All Things Policy

In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar and Anisree Suresh explore the latest proposed policy by the Maharashtra government to mandate individuals to own or secure a parking space to buy a car in Mumbai. They examine the intricacies of the proposed policy and suggest how congestion pricing can be an effective solution to traffic congestion woes.   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

Leah Govias, an Assistant Program Manager at Takshashila Institution's Policy School, sheds light on the harsh realities faced by domestic workers in India. Despite their crucial role in the economy, their working conditions are often precarious and invisible. The discussion delves into wage caps, lack of time off, and the imbalance of power between employers and workers. Leah explores innovative solutions and the importance of legal protections to create a thriving environment for these essential workers, emphasizing the need for systemic change.

Air Marshal T.D. Joseph, a retired fighter pilot, joins to discuss India's pressing aerial defense challenges. He highlights the widening technological gap with China, especially with its new sixth-generation fighters. The conversation reveals inefficiencies in India's defense sector and advocates for greater private sector involvement. Upgrading the Tejas aircraft with advanced engines is also explored. With evolving threats from neighboring countries, there's an urgent need for transformative strategies to enhance India's defense capabilities.

An advisory group is working on an India-specific AI regulatory framework. They discuss key recommendations like integrating legal measures into software code and enhancing data minimization practices. A light-touch regulatory approach is suggested, along with an open-access AI incident database for better transparency. The conversation highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and the need for efficient collaboration among various government sectors to navigate the complexities of AI governance.

Seoul's ambitious $325 million initiative to combat loneliness raises questions about government intervention in public health. The hosts discuss societal pressures contributing to the loneliness epidemic and the impact of technology on social connections. They explore how cultural factors and competitive norms exacerbate individual isolation, as well as the importance of meaningful community engagement. Insights from India reveal parallels in the struggle against loneliness, emphasizing innovative policy solutions and the need for intergenerational interactions.

Joining Anushka Saxena is Manoj Kewalramani, Chairperson of the Indo-Pacific Studies Program at the Takshashila Institution and a US foreign policy expert. They discuss Trump’s vision for a 'Golden Age' and its implications for US alliances, particularly with India. Manoj dives into immigration policy challenges affecting the Indian diaspora and the evolving economic ties between the US and India. The conversation further explores the shifting dynamics in US-China relations and how they impact global politics in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Karnataka Shakti program offers free bus rides for women and transgender individuals, enhancing access to work and education. While it increases ridership, challenges like overcrowding and harassment persist. Mixed outcomes arise, including tensions among commuters and private transport strikes. Political controversies also loom, with calls for reviews impacting state finances. Importantly, the scheme empowers women to reclaim public spaces and promotes equality, but there’s a need for further support for marginalized communities.

Amit Kumar, a researcher at the Takshashila Institution, delves into the complexities of India-China trade and de-risking strategies. He emphasizes identifying vulnerable sectors, such as electronic components and machinery, to enhance India's trade resilience. Amit discusses the importance of strategic metrics like the Relative Impact Factor to inform decision-making. His insights reveal the delicate balance between national security and economic growth, emphasizing the critical need for domestic manufacturing to address import dependencies.

Lauri Myllyvirta, co-founder and lead analyst at CREA and senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub, delves into China's ambitious climate goals. He discusses the projected peak of carbon emissions and the rapid rise of clean energy sources like solar and wind. Lauri highlights the challenges of integrating renewables into the power grid while confronting coal industry interests. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on energy consumption and contrasts India's air pollution crisis with China's strategies.

Miheer Karandikar, a researcher at the Takshashila Institution, brings deep insights into India's reapportionment and delimitation issues. The conversation dives into how upcoming changes could impact the democratic future, focusing on the balance of representation across states. They discuss the historical context and critical factors shaping political representation, especially for southern states. The importance of equitable federal representation and collaborative federalism is highlighted, advocating for an inclusive dialogue to navigate these pressing challenges.