3 Things Over 25k teachers lose jobs, India's cotton crisis, and markets nosedive
Apr 8, 2025
This episode features Sweety Kumari, a reporter for The Indian Express who sheds light on the Supreme Court's decision leading to over 25,000 teachers losing their jobs in West Bengal. The discussion covers the emotional and systemic fallout for affected educators. Harish Damodaran, the Rural Affairs Editor, reveals the crisis plaguing India's cotton economy, with production at a 16-year low due to pests. Finally, they analyze how U.S. tariffs have caused a significant market downturn, prompting urgent calls for economic strategies.
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Teachers' Reactions
- Teachers protested at Shaheed Minar, expressing shock and disappointment at the Supreme Court verdict.
- One teacher, celebrating his daughter's birth days prior, now fears financial hardship.
Impact on Education
- The job losses represent 25% of the teaching staff for grades 9-12 in West Bengal's state-aided schools.
- Headmasters report losing 10-30 teachers each, severely impacting the education system.
India's Cotton Peak
- India was the world's largest cotton producer around 2011-12 and second-largest exporter after the US.
- This peak production was largely attributed to the introduction of BT cotton after 2002.