The podcast delves into a concerning report on the current state of democracies worldwide, revealing that many countries are experiencing a decline in democratic values and electoral participation. It highlights India's troubling rankings in key areas like representation and rights. The discussion also explores the impact of rising populism and global events on trust in electoral processes. Moreover, it addresses the judicialization of elections, declining voter turnout, and innovative voting methods that could help restore faith in democracy.

Explore the innovative world of biofortified crops aimed at fighting hidden hunger in India. Discover how these nutrient-dense varieties can combat micronutrient deficiencies and enhance public health. Learn about the fascinating methods behind biofortification, from genetic modification to selective breeding. Delve into the economic advantages for farmers and the importance of consumer acceptance. Uncover the challenges faced in adoption and the critical need for education to ensure a sustainable future for food security.

Jammu and Kashmir is set to hold its first assembly elections since the abrogation of Article 370. The polls will take place in three phases, on September 18, 25th and October 1. The counting of votes will happen on October 8.Given that these are the first assembly elections in ten years, what is the mood on the ground? What are the poll promises being made by the contending parties, and how do they stack up against each other in different parts of the Union Territory?Guest: Peerzada Ashiq, The Hindu’s Srinagar correspondent.Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

Last July, a whistleblower in Kenya posted on social media that the country’s main international airport would be taken over by India’s Adani Group. The news sparked widespread outrage in Kenya. It has since emerged that the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA), which runs the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, has signed a $2.5 billion build-and-operate deal with the Adani Group. Under the agreement, the Adanis would renovate the airport and add a new runway and terminal, and in exchange, they would manage the airport for 30 years, after which they would get an 18% equity stake in it.Hundreds of airport workers protested against the deal on Wednesday, causing flight cancellations and leaving passengers stranded. Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya, the country’s bar association, and the Kenya Human Rights Commission have filed a joint application against the deal in the high court. The court on Monday issued an order suspending any action on the Adani proposal until the court case is settled.Why are Kenyans upset with this airport expansion project? Did the deal follow due process, in terms of transparency and bidding procedures? What are the demands of the Kenya Airport Workers Union?Guest: Senator Richard Onyonka, Member of Kenyan Parliament representing Kisii county.Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

In this episode, we dive into the Uttar Pradesh government's new social media policy, which encourages influencers to promote the state's initiatives and achievements with incentives. However, this move has sparked controversy, with opposition parties criticizing it as an attempt to sway public opinion ahead of the upcoming elections.How does UP’s policy compare to other states? What are the rules for government advertising, and how does this new policy affect influencers and current practices?Guest: Apar Gupta, a lawyer, tech policy expert, and co-founder of the Internet Freedom FoundationHost: John Xavier, Technology Editor, The HinduEdited by Jude Francis Weston

The impending merger between Air India and Vistara is set to reshape the Indian aviation landscape. Concerns arise over the loss of Vistara's loyal customer base and whether Air India can uphold its premium experience. The discussion unveils challenges like employee dissatisfaction and potential flight disruptions amid the transition. Additionally, the strategic implications of this merger reflect a shift toward a competitive duopoly, raising questions on how it will affect service quality and consumer options.

Recent Supreme Court rulings highlight the rights of divorced Muslim women to maintenance, emphasizing legal entitlements under Section 125. The discussion covers the complexities of maintenance calculation across different personal laws and the challenges women face in court. A landmark decision transcends traditional legal frameworks, advocating for fairer systems. The podcast also explores the dynamics of custody rights and the need for reform to ensure a more individualized and sensitive approach in post-divorce scenarios.

X (formerly known as Twitter) has gone offline in Brazil. The country’s Supreme Court issued an order to block X in Brazil after Elon Musk refused to appoint a legal representative for the company in the country. This defiance came on the heels of repeated flouting of the court’s orders to block certain far-right accounts that were allegedly spreading disinformation.X has more than 22 million users in Brazil, who suddenly find themselves cut off from their accounts. The judge who ordered the ban, Alexandre de Moraes, has also said in his order that those who use VPN to access X will face a fine of 50,000 reais, or $8,850 per day. Musk, meanwhile, has gone all out vilifying Judge Moraes, calling him an “evil dictator” ‘Darth Vader’ and Voldemort’.The ban on X has raised several questions about the global governance of social media. For instance, does this ban amount to some form of censorship, as Musk is claiming? Is it okay for an American tech platform owner to publicly back a particular political faction in another country, as Musk has been doing? Can an MNC expect to operate in a given country without complying with local laws? What lessons does the Brazilian court’s action hold for other nations in the Global South, such as India?Guest: Jyoti Panday, who is with the Internet Governance Project at the Georgia Institute of Technology.Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu.Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian.

For nearly a month now, the country has been rocked by protests by medical professionals – services at many hospitals stalled, at many others, healthcare staff wore black badges while working and in Kolkata, the epicenter of the protests, doctors have now begun telemedicine services to help patients while they continue their protest. The agitations began after the horrific rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital. The protesting healthcare workers are demanding, among other things, speedy justice for the victim as well as a Central law that protect healthcare workers and spaces. The Kolkata case, they point out is not the first: there have been scores of incidents of violence against healthcare workers across the country and the problem is escalating. What are the reasons behind violence in healthcare spaces in India? How many States have laws to protect healthcare professionals and why is there no Central law despite a 2019 draft bill? How can the government, the medical community and other stakeholders help build trust in the medical system once again?  Guests: Aatmika Nair and Uma Gupta of the Association for Socially Applicable Research (ASAR) Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian. 

Israel and Hezbollah exchanged heightened military strikes over the August 25 weekend. While Israel carried out large scale ‘pre-emptive’ air strikes on southern Lebanon in response to what it claimed were preparations by Hezbollah to strike Israel, Hezbollah still went ahead and launched a barrage of rockets into northern Israel. The attacks left one dead in Israel and three dead in Lebanon, and raised fears of the conflict escalating into a wider regional war. But Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said that their strikes on Israel had completed their retaliatory response to avenge the killing of their commander Fuad Shukr, and with Israel, too, indicating satisfaction with its strikes, tensions have reduced to a low simmer for the time being. How do we make sense of this tit-for-tat exchange? Can the asymmetric war that Iran and Hezbollah are waging against Israel help in moving the needle towards a ceasefire? And why has Israel launched a major military operation in the West Bank even as it’s bogged down in Gaza? Guest: Stanly Johny, The Hindu’s International Affairs Editor. Host: G. Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The HinduEdited by Jude Francis Weston