Podcast
In Focus by The Hindu
Hosted by The Hindu · EN
A podcast from The Hindu that delves deep into current developments with subject experts, and brings in context, history, perspective and analysis.
139episodes
Episodes
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Foreign Portfolio exodus: What does it mean for domestic investors?
Jun 1000:26:59Tap to summarizeForeign portfolio investors have taken out more than ₹2.6 lakh crore from Indian equities since January 2026. Aggregate foreign ownership in Indian stocks has fallen to 14.7% -- which is a 14-year low. But domestic investors have pumped in around ₹4.5 lakh crore in the same period – the main reason why the markets haven’t collapsed due to the FPI withdrawals. What is driving the record foreign portfolio outflows? What does it mean for domestic investors – should they be worried? What should a domestic investor do in the light of this trend? Guest: Ashish Gupta, investment analyst, formerly Chief Investment Officer at Axis Mutual Fund. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer and editor: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Falling fertility rate: Is India in danger of missing its demographic dividend?
Jun 900:44:10Tap to summarizeIndia is going through a demographic transition. The proportion of its working age population is increasing, which means India has a great window of opportunity to boost economic growth – which is also known as the demographic dividend. But without good governance and the right policies, India could miss this narrowing window. In this episode, we unpack one question that could well determine India’s economic future: Can we make our demographic dividend count, or will we, as a nation, grow old before we grow rich? Joining us today is well-known demographer Dr Apoorva Jadhav, who is a Non-resident Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Senior Fellow at the Population Reference Bureau, Washington, DC. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Making history at Norway Chess: When Pragg beat Carlsen twice in his own backyard
Jun 800:21:23Tap to summarizeR. Praggnanandhaa scripted one of the finest victories of his young career by becoming the first Indian to win Norway Chess, one of the world’s most prestigious classical tournaments. The 20-year-old fought back from near the bottom of the standings midway through the event, won four games in a row, and beat Magnus Carlsen twice on his way to the title in the Norwegian great’s own backyard. What makes Norway Chess different from other elite tournaments? How significant is this triumph for Praggnanandhaa? And how should we view Carlsen’s poor showing in light of his recent performances? In this episode of In Focus, we also discuss the unique Armageddon format, the tournament’s famous confessional booth, and the atmosphere surrounding one of the most innovative events on the global chess calendar. Guest: C. Shyam Sundar, Senior Assistant Editor, Sports Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Malviya Nagar hotel fire tragedy: Behind Delhi’s endemic failure to enforce safety norms
Jun 600:40:02Tap to summarizeOn Wednesday, 21 people were killed in a massive fire at a south Delhi hotel. And the next day, five people perished in another fire in the ICU of a hospital in Bihar. Such incidents are becoming too frequent in India. The Delhi fire, in particular, has exposed huge gaps in the enforcement of basic fire safety and building norms. The Delhi government has now ordered all such commercial establishments in the area to be sealed, and it is reworking the law that governs Bed and Breakfast establishments. But is this too little too late? Is it enough to prevent such tragedies in the future? This accident raises many troubling questions, and joining us today are two reporters who were on the ground covering this tragedy for The Hindu, Shrimansi Kaushik and Suruchi Kumari. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Recorded by: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →India-Africa Summit and the lost decade: Can New Delhi catch up?
Jun 500:44:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of In Focus, we speak with former diplomat Gurjit Singh about the evolution of India–Africa relations, China’s expanding footprint across the continent, India’s development partnership model, the role of the Indian diaspora in East Africa, and whether New Delhi has done enough to keep pace with Africa’s growing geopolitical and economic importance. A wide-ranging conversation on diplomacy, strategy, and the future of the Global South. Why was the 4th India–Africa Forum Summit postponed, and what does the decade-long gap since the last summit reveal about India’s engagement with Africa? Guest: Gurjit Singh, Former Ambassador of India to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia & the African Union Host: Aniket Singh Chauhan Producer: Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →What you need to know about the Ebola outbreak
Jun 400:21:49Tap to summarizeIf it’s not one infectious disease, then it’s another. This month, the world was rocked with reports of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. On May 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ (PHEIC). So far, there have been 344 confirmed Ebola cases including 60 deaths in DRC, and 15 confirmed cases including one death in neighbouring Uganda. This time around, the outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. What is Ebola and why is there a high degree of concern about it? Do we have vaccines to treat Ebola? How concerned should India be, and what do we need to know as individuals? Guest: Dr. George M. Varghese, professor, infectious diseases, Christian Medical College, Vellore Host: Zubeda Hamid Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Making sense of TVK's victory: What does Vijay's win mean for Tamil Nadu's politics? | Part 2
Jun 301:06:53Tap to summarizeIn part two of this two-part interview, Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor with The Hindu, discusses with V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher, the campaign strategies used by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the dominance of social media and campaign planners and the tendency to ridicule the supporters of Vijay as illiterates. She also talks about the implications of TVK's victory for the future of Tamil Nadu's politics, the "Dravidian consensus" and the unaddressed concerns of the Dalits in Tamil Nadu. Host: Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor, The Hindu Guest: V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Making sense of TVK's victory: Why and how did Vijay win? | Part 1
Jun 200:59:49Tap to summarizeIn part one of this two-part interview, Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor with The Hindu, asks V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher, about her reading of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's victory in the 2026 Assembly election that stunned many. She shares her thoughts on how Vijay's win represents a "contingent moment", the shortcomings of the DMK and the AIADMK, the shrewdness of the TVK's campaign and other factors that played a role in this electoral outcome. Host: Pon Vasanth B.A., senior assistant editor, The Hindu Guest: V. Geetha, feminist historian, translator and publisher Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →IPL 2026 review: What defined a season of records, runs and repeat champions?
May 3100:30:18Tap to summarizeThe 2026 Indian Premier League season ended with Royal Challengers Bengaluru becoming only the third team in tournament history to successfully defend their title, with a dominant victory over Gujarat Titans in the final.But beyond RCB's emergence as the league's newest powerhouse, the season also sparked debates about the balance between bat and ball, the diminishing impact of spin on increasingly flat pitches, and the growing challenge of keeping contests competitive in a high-scoring era. At the same time, teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi emerged as the breakout star of the tournament, while veterans Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar showed their enduring value on the biggest stage. In this episode of In Focus, we discuss the biggest talking points of the 2026 IPL season. Guest: Amol Karhadkar, deputy editor, sports Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →If you are a trauma survivor, what does it take to heal?
May 3000:42:10Tap to summarizeDo you have frequent panic attacks? Are there behaviour patterns that you know you need to change but you can’t? Is your day to day life ruled by fear? Then it’s possible – though not a certainty – that you’re displaying symptoms of trauma. According to govt estimates, more than 15 crore live with a mental health condition, and four out of five receive no treatment. Trauma, in particular, is a silent epidemic in India. What is trauma? How does it impact life and relationships? And what are the pathways to healing? A new book, titled ‘Trauma Nation: Fighting India’s Silent Epidemic’ explores all these questions. It also includes detailed – and inspiring -- case studies of trauma survivors. We speak with the author of ‘Trauma Nation’, Nishtha Lamba, Associate Professor of Psychology at Middlesex University, Dubai. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Producer: Shiksha Jural Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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