The Expressions Podcast

Where does our waste go, and who keeps our cities clean?In this episode of Expressions by The New Indian Express, we speak with Nalini Shekar, co-founder of Hasiru Dala, about her work with waste pickers and their contribution to Bengaluru’s waste management and recycling system.Nalini discusses how waste pickers help the city save an estimated ₹84 crore annually in waste collection and transportation costs, their fight for dignity and official identity cards, and how their work has influenced waste management policies.She also shares her decade-long experience working with survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in the US, her return to India, and how zero-waste Indian weddings can create employment opportunities.Watch the full episode to understand the people behind our recycling system and the future of sustainable waste management.Guest: Nalini Shekar | Co-founder, Hasiru Dala#NaliniShekar #HasiruDala #Recycling #ZeroWaste #Bengaluru #Expressions #TheNewIndianExpress #WasteManagement #WastePickers #Sustainability

What happens when an artist steps out of the studio and into the land?And can art help us understand what we consume, how we live and what we are losing?In this episode of Expressions, sculptor and installation artist Arun Kumar HG talks about his journey from urban art to working closely with agriculture, ecology and the Western Ghats.Arun discusses why he calls himself a “student of the environment” rather than an environmentalist, how he moved away from studio-based practice, and how restoring a barren patch of family land led to the creation of SARA Centre.The conversation also explores his use of waste and discarded materials in art, including plastic and discarded pizza boxes, and why he believes materials should tell their own story.Arun talks about SARA’s work with farmers, artists, teachers and students, the importance of creating cultural and knowledge centres outside cities, and the preservation of traditional rice varieties through its seed bank.He also shares his thoughts on the Western Ghats, biodiversity, development and why people should understand the draft notification before forming an opinion.ABOUT ARUN KUMAR HGArun Kumar H.G. is a sculptor and installation artist and the founder of SARA (Sustainable Alternative for Rural Accord) Centre, a platform bringing together artists, farmers, teachers, students and others to explore ecology, agriculture and sustainable living.#ArunKumarHG #ArunKumar #IndianArt #ContemporaryArt #Sculpture #InstallationArt #ArtAndEcology #WesternGhats #WesternGhatsConservation #Ecology #SustainableLiving #SeedBank #RiceVarieties #Karnataka #Expressions #TheNewIndianExpress

What happens when a senior advocate steps from the courtroom into politics?In this episode of Expressions, A.S. Ponnanna, Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and senior advocate, reflects on his journey from law to public life — and the questions it raises about Karnataka’s judiciary, governance, politics and society.From the challenges facing India’s justice system and why people hesitate to become judges, to the role of competent public institutions and legal advice in political decision-making, Ponnanna offers an insider’s perspective.He also discusses the Governor’s role, politically significant cases including the 2010 Karnataka disqualification case, the Cauvery water dispute and Bengaluru’s dependence on the KRS.The conversation also turns to his roots in Kodagu, Kuppayachale and Talakaveri — and why sacred spaces must be approached with respect, not merely as tourist destinations.🎧 Listen to the full episode of Expressions with A.S. Ponnanna on Spotify.#ASPonnanna #DKShivakumar #KarnatakaPolitics #Karnataka #Expressions #TheNewIndianExpress #Judiciary

Bengaluru has grown rapidly — but what has the city gained, and what has it lost along the way?In this episode of Expressions, Krishna Byre Gowda, Karnataka’s Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development shares about the city’s explosive growth, traffic, changing weather, infrastructure, urbanisation and future.From returning to India after his father’s death to entering public life, Gowda reflects on his journey and the responsibility of serving a city as complex and ambitious as Bengaluru.The conversation explores the cost of Bengaluru’s growth, the environmental and social impact of rapid urbanisation, rising vehicle ownership and why the city continues to attract talent, technology, investment and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).Gowda also shares his perspective on age versus experience in politics, what voters should really look for in a political leader, the importance of intent and sincerity in public life, and why he believes Bengaluru continues to remain ahead of competing cities such as Hyderabad and Chennai.He also opens up about the challenges of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the pressure of governing Bengaluru and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.In this episode:• Krishna Byre Gowda’s journey from Washington to public life• The challenges of governing Bengaluru• Bengaluru’s traffic and infrastructure crisis• What happened to Bengaluru’s famous weather?• The environmental and social cost of rapid urbanisation• Why Bengaluru continues to attract talent and investment• Bengaluru vs Hyderabad and Chennai• Age vs experience in politics• What voters should look for in a leader• The future of Bengaluru and the Greater Bengaluru Authority• Krishna Byre Gowda on his political legacyChapters01:07 – Introduction: Krishna Byre Gowda on Bengaluru01:49 – Why He Returned to India From Washington03:09 – Nobody Is Indispensable04:33 – The Responsibility of Public Office05:55 – When Bengaluru Makes You Run Out of Air06:09 – Bengaluru Is Like a Treadmill07:15 – Is Bengaluru Going to Choke?08:07 – What Keeps Him Going?08:50 – The Challenges of the Greater Bengaluru Authority10:27 – Why He Keeps Trying Every Day11:34 – Six Consecutive Terms & Public Trust13:02 – Does Age Matter in Politics?14:45 – Capacity vs Experience in Politics15:23 – The Importance of Sincerity in Public Life16:48 – Who Took Bengaluru’s Weather From Us?18:50 – How Bengaluru Changed After 199519:25 – Bengaluru’s Exploding Vehicle Population21:11 – Why Bengaluru Still Attracts Everyone22:22 – Bengaluru vs Hyderabad & Chennai22:48 – Why Bengaluru Is Still Winning24:34 – The Race for Talent, Investment & Startups25:19 – What Will His Legacy Be?About the GuestKrishna Byre Gowda is Karnataka’s Minister for Greater Bengaluru Development and a senior Congress politician. He has held several portfolios in the Karnataka government, including Agriculture, Rural Development, Law & Parliamentary Affairs and Revenue. He has represented Karnataka on the GST Council and has served multiple terms as an MLA.Follow Krishna Byre Gowda: Instagram (@krishna_byregowda)Facebook (@krishnabyregowda.official)Youtube Krishna Byre GowdaAbout Expressions is a New Indian Express video series featuring conversations with people shaping society, politics, business, culture and public life.ConnectInstagram: @expressionsbytnieInstagram: @newindianexpressInstagram: @indulgexpressWebsite: newindianexpress.com#krishnabyregowda #bengaluru #expressions #greaterbengaluru #bengalurutraffic #karnataka

Jayana Kothari, Supreme Court litigator and founder of the Centre for Law and Policy Research, joins Expressions for a candid conversation on gender equality, constitutionalrights, disability rights and the power of law to bring social change.With 25 years of litigation, Jayana reflects on representing women, persons with disabilities and transgender communities, and the landmark battles that challenged deeply rooted inequalities. She speaks about arguing that women are not the property of their husbands, the continuing challenges around domestic violence, and the need to remove the marital rape exception.From fighting for reservations in promotions for persons with disabilities to challenging outdated assumptions around gender identity, Jayana shares how her clients and cases have also changed her understanding of equality, justice and her own biases.What to Look For• Jayana Kothari’s 25-year journey as a human rights lawyer• The power of courts and constitutional law to create social change• Her landmark work on gender equality and women’s rights• The continuing challenges around domestic violence• Why verbal, sexual and financial abuse are often overlooked• The debate around restitution of conjugal rights• Her work advocating for transgender rights and gender identity• Fighting for equal opportunities for persons with disabilities• The limitations of fast-track courts in sexual assault cases• Why witness and victim protection are essential to justice• Her call to remove the marital rape exceptionPeople and Organisations Mentioned in the Episode• Indira Jaising: Human rights and feminist lawyer Jayana worked with early in her career• Supreme Court of India: Discussed in relation to landmark constitutional and rights-based cases• Centre for Law and Policy Research: Organisation founded by Jayana Kothari• Karnataka High Court: Discussed in relation to disability rights and government employment• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act: Discussed in relation to employment and promotions• Karnataka Administrative Tribunal: Part of the legal journey in the disability rights case• Section 377: Referenced in the discussion on the decriminalization of homosexuality• Nirbhaya case: Referenced in the discussion on the creation of fast-track courts• Fast-track courts: Discussed in relation to sexual assault and child abuse casesAbout Jayana KothariJayana Kothari is a Supreme Court litigator and the founder of the Centre for Law and Policy Research. She has spent around 25 years working on constitutional law, human rights, gender equality, disability rights and the rights of marginalised communities.Her work has included representing women, persons with disabilities and transgender persons, while taking important questions of equality and access to justice before the courts.Follow Jayana : @kothari.jayna)ABOUT EXPRESSIONSExpressions is a series of thoughtful conversations with the people shaping India’s culture, sport and public life. Honest stories, meaningful insights, and the journeys behind theheadlines.ConnectInstagram: @expressionsbytnieInstagram: @newindianexpressInstagram: @indulgexpressWebsite: newindianexpress.com