In this episode, journalist Namita Bhandare, researcher Sharon Buteau, and author and economist Shrayana Bhattacharya, delve into the data on female labour force participation, revealing the truth about Indian women’s engagement in paid work. Host: Saloni Meghani Produced and edited by: Sneha Philip, Smarinita Shetty, Shreya Adhikari, and Halima Ansari IDR is an online journal that publishes cutting-edge ideas, lessons and insights, written by, and for the people working on some of India’s...

In this episode, Gayathri Vasudevan (Chief Impact Officer, Sambhav Foundation and Chairperson, LabourNet Services India), and feminist and queer activist Manak Matiyani discuss how gender norms and masculinities shape women's access to the workforce. Host: Smarinita Shetty Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Shreya Adhikari, and Halima Ansari IDR is an online journal that publishes cutting-edge ideas, lessons and insights, written by, and for the people working on some...

In this special episode, we speak with climate activist Disha Ravi, environmental lawyer Mridula Vijairaghavan, and nonprofit leader Stalin Dayanand. Together, they unpack the dynamics of environmental protests—what works, what doesn't, and whether these movements hold the key to shaping climate action in policy rooms. Host: Shreya Adhikari Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora,  Smarinita Shetty, Shreya Adhikari, Derrek Xavier, and Halima Ansari IDR is an online journal that publishes...

Water conservation is the need of the hour, and it requires both community-led initiatives and increased corporate engagement. In this episode, Shraman Jha, CEO of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, and Padma Shri awardee Uma Shankar Pandey, a jal yoddha or water warrior from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, discuss how communities and businesses can step up their water conservation efforts.   Host: Saloni Meghani Produced and edited by: Saloni Meghani, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and Shreya...

In this special episode, we travel across India's farming landscape with three experts—Narendranath Damodaran (Pradan), Naseem Shaikh (SSP), and Swapna Sarangi (FES) as they help us envision a more sustainable future for agriculture and farmers in the country. Host: Sneha Philip Produced and edited by: Saloni Meghani, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and Shreya Adhikari IDR is an online journal that publishes cutting-edge ideas, lessons and insights, written by, and for the people working...

Women play a vital role in India's agrarian economy, but are often excluded in policy considerations. In this episode, our two guests Ireena Vittal and Kavitha Kuruganti help us understand the contribution of women in agriculture, while also getting us to imagine what a future without women farmers would look like. Host: Smarinita Shetty Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and Shreya Adhikari IDR is an online journal that publishes cutting-edge ideas,...

"Two leaders belonging to different generations, PANI's Bharat Bhushan and Deo Datt Singh, unpack the evolution of farming in the country over the last 7 decades, and discuss what needs to change in light of the current threats of climate change and water scarcity."  Host: Sneha Philip  Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and Shreya Adhikari IDR is an online journal that publishes cutting-edge ideas, lessons and insights, written by, and for the people...

Groundwater is key to achieving water security for the nation. However, very little is understood of its importance and the need to manage it. In this episode, Mala Subramaniam, CEO at Arghyam, and Himanshu Kulkarni, executive director at ACWADAM, discuss the state of India's groundwater today, what’s happening on the policy side and what’s shifting in practice, in order to address this alarming decline of the resource. Host: Smarinita Shetty Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita...

India’s water challenges are complex, but there are innovative solutions that are being championed by a range of diverse stakeholders—governments, civil society, the private sector, and others. How can they come together to ensure water security for India? In this episode, Ajith Radhakrishnan (World Bank) and Jagdeesh Rao Puppala (FES) deliberate on what it will take to solve India’s water crisis. Host: Sneha Philip Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and...

On the Contrary by IDR is back with a new season and this time, we’re diving deep into India’s water crisis. Hear from policymakers, practitioners, and business heads as they discuss and debate what it will take to achieve water security in India. For more information, visit: www.idronline.org Donate: https://idronline.org/donate/

In this episode, Archana Soreng, a young climate activist belonging to the Kharia tribe in Odisha, speaks with Bijal Brahmbhatt, director at the nonprofit Mahila Housing Trust. They discuss how the climate crisis is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities across rural and urban India, especially for women and indigenous communities. Exploring the future of climate action, they also talk about why it’s crucial for policymakers to make space for voices and solutions emerging from the...

As the climate emergency worsens, can we continue to work the way we do? And if the nature of jobs needs to change, how can we ensure that the most vulnerable communities don’t bear the brunt? Harish Hande, the co-founder of SELCO, argues that moving away from centralised businesses and localising jobs is the way to go. However, Sabina Dewan, the founder and executive director of the JustJobs Network, calls for stronger policy and regulatory frameworks to ensure businesses become...

Technology is emerging as a crucial lever for climate action. However, there is also an urgent need to discuss its consequences. Is adopting tech truly the only low carbon answer or just a more profitable one? And who gets to control it? The big tech companies or the communities facing the devastating consequences of climate change on the ground? Jim Fruchterman, Founder and CEO of Tech Matters, and Trisha Ray, Deputy Director, Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology at Observer Research...

Much needs to change in India when it comes to agriculture, especially given the climate crisis and its impact on our food systems. On this episode, Crispino Lobo, co-founder of the Watershed Organisation Trust, and Mark Kahn, co-founder of the agritech-focused venture capital firm, Omnivore, discuss what farmers need most today to help them develop climate resilience. Host: Rachita Vora Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Shreya Adhikari, and Smarinita Shetty IDR is an online journal...

With the increasing focus on climate action in India, all eyes are on the funding landscape to back it up. But where do corporate, individual, and private philanthropy stand when it comes to funding climate solutions? What are their constraints, and given the quantum of funds required, is a collaboration between them a potential solution? Gayatri Divecha, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Godrej Industries, and Shloka Nath, Executive Director, at India Climate Collaborative, weigh...

The climate change story has largely been all doom-and-gloom. As we wake up to the impacts of worsening climate change, it still feels a bit abstract. How does the crisis relate to people’s day to day lives? Is there a role for individuals to play? This week, Navroz Dubash, policy advisor and professor at the Centre for Policy Research, and Sahana Ghosh, science journalist at Mongabay India, look at the complicated manner in which we talk about climate today, and explore whether there is a...

India Development Review’s podcast, On the Contrary by IDR returns with Season 4, and this time it's focussing on the most serious crisis of our times—climate change. In every episode, two climate experts discuss the interplay between the climate emergency and gender, livelihoods, technology, and more. Tune in every Wednesday, on your favourite podcasting app. For more information, visit: www.idronline.org Donate: https://idronline.org/donate/

Can investing in government schools result in an improved education system? Or does the answer lie in developing affordable private schools? In this episode, Aditya Natraj, CEO of Piramal Foundation, and Parth Shah, founder-president of the Centre for Civil Society, discuss the pros and cons of government and private schools, and why both systems need to work together to ensure quality education for children.  Highlights: The pandemic has thrown up many challenges for both government and...

In this episode KK Shailaja, former health minister of Kerala, and Liby Johnson, executive director of Gram Vikas, discuss why disaster preparedness is about more than just building back better. What is needed is a model of development that is inclusive and prioritises the well-being of all citizens. Highlights Socio-economic factors play a huge role in how a particular state or region is affected by a disaster. The marginalised population of a state is worst-hit during a disaster.   ...

Would philanthropy be more impactful if donors took a trust-based approach? In this episode Reshma Anand, CEO of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, and Anand Sinha, India country adviser at Packard Foundation, discuss the role of trust in philanthropy and why power needs to be shared in order to create a more just and equitable society.  Highlights: Power dynamics in philanthropy are deeply entrenched. Changing this to share power with others requires donors to significantly change how they...

How can anti-caste allyship move beyond lip service and cede power? In this episode, Christina Dhanaraj and Dhanya Rajendran discuss what it really means to be an anti-caste ally, the role institutions must play, and why caste-marginalised people should take centre stage in the anti-caste movement. Highlights While affirmative action has played a role in bringing caste-marginalised people into formal institutions, higher positions continue to be occupied by those belonging to the...

Have gender attitudes really changed in our country? In this episode, writer and professor Nivedita Menon speaks with Sujata Khandekar, founding director of CORO, about gender identities and norms, the need to challenge them, and how we can change traditional attitudes towards gender. Highlights While there have been certain visible shifts in gender attitudes, these have not been uniform for all women and across all domains.  There is considerable backlash when people do not conform to...

Is mental health and well-being an individual or an organisational responsibility? In this episode, Raj Mariwala, director at Mariwala Health Initiative, and Santrupt Misra, director of Group HR at Aditya Birla Group, discuss the importance of talking about mental health at work and how organisations can be more inclusive. Highlights  Mental illness is often treated just like physical health, that is, a set of symptoms that needs to be cured. But the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that...

Dr Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and Dr Sangita Reddy, joint managing director of Apollo Hospitals, talk about India’s public health system—what the largest gaps are, where the greatest needs are, and what the role of private players and the public sector needs to be. Highlights We need to identify the largest gaps in India’s healthcare system and prioritise the aspects that need to be strengthened over the next few years.  Mere infrastructure...