In Focus by The Hindu

On August 25, 2025, the Supreme Court urged the Union government to frame guidelines for regulating social media, noting that influencers often commercialise free speech in ways that may offend the sentiments of vulnerable groups. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed that these regulations be drafted in consultation with the National Broadcasters and Digital Association. The order stemmed from an intervention application filed by a non-profit representing persons with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which alleged that comedians Samay Raina, Vipul Goyal, Balraj Paramjeet Singh Ghai, Sonali Thakkar, and Nishant Jagdish Tanwar had made derogatory remarks about those living with the disorder. Should commercial speech on digital platforms be regulated? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Apar Gupta and Jay Vinayak Ojha Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik. Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parliament last month enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for India’s rapidly expanding online gaming sector. The legislation, which received the President’s assent on August 22, seeks to regulate segments such as e-sports and social gaming, while simultaneously imposing a blanket prohibition on all money-based online games. The stated rationale for this prohibition is the “serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups,” associated with real-money gaming. Even before the law has taken effect, several petitions have been filed in the Karnataka High Court challenging its validity. The Court has issued notice to the Union government on an interim plea seeking a stay on the Act’s application to online games of skill. Can the new legislation withstand constitutional scrutiny? What are its broader implications? Does it run contrary to established judicial precedents that distinguish between games of skill and games of chance? Note: This episode was recorded before petitions challenging the law were filed in the Karnataka HC. Guest: Deepak Joshi, Advocate-On-Record at the Supreme Court of India Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Shot, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit China for the first time in seven years. He had a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping, which assumes significance in the context of the ongoing dissonance in India-US relations over tariffs. How do we read the Modi-Xi meeting – does it signal a shift toward normalisation of in bilateral ties? How important is this particular summit in the history of the SCO and the challenges it faces today? And what tangible benefits can India expect from greater engagement with SCO and with China? Guests: Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu’s Diplomatic Affairs Editor, and Ananth Krishnan, Director at The Hindu Group and former Beijing correspondent. Host: G. Sampath Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Ananth Krishnan has just curated a new e-book for The Hindu on China, titled, ‘China: India Perspectives on China’s Politics, Economy and Foreign Relations’. It is an anthology of 12 outstanding essays by reputed China scholars and experts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India has several policies designed to support persons with disabilities. Yet, data shows that many are still unable to access these benefits. A major reason is the lack of a Unique Disability ID Card, which has become essential for availing government schemes and entitlements. The Unique Disability ID card is an important document for people with disabilities. It serves as proof of their disability status and helps them access a range of government benefits and schemes. At the same time, it enables the government to maintain an accurate count of persons with disabilities, so that resources and support can be better planned and allocated. Yet, the data shows a stark gap — on average, only about 39% of people with disabilities in India actually have a Unique Disability ID card. Guest: Shashank Pandey, a lawyer and founder of Politics and Disability Forum, who works on political representation of Persons with Disabilities. Host: Nitika Francis Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coffee is more than a beverage—it’s a sensory ritual. But in 2025, global coffee prices are at a fifty-year high, sending shockwaves down to Indian households. Even long-trusted South Indian brands, staples of middle-class homes, are becoming costlier. Will the “ordinary” filter kaapi or takeaway latte soon feel like a bigger luxury? In this weekender episode, we explore the reasons behind rising prices, how it’s reshaping consumption, and whether there’s a way to hold on to our morning lifeline. Guest: Divya Jaishankar, founder of a specialty café in Chennai and master roaster Host: Anupama Chandrasekaran Camera: Thamodharan B and Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Produced and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, Sri Lanka has endured fuel queues, protests and the fall of the Rajapaksa political dynasty. Ranil Wickremesinghe stepped in and steadied the economy but angered many with austerity and loyalty to the old elite. Now, in a historic first, he’s been arrested for misusing state funds on a UK trip. At the helm is President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This son of a farmer and reformist leader has promised honesty and a clean break from the past. So what does this turning point mean for Sri Lanka’s democracy, economy and its place between India and China? Guest: Meera Srinivasan, Sri Lanka Correspondent, The Hindu Host: Anupama Chandrasekaran Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India-China relations have been bogged down by two major irritants: the border issue, and China’s close military collaboration with Pakistan. But now, both India and China are looking for a reset in bilateral ties. This assumes significance especially in the context of the Trump administration’s 50% tariffs on Indian exports. India doesn’t want its growth trajectory derailed by these tariffs, and wants to explore all options for protecting its economic interests. Prime Minister Modi is meeting President Xi Jinping in Tianjin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, and greater economic cooperation is very much on the agenda. Given the historical tensions and trust deficit between the two countries, can India benefit from a pivot to China? And if the answer is yes, how would it work? Guest: Cameron Johnson, Senior Partner, Tidalwave Solutions, Shanghai and former Vice Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. He is a leading expert on Chinese manufacturing, economy, trade, and supply chain management. Host: G Sampath Shot, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “Deepavali gift” to the people in the form of next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. The Ministry of Finance subsequently said that a large part of these reforms involved moving GST from the current four-tier system to a two-tier structure of 5% and 18%, along with an overall lowering of the average tax rate. What impact will this proposal have on revenues? And should the States be compensated for revenue loss? Here we discuss the question Guests: Manoj Mishra, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat; Pratik Jain, Partner at Price Waterhouse & Co LLP Host: T.C.A. Sharad Raghavan Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Banks and fintechs use Artificial Intelligence to detect fraud in credit scoring, but with new opportunities come new risks, including that of bias and accountability. The Reserve Bank of India recently released a report called Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of AI (FREE-AI) to regulate the use of AI in the financial sector. The report has seven 'sutras' or guidelines and 26 recommendations to encourage innovation in this space. The report has seven 'sutras' or guidelines and 26 recommendations to encourage innovation in this space. Guest: Prof. Prasanna Tantri, Associate Professor of Finance and the Executive Director of the Centre for Analytical Finance at the Indian School of Business  Host: Nivedita V Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last month, OpenAI, the company that developed ChatGPT made an important change to its popular app: ChatGPT will now avoid offering specific advice on personal issues and it will also prompt users to take breaks in cases of lengthy conversations. These changes were brought in after the company admitted that ChatGPT fell short of recognising signs of emotional dependency or delusions. An increasing number of people across the world, are beginning to turn to ChatGPT and other AI chatbots for mental health help. And increasing number of professionals are cases of users whose mental health has been badly affected after the use of chatbots. What is going on with chatbots and the world of mental health? Is it safe to turn to chatGPT for therapy? What are the risks involved with excessive use or personal disclosures? And how can people use chatbots safely in a world where they are increasingly becoming tools for daily use? Guest: Soumitra Pathare, director, Centre for Mental Health, Law & Policy, Pune Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatausbramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since October 2023, more than 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza, a Palestinian territory that has seen extensive destruction, displacement and death. More recently, on August 10, 2025, an Israeli drone strike killed seven reporters in a media tent in Gaza City—underscoring the dangers of telling these stories. With food, water and medicine scarce, and press freedom under siege, the question remains: how can the world protect those who continue risking everything to report the truth? Guest: Sarah Qudah, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director, Committee to Protect Journalists Host: Anupama Chandrasekaran Edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India is one of the most unequal places in the known universe. It combines extreme inequality with extreme exploitation like nowhere else. And yet, the exploited, the poor working classes, have not really risen up in revolt, and it seems like they never will. Why is this so? In this weekender episode of In Focus, we are joined by Manu Joseph who has come out with a book-length answer to this very question. The book is called, coincidentally, Why The Poor Don’t Kill Us. The conversation is about this mystery, and also, among other things, the psychological dimension of poverty, the austerity of the rich, and the pointlessness of owning a small dog. Guest: Manu Joseph, Journalist and Author Host: G Sampath Shot, edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The singles main draw of the US Open kicks off on August 24. Who are the favourites? Who are the dark horses? Can Jannik Sinner sustain his hard court dominance? Or, will Carlos Alcaraz avenge his defeat at Sinner’s hands in Wimbledon this year? Is a Sinner vs Alcaraz final a foregone conclusion, or can the old fox Novak Djokovic crash their party?  On the women’s side, can Aryna Sabalenka defend her crown or will Iga Swiatek add to her growing tally of majors? And what’s with the new mixed doubles format being launched at this year’s US Open – is it unfair to the doubles pros on the ATP/WTA tour?  We speak with former pro player and top coach Nandan Bal, who has the rare distinction of having both played for India in the Davis Cup and coached the Indian Davis Cup team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, and two allied Bills that extend its applicability to Union Territories and Jammu and Kashmir, were tabled by the government in Parliament yesterday, and they have sparked massive resistance and outrage in the Opposition ranks.  The Bills enable the removal of Central and State Ministers, as well as the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, if they are arrested on serious criminal charges. If the Bills become law, any CM arrested on serious criminal charges will be out of office within 31 days of arrest.  The government has justified these Bills as necessary to bring in political morality in public office. The Bills have now been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament, which will have to submit its report by the Winter session of Parliament.  What is the rationale behind these Bills? Are they anti-federal and anti-democratic?  And does the government have a realistic of chance of passing them in Parliament? Guest: Sanjay Hegde, Senor Advocate at the Supreme Court Host: G. Sampath, Podcast Editor, The Hindu  Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A proposal to restructure the World Test Championship (WTC) into a two-tiered system, potentially dividing the 12 Test-playing nations into two groups of six teams, or into two groups of seven and five teams, is gaining traction. While some argue that this system could improve the quality of matches and increase competitiveness by having top teams play each other more often, others worry that lower-ranked teams will get fewer opportunities to play. Will a two-tiered WTC do more harm than good? Here we discuss the question. Guests: Deep Dasgputa, former Test cricketer, and cricket broadcaster; Jatin Paranjape, ODI cricketer-turned-sports marketing professional and member of the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee Host: Amol Karhadkar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, the Modi government proposed the biggest overall of the goods and services tax since its rollout in 2017. Aiming to collapse the current 4 slab structure into a simpler 2 slab regime with a special slab for what the government is called. As sin goods. The move, expected to reduce prices across essentials and consumer durables, comes amid US tariff headwinds and concerns about domestic demand.   Guest: Sharad Raghavan, Business and Economy Editor, The Hindu  Host: Kunal Shankar, Deputy Business Editor, The Hindu   Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Supreme Court, in an interim order on Thursday (August 14, 2025), directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish a booth-wise list of nearly 65 lakh electors who were excluded from the draft electoral roll released on August 1 as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ordered that the list must specify the precise reasons for exclusion, such as death, migration, or duplicate registration. The petitioners have argued that the poll body has failed to observe the basic principles of natural justice while carrying out the exercise. They have also questioned the “hasty” manner of its implementation. What is the constitutionality of the SIR exercise, and does it risk disenfranchising voters? What are the implications of the interim order? To what extent does the order address the contentious debate over whether Aadhaar can serve as valid proof of identity and residence in the electoral process? Guest: Shah Rukh Alam, advocate practising at the Supreme Court Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Shot, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The United States Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that it would cancel nearly USD 500 million of funding for mRNA vaccine projects. The reason, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, was safety and efficacy concerns.mRNA or messenger RNA vaccines hit the news during the Covid-19 pandemic when the world was desperately trying to create vaccines in order to save lives. mRNA vaccines for Covid were developed rapidly, given to thousands of people and are believed to have saved numerous lives.Like all vaccines that we have today, rare cases of adverse effects are possible – but the benefits, say experts far outweigh the risks.How are mRNA vaccines different from the others we have? How effective and safe are they? Can they help with other diseases as well? And what does the cut in funding mean for vaccine development and research worldwide? Guest: Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean, BioSciences and Health Research, Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The food landscape has undergone a dramatic shift over the years, and the numbers tell a sobering story. A study in The Lancet found that childhood and adolescent obesity rates worldwide have risen nearly fourfold from 1990 to 2022, while adult obesity rates have more than doubled. At the same time, dramatic celebrity weight loss has been linked to Ozempic, an injectable drug containing semaglutide, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes but now widely used off-label as a weight-loss aid. In this episode of In Focus, we ask: Why is it becoming harder to lose weight? What role do our gut and brain play in shaping our relationship with food? And should drugs like Ozempic step in where lifestyle changes and willpower fall short? Guest: Dr Jack Mosley, the author of Food Noise: How weight loss medications & smart nutrition can silence your cravings Host: Preeti Zechariah Edited by Jude Francis Weston and Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often assume a child’s height is all about genetics. But for millions of children in India, being shorter than average has nothing to do with family traits. It is the result of stunting — a chronic indicator of malnutrition, where a child has a low height for their age due to not getting the nutrition and care they need in the most critical early years of life.This episode explores what stunting really is, why it happens, and the critical windows when intervention can make the biggest difference. Guest: Dr. Vandana Prasad, a community paediatrician and former member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices