The Intelligence from The Economist The Intelligence: Split bill
Feb 14, 2024
Adam O'Neill, Washington correspondent, delves into the recently passed $95 billion foreign aid bill in the US Senate. He highlights divisions within Congress and the uncertain fate of the bill in the House. Meanwhile, Lina Shipper, South Asia Bureau Chief, tackles the growing dilemma of stray cows in India, discussing their economic and cultural implications. She suggests that a new census could help address the issue. The conversation also touches on changing trends for Valentine's Day, emphasizing a shift towards intimate home celebrations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Stray Cows on the Motorway
- Lina Shipper encountered a herd of cows on a new motorway in India.
- Stray cows are a common problem, often eating rubbish and causing accidents.
India's Stray Cow Problem
- An estimated 5 million stray cows roamed India in 2019, worsened by the Hindu taboo on cow slaughter and BJP policies.
- Anti-slaughter laws restrict options for farmers, contributing to the problem.
Cow Vigilantism
- Cow veneration and the slaughter taboo fuel Hindu nationalist ideology and attacks on traders, especially Muslims.
- These “cow vigilante” groups often operate with impunity, even alongside police.