Trump-Zelenskyy showdown, India against obesity, and Uttarakhand avalanche
Mar 3, 2025
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Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Indian Express, dissects the explosive meeting between Zelensky and Trump, shedding light on the fragile state of international diplomacy. Meanwhile, Anonna Dutt dives into India's alarming obesity crisis, questioning traditional metrics and stressing the urgency of lifestyle changes, especially for children. The discussion is rounded out with a look at the devastating avalanche in Uttarakhand, highlighting the rescue challenges posed by severe weather and climate change.
The intense confrontation between Zelensky and Trump signifies a troubling shift in how world leaders engage in diplomacy.
Prime Minister Modi's campaign against rising obesity underscores India's urgent public health crisis and the need for proactive measures.
Deep dives
The Diplomatic Showdown Between Zelensky and Trump
A significant diplomatic confrontation occurred between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, which quickly escalated into a heated argument. The discussions were set against a backdrop of a recent phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they talked about the ongoing war. As Zelensky sought security guarantees from the U.S., Trump attempted to undermine his position by accusing him of failing to resolve the conflict and calling him a dictator. This public display of tension not only highlighted the strained relations between the U.S. and Ukraine but also indicated a shift in diplomatic norms, showcasing how confrontational dialogue replaced traditional respectful discourse between world leaders.
Modi's Anti-Obesity Campaign
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anti-obesity campaign aims to address the rising obesity rates in India, which have become a national health emergency. Modi urged citizens to reduce oil consumption by 10%, highlighting the direct link between obesity and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Recent studies revealed that the obesity prevalence among Indian women rose from 1.2% to 9.8% over the past three decades, with alarming rates among children showing a significant increase in overweight cases. In response, Modi nominated celebrities to raise awareness and promote healthy living, acknowledging the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat the obesity epidemic affecting millions.
Avalanche Disaster in Uttarakhand
A deadly avalanche struck the Jamboli district of Uttarakhand, trapping 57 workers at a critical project site and resulting in multiple fatalities. Rescue operations have been severely challenged due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility, preventing helicopters and ground teams from reaching the affected area effectively. Military and rescue teams were deployed quickly, but they faced hurdles, forcing them to rely on manual methods to locate and rescue buried individuals. As experts warn about the increasing frequency of such natural disasters due to climate change and human activity in fragile ecosystems, the situation underscores the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies.
First, The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy discusses the showdown between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C.
Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign for India’s rising obesity epidemic
Lastly, we discuss the ongoing rescue efforts for Uttarakhand's avalanche that struck a project site.
Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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