

All Things Policy
Takshashila Institution
Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics? All Things Policy, a daily podcast brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, brings you all the answers. Every weekday, our researchers break down complex economic and geopolitical ideas through the lens of current events. For everyone from the busy executive to the curious student, All Things Policy is all you'll need to understand the world (and appreciate your breakfast) better.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 6, 2024 • 42min
Protecting the welfare of farmed animals
Do animals have a voice? Not many are aware that India's animal laws are actually forward looking. Come discover this and other empirical evidence that Malathi Renati unearths in her conversation with Shreya Swaminath: Director, Farm Animal Protection, HSI/India. While the focus is on farmed/ domesticaled animals, the concerns are similar across other flora and fauna. It continues to be riddled with apathy and poor implementation. From improving the living conditions of farmed animals to the outdated penalties for animal cruelty, there is alot that we, as individuals, can do with a little awareness. Listen in and share your comments!
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/

Jun 5, 2024 • 29min
China, Russia, and the Balance of Power
The China-Russia 'no limits partnership' has become part and parcel of deliberations on the nature of the world order today. Most recently, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met for the 43rd time, breaking a record for the number of times leaders of two countries have met. And especially since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022, the partnership between the two sides has grown economically, militarily, and politically. The two also share a common vision for a reformed world order – one that is based on a mutual, anti-West sentiment.
In this episode of All Things Policy, Anushka Saxena quizzes Amit Kumar of the Takshashila Institution on the dynamics of China-Russia and its various facets. They also discuss implications for India vis-a-vis the evolving ambitions of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, given that the natures of India-China and India-Russia relations are diametrically opposed.
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/

Jun 4, 2024 • 38min
Decreasing Usefulness of Online Ratings
In this episode of All Things Policy, Saurabh Todi and Anupam Manur discuss the decreasing quality of online reviews and ways in which vendors, platforms and websites game the system to the detriment of consumers.
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/

Jun 3, 2024 • 19min
Anti-Satellite Warfare: Direct Ascent Missiles
In this episode, Ashwin Prasad and Nandika Rohith explore India's Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite (DA-ASAT) missile technology, detailing its capabilities and offering a look at how India is shaping its stance in space defence and diplomacy.
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/

May 31, 2024 • 56min
Beyond boundaries: exploring India's space odyssey
India has recently taken huge steps to open up the space sector to private entities. Join Arindam Goswami and Ashwin Prasad in this episode of All Things Policy as they look at the trajectory of private sector participation in the Indian space sector, especially in the context of the recent reforms to open up the space sector to private entities and the guidelines issued by IN-SPACe to clarify more about these aspects.
To know more, read Ashwin’s op-ed on this topic here - https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/opinion/new-guidelines-could-hamper-indias-promising-space-industry-3035235
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/

May 30, 2024 • 28min
Drone Warfare: Eyes in the Air
If you are curious to know about the evolution of drones & the way it's changing the landscape of Military Warfare, here's an episode put together for you. Sowmya and Lakshmi are in conversation with Anushka. They dwell into India's drone capabilities, technical details, materials used, AI & jobs.
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/

May 29, 2024 • 27min
Are Main Battle Tanks Obsolete?
In this episode of All Things Policy, Rakshith Shetty quizzes Amit Kumar on the utility and relevance of MBTs in modern warfare in the context of heavy losses suffered by Russian armoured campaign against a weaker adversary.
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/

May 28, 2024 • 39min
Are Professions Noble?
Professions in India such as doctors, advocates and teachers have been accorded an elevated status of nobility. The idea that professions are noble has a range of consequences in terms of their regulatory and judicial treatment.
In this hard-hitting episode, Anupam Manur & Shrikrishna Upadhyaya question the idea of nobility attached to professions. They discuss how professionals are burdened with restrictions relating to advertisements & marketing, client solicitation, and earning profits, that in turn have skewed the market for delivery of these important services.
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/

May 27, 2024 • 24min
Role of Indian states in driving bioeconomy
India's growth in bioeconomy will require strong regional inputs. In this episode, Shambhavi Naik and Saurabh Todi discuss why individual states should have dedicated biotechnology departments and a bioeconomy policy.

May 24, 2024 • 24min
China's Great Green Leap Forward
In this episode of "All Things Policy," Rakshith explores China's remarkable rise as a green energy superpower with Wanyuan Song, a section editor at the China Desk at Carbonbrief. China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has set ambitious targets to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Wanyuan traces the roots of these climate goals in China's national plans and discusses the key policies driving the country's clean energy transition. However, China's path to decarbonisation is not without challenges. The recent US tariffs on Chinese solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles have sparked concerns about a potential green trade war. Wanyuan shares her insights on these trade disputes. We also discuss China's innovative approaches to green finance, including the development of a innovative financing mechanisms and the role of private capital in funding the low-carbon transition. As the world races to combat climate change, China's success in greening its economy could have far-reaching consequences. Tune in to this engaging conversation to understand the complexities, challenges, and opportunities of China's green energy revolution. Also, checkout Carbonbrief's China Briefing newsletter - https://www.carbonbrief.org/china-briefing/