All Things Policy

Energy access can greatly impact healthcare, education, and quality of life. What seen or unseen policy issues exist at the interplay between energy and development? Join Akansha Saklani and Satya Sahu as they discuss the critical role energy access plays in fostering the development of rural and underserved communities worldwide.

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 3.42 lakh people are still missing and untraced in India as of 2021. A vast majority of missing persons are women. In this episode of Police Chowki, Javeed Ahmad (ex-IPS and DGP of Uttar Pradesh) speaks to Shrikrishna Upadhyaya on the various reasons behind missing persons, kidnapping and abduction, human trafficking, enforced disappearances, and the urban-rural divide in terms of people going missing. Readings: Where do most people go missing in India? Bengal & MP. Kerala best in tracing them, Punjab worst NCRB Report on Missing Women and Children Confessions of a killer policeman | India | The Guardian

In this episode, Amit Kumar talks to Anushka Saxena about some elements of India's cybersecurity policy and priorities, including the nature of the threat the country faces, its domestic policy imperatives, and its engagement with the multilateral fora on the issue of responsible cyber behaviour.

In the episode of All Things Policy, Shambhavi Naik and Saurabh Todi discuss the recent news from China where scientists have successfully restored hearing in kids born deaf. They discuss the consequences of this achievement and the ethics of gene therapies.

Deep technologies involve scientific and technological advancements that serve as the foundation for innovative products or services. In this episode of All Things Policy, Vishnu Rajeev, investment principal of VC firm Speciale Invest, talks about the deep tech industry and why he's so excited about its future in India. Bharath Reddy and Satya Sahu from Takshashila join him in the conversation.

The UPI has come as a boon to Indian consumers making receiving and paying money easy at every level. But how does this interface fare with visitors from other countries? What can India do to make it easier for visitors? Suman Joshi talks to Josiah W Neal about his experiences in India. Reading: UPI: The world needs India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, but can’t see the benefit

Kingshuk Saha discusses with Aditya Ramanathan and Bharat Sharma the Israel-Hamas crisis that has engulfed the Middle East. They talk about how it affects India’s interests and its response to the emerging challenge. (As it is a developing event, please note that the podcast was recorded on October 20, 2023)

Gowthami Saraf shares her experience of homeschooling, discussing the benefits and challenges. The podcast explores government policies, markets, and society's role in supporting homeschooling. Topics include the need for change in the education system, government support for homeschooling, child mental health programs, and structure of NIOs exams. It also discusses support systems for homeschooling parents and improving homeschooling by offering evening classes and developing EQ skills.

Police raids are search and seizure operations conducted by the police for investigation and evidence collection. They often become media spectacles or are used as intimidatory tactics. Police raids have severe consequences for individual freedoms and privacy. In this episode of Police Chokwi, Javeed Ahmad (former IPS and DGP of Uttar Pradesh) speaks to Shrikrishna Upadhyaya on the use of raids by police, the procedural safeguards available to individuals and the legal gray area around digital evidence from devices like smartphones and laptops.

Using high-resolution satellite images. Dr. Nithiyanandam, Head of Geospatial Research Programme at the Takshashila Institution, analysed three operational dual-purpose airports and two airbases under construction in Central Tibet, namely, Shigatse Peace Airport, Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Nyinghchi Manling Airbase, Shigtase Tingri Airbase, and Damxung Airbase. According to him, “China's rapid construction pace and utilization of cutting-edge technology indicate its commitment to maintaining a long-term presence in the region”, located very close to the Indian borders. In this episode, Shrikrishna Upadhyaya quizzes Nithiyanandam on China’s PLA Air Force’s capabilities in the region, construction of underground facilities, strategic location of the airbases, and lessons for India. Reading: Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin: Rapid Military Infrastructure Expansion in Tibet: A Satellite Imagery Analysis Join OpenTakshashila, an initiative by the Takshashila Institution, to creat a global and open community with a strong and unwavering commitment towards meaningful and thoughtful policy discussions.