On India’s 79th Independence Day, we spotlight stories often left out of the mainstream narrative — ones that reveal how the vision for a new India was never uniform. From young Indians in Britain rallying against colonial rule, to fierce debates over caste and representation, to the struggles of French and Portuguese territories that remained under foreign control long after 1947. These are stories of competing ideals, unfinished battles, and the diverse paths different regions and communities took toward independence, reminding us that liberation meant different things to different people.

Guest: Professor Arup K. Chatterjee (OP Jindal Global University), The Indian Express' Nikita Mohta and Adrija Roychowdhury.

Hosted, written and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Mobile Creches since 1969, has been working to ensure that children of migrant and construction workers receive the care, nutrition, and early learning they need in order to thrive. They have worked to create an environment that promotes women empowerment, family wellbeing, healthy children and inclusive national growth.

In the fifth and final episode of our series in association with Mobile Creches, Niharika Nanda is in conversation with Chavi Vohra, Executive Director, Mobile Creches, Pradeep Kumar, Founder Secretary, Nipun, a NGO partner for Mobile Creches and Maimul Ansari, a creche worker. The conversation will explore Mobile Creches' work in the tribal regions of India, and how quality care can give children the agency to grow into adults who will prove to be strong pillars for a Viksit Bharat.

Hosted and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Links to the previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

First, we talk to The Indian Express’ Alind Chauhan about Mumbai’s decision to stop pigeon feeding at public Kabutarkhanas and the health risks linked to pigeon droppings, and why the move has sparked resistance from the Jain community and animal rights activists.

Next, we head to Goa, where The Indian Express’ Pavneet Singh Chhada explains the push for legalisation of bull fighting, locally known as dhirio, its cultural roots of this practice, and why enforcement has failed to stop it from continuing in secret. (16:17)

And in the end, we look at a protest in Maharashtra, where members of the Qureshi community have gone on strike over alleged harassment by cow vigilantes. (25:18)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Mallica Joshi and Vineet Bhalla about the Supreme Court's recent order where it has directed municipal authorities to pick up and house all stray dogs in Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region in dedicated shelters, and to do it within just eight weeks.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Mihir Vasavda about the National Sports Governance Act, which was passed by both the houses of the parliament this week. Mihir shares how the act aims to overhaul how various sports federations function and proposes the setting up of a tribunal which will handle a wide range of disputes. (13:12)

Lastly, we talk about another allegation about vote fraud. BJP leader Lahar Singh Siroya has accused Siddaramaiah of purchasing votes to win the Badami constituency in Bagalkot district during the 2018 Karnataka Assembly polls. (23:10)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, The Indian Express’ Shubham Tigga talks about the recent killing of a 60-year-old woman in Jharkhand, allegedly over accusations of witchcraft. 

Next, The Indian Express’ Aishwarya Raj reporting from the ground discusses Uttarkashi where flash floods have left dozens missing and rescue operations face mounting challenges. (10:50)

And in the end, we discuss India’s sharp rebuttal to nuclear threats issued by Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir. (23:50)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Asad Rehman about the allegations levelled by Rahul Gandhi on the Election Commission. He talks about the press conference conducted by the Leader of Opposition last week where he alleged that over a lakh votes were stolen in the Mahadevapura constituency in Bangalore and the EC colluded with the BJP to make this happen. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Sukalp Sharma about the fact that even though the US has threatened to impose extra 25% tariffs on India as we continue to import Russian oil, it was actually the US itself which played a major role in India ramping up its oil imports from Russia. (19:13)

Lastly, we talk about the CBSE introducing open textbook assessment after a pilot study for class 9, from the next academic session. (30:56)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Ravi Dutta Misra about US President Donald Trump announcing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total up to 50%, in response to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil during the Ukraine war. Ravi shares what this means for the Indian economy and India US ties.

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Amrita Nayak Dutta about the Indian Army's plan to integrate Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or UAVs more commonly known as drones to their standard weapon system. This development gained momentum after Operation Sindoor and Amrita shares what significance it holds. (10:49)

Lastly, we talk about the Jammu and Kashmir government banning the publication of 25 books that have been written about Kashmir. (18:20)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Mobile Creches in addition to setting up creches in urban areas, also works in the rural belts of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh to ensure the children in these belts have access to creches which is the first step towards a brighter future- for the child, the family and the country as a whole.

In the fourth episode of our five part series in association with Mobile Creches, Niharika Nanda is in conversation with Chirashree Ghosh, Executive Director, Policy and Partnerships, Mobile Creches and community engagement expert Mukesh Kumar. We will discuss why policy support is essential for Early Childhood Development and the role that is played by grassroot governance structures like Panchayats.

Hosted and produced by Niharika Nanda
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar


Links to the previous episodes in the series:

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Firstly, The Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha explains the flash floods in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi, where heavy debris flow has destroyed parts of Dharali village.

Next, The Indian Express’ Maulshree Seth talks about Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh where a revival of a long-forgotten river tells us how a district-led effort has brought the Noon River back to life. (10:08)

And in the end, we look at how two officials, a Cabinet Minister and a police sub-inspector, have gone viral amid flood-like conditions in several parts of UP. (23:08)

Hosted by Ichha Sharma
Produced and written by Shasahnk Bhargava and Ichha Sharma
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

First, we talk to The Indian Express' Vikas Pathak about Shibu Soren, a political figure who played a key role in Jharkhand achieving its statehood. Soren passed away this Monday and Vikas shares about his journey, the ups and downs and the legacy that he leaves behind. 

Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Aishwarya Raj about a new measure that is being adopted by hotels, guest houses and homestays in Mussoorie in order to keep a check on the issue of overcrowding that the Himalayan tourist destination has been facing for many years now. (16:40)

Lastly, we talk about US President Donald Trump threatening to“very substantially” raise tariffs on imports from India within the next 24 hours, citing New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. (27:13)

Hosted by Niharika Nanda
Produced and written by Niharika Nanda, Ichha Sharma and Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express.

Last Thursday, a special court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, including former BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit. The court said that the prosecution had failed to present cogent and reliable evidence, and had not been able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. And it also noted that there was a “strong suspicion” about the accused and their role in the blast, but that suspicion cannot be a substitute for “legal proof.”

Today on the show, The Indian Express’ Sadaf Modak and Apurva Vishwanath join us to break down the verdict, the procedural lapses, and what this case reveals about the handling of long-running terror trials in India.

Hosted and produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express