Manipur CM resigns, cash prizes axed for athletes, and PM Modi in France
Feb 11, 2025
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Sukrita Baruah, a skilled reporter for The Indian Express, discusses the resignation of Manipur's Chief Minister amid ongoing ethnic strife, shedding light on political crises and community unrest. Mihir Vasavda, a co-host and reporter, explores the controversial decision by the Sports Ministry to discontinue cash prizes for junior athletes, emphasizing its implications for motivation and integrity in sports. Finally, they touch on Prime Minister Modi's visit to France, focusing on the collaboration in Artificial Intelligence policies and civil nuclear initiatives.
The resignation of Manipur's Chief Minister N. Biren Singh illustrates the political consequences of handling ethnic violence amid internal dissent and opposition pressure.
The Sports Ministry's decision to abolish cash prizes for junior athletes aims to reduce unethical practices while promoting genuine passion and developmental experiences in sports.
Deep dives
Resignation of Manipur's Chief Minister
The resignation of Chief Minister M. Bireen Singh follows nearly two years of escalating ethnic violence in Manipur, which has resulted in over 200 deaths and thousands of displacements. Singh faced mounting pressure from both political allies and opposition groups who held him accountable for the unrest, particularly the Kukizomi community. His government's prior actions, including accusations of illegal immigration and a targeted war on drugs, exacerbated tensions leading to the conflict's outbreak. Ultimately, the combination of internal dissent among BJP MLAs and impending no-confidence motions compelled Singh to resign, highlighting a significant political shift in the state.
Shift in Government Policy on Junior Athletes
The sports ministry announced a significant policy change that eliminates cash awards for junior athletes winning international medals, aimed at addressing issues of doping and age fraud. Previous incentives, which could amount to substantial sums for young athletes, were believed to encourage unethical practices, including age manipulation and use of performance-enhancing drugs. The new approach emphasizes the importance of treating junior sports as developmental experiences rather than a path to financial gain, thus alleviating pressure on young competitors to perform for monetary rewards. This shift also hopes to foster a more genuine passion for sports among young athletes rather than a primary focus on immediate financial success.
Prime Minister Modi's Visit to France
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France marks India's prominent role in global discussions on artificial intelligence as he co-chairs the AI Action Summit with President Emmanuel Macron. The summit aims to establish a foundation that prioritizes AI's public interest, particularly for the Global South, showcasing India's growing influence in emerging technologies. In addition to the AI focus, Modi's visit includes announcements on civil nuclear cooperation and joint initiatives to enhance innovation between the two countries. This collaboration highlights the strategic alignment between India and France, emphasizing inclusive approaches to AI governance and development.
First, we speak with The Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah, who explains the possible reasons behind N. Biren Singh's resignation as Chief Minister nearly two years after the ethnic conflict in Manipur began.
Next, The Indian Express' Mihir Vasavda joins us to discuss why the Sports Ministry has decided to stop awarding cash prizes to junior athletes who win international medals.
Lastly, we talk about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France to co-chair the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Produced, written and hosted by Shashank Bhargava Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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