All Things Policy

Rishabh Jain, who leads the Technology Futures programme at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), joins the conversation to dissect critical minerals. He explains their strategic importance amid global tensions, particularly regarding China’s control over processing. Jain discusses India’s critical mineral inventory, the role of electric vehicles in reducing emissions, and the hurdles in battery manufacturing. He emphasizes the urgent need for recycling initiatives and policies to support local production as India navigates its clean energy transition.

Ansgar Baums, a Senior Advisor at Sinolytics and co-author of 'The Tech Cold War,' dives into the intersection of technology and geopolitics. He discusses how technology shapes global power dynamics, often eclipsing geographical relevance. The conversation highlights Europe's struggles amid the U.S.-China tech rivalry and India's strategic positioning. Baums emphasizes the necessity of cooperation to address global issues like climate change, even in a landscape dominated by competitive tensions.

In this insightful discussion, Sarika Choudhary, a PhD student and research associate, Amaresh Dubey, a former professor of economics, and Surbhi Malhotra from the Asian Development Bank tackle the complexities of measuring female labor force participation in India. They highlight the shortcomings of current data methods in capturing women's unpaid and informal work. The conversation emphasizes the need for improved time use surveys and employment classifications to better recognize women's contributions, advocating for policies that address their unique challenges in the workforce.

Pranav Gupta, a Doctoral Candidate at UC Berkeley, shares insights from his extensive survey on AI adoption among nearly 6,000 students in Delhi's higher education. He highlights the growing use of AI tools and the ethical concerns surrounding them. The conversation dives into the benefits and skepticism regarding AI's effectiveness in education, as well as the challenges of technological access and accuracy. Gupta emphasizes the need for government policies to support AI integration and the importance of bridging the digital divide to foster equitable educational opportunities.

Anupam Manur, an economics professor at the Takshashila Institution, dives into the shifting landscape of U.S. trade policy under Trump. He discusses the potential secondary tariffs on India for importing Russian oil and their implications for India's economy. The conversation highlights India's rising reliance on Russian oil and the challenges in negotiating trade deals with the U.S. amidst fluctuating tariffs. Manur also draws parallels with trade agreements signed by other nations, speculating on how India can maneuver through these turbulent waters.

Dive into the intriguing history of the Elgin Marbles, examining their contentious removal and the rising debates over ownership. Discover the clash between universal cultural significance and local heritage, while exploring ethical dimensions of colonialism. Learn about the compelling arguments for repatriation and the importance of appreciating art in its original context. The conversation highlights how evolving public sentiment is reshaping the responsibilities of museums in a globalized world.

Explore the issue of underemployment in India, where many graduates are stuck in low-skill jobs. Discover how innovative policies, like the FASTER initiative, aim to create industrial cities and enhance job opportunities. Learn about specialized trade regions designed to foster local economic growth. The discussion also highlights the strategic implementation of prototypes in union territories to combat underemployment, with potential to create millions of jobs annually. It's a deep dive into finding real solutions for a complex problem!

Gokul C V, Additional Director General at the Ministry of Communication and leader of the DigiPIN initiative, shares insights into this revolutionary addressing system. DigiPIN simplifies location sharing with a 10-digit alphanumeric code, enhancing service delivery and logistics. The discussion highlights its potential impact on health and emergency services while addressing privacy concerns. Gokul emphasizes the importance of collaboration and transparency in creating a user-friendly digital address ecosystem that serves all demographics across India.

Brigadier Sandeep Tyagi, a veteran of army air defence who played a pivotal role in the Akashteer project, discusses India's cutting-edge air defense network. He highlights the challenges faced during its development and integration into existing military frameworks. Tyagi emphasizes the urgent need to enhance air defense capabilities amidst rising geopolitical threats. The conversation also touches on the integration of AI in aerial defense strategies, and the system's adaptability to evolving technologies, showcasing India's commitment to self-reliance in defense.

Brigadier Sandeep Tyagi, a seasoned veteran of army air defense, shares his insights on India's Akashteer air defense system. He delves into its development by Bharat Electronics, highlighting its role in India's self-reliance and regional security. Topics include the evolution of air defense strategies to address threats like drones, the complexities of airspace violations, and lessons from a tragic friendly fire incident. Sandeep emphasizes the need for improved identification protocols and real-time data sharing to enhance defense effectiveness.