Soumyarendra Barik

Guests Soumyarendra Barik and Anonna Dutt dive deep into a transformative bill that bans online real-money gaming in India, reshaping a once-thriving $9 billion industry. Barik explains the law’s harsh penalties for platforms and celebrities, while Dutt sheds light on the darker side—gambling addiction. They discuss its unique challenges and psychological impacts, particularly on young adults, emphasizing the increasing accessibility of online gambling. Resources for overcoming addiction are also highlighted, pushing for awareness and intervention.

Harish Damodaran, National Rural Affairs and Agriculture Editor at The Indian Express, discusses the Orobanche parasite threatening India's mustard crops, which could severely impact edible oil security. Soumyarendra Barik, a reporter at The Indian Express, highlights the Labour Ministry's move to eliminate 10-minute delivery promises from quick-commerce firms, linking it to the ongoing gig-worker social security debate. The conversation also touches on the connection between Delhi's winter air and antibiotic-resistant superbugs, showcasing the dangerous interplay between health and the environment.

Soumyarendra Barik from The Indian Express discusses Apple's strategic pivot to ramp up iPhone production in India, highlighting the complexities of US trade tensions and the implications for global manufacturing. Sukrita Baruah delves into the controversial Upper Siang hydropower project that has enraged local communities, emphasizing ecological and societal impacts. The conversation also touches on the arrest of a Pune engineering student over a social media post, raising questions about governmental accountability and civil liberties in India.