After a long wait of sixteen months, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on January 3, 2025, unveiled the draft rules for implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 —India’s first comprehensive data privacy legislation applicable across all sectors of commerce and industry. The government is currently inviting stakeholder feedback on the draft until February 18, 2025, with plans to commence implementation by mid-year.This episode offers a comprehensive understanding of the new rules. Guest: Apar Gupta, Delhi-based advocate and co-founder of Internet Freedom Foundation.Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Edited by Jude Weston

Just as the New Year 2025 began, there was panic once again in the media. Reports of a supposedly new respiratory virus that had caused a surge of infections in China began to do the rounds, fuelling speculation about its entry into India. Suddenly HMPV, the human metapneumovirus became a buzzword – headlines were full of it, cases were being detected in India and there was alarm all around. Doctors and the Union Health Ministry have said over and over again that it is not a new virus, and it is not unknown in India. But what is HMPV? And why was such a furore caused over it?Guest: Dr V Ramasubramanian, consultant infectious diseases specialist, Apollo Hospital, Chennai and medical director, Capstone Multispecialty Clinic, ChennaiHost: Zubeda HamidEdited by Jude Weston

In this special year-ender episode of the In Focus podcast, our hosts discuss the key episodes from this past year. From environmental issues and health-related topics, to international affairs and legal developments within the country, this episode covers a range of diverse subjects that were discussed in In Focus this year. With six key episodes each, our hosts discuss a recap of these issues and recent developments.Tune in for an engaging recap of all the key subjects we discussed throughout the year.Hosts: G Sampath and Zubeda Hamid00:00 Introduction10:30 - Wayanad landslide14:57 - Fortified rice distribution18:19 - Outbreak of Mpox22:36 - Waqf amendment bill25:58 - Nestle’s baby cereals30:09 - Adani airport takeover deal33:31 - Bail system in India38:26 - Electoral bond verdict of SC40:36 - Census and delimitation46:11 - Yahya Sinwar’s death50:10 - Air pollution and heart disease54:01 - Great Nicobar projectEdited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian and Jude Weston

A recent study conducted in the U.K. found that paracetamol, a common, over-the-counter medication can have serious stomach, heart and kidney complications in senior citizens who take it repeatedly. Constant use of paracetamol was linked to a 24% risk of peptic ulcer bleeding, a 19% risk of chronic kidney disease and a 9% risk of heart failure.This is not the first time the overuse of paracetamol has been linked with adverse health effects but it continues to be a medication that is commonly bought and often used without strict consideration given to the dosage that is being consumed.What does paracetamol do to your body over the long term? How can you use it appropriately? Are drugs in India being used rationally or are they over prescribed and over consumed? What does over consumption do to the human body?Guest: Dr Sangeeta Sharma, professor at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences and honorary president, Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational Use of DrugsHost: Zubeda HamidEdited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

Dr. Jong Eun Lee, an Assistant Professor of Political Science and expert on Korean politics, dives into the turmoil following South Korea’s presidential impeachment. The conversation reveals the reasons behind President Yoon's abrupt martial law declaration and its swift retraction. Dr. Lee discusses the cultural evolution of protests, highlighting young activists' use of K-pop cheer sticks. The podcast explores political polarization and the complexities of leadership transitions in South Korea, setting the stage for the potential outcomes of the ongoing constitutional crisis.

The Indian government fixes a Minimum Support Price or MSP for 22 crops - paddy, wheat, several pulses, oilseeds and millets are a part of this list. The objective of declaring MSP is to help farmers get a good price for their produce and to procure food grains for public distribution. However, recent data shows that the cost of production is rising.  A recent report by Infomerics Ratings notes that the value of MSP for paddy has increased over time, reflecting the rising overall cost of production. However, it also notes that the input costs have also increased drastically. It also notes that there are significant disparities between States when it comes to production and procurement. This has a big impact on farmer incomes. There is also an increasing demand for a legally binding MSP.  In fact, the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing in its report on 'Demands for Grants (2024-25)' of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on the 17th December 2024, noted that the implementation of MSP is a focal point in the dialogue surrounding agricultural reform and farmers welfare in India.  It goes on to note that, "Since the Committee believe that implementing a robust and legally binding MSP in the country could play a crucial role in reducing farmer suicides in India by providing financial stability, protecting against market volatility & alleviating debt burdens, they recommended implementation of the same." We speak to Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings, about rice production in the country, how MSP is calculated, and about the health of the rural economy. Guest: Dr. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian 

The Great Nicober Island is the southernmost island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. It is home to species of flora and fauna not found anywhere else on the earth. It is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is also the habitat of indigenous communities, including the Nicobarese and the Shompen, a ‘Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group’ (PVTG). The island is located on a seismically high-volatile zone, and experiences on an average one earth quake a week, of varying magnitude. The government of India has planned a ₹72,000 crore mega-infrastructure project on this island. The project plan, piloted by the Niti Aayog, includes a ₹40,000 crore International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT), a greenfield international airport, a gas-and-solar-based power plant, and a township stretching over 16,610 hectares. This proposed project will decimate 131 sq km of pristine tropical evergreen forest, destroy the primary nesting place of the giant leatherback turtle, and settle 350,000 people on an island whose current population is 8,500. Yet it has got environmental and forest clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). How serious are the risks of this project? How rigorous are the Environment Impact Assessments that were done? Do the strategic and developmental gains from this project outweigh the environmental costs and risks of this project? Guest: Dr. Pankaj Sekhsaria, a researcher and academic writer who has written extensively on the Andaman and Nicobar islands for over three decades and has curated the anthology, ‘The Great Nicobar Betrayal’. Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

After battling insurgency for 13 years, the Bashar al Assad regime has collapsed in Syria. Assad and his family have fled to Russia where they have been given asylum. An Al Qaida affiliate that today goes by the name of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has taken control of the Syrian capital Damascus. The immediate future of Syria now depends on the leader of the HTS, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, a man who was handpicked by Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to establish a branch in Syria.What were factors behind the sudden overthrow of the Assad regime, which not many had foreseen? What are the implications of this for Russia and Iran, Assad’s biggest backers? What are the implications for the various minorities such as Shias, Christians and the Syrian Kurds? And what does this mean for Palestinians in Gaza and for Lebanon? Guest: Iftikhar Gilani, a senior journalist who has reported for three decades from South Asia and the Middle East and is currently based in Ankara. Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

Dr. K. Srinath Reddy, a prominent cardiologist and public health expert, delves into the alarming connection between air pollution and heart disease in India. He reveals that outdoor air pollution accounts for millions of deaths annually, with a significant percentage linked to heart issues, particularly among the youth. Discussing the impact of PM2.5 on cardiovascular health, he stresses the urgent need for improved air quality awareness. Reddy also highlights the vulnerabilities of different age groups, emphasizing the necessity for protective measures.

In this insightful discussion, Ziya Us Salam, Associate Editor at The Hindu, delves into the tragic events surrounding the Sambhal violence that claimed five lives. He explores the contentious survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid and its legal implications, questioned by many as a conspiracy against communal harmony. The conversation highlights the tensions over mosque ownership claims, police conduct, and the repercussions of the Places of Worship Act. Salam emphasizes the critical need for dialogue and equitable representation to navigate India's complex religious landscape.