Season 2 | Episode 1
In the premiere episode of the second season titled Reaching Communities, Bridging Identities, the podcast - A Tryst with Statecraft ventured into the complexities of policy-making through the experienced lens of Teres Sajeev, a Convergence Consultant with the Government of Tamil Nadu. Hosted by Teresa Kuruvila, this episode unfolded an in-depth exploration of how diverse identities and communities are incorporated into the policy-making landscape.
The dialogue initiated with a critical examination of representation within policy formulation, revealing Teres's insights on the disproportionate representation of certain groups and its ramifications on societal progress. She posited open public involvement as a potential catalyst for more equitable and sustainable growth across the nation.
As the conversation advanced, sustainability and community development emerged as focal points, underscoring the intrinsic link between these aspects and effective policy-making. Teres illuminated the challenges and opportunities in integrating sustainability with policies, especially in India's rural contexts, and proposed ways to achieve balance among economic, social, and environmental objectives while ensuring inclusive community participation and gender parity.
The episode also tackled the engagement of the youth in public policy, spotlighting their heightened interest during periods of media-amplified governmental issues. Teres shared her perspective on the evident detachment among young adults from the policy-making process due to its political connotations and offered encouragement for their active involvement, highlighting the transformative potential awaiting them.
If the discussion allowed, Teres was asked to identify a specific community development policy in need of critical reassessment, providing thoughtful reflections on necessary amendments.
The episode wrapped up with Teres discussing her contribution to a Times of India article that acclaimed Tamil Nadu's strides in gender parity. This segment offered listeners a glimpse into her research and the significant impact of her work on policy inclusivity and women's empowerment.
"Reaching Communities, Bridging Identities" served as a compelling narrative, blending Teres Sajeev's professional journey and insightful analyses with the series' overarching theme of examining public policy and development through the voices of young professionals in India.