BIC TALKS

The mandate of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was claimed as a victory by both the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). Even though BJP’s brute majority in the Lok Sabha was dented, the return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a third consecutive term was portrayed as a stupendous victory by supporters of the BJP. This is notwithstanding the fact that the stability of the NDA government is now dependent on allies who have displayed temperamental behaviour in the past. The INDIA Alliance was also buoyed by the mandate as it increased its numbers substantially. The Indian National Congress, the leading component of the INDIA bloc, almost doubled its numbers, while other key constituents of this disparate coalition robustly challenged the might of the BJP election apparatus. Even though the INDIA bloc could not gain power in Delhi, its combative fight against the BJP/ NDA was lauded because – as many astute observers pointed out – the 2024 elections were not seen as a level playing ground. Starting from this point, Yogendra Yadav and Dr. Vasu HV will discuss some of the implications of this mandate on the future of India. While Yadav, who is a well-known political and social activist, travelled all over the country tracking the election and even accurately called it, Dr. Vasu played a similar role in Karnataka leading the research on pre-poll surveys that broadly captured the sentiments of the people of the State. Thus, the two panelists will provide their crucial insights based on their deep and credible engagement with political behaviour at the national and state level. Critics of the BJP have sharply and consistently stated that the idea of India has been imperilled in the past 10 years when the saffron party, buttressed by its parliamentary heft, meddled with the institutional framework weakening the republican foundations on which our country was founded. Will the gain in the numbers by the political opposition mean that the political discourse in the country, that had discernibly shifted rightwards over the past decade, gradually be tugged back to a central pole position that perhaps, more accurately reflects the civilizational ethos of a diverse and complex country like India? Early signs indicate that the political opposition has been catalysed by the mandate and is rearing to take the BJP/ NDA head on but how will these diverse political actors maintain their cohesion considering that a slew of state elections will take place where they will be pitted against one another? In this episode of BIC Talks, Psephologist and Activist, Yogendra Yadav and Journalist, Dr. Vasu HV will be in conversation with Journalist, Vikhar Ahmed. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in July 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

This discussion is set in the context of the recent ruling from the Karnataka High Court that limits public protests in Bangalore to a designated space within one park in the city, that too subject to police approval. It aims to explore how art can serve as an alternative medium for voicing dissent and fueling public discourse. The panel will discuss the ramifications of the Court’s ruling and its impact on communities, and talk about art as a potent tool for social change. Through their experiences, the panelists will demonstrate how art can amplify voices, provoke thought, and catalyze change even amidst growing restrictions on dissent. In this episode of BIC Talks, Shilo Shiv Suleman, Mamta Sagar and Vinay Sreenivasa are in conversation with Divya Narayanan. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in June 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

Wild Women: Seekers, Protagonists and Goddesses in Sacred Indian Poetry [Penguin India, 2024], edited by poet and seeker Arundhathi Subramaniam, is a new anthology of compelling women mystics in Indian literature. These poems are the cries of women who refused, quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, to be bullied into submission. Women who surrendered not to the authority of the world, but to the authority of the spirit. Women whose voices have far too often been sanitized by the grand narratives of religion and sidelined by rationalist versions of history. The names of Mirabai, Akka Mahadevi, and Andal, are known to many. But there are innumerable others. And little is known of the urgency of their words, of their feral sensuality, of their relentless questioning of the custodians of gender and faith. It is time to re-fang them, to tune into their brazenness and heartbreaking longing. Not just for their sake, but for ours. In this episode of BIC Talks, Author Arundhathi Subramaniam is in conversation with Poet & Translator, Mani Rao, with readings of translations by Mani Rao, Vanamala Viswanatha and Ahalya Ballal. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in June 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

In the final episode of Safe Spaces, we unpack gender identity and sexuality in adolescents, the elderly, and people with disability. In our society, discussing sexuality openly with family, friends, and peers has often been taboo, shrouded in misconceptions and stigma. Many of us experience shame, guilt, and embarrassment when it comes to sexuality and intimacy, and we may not know how to engage with our own sexuality safely and respectfully. Safe Spaces is a transformative podcast series that aims to break these barriers. Comprehensive sexuality education extends beyond the mechanics of human biology. It equips us with the tools to navigate relationships with informed consent and respect for personal boundaries. By fostering a deeper understanding of our own minds and bodies, this education can significantly reduce the incidences of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, address gender-based violence, and enhance self-expression and sexual well-being. In this four-part series by the Bangalore International Centre, Dr. Sangeeta Saksena delves into the realm of sex and sexuality. Dr. Sangeeta, a gynaecologist, author, counsellor, and activist, co-founded Enfold India in 2001 to promote gender equity, sexuality, and personal safety education. Join host Anishaa Tavag as we embark on this enlightening journey. This series was made possible with the generosity and knowledge of Dr. Sangeeta Saksena and the contributions of Abha Khetarpal, Dipankar Panth, Diya Naidu, Meghana Roy, Mich Gupta, Nitya Deviah, and Saurabh Levin. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

In the third episode of Safe Spaces, we discuss a commonly misunderstood reality — child  sexual development. We also look at child sexual abuse and restorative practices that can lead children to grow into more balanced, healthy adults. In our society, discussing sexuality openly with family, friends, and peers has often been taboo, shrouded in misconceptions and stigma. Many of us experience shame, guilt, and embarrassment when it comes to sexuality and intimacy, and we may not know how to engage with our own sexuality safely and respectfully. Safe Spaces is a transformative podcast series that aims to break these barriers. Comprehensive sexuality education extends beyond the mechanics of human biology. It equips us with the tools to navigate relationships with informed consent and respect for personal boundaries. By fostering a deeper understanding of our own minds and bodies, this education can significantly reduce the incidences of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, address gender-based violence, and enhance self-expression and sexual well-being. In this four-part series by the Bangalore International Centre, Dr. Sangeeta Saksena delves into the realm of sex and sexuality. Dr. Sangeeta, a gynaecologist, author, counsellor, and activist, co-founded Enfold India in 2001 to promote gender equity, sexuality, and personal safety education. Join host Anishaa Tavag as we embark on this enlightening journey. This series was made possible with the generosity and knowledge of Dr. Sangeeta Saksena and the contributions of Abha Khetarpal, Dipankar Panth, Diya Naidu, Meghana Roy, Mich Gupta, Nitya Deviah, and Saurabh Levin. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

In the second episode of Safe Spaces, we take a look at the factors that shape our beliefs and behaviours in the bedroom. Join Dr. Sangeeta Saksena and host Anishaa Tavag as they explore how societal norms and misconceptions about gender have developed over time, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of contemporary issues in sexuality and gender equity. In our society, discussing sexuality openly with family, friends, and peers has often been taboo, shrouded in misconceptions and stigma. Many of us experience shame, guilt, and embarrassment when it comes to sexuality and intimacy, and we may not know how to engage with our own sexuality safely and respectfully. Safe Spaces is a transformative podcast series that aims to break these barriers. Comprehensive sexuality education extends beyond the mechanics of human biology. It equips us with the tools to navigate relationships with informed consent and respect for personal boundaries. By fostering a deeper understanding of our own minds and bodies, this education can significantly reduce the incidences of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, address gender-based violence, and enhance self-expression and sexual well-being. In this four-part series by the Bangalore International Centre, Dr. Sangeeta Saksena delves into the realm of sex and sexuality. Dr. Sangeeta, a gynaecologist, author, counsellor, and activist, co-founded Enfold India in 2001 to promote gender equity, sexuality, and personal safety education. Join host Anishaa Tavag as we embark on this enlightening journey. This series was made possible with the generosity and knowledge of Dr. Sangeeta Saksena and the contributions of Abha Khetarpal, Dipankar Panth, Diya Naidu, Meghana Roy, Mich Gupta, Nitya Deviah, and Saurabh Levin. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

In the premiere episode of Safe Spaces, we delve into the history of human evolution to uncover the roots of gender bias. Join Dr. Sangeeta Saksena and host Anishaa Tavag as they explore how societal norms and misconceptions about gender have developed over time, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of contemporary issues in sexuality and gender equity. In our society, discussing sexuality openly with family, friends, and peers has often been taboo, shrouded in misconceptions and stigma. Many of us experience shame, guilt, and embarrassment when it comes to sexuality and intimacy, and we may not know how to engage with our own sexuality safely and respectfully. Safe Spaces is a transformative podcast series that aims to break these barriers. Comprehensive sexuality education extends beyond the mechanics of human biology. It equips us with the tools to navigate relationships with informed consent and respect for personal boundaries. By fostering a deeper understanding of our own minds and bodies, this education can significantly reduce the incidences of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies, address gender-based violence, and enhance self-expression and sexual well-being. In this four-part series by the Bangalore International Centre, Dr. Sangeeta Saksena delves into the realm of sex and sexuality. Dr. Sangeeta, a gynaecologist, author, counsellor, and activist, co-founded Enfold India in 2001 to promote gender equity, sexuality, and personal safety education. Join host Anishaa Tavag as we embark on this enlightening journey. This series was made possible with the generosity and knowledge of Dr Sangeeta Saksena and the contributions of Abha Khetarpal, Dipankar Panth, Diya Naidu, Meghana Roy, Mich Gupta, Nitya Deviah, and Saurabh Levin. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

The Great Flap of 1942 is a narrative history of a neglected and scarcely known period—between December 1941 and mid-1942—when all of India was caught in a state of panic. This was largely a result of the British administration’s mistaken belief that Japan was on the verge of launching a full-fledged invasion. It was a time when the Raj became unduly alarmed, when the tongue of rumour wagged wildly about Japanese prowess and British weakness and when there was a huge and largely unmapped exodus (of Indians and Europeans) from both sides of the coastline to ‘safer’ inland regions. This book demonstrates, quite astonishingly, that the Raj cynically encouraged the exodus and contributed to the repeated cycles of rumour, panic and flight. It also reveals how the shadow of the Japanese threat influenced the course of nationalist politics, altered British attitudes towards India and charted the course towards Independence. The title ‘The Great Flap of 1942’ refers to an expression used by British bureaucrats in India that traces a broad narrative arc, starting with the Japanese attacks in South-East Asia. The assault on Malaya, the conquest of Singapore, the bombing and eventual occupation of Burma, and the Japanese Navy’s foray into the Indian Ocean are examined in the light of the tremendous impact they had on India. In this episode of BIC Talks, Author & Professor, Krea University - Mukund Padmanabhan is in conversation with Historian & Columnist - Sriram Venkatakrishnan. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in June 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.

At the start of his career as sub-collector of Parvathipuram sub-division in north-coastal Andhra Pradesh way back in 1974, Subbarao learnt – the hard way – that tribal development requires more than enthusiasm; it requires most of all an understanding of poverty. Nearly forty years later, in 2013, as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India in the midst of a fierce exchange rate crisis, Subbarao learnt – once again the hard way – the harsh challenges of emerging economies in an unequal world. Bookended by these assignments is the journey of a small-town boy from a modest background to the top echelons of India’s civil service and then on to the helm of the country’s central bank. Subbarao recounts that journey – his hopes and despair, his successes and setbacks, his mistakes and misdeeds, and the lessons he learnt along the way – with candour and honesty. The subtext of that story though is his constant soul searching about whether he has given back to society more than he received. Just a Mercenary? is an earnest account of an extraordinary career that tries to inform and inspire young professionals trying to find their way up their career ladders – and find meaning in their journeys. In this episode of BIC Talks, Former Governor, Reserve Bank of India - Duvvuri Subbarao is in conversation with Professor, Centre for Public Policy, IIM, Bangalore - M S Sriram. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in June 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.  

In this episode of BIC Talks, Author & Historian- Hindol Sengupta discusses the relevance of a relatively lesser-known but fundamental text of the Advaita Vedanta School of Hinduism called the Ashtavakra Gita at a time of global conflict. It will focus on the personal experience of the transformative and redeeming power of the text amidst the turmoil, grief, and uncertainty that is the fate of human life. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in May 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible and Amazon Music.