Policy Beyond Politics

India’s sports industry is booming, with leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian Super League (ISL) contributing billions to the economy. The IPL alone is valued at $16.4 billion in 2024, with other leagues following suit. However, despite this growth, sports participation at the grassroots level remains limited, especially outside of cricket. Moreover, sports in India is often viewed as a competitive pursuit reserved for the select few who aspire to become professional athletes, with a societal emphasis on winning medals. In contrast, the broader benefits of sports on physical health, mental well-being, and community engagement are often overlooked. The State of Sports and Physical Activity (SAPA) report by Dalberg Advisors highlights alarming figures: 155 million Indian adults and 45 million adolescents do not meet the World Health Organization's physical activity guidelines. At the grassroots level, the country’s sports culture faces significant challenges in terms of accessibility and inclusivity. This episode, the first in our new series 'Sports Beyond Medals', dives into the critical challenges that hinder widespread participation in sports across India. We explore how sports can become a part of everyday life for everyone, not just athletes, and how India can learn from other countries where sports are a vital part of the culture.Key Discussion Points What are the main barriers to sports participation at the grassroots level in India? How can India address the lack of accessible sports facilities, such as parks and playgrounds, in both urban and rural areas? Why do adults in India disengage from sports, and how can we create a culture of lifelong sports participation? What cultural and policy changes are needed to encourage more women and girls to engage in sports? Speaker - Leslie Xavier, Senior Fellow (Sports Policies), Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), and a seasoned Sports Journalist Moderator - Dr. D Dhanuraj, Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) Tune in for an insightful conversation about reshaping India’s sports culture beyond the pursuit of medals.

Kerala has a rapidly ageing population, with the proportion of senior citizens (aged 60 and above) projected to reach 22.8% by 2036, significantly higher than the national average of 15%. This demographic shift poses challenges for the state in terms of providing adequate care and support for its elderly population. As Kerala grapples with the challenges of a rapidly ageing population, a comprehensive and multifaceted approach involving the government, civil society, and senior citizen organisations is necessary to ensure the well-being and dignity of its senior citizens. The episode aims to understand the challenges and explore innovative solutions emphasising the importance of a multi-faceted approach to address the increasing ageing population of the state. The episode discusses the increasing ageing population of the state with special focus on Kerala’s senior citizen policy, this will be featured as part of the “health”, “economy”,and “governance and law” research areas of CPPR. Speaker: Chandana Rajashekaran- Research Officer at the Center for Management Development, Trivandrum, leading a team that provides research support for policy development. Moderator: Anu Anna Jo, Senior Research Associate, CPPR. KEY DISCUSSION POINTS Understanding and major learnings with regard to the State’s policy of 2013. Importance of promoting social security net at a very young age. Tackling the twin problem of migration and care economy. Data availability and use of data in framing the policies.

In this episode, we explore the need for decriminalisation, simplification, and digitisation in business regulations. We dissect the implications of the Jan Vishwas Act and proposed amendments and delve into the progress of decriminalisation across the nation, identifying states leading the charge in reform efforts. Join us as we unravel the complexities and envision the future of business regulations. Speaker: Rishi Agrawal, Co-founder & CEO at Teamlease Regtech. Rishi is the co-founder & CEO at Teamlease Regtech. Rishi firmly believes in the power of technology to transform the way Compliance is managed in India. Over the last several years, Rishi has helped over 1,000 companies in India digitally transform their Compliance program. In addition, he has been working closely with different central ministries, think tanks, and industry associations to highlight India's regulatory complexity and make a case for rationalisation, simplification, and digitisation. He is also the co-author of the report “Jailed for Doing Business”.

In the 2023 annual Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), India saw an advancement in its ranking, now positioned at 127 out of 146 countries, marking an improvement of eight places compared to the previous year. However, the report emphasised that India’s attainment of only 36.7% parity in economic participation and opportunity underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing gender disparities, particularly concerning women’s access to economic opportunities. The involvement of women in the workforce serves as a significant gauge of a country’s economic advancement. Recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data indicates a positive trend in female labour force participation rates in recent years. Nevertheless, concerns arise regarding the quality of employment opportunities and the persistence of wage disparities. In this context, Yamini Atmavilas, President of Strategy, Data & Applied Research at The Udaiti Foundation, joins Anu Maria Francis, Senior Associate – Research & Project Management at CPPR, in this podcast and explores the recent trends in India’s female labour force participation. Key Discussion Points 1) Changes in the methodology or sampling framework in the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO) of MoSPI, which replaced the nationwide Employment and Unemployment (E&U) surveys in 2017-18, and the effect of such changes. 2) Changes in the concept of labour in light of the significant change in women’s workforce distribution in recent years, with self-employment increasing by 10 percentage points between 2017-18 and 2021-22. 3) The trend of increasing labour force participation among rural women as compared to urban women. 4) Major policy changes that are required to improve the FLFPR to a 50 percent level.

Generative AI is projected to increase annual global GDP to the amount of trillions if implemented properly, according to analysts. What is India’s stake in this new global phenomenon? In today's podcast, we look at generative AI and LLMs, the issues they pose, the effect they have on Indian society and industry, and how we can look forward to regulating AI while allowing it to grow and provide value to the greatest extent.  Our guest, Nidhi Singh, is a Programme Officer, with CCG Delhi. She is an expert in AI, privacy, internet governance, and emerging technologies. She is hosted by Varsha Radhakrishnan, a Fellow at the Centre for Public Policy Research. Varsha is an expert in emerging technologies and AI, having industrial expertise in this sector.  The training data used in AI is heavily open sourced, and based on data from the open internet. This poses problems both in terms of the accuracy of the data as well as privacy, as the data scraped off might not be consented to by parties. There is a lot of interest in India to build LLMs that are usable for citizens. Language poses an issue, as there may not be a vast tract of trainable data in particular languages. There is a global north-south divide in the implementation of these technologies, as many new technologies are being created in the global north and implemented in the global south, leading to a large number of problems. While it is true that policy catches up slower to new technologies, it is important to remember that the problems caused by the implementation and usage of these technologies are fundamental issues of access, equality, and privacy and can be looked at from a constitutional lens. Key Takeaways:

In this podcast, we will be diving into the topic 'Decriminalisation of business laws in the state of Kerala'. Kerala, with a Gross State Domestic Product of 7.8 lakh crore, has shown promising growth potential. However, it currently ranks 15th in the Ease of Doing Business ranking within the country, indicating room for improvement in terms of business friendliness. Establishing a favorable legal environment is crucial for enhancing the ease of doing business. The presence of numerous laws governing business activities prompts us to question whether these laws facilitate or hinder the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this podcast, we will be exploring the impact of these laws and their potential to encourage or deter investment in Kerala.Our podcast will be building upon the ongoing CPPR study on the decriminalization of business laws in Kerala. Join us as former IAS Officer T Nandakumar delves into the complexities of the business environment in Kerala and focuses on the decriminalization of business laws.Speaker: T Nandkumar IAS(retd)Adviser to IFPRI and WRI (Washington)Moderator: Anu Anna JoSenior Associate, Research, CPPR Key Takeaways: 1. In many business laws minor offenses are criminalised. In the modern-day business environment, it is regressive and restrictive.  2. Decriminalisation does not mean that it removes violations, it means that any violation which is civil in nature should be punished accordingly.  3. Kerala needs to critically look into what it wants to do with its investments and then make the laws and procedures simple for investors. 4. Kerala's growth will come from the large number of small and medium enterprises which probably can be plugged in to the global market. 5. Laws that have historical baggage can be substantially reduced by repealing them.

To achieve the sustainability goals of the transport sector, it is necessary to promote the use of NMT. In this podcast, Mr Shrinivas Deshmukh, Co-founder & Director, Urban Research Foundation, talks about policy-level and implementation-level challenges in the integration of NMT with the public transport sector. Non-motorised transport systems have been proposed to be seamlessly integrated with public transport networks, serving as last-mile connectors, but the integration poses significant challenges. The development of NMT infrastructure should be closely aligned with pedestrian safety measures, prioritising the creation of an inclusive environment that caters to the needs of differently abled individuals and other vulnerable groups. The predominant components of NMT, encompassing walking, cycling, and rickshaws, represent environmentally friendly modes of transportation that could substantially contribute to reducing carbon footprints and achieving zero emissions. Although cities and states have initiated formulation for policies to promote non-motorised forms of transport, the ground level implementation is still challenging. Street designs have the potential to be the brand style of cities, attracting more people to use street facilities. A real time analysis of the NMT feasibility is required to ensure people switch to NMT, thereby ensuring decarbonisation in the transport sector.The podcast would look into: The need for incentivising plans for opting for NMT modes of transport. The need to come up with city-specific street designs to facilitate NMT Ways to ensure accessible and inclusive planning for NMT Infrastructure Impact of integration of NMT into the public transport system. Policy level challenges in implementing NMT in cities

In this episode of Policy Beyond Politics, we delve into the Indian Space Policy and its implications for the booming space relations between India and the US. With India aiming to increase its share of the global space economy to more than 10% by 2030, we explore the recent milestones in the Indian space sector, including the successful launch of India's first private rocket. We also discuss the joint statement between India and the US, which highlights their intention to enhance Indo-US space relations and engage their commercial space sectors. Furthermore, we examine the initiatives and agreements signed between the two countries, such as the iCET agreement and the Space Situational Awareness Arrangement, as well as the plans for collaboration between NASA and ISRO. Tune in to understand the nuances of the Indian Space Policy and how it will support the growth and aspirations of the Indian space sector, particularly the private sector. In this episode of Policy Beyond Politics,  we have with us Dr. Ranjana Kaul. Ranjana Kaul is a partner at Dua Associates, a leading law firm in New Delhi, India, with specialization in the UN international space law treaty regimes and international air law treaty regimes.

The involvement and participation of citizens and stakeholders in the sustainable urban mobility planning process is necessary in order to obtain public legitimacy and create a plan that satisfies the mobility needs of people. With the adoption of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), citizen participation methods have started to shift more towards online environments. Planning for a public transport system should revolve around a basic question of who constitutes the public - i.e. whom are we planning the transport system for? When planning is prepared only by keeping certain sections of the society, it does not really serve the purpose of public transportation. The participation process must be envisaged as a continuous process – building on consistent methods, tools, and groups of stakeholders. It is essential to include different voices from different stakeholders who constitute as ‘public’ in the planning process. Participation processes might need risk assessment and management to adapt their strategy to exceptional, unforeseen circumstances. Representation across different caste,class, gender and other sections like people with disability, old-age people,etc of the society helps to impart different perspectives into planning. This participatory approach helps to include the social system and factors impacting public transportation in process.  KEY DISCUSSION POINTS The key discussion points for the Podcast are as follows: Why do we need a participatory approach when we talk of public transport planning? How do we ensure different target groups form a part of planning?  How can planning be done differently in a low resource/ high recourse setting?  the diverse tools available that could be implemented in both settings. - e-tools that can be used. Since planning needs constant updating, how do we incorporate changing needs of different sections in the process ?  Data becomes a key indicator in the decision making process. How do we ensure to represent various nature of data in the decision making process? How does Inclusive planning help in envisioning changes in society regarding the public transport system ?   With your experience working in western countries, what are the challenges you feel that India faces in this regard of participatory planning?

The momentous NATO Summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania this year also known as the summit for implementation, resulted in a comprehensive 90-point joint communiqué. With a wealth of significant announcements, it is essential to analyze the major achievements as well as the unfulfilled promises of the Vilnius Summit, especially as NATO approaches its 75th anniversary in 2024. This podcast episode features Mr Sean Monaghan, Visiting Fellow, Centre for Strategic and International Studies and Ms Neelima A, Associate Research, CPPR, discussing the significance of the summit.

Contracts are an essential tool for any Public Transport Authority. Countries across the globe have incorporated the private contractors into the Public Transport Ecosystem. However, contracting and tendering processes come with possible challenges and implications. In this podcast, Ms Stéphanie, Mobility and Urban Planning Consultant Ubiquity Consulting, Madrid, Spain and Lizbeth Jibi Godwin, Associate, Research at CPPR discuss the contracting and tendering in the public transport sector. The podcast delves into market regimes when it comes to contracting and the different aspects of contracting.

India hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2023 virtually on the 4th of July, 2023, which brought together leaders from member countries such as China, Pakistan, Russia, and more. The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss key issues related to regional security, economic connectivity, and trade. India's hosting of the 2023 SCO Summit marks a significant milestone for the country. India's strategic interests within the SCO lie in promoting regional connectivity, particularly with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and it has been working towards enhancing connectivity between the CARs and the greater Eurasian region. Join us as we delve into the significance of the summit and the future of SCO in regional security and prosperity. Panelists: Prof Alexander Cooley Claire Tow Professor of Political Science, Columbia University and Academy Adjunct Faculty at Chatham House.  Anisree Suresh Associate Research, CPPR

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a four-day official trip to the United States on 23 June 2023. Apart from receiving an elaborate welcome ceremony and attending a state dinner, Modi was also granted the opportunity to deliver a speech to Congress for the second time during his tenure as Prime Minister. These significant occasions aimed to demonstrate the mutual dedication of both nations to fostering peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, while also symbolizing the United States' recognition of India as a crucial ally. The Podcast discusses the key takeaways of the official meeting and the benefits for India and the US. Panelists: Mr Raymond Vickery Jr, Senior Associate, Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies, Centre for Strategic and International Studies Ms Neelima A,  Associate Research, CPPR

In today's fast-paced world of technological progress, Education Technology (EdTech) has gained widespread acceptance and holds immense potential for revolutionising both learning and teaching experiences. To explore how the school education system and teacher training programs can effectively utilise EdTech by identifying the challenges and experiences of educators, teachers, and parents, the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) conducted a comprehensive study titled, "Education Technology: Examining Experiences, Challenges, and Future Directions." In this podcast Anu Anna Jo, Senior Associate, Research, CPPR, and Ashna Rahim, Research Intern, CPPR are in conversation with Dr Shakila T Shamsu, Advisor (Special) Education Policies, CPPR. The primary objective of this podcast is to build upon the findings of the CPPR study and have in-depth discussions and thought-provoking conversations on the adoption, challenges, and future of EdTech. The Podcast discusses the Pace of EdTech Adoption in the Post-COVID Period, Policies and Governance in EdTech, and the Experiences and Challenges of EdTech.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been re-elected and sworn in as the president of Turkey for the third time with a vote share of 52.14% against 47.86 % by Mr Kemal Kilicdaroglu. This extends President Erdogan’s 20-year regime up until 2028, into his third decade in power. High hopes were placed on the opposition leader Mr Kilichdarolu who had the potential to unify various political factions in an effort to unseat President Erdogan. This Podcast aims to explore the factors that have enabled Erdogan to maintain his position of power, while also examining the worldwide consequences that arise in relation to his third decade in office.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed." Let's make a pledge to a greener future with clean mobility. As we mark World Environment Day, it's time to shift towards cleaner energy in mobility. Did you know that in India, transportation is responsible for 14% of all emissions, with road transport accounting for 90% of it? Our podcast delves into various facets of clean mobility and the transition to it, including crucial policy implications. Listen to this insightful conversation between Dr Gaurav Bhatiani and Lizbeth Godwin and explore how we can build a sustainable future.

This is the episode 46 of #PolicyBeyondPolitics podcast on 'Smart Ports and Maritime Economy'. In this episode, Shilpa S, Associate -Research, CPPR is in conversation with Dr R P Pradhan, Professor, BITS Pilani, Goa. The International Seaport sector is gearing up with dynamic developments and concepts like Ocean Sustainability and Blue Economy is gaining increased relevance, with many countries adopting the Blue Economy framework. Along with these, there is a rising focus on Smart Port, Green Shipping & Net Zero targets in the backdrop of climate change events. The podcast discusses these emerging trends and changes in the maritime sector with a focus on the various aspects of smart port technologies driving changes in the contemporary port scenario.

This episode is a continuation of Decoding the Polls episode recorded in April before the Karnataka elections dawned. The election has been called a celebration of the festival of democracy. The podcast discusses the Karnataka election results and its implication on the state, the two national parties, and the fall of the JDS party. It further discusses the changes in voting patterns and the caste equations. A pivotal focus of the episode lies in the critical examination of the election campaigns conducted by both the state and the parties involved. Our esteemed guest, Prof G Gopakumar will bring attention to these key elements of the Karnataka State Election 2023.

Kochi's public transportation received a new boost with the introduction of the water Metro. The water metro aims for the development of an integrated water transport system for the city of Kochi. Can the Water Metro solve Kochi's mobility problems? The podcast discusses Kochi's public transportation and its challenges with a focus on the recently launched water Metro.

India and Japan have a long history of friendship and partnership of 1400 years and they continued to be the beneficiaries of partnership from the ancient alliance bolstered by the ideals of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of the law. The podcast delves into crucial questions around geopolitical, geostrategic, and economic importance with respect to the India-Japan-Indo-Pacific nexus. In this podcast, Ms Anisree Suresh, Research Associate at CPPR, is in conversation with Prof M D Nalapat, Director of Geopolitics and International Relations and UNESCO Peace Chair, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE).