All Things Policy

Shobhankita Reddy, a research analyst at the Takshashila Institution, dives deep into India's pressing urban housing crisis, focusing on the challenges faced by low-income households. She reveals how startups can revolutionize the real estate sector with innovative solutions and technology. The discussion covers the impact of insufficient infrastructure, the complexities of governmental regulations, and the need for collaboration between private and public sectors. Reddy advocates for creative market approaches to create affordable housing and reshape Indian cities.

Leah Govias, who shares her personal journey in elder care, joins Malathi Renati, an expert on elder support systems. Together, they discuss India’s rapidly growing elderly population and the urgent need for improved healthcare and financial security. They shed light on the struggles faced by caregivers, emphasizing the importance of empathy and resources. They also explore societal loneliness among seniors and propose community-driven solutions to foster connections and improve quality of life for the elderly in India.

Anika Patel, a China analyst and climate policy expert at Carbon Brief, shares her insights on COP 29's outcomes, especially during Azerbaijan's presidency. The discussion covers the challenges of climate finance and geopolitical tensions, including Trump's potential impact on U.S. policies. Anika highlights China's commitments and the importance of subnational actions in climate negotiations. She also recommends valuable resources to stay informed on China's environmental initiatives, making this a crucial conversation for anyone interested in global climate policies.

Srinivasan Iyengar, a senior program manager and air pollution expert, joins Arindam Goswami to discuss Delhi's smog crisis. They delve into unique insights from Iyengar's research on the counter-intuitive sources of pollution and the complexities of PM2.5 metrics. The conversation emphasizes the need for data-driven policies that tackle root causes, critiquing existing measures like the odd-even rule. They also explore innovative solutions, including the potential of nuclear energy and better public transport to improve air quality.

Sridhar Krishna, a senior scholar at the Takshashila Institution and former director at Accenture's AI practice, teams up with Arindam Goswami, a research analyst specializing in high-tech geopolitics. Together, they explore how AI is transforming the workforce by replacing specific tasks rather than entire jobs. They discuss the importance of reskilling and innovative financial solutions like career impact bonds to support upskilling efforts, emphasizing the necessity to focus on adaptability in the face of rapid technological change.

Join leisure enthusiasts Kripa Koshy and Rijesh Paniker for a vibrant discussion on the challenges Indian women face in enjoying leisure time. They dive into the stark gender disparities amplified by domestic responsibilities. The conversation also touches on cultural perceptions of self-care versus community obligations, emphasizing the importance of leisure for well-being. Economic factors, like the Shakti scheme, are scrutinized for their impact on women’s access to leisure. Discover the call for societal change and how leaders can help enhance recreational opportunities!

Dr. Varsha Pillai, a seasoned expert in media and gender with two decades of experience and a 2022 Changemaker award, joins Malathi Renati for an insightful discussion. They delve into the crucial distinction between gender equity and equality, highlight the urgent need for women's representation in leadership, and tackle the persistent issue of child marriage. Varsha emphasizes the media's role in shaping gender perceptions and advocates for breaking stereotypes to pave the way for a gender-equal future. Her compelling insights drive home the importance of empowering all genders in societal progress.

K.K. Sharma, a decorated Indian Army veteran and Professor at Chitkara University, shares his extensive experiences in UN peacekeeping. He discusses India's historical roles since the 1950s and emphasizes the unique cultural ethos that enhances its mission effectiveness. The conversation dives into the challenges faced in conflict zones, the transformative role of technology like drones, and the critical contributions of women in peacekeeping. Sharma advocates for education and awareness initiatives to further India's impact on global peace efforts.

Manoj Kewalramani, an expert on China's global influence, discusses the recent G20 summit and how China positioned itself as a leader for developing nations. He highlights China's focus on poverty alleviation initiatives and its collaborative approach to the Belt and Road Initiative. The conversation also dives into China's 'Friends of Peace' coalition addressing the Ukraine crisis and analyzes the nuances of India-China diplomatic relations following a key ministerial meeting. Kewalramani offers insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Join Ashwin and Rijesh in this episode of All Things Policy as they explore the potential for international cooperation in an arena as heavily contested as Space. Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/a-strategic-thrust-to-space-beyond-borders-3273650 All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. Find out more on our research and other work here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in⁠