In Focus by The Hindu

Most of us would remember the sudden shortage of semiconductor chips during the pandemic – how it affected automobile manufacturing, delaying deliveries, and in many cases, even caused manufacturers to deliver cars without some features. But semiconductors form an integral component of not just cars but almost any high tech device we use today – from smartphones and laptops to televisions, satellites and, of course, all kinds of advanced military hardware.As nations jockey for geopolitical dominance, in addition to traditional factors such as military capabilities and economic power, technological prowess has become another, and perhaps most critical factor. Control over the manufacture and availability of the most advanced semiconductors is a key element of geopolitical security and strategic autonomy.And yet, geopolitics and semiconductor supply chains have mostly figured in separate debates. A new book, titled ‘When the Chips are Down’, by Pranay Lotasthane and Abhiram Manchi brings the two parallel discourses together, and also presents a framework for understanding where India fits into the picture.We speak with the authors Pranay Kotasthane and Abhiram Manchi.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) released a set of guidelines last month for the Central and State governments to tackle the problem of Child Sexual Abuse Material or CSAM on the internet. Over the past few years, there has been a colossal increase in the availability of CSAM online. In its 2023 report, WeProtect Global Alliance, which consists of governments, companies and charities working together for digital safety, said there was an 87% increase in such cases since 2019. What is the situation like in India? The NHRC says, that according to the Cyber Tipline 2022 statistics, of the 32 million reports received about child sexual abuse material, 5.6 million reports were uploaded by perpetrators based in India.Recently, the United Kingdom passed a stringent online safety bill that introduces a number of obligations on how large tech firms must design, operate and moderate their platforms. Other countries too are contemplating or have already put in place such measures.What are the vulnerabilities children in our country face, when they go online with their devices? How does child sexual abuse material online lead to offline consequences? Where does India stand when it comes to regulating and making the digital space safe for children? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we keep hearing everyday, artificial Intelligence is on the verge of fundamentally changing the way human beings live and work. There are also many fears about the dangers posed by AI – which range from mass disinformation and privacy risks, to extinction of the human race itself.Amid this debate over how to regulate AI so that we are able to benefit from it while keeping it safe, governments around the world have been coming up with proposals for AI governance. The latest is the Biden administration’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.What are the concerns shaping these preliminary moves toward AI regulation? Are there any fundamental principles that an AI regulatory regime needs to address? What are the potential conflicts – say, between the interests of AI researchers and ordinary citizens --- when framing such laws? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The podcast discusses the issue of personal health data security in India, including recent cyber attacks on government research bodies and hospitals. It explores the vulnerability of healthcare organizations and the impact on patient care. The podcast also addresses the shortcomings of the Data Protection Act in protecting health data, concerns about consent and obligations in digital health programs, and the importance of ethical and secure digital systems.

A study in India reveals a link between air pollution and type 2 diabetes, with higher rates in urban areas. Particulate matter 2.5 disrupts insulin secretion and action. Air pollution in India poses risks like diabetes, stunted growth, and respiratory diseases. Urgent measures are needed. Clean air should be considered a serious health hazard. Wearing masks and reducing pollution have potential benefits.

This podcast explores the case of eight Indian navy veterans sentenced to death in Qatar on charges of spying for Israel. It discusses the confusion and speculation surrounding the charges, Qatar's mediation efforts, bilateral relations with Qatar and the chances of India bringing back the navy men on death row.

This year’s Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Prof Claudia Goldin for having advanced our understanding of women’s labour market outcomes. Prof Goldin’s work has looked at women’s participation in the labour force, changes across decades and the gender gap in earnings that continues to exist even today. In fact, the 2023 Global Gender Gap report pegged the gap score at 68.4%, and said it would take 131 years to equalise earnings between men and women at the current rate of progress. But how does India fare in all of this? A State of Working India 2023 report, brought out by the Azim Premji University reveals that some of Prof Goldin’s findings about women in the workforce may apply in India as well. The double burden of household work and a job continues to affect women, gender norms play a significant role and the Covid-19 pandemic had a massive impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maldives has elected a new President, Mohamed Muizzu from the Progressive Party of Maldives. In the elections that concluded in September, he defeated the incumbent, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party.The elections were also viewed by many as a referendum on the country’s foreign policy. While Solih was perceived as pro-India, Muizzu is seen as pro-China. One of the main election promises made by Muizzu was to end any Indian military presence on Maldivian territory. Muizzu is set to formally take office on November 17.What prompted Muizzu to build his poll campaign around opposition to Indian military presence in Maldives? Will Maldives foreign policy now take a pro-China tilt? And for India, what are the strategic implications of Solih’s exit from power? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Upcoming assembly elections in five states in India are seen as a prelude to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP and Congress face off in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Uncertainty looms over chief ministerial candidates. Raman Singh's involvement in the BJP's campaign is discussed. Telangana and Mizoram's political scenarios are examined. Analysis of narrative building advantages and election results assessment. Modi's role in the assembly elections and its impact on India Alliance is explored.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said earlier this month that India will leave no stone unturned in its bid to host the 2036 Olympics. While India has hosted major multi-nation, multi-discipline sports events --- the Commonwealth Games of 2010 and the Asian Games of 1982 come to mind – the Olympics is of an altogether different order of magnitude.Several questions pop up as India aspires to host the Olympics. How does the bidding process work? What are the costs likely to be? Can India afford it? And what is the scale of infrastructure that India would have to create in order to be able to pull it off?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices