indian drug plants.2008falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/41-oh-but-you-don-t-look-like-a-muslim-with-rakhshanda-jalil--45677489tag:audioboom.com,2020-01-12:/posts/7476035Sun, 12 Jan 2020 05:31:04 +0000Express AudioWriter, translator and literary historian, Rakhshanda Jalil, on her collection of essays titled 'But You Don't Look Like A Muslim'.2121falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/40-the-best-of-sandip-roy-show-2019--45677498tag:audioboom.com,2019-12-29:/posts/7464800Sun, 29 Dec 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioThe best conversations Sandip had with this year's guests, including Amitav Ghosh, Prannoy Roy, Harsh Mander, Paro Anand, Anjali Gopalan and more.2075falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/39-trucking-through-india-a-hitchhiking-adventure-with-rajat-ubhaykar--45677502tag:audioboom.com,2019-12-10:/posts/7447549Sun, 15 Dec 2019 04:30:00 +0000Express AudioWhat a hitchhiker learned from riding across India in trucks and the insight it gave him about how corruption works.2173falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/38-the-politics-of-india-s-relationship-with-technology-with-arun-sukumar--45677461tag:audioboom.com,2019-12-01:/posts/7438350Sun, 01 Dec 2019 05:08:55 +0000Express AudioOver the decades, India's political leadership has had a complicated relationship with scientific innovations. Arun Sukumar, the head of the technology initiative at the Observer Research Foundation of New Delhi joins Sandip to discuss pivotal moments...2344falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/37-our-plastic-addiction-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-with-bharati-chaturvedi--45677468tag:audioboom.com,2019-11-17:/posts/7426509Sun, 17 Nov 2019 05:09:26 +0000Express AudioThe myriad ways in which plastic affects our lives and how we can realistically fight it.2273falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/36-william-dalrymple-on-how-a-private-company-came-to-rule-india--45677506tag:audioboom.com,2019-11-02:/posts/7413083Sun, 03 Nov 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to historian William Dalrymple about how the East India Company came to rule India and why many know so little about it.2179falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/35-why-the-sedition-law-still-exists-with-chitranshul-sinha--45677473tag:audioboom.com,2019-10-20:/posts/7400997Sun, 20 Oct 2019 05:44:17 +0000Express AudioIn this episode Sandip talks to writer and Supreme Court lawyer Chitranshul Sinha about the history of the sedition law in India and why it still exists in the 21st century.2055falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/34-on-being-gandhi-and-why-he-still-matters-with-paro-anand--45677508tag:audioboom.com,2019-10-05:/posts/7387938Sun, 06 Oct 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to writer Paro Anand about her latest book, Being Gandhi and what we can still learn from the father of the nation.1987falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/33-sex-and-other-pleasures-a-chat-with-paromita-vohra--45677465tag:audioboom.com,2019-09-22:/posts/7375738Sun, 22 Sep 2019 04:00:00 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Paromita Vohra the founder of Agents of Ishq about how ideas of sex and love are evolving and why sex education is important for a good sex life.1934falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/32-how-much-corporate-india-changed-a-year-after-377-with-parmesh-shahani--45677472tag:audioboom.com,2019-09-08:/posts/7362214Sun, 08 Sep 2019 05:15:49 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Parmesh Shahani about what corporate India looks like one year after the 377 verdict.2098falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/31-understanding-depression-the-invisible-illness-with-amrita-tripathi--45677480tag:audioboom.com,2019-08-25:/posts/7350837Sun, 25 Aug 2019 06:22:25 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Amrita Tripathi, the founder-editor of the Health Collective, about her latest book that tries to open up conversations about depression and tell us that we are not alone in dealing with it.1980falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/30-what-we-get-wrong-about-yoga-with-devdutt-pattanaik--45677483tag:audioboom.com,2019-08-11:/posts/7338702Sun, 11 Aug 2019 03:30:00 +0000Express AudioDevdutt Pattanaik on what we get wrong about Yoga, how much is it really connected to faith and why the ancient Indians practiced it.2328falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/29-what-they-cooked-in-shah-jahan-s-kitchen-with-salma-yusuf-husain--45677509tag:audioboom.com,2019-07-28:/posts/7327301Sun, 28 Jul 2019 05:42:58 +0000Express AudioFood Historian Salma Yusuf Husain takes us through the wondrous kitchen of the Mughal emperor and talks about the surprising dishes that the Mughal's gave us.1912falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/28-on-migration-climate-change-and-the-gun-island-with-amitav-ghosh--45677477tag:audioboom.com,2019-07-14:/posts/7315245Sun, 14 Jul 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioAmitav Ghosh talks about migration, cosmopolitanism, the lack of climate change in literature and his latest novel - The Gun Island.2012falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/27-afghanistan-s-first-openly-gay-person-nemat-sadat--45677495tag:audioboom.com,2019-06-30:/posts/7303362Sun, 30 Jun 2019 05:18:37 +0000Express AudioSandip talks to Sadat about what made him finally come out, why people around him saw it as an act of cowardice and his skepticism of 'liberal' Islam.1942falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/26-a-sanctuary-for-all-creatures-great-and-small-with-anjali-gopalan--45677467tag:audioboom.com,2019-06-16:/posts/7290007Sun, 16 Jun 2019 04:51:49 +0000Express AudioLGBTQ rights activist and the founder of Naz foundation, Anjali Gopalan, on the way we treat our animals and what that says about us as a society.2621falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/25-close-to-the-bone-with-lisa-ray--45677510tag:audioboom.com,2019-06-02:/posts/7277589Sun, 02 Jun 2019 05:40:19 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Lisa Ray talks about being boxed into the category of a "sex symbol", the problem of hypersexuality in Bollywood, her struggles with eating disorders and more.2185falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/24-what-it-means-to-be-secular-in-india-today-with-harsh-mander--45677479tag:audioboom.com,2019-05-19:/posts/7264999Sun, 19 May 2019 06:49:13 +0000Express AudioWriter and human rights activist Harsh Mander on the threat that we face as a nation and the need for fraternity in our society.2108falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/23-people-with-mental-illnesses-and-their-right-to-vote-with-ratnaboli-ray--45677486tag:audioboom.com,2019-05-05:/posts/7251940Sun, 05 May 2019 06:08:09 +0000Express AudioRatnaboli Ray, the founder of Anjali, a mental health rights organization in Kolkata, talks to Sandip about the challenges and her efforts of getting people with mental illnesses to cast their votes.1787falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/22-understanding-the-indian-constitution-with-gautam-bhatia--45677485tag:audioboom.com,2019-04-21:/posts/7239092Sun, 21 Apr 2019 08:43:50 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip speak to lawyer and legal scholar Gautam Bhatia about his new book 'The Transformative Constitution: A Radical Biography in Nine Acts'.2214falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/21-decoding-indian-elections-with-prannoy-roy--45677482tag:audioboom.com,2019-04-07:/posts/7225586Sun, 07 Apr 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to the man who, in many ways, brought elections to our living rooms.1995falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/20-the-bdsm-scene-in-india-with-the-kinky-collective--45677487tag:audioboom.com,2019-03-24:/posts/7210659Sun, 24 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioJourneys into the world of kink and the learnings that we can all take from the BDSM community.2121falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/19-ruskin-bond-the-man-with-the-golden-pen--45677484tag:audioboom.com,2019-03-10:/posts/7197204Sun, 10 Mar 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip talks to the beloved author, Ruskin Bond, about his journey as a writer so far.1379falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/18-coming-out-as-dalit-with-yashica-dutt--45677488tag:audioboom.com,2019-02-24:/posts/7183800Sun, 24 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioJournalist Yashica Dutt talks about how she passed as being upper caste and what made her finally come out as Dalit.1970falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/17-discovering-shakespeare-in-bollywood-with-jonathan-gil-harris--45677470tag:audioboom.com,2019-02-10:/posts/7169811Sun, 10 Feb 2019 05:00:00 +0000Express AudioAuthor Jonathan Gil Harris explains how Bollywood films are closely related to the work of Shakespeare and how the 'masala' genre celebrates India's cultural diversity.1615falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/16-the-great-smog-of-india-with-siddharth-singh--45677492tag:audioboom.com,2019-01-27:/posts/7155572Sun, 27 Jan 2019 14:14:11 +0000Express Audio1867falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/15-feminism-writing-and-mythology-in-the-age-of-metoo-with-meenakshi-reddy-madhavan--45677491tag:audioboom.com,2019-01-13:/posts/7141378Sun, 13 Jan 2019 02:30:00 +0000Express Audio1233metoofalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/14-end-the-year-by-learning-to-build-on-your-failures-with-shabnam-aggarwal--45677497https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/end-the-year-by-learning-to-build-on-your-failures-with-shabnam-aggarwal/5503886/Sun, 23 Dec 2018 02:00:03 +0000Express AudioShabnam Aggarwal talks of the risk she took to follow her dream, and the lessons she learned when she failed.1957falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/13-the-close-relationship-between-crime-and-politics-in-india--45677493https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/the-close-relationship-between-crime-and-politics-in-india/5485297/Sun, 09 Dec 2018 08:16:02 +0000Express AudioCarnegie Fellow Milan Vaishnav on how Indians like to elect people facing criminal charges1897falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-twice-born-talking-to-indian-brahmins-with-aatish-taseer--45677474https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/the-twice-born-talking-to-indian-brahmins-with-aatish-taseer/5463571/Sun, 25 Nov 2018 08:31:02 +0000Express AudioIn this episode, Sandip speaks to author and journalist Aatish Taseer about his experiences writing The Twice Born: Life and Death on the River Ganges.2106falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/11-the-great-indian-rope-trick-a-magical-history-of-india-with-john-zubrzycki--45677494https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/the-great-indian-rope-trick-a-magical-history-of-india-with-john-zubrzycki/5441120/Sun, 11 Nov 2018 06:50:20 +0000Express AudioJohn Zubrzycki talks to Sandip about the history of magic and magicians in India, from fakirs to P.C. Sorcar1648falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/10-mapping-food-in-india-through-time-and-place-with-pushpesh-pant--45677503https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/mapping-food-in-india-through-time-and-place-with-pushpesh-pant/5421833/Sun, 28 Oct 2018 03:07:56 +0000Express AudioPushpesh Pant talks to Sandip about food memories, sweets and what the map of India would look like if it were drawn by food.1776falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/9-the-buffet-edition-extended-excerpts-from-our-best-episodes--45677475https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/the-buffet-edition-extended-excerpts-from-our-best-episodes/5401226/Sun, 14 Oct 2018 03:45:22 +0000Express AudioA special episode with extended excerpts from James Crabtree, Devdutt Pattanaik and Shubha Mudgal1837falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/8-shubha-mudgal-on-music-activism-and-more--45677505https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/shubha-mudgal-on-music-activism-and-more/5379937/Sun, 30 Sep 2018 03:35:05 +0000Express AudioShubha Mudgal talks about music, activism, education and more, with stories from her life and experiences.2131falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/7-devdutt-pattanaik-on-mythology-tribalism-and-377--45677500https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/devdutt-pattanaik-on-mythology-tribalism-and-377/5358700/Sun, 16 Sep 2018 04:00:28 +0000Express AudioMythologist and writer Devdutt Pattanaik talks about life for LGBTQI people after #377, Indian society's relationship with sex, our tendency to tribalism and more.1652falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/6-explore-a-fading-community-flower-silliman-on-the-jews-of-kolkata--45677490https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/explore-a-fading-community-flower-silliman-on-the-jews-of-kolkata/5335774/Sun, 02 Sep 2018 02:55:24 +0000Express AudioA conversation with one of the oldest of the dwindling Jewish community in Kolkata, Flower Silliman.1152falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/5-the-billionaire-raj-with-james-crabtree--45677501https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/the-billionaire-raj-with-james-crabtree/5313862/Sun, 19 Aug 2018 02:30:51 +0000Express AudioSandip and James talk about the book The Billionaire Raj, the personalities of these tycoons and India's problem with corruption and crony capitalism.1320falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/4-making-it-in-hollywood-aseem-chhabra-on-priyanka-chopra--45677504https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/making-it-in-hollywood-aseem-chhabra-on-priyanka-chopra/5292145/Sun, 05 Aug 2018 05:00:14 +0000Express AudioOn this episode, Sandip sits down to chat with author and film journalist Aseem Chhabra, who wrote the recently released unauthorized biography, Priyanka Chopra: The Incredible Story of a Global Bollywood Star. Aseem talks to Sandip about Priyanka's...1193falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/3-pawan-dhall-on-lgbt-activism--45677507https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/pawan-dhall-on-lgbt-activism/5269725/Sun, 22 Jul 2018 05:27:42 +0000Express AudioLGBT activist Pawan Dhall about the difficulties that the community faces in India1211falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/2-anusha-yadav-on-the-indian-memory-project--45677496https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/anusha-yadav-on-the-indian-memory-project/5250575/Sun, 08 Jul 2018 04:30:42 +0000Express AudioIn this episode Sandip talks to photographer and visual artist, Anusha Yadav, who founded the Indian Memory Project, about how the project came about, the kind of stories it tells about love, loss, family and secrets, and what she has learned from...1083falsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-welcome-to-the-sandip-roy-show--45677499https://indianexpress.com/audio/the-sandip-roy-show/welcome-to-the-sandip-roy-show/5230037/Sat, 23 Jun 2018 06:16:11 +0000Express AudioReal conversations about the fascinating world around us and the people who shape it60falsefull