The Times Of India Podcast

A conversation with Amitav Ghosh, after the release of his latest book Wild Fictions, in which he tells us about the turning point for him as a writer and more

Suhas Palshikar, co-director of electoral think-tank Lokniti and an eminent political scientist, explains what this Maharashtra electoral verdict means for the future of opposition parties and why the BJP would want to get rid of its allies in the state.

Eminent historian and author Ramchandra Guha talks about his latest book 'Speaking with Nature' about individuals who could be called India's first environmentalists, documenting noble failures, and whether environmentalists are destined to be ignored.  

First, Sanjay Kumar from Lokniti-CSDS talks with Alka Dhupkar about what a Lokniti-MIT SOG survey says about political parties' prospects in the upcoming election.  Then, co-director of Lokniti and eminent political scientist Suhas Palshikar explains why this election won't sort out the political chaos in the state. He also explains why this election will be a very high-stakes one for two leaders. 

The killing of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique has raised questions about the revival of gang violence in Mumbai. Rashmi Rajput, who writes on crime and investigating agencies for The Economic Times, explains the impact of the killing and how it changes things in a city that had gotten used to not hearing about extortion calls. 

Journalist Sukanya Shantha was recently thanked by the Supreme Court for her reporting on caste-based labour practices and caste-based segregation in many of India's prisons. She speaks with Alka Dhupkar and Arun George about how caste determines what you do in jails, why these practices still exist and the challenge with ending them.   

Political scientist Suhas Palshikar explains the issues with the Prime Minister turning up at the Chief Justice's residence for Ganeshotsav. He also explains the problem with judges and government employees talking about links with the RSS and what it means for the RSS to be making statements that seem to target the PM. 

Shakir Mir, a journalist covering Jammu and Kashmir for TOI+ and other outlets, dives into the significance of the region's upcoming assembly elections. He discusses the palpable enthusiasm among voters, despite the absence of full statehood. Key parties like the National Conference and the People's Democratic Party are examined, alongside new political entities. Mir also highlights the role of District Development Councils and the internal dynamics within the BJP, revealing how these factors influence voter sentiment and election strategies.

Patruni Chidananda Sastry, a drag queen and unconventional parent, joins Labanya Maitra, a commentator on societal impacts of unique parenting. They explore the challenges and joys of balancing life as a performer and a parent. The conversation touches on legal hurdles faced by queer families in India and the importance of community support. Patruni shares insights into the transformative essence of drag and its role in fostering acceptance and inclusivity in parenting, urging society to embrace diverse identities.

Bina Paul - one of the founding members of the Women in Cinema Collective - talks about the fallout of the Justice Hema committee report on the Malayalam film industry. She explains why the report matters, why sexual harassment is rampant in the film industry and what needs to be done now to correct things.