Kala Azar was a public health problem in India till recently. In 2023, the disease is close to the elimination target set up by the World Health Organisation. As per the WHO target, there should be less than one case per 10,000 population at block level. In this second podcast in a series on Kala Azar, Suno India’s Menaka Rao reports on the key contributions of various stakeholders and policies. She spoke to Dr Shyam Sundar, who runs the Kala Azar Medical Research Centre, in Muzaffarpur, Dr...

This was a very sombre Republic Day, coming in a few days after the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, churning up questions on the secular nature of our country. The inauguration of the Ram Mandir marks a significant chapter in our country’s history. The temple's construction replaced the 16th-Century Babri masjid, which was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992, leading to nationwide riots and the tragic loss of nearly 2,000 lives, after the Supreme court allowed it....

Kala Azar, a deadly parasitic disease, is very close to elimination in India. As per the World Health Organisation, the definition of elimination is the annual incidence of less than one case per 10,000 population at block level. The last few districts which are on the borderline remain in Jharkhand, and public officials appear confident that this year, the country may achieve the elimination target. The target has to be kept for 3 years for it to receive a WHO tag. Suno India is publishing...

On November 21, Pranshu who is a 16-year old queer child, died of suicide in Ujjain. The school going child was a self taught makeup artist, with nearly 17,000 followers on Instagram. Pranshu posted a reel dressed in a sari, which went viral during Diwali, getting more than 4000 comments, most of which were homophobic in nature. Last year, another class 10 student, Aarvey Malhotra died of suicide. His mother, Aarti Malhotra has alleged that Aarvey was bullied mercilessly in school on account...

The Silkyara tunnel, in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district, has been in the news since November 12, when one of its under-construction sections collapsed, trapping 41 workers. After the rescue of these workers, this entire episode has been portrayed as a story of triumph.  But, why exactly did the tunnel at Silkyara collapse? The 4.53-kilometre-long tunnel between Silkyara and Barkot is part of the larger Char Dham project. What does the Silkyara collapse tell us about the Char Dham Project...

This December we mark 11 years of the gang rape and death of Jyoti Singh – or Nirbhaya. As a response to the Delhi 2012 incident, the government started the Nirbhaya Fund and Nirbhaya centres across the country. In this episode, we look at what women want versus what they get.  Today, there are over 733 Nirbhaya Centres–or One-Stop Crisis Centres–across India; one in every district. However, these centres rarely function as hospital-based crisis centres i.e., they often operate in parallel...

After an exhaustive 400-hour operation, a collective sigh of relief swept through the nation as rescuers successfully reached the 41 workers who had been trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel since November 12. The Char Dham National Highway Project, launched in December 2016, aimed to improve connectivity to the pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri—all nestled in the Himalayas. This Rs.12,000 crore project spans approximately 889 kilometres through the Himalayan...

In this episode, three MTEs talk about their training, their lives before they took on the role, the state of science education in India, and societal perceptions about blindness. Most importantly, they reflect on what they contribute to society and how training as an MTE has altered their lives. Listen to Meenakshi Gupta, Neha Suri and Neetu Garg who work as MTEs in Delhi and Gurgaon. Also featuring Ashwini Rao, a Discovering Hands trainer from Enable India, Bengaluru. This mini-series has...

In 2005, German gynaecologist Dr Frank Hoffmann, started his quest for a suitable medical assistant to conduct clinical breast exams for his clinic in Duisburg in Germany. By 2010, he had set up a social enterprise called Discovering Hands that trains blind and visually impaired women to conduct specialised routine breast examinations called tactile breast examinations. Today, Discovering Hands is spread across Germany, Switzerland, Austria and India, training blind and visually impaired...

The alarming situation in Gaza has now entered its fourth week leaving over 8000 Palestinians dead, of which 3000 are estimated to be children. The harrowing situation began on October 7th when an attack by the armed rebel group Hamas which launched an unprecedented attack on Israel left nearly 1400 Israelis dead and many hundreds taken hostage.     On 27th October, The United Nations General Assembly adopted a major resolution on the Gaza crisis, calling for an “immediate, durable and...

In a country as diverse and culturally rich as India, discussions around sexuality and sexual health often remain shrouded in silence. This lack of open dialogue has led to a myriad of problems, from high rates of teenage pregnancies to the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Sex education isn't just about teaching anatomy or discussing contraception. It's about empowering young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and personal...

On October 16, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court rejected the abortion plea of a 27-year-old mother of two boys. She moved the court as she was suffering from postpartum psychosis after her second child. She was more than 6 months pregnant, and had crossed the 24-week barrier that is prescribed in the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act.  This case is significant because a two-judge bench had given an order permitting the abortion. But the case flipped after a doctor from All India...

  On October 3, 2023, the Delhi police arrested the founder and editor-in-chief of Newsclick Prabir Purkayastha, and the Human resources head, Amit Chakraborty -under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act). The same day it raided the homes and offices of 46 people including reporters, columnists and commentators associated with the news portal and seized their laptops, phones and other devices for further examination.   In a letter to the Chief Justice of...

The Union cabinet has approved the Women’s Reservation Bill 2008 to provide reservations for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Attempts to create a quota for women have been ongoing since the mid-1990s.Since then, the Women's Reservation Bill has witnessed a long journey in the Parliament. Now, as this bill is passed, India stands facing chances of foreseeable changes in its political landscape. But what challenges have the women been facing in political representation in India over...

The goal of imprisonment is reformation and reintegration within society. From the 50s, prisoners were not seen as individuals with rights and there was barely any focus on their well-being and health,  let alone vocational guidance or life skills.  In 1993, when Kiran Bedi took over as Inspector General of Tihar Jail in Delhi and transformed it by introducing education, mediation, vocational training, medical aid, improved diet and living conditions. She won the Magsaysay Award in 1994....

The Central government recently suspended Professor KS James, the director of the International Institute of Population Studies, that works with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to conduct important studies such as National Family Health Survey, Global Adult Tobacco Survey among others. The government cited irregularities in recruitment as the reason for suspension, as academics came out in support of him. The opposition parties claim that this suspension reflects the...

Welcome to the third episode of "Chinatown Fading," an engaging mini-series where reporter Suryatapa Mukherjee continues her exploration of Kolkata's dwindling Chinese-Indian community. In this episode, she delves into the captivating world of cultural preservation through the eyes of martial arts and lion dance teacher, James Liao.   Join in as we uncover the remarkable art of lion dancing, a cherished tradition that stands as a testament to the resilience of the community. Through the...

"Chinatown Fading" is a captivating mini-series where our reporter Suryatapa Mukherjee delves into the vanishing stories of Kolkata's Chinese-Indian community. In the second episode of “Chinatown Fading,” she embarks on a culinary exploration that goes beyond flavours.  The episode traverses the evolving landscape of Chinese-Indian cuisine, witnessing its widespread popularity across the nation. From vibrant street stalls to upscale restaurants, the allure of Indo-Chinese dishes has swept...

"Chinatown Fading," is an enchanting mini-series that unravels the forgotten stories of the Chinese-Indian community in the heart of Kolkata. It delves deep into the alleys of history, guided by the poignant tales of those who remain. Join our reporter Suryatapa Mukherjee on a journey through time.  In the first episode, Surya's conversation with Lawrence Ho, a resident of Tiretti Bazaar, guides us through the Old Chinatown's historic streets. The fading clubs, once vibrant with life, now...

In this episode, we delve into the recent events surrounding the internet shutdown in Manipur, India, which lasted a staggering 83 days, raising critical questions about the impact of such measures on law and order. On Tuesday, July 25th, 2023, the Manipur government finally issued a conditional order lifting the internet ban, but with significant restrictions. Initially enforced on May 3rd for a mere 5 days, the ban's extension was repeatedly justified by the government citing law and order...

To all the questions on deforestation for development projects, the Central government’s repetitive response has been compensatory afforestation. Land in the Yamuna floodplains has been used for compensatory plantation. If the ecological premise of the government's restoration projects rest much on compensatory afforestation, are there enough studies to show whether the floodplains are the best place for afforestation? Are floodplains meant to be turned into forests? Do they not have an...

In this episode of The Suno India Show, join Suno India's Editor-In-Chief Padma Priya as she delves into the alarming decline of press freedom in India, highlighted by the recent World Press Freedom Report. Ranking 161st among 180 countries, India's safety of journalists category hit a staggering low at 172. Padma engages in an insightful discussion with Joel Simon, a senior American journalist, press freedom activist, and Founding director of Journalism Protection Initiative, Newmark...

In the middle of June this year, temperatures in several parts of Uttar Pradesh had ranged between 42C and 47C during mid-June. The media reported that in Ballia and Deoria districts of Uttar Pradesh, 119 people have died from ‘heat-related ailments’. But what exactly is meant by ‘heat-related ailment’? How are heat wave deaths actually reported? How does the doctor medically certify a heat wave death? How are heatwave deaths certified if existing comorbidity is severed by heat, leading to...

In May, a wave of violence engulfed Manipur, leading to the displacement of thousands and severely disrupting the education of countless young individuals in the region. To delve into this critical issue, Suno India co-founder Rakesh Kamal spoke with Dennis Lallienzuol Hmar, an indigenous development professional, distinguished climate leader, and a survivor of conflict. In this discussion, he shared his own experiences, shedding light on the challenges faced by the youth whose hopes and...

With over 115 lives lost and 40,000 people displaced, the violence in Manipur still does not show signs of abating. Against the backdrop of escalating violence and communal clashes, Khwairambam Ema Keithal Joint Coordinating Committee for Peace, a Metei women-led group, strongly condemned the central government's inaction in Manipur. In this episode, Sneha Richhariya speaks to a representative of the committee at the Press Club of India in New Delhi. The Metei group questions Prime Minister...