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
Apr 9, 2025 • 39min
Government Powered Podium Dreams
In this episode of All Things Policy, Malathi Renati chats with Cmdr Rajesh Rajagopalan, the first CEO of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), as he shares insightful experiences from his pioneering role. From heartwarming stories of government-led efforts to support and uplift athletes to reflections on public-private partnerships (PPP) and his current work as CEO of the Dani Sports Foundation—this conversation dwells on the intersection of policy, passion, and podium dreams.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Apr 8, 2025 • 42min
The Satellite Internet Revolution
Satellite internet is rewriting the rules of connectivity. In this episode of All Things Policy, Ashwin Prasad and Sowmya Prabhakar, COO at the Takshashila Institution, unpack the rise of Cloud Nomads and how beaming broadband from space will shift digital behaviours, challenge governance frameworks, and spark geopolitical issues.Monopolies in the sky? Check.Satellite insurance (yes, it’s a thing)? Check.Privacy when your data is literally out of this world? Double-check.Tune in as we orbit around the universe of implications that satellite internet could have on society, markets, and government.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Apr 7, 2025 • 37min
Subversive Media: How Protest Movements Harness Alternative Communication
When mainstream media turns a blind eye—or worse, reinforces exploitative power structures—protest movements turn to alternative channels to make their voices heard. From underground pamphlets and newsletters in colonial India to encrypted WhatsApp groups and digital zines in contemporary resistance movements, subversive media has long played a critical role in mobilising dissent. In this episode of All Things Policy, Maya Patra and Leah Govias discuss the past, present and future of alternative media during the time of protest.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Apr 4, 2025 • 40min
What Makes The Chinese S&T Ecosystem Tick?
China's tech innovation has excelled despite a heavy-handed state crackdown on the private sector. Disruptors like Deepseek have emerged, and policy signals from the recent private tech entrepreneurs' symposium and the National People's Congress seem to finally ease on businesses, promising only to "guide them on national priorities."In this video episode of 'All Things Policy', Anushka Saxena quizzes Shobhankita Reddy on the latest developments in China's Science and Tech policy and innovation ecosystems, and where the tech economy is headed. Shobhankita also focuses on the factors that have led to China's growth as a tech superpower, and where the challenges lie.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Apr 3, 2025 • 30min
China's Exports of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs)
China has emerged as one of the world's leading developers of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). This is reflected in China's exports of UCAVs, especially across West Asia and Central Africa. In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Adya Madhavan, researcher with the Takshashila Institution, to discuss Adya's latest research work examining the factors that have enabled China to build such a robust export market, the politics of UCAV exports, and the implications for other countries, including India. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Apr 2, 2025 • 37min
Economic Boycotts: Bane or Boon?
From France to Canada, headlines across the world are reporting consumer boycotts as a way for citizens to express their dissatisfaction with global economic policies. In France, for example, a widely cited poll in mainstream French media reported that 6 out of 10 French consumers supported a movement to reject American brands and products made in the US in response to the US' trade tariffs and growing anti-European sentiment. But what are economic boycotts exactly? And how effective are they? What could such boycotts say of a country's law-making institutions? In this episode of All Things Policy, Kripa Koshy (Programme Manager, Takshashila) is in conversation with Sarthak Pradhan (Assistant Professor, Takshashila) and together, they attempt to unpack some of the considerations around whether such movements meet their intended objectives. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Apr 1, 2025 • 23min
Tracking Wildfires: Mapping Impacts and Risks
Wildfires are increasing in intensity and frequency—but do we know their extent? In this episode of All Things Policy, Swathi Kalyani and Keerthishree dissect India's wildfire hotspots, the shifting patterns of wildfires, and the challenges that come with them. We also look at California's catastrophic January 2025 wildfire to discuss what makes California so susceptible and if India is at risk of such incidents. From geospatial technology to policy solutions, we examine strategies for the prevention of wildfires, disaster management, and safeguarding of local communities. Listen in for insights on addressing this growing threat. In the latest edition of “MAPS SNAPS”, check out the visual study of California forest fire mapping using Remote sensing and the key takeaway for forest fire reporting in India. From geospatial technology to policy solutions, we examine strategies for preventing wildfires, disaster management, and safeguarding local communities.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Mar 28, 2025 • 31min
The Times They Are A-Changin': The Descent of Dissent
In this episode, Shobhankita (Research Analyst, Takshashila), Kripa and Suman (Programme Managers, Takshashila) discuss the dwindling number of movies with themes around dissent. They examine a timeline of Hindi films from the 50s onwards to analyse the reasons for this change and its implications for society. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Mar 27, 2025 • 37min
State of AI Governance
In this episode of All Things Policy, Bharath Reddy and Rijesh Panicker discuss their upcoming report on AI governance. Stay tuned till the end for their predictions on the future of AI governance!The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
Mar 26, 2025 • 36min
Mauritius, India and China: The Tug of War in the Indian Ocean
In this episode of All Things Policy, Maya Patra and Swathi Kalyani discuss Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Mauritius, analysing India’s strategic engagement in the Indian Ocean. The conversation contrasts India’s developmental approach—rooted in historical ties and security cooperation—with China’s large-scale infrastructure investments and economic influence. They explore how Mauritius serves as a microcosm of India-China competition in Africa and examine whether these partnerships foster genuine development or economic dependency.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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
