The Sandip Roy Show

Author Swati Narayan discusses why India lags behind its neighbors in human development despite economic growth. The podcast explores disparities in social development, sanitation practices, education systems, and the impact of social movements in South Asia. It delves into the intersection of patriarchy and casteism in Indian society while offering a glimpse of optimism for positive societal transformation.

As 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 people, who will ultimately inherit this warming planet? And how can we do so in a manner that is not terrifying or depressing, but rather engages and encourages them to care?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 BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Exploring the rise of Hindu nationalism in India through decisions made by past Congress Prime Ministers like Rajiv Gandhi and P.V. Narasimha Rao. Delving into events like the Mandal Commission and the Babri Masjid incident. Reflecting on the impact of spiritual beliefs on leaders, power dynamics in Indian politics, and the emotional aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination.

Last 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 the population of street dogs. However, within days, some animal welfare organizations stated that there is no evidence implicating street dogs in the incident, citing the gated nature of the toddler's home which made it inaccessible to dogs in the area.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 BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Journalist Radhika Iyengar discusses her book 'Fire on the Ganges' which delves into the lives of Varanasi's corpse burners. Topics include building trust within the community, advocating for education, the normalization of domestic violence, struggles of Manikarnika Ghat workers, and emotional connections with the individuals featured in the book.

Krish 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 by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Sandip speaks to Arghya Sengupta, author of 'The Colonial Constitution,' exploring colonial influences in India's Constitution. They discuss Gandhi's alternative proposals, power decentralization concerns, the absence of enforceable economic rights, and the role of lawyers in drafting the constitution.

For 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 that earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film.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 BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

What 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 the Study of Developing Societies, who addresses all this and more in his book, 'Reimagining Indian Secularism’.Produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed Suresh Pawar

They 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 revolution.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 BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar