In Focus by The Hindu

While we know that children are less at risk of contracting COVID-19 and will experience less severe symptoms if infected, there have been rare cases of multi-system inflammatory syndrome reported in some parts of the world. In the midst of the pandemic, the foremost question on parents’ minds is how to keep their children safe. And will it be safe for them to resume attending school once they reopen? Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our fifth data episode on COVID-19 in India comes amidst some alarming numbers. On Monday, June 17, for instance, the country registered an additional 13,232 cases. And these are numbers that are rapidly going up as testing seems to be slowly increasing across the board. At the time of recording the podcast, we are at about 10,870 and the data has not yet come in from Delhi, where testing has been increased manifold. On Tuesday, June 18, Maharashtra added 1,328 deaths and Delhi added 400, including those previously classified as not being COVID-19-related, and these numbers pushed India's death toll past the 12,000 mark. The themes that we will touch on in this podcast are familiar one. The first thing that we’ll look at is how India compares with countries that have lifted their lockdowns and are correspondingly seeing a massive spike in cases. We’ll also talk about mortality rates and testing. Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a major escalation in the ongoing stand-off between India and China on the border, one Commanding Officer and two jawans of the Indian Army lost their lives during a violent faceoff with Chinese troops in the Galwan area of Eastern Ladakh on Monday night. These are the first combat deaths on the disputed boundary since 1975. After 45 years of relative peace, does this new clash mark a troubling new chapter on the Line of Actual Control (LAC)? What is the status of the more than month long stand-off on the LAC? What are the prospects of a return to status quo? Host: Ananth Krishnan, China Correspondent, The Hindu Guest: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor and Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’ll look at two news points related to the Indian Council of Medical Research. Last week, the ICMR released some numbers from a sero survey, or a general population test for antibodies, to look at how widespread the disease is in the country. We’ll take a look at those numbers and also go a bit beyond what was in the press conference. Another report that has been in the news recently that the ICMR is actually now trying to distance itself from is a study saying that India’s COVID-19 peak may come only in November. We’ll also get a news update on the situation in Beijing, where despite some of the world’s most stringent measures on containment, a surge of new cases is being reported. Guests: Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu; Ananth Krishnan, former Beijing Correspondent, The Hindu. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tensions along the Line of Actual Control between India and China have been high for close to a month. Stand-off incidents and heavy deployments have been reported at multiple points along the LAC. At the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, Chinese troops are now present in what India sees as its territory. On May 6, India and China held talks at the military level to address the situation, but there is as yet no agreement on returning to the status quo. How unusual are the current tensions on the border? What are the prospects of a solution? Is there a broader Chinese game in Ladakh? How do internal political developments in Beijing impact China’s posture? Guest: Jayadeva Ranade, a former Additional Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, and President, Centre for China Analysis and Strategy. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest ways in which COVID-19 has changed the world, has changed life as we know it, is the cancellation of virtually all big sporting events and all sporting leagues around the world. But in recent weeks, as countries around the world, including India, are emerging out of some form of lockdown, it has meant that sport has started resuming, like everything else, with a new normal. Which sports have resumed and how have the rules changed and, crucially for us here in India, what lies ahead for cricket? Guest: K.C. Vijayakumar, Sports Editor, The Hindu. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ll go back in this episode to look at the origins of the locust swarms now sweeping into India and other parts of South Asia and trace the outbreak back to 2018 in parts of Africa. We’ll also look at the science behind forecasting locust outbreaks, what are the factors that it takes into account and how that can help us come up with a strategy of preventive management. Guest: Cyril Piou, Scientist, French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD). Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We take a look at India’s recovery rate, which is close to crossing 50%, and analyse why that number is important and what it shows about how the disease is affecting the population even as each new day seems to bring a new 24-hour high in cases recorded. Hydroxychloroquine is also back in the news after a study, published in the reputed journal Lancet about its adverse side-effects, reportedly used data supplied by a dubious U.S.-based data analytics company called Surgisphere. We discuss the potential ramifications. Guest: Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking the silence on the continuing border stand-offs with China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 30 said that the issue would be resolved through diplomatic dialogue. The government has, however, kept mum on what exactly the issues are. What do we know about the incidents along the Line of Actual Control? Where are the current tensions? What are the prospects of disengagement? Interview by Ananth Krishnan Guest: Dinakar Peri, New Delhi–based Defence Correspondent. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While COVID-19 has disrupted much of the regular functioning of governments around the world, there are still examples of parliaments around the world finding innovative ways of working to both mount a response to the pandemic and performing a coordination and oversight role for their respective governments. Since the second Budget Session was adjourned in the middle of the outbreak in India, however, Parliament and the various standing committees have ceased to function despite some calls to convene over video conference. In this episode we’ll look at why these parliamentary standing committees are so important and why Parliament, as an institution, needs to play a larger role. Guest: Chakshu Roy, Head of Legislative and Civic Engagement, PRS Legislative Research. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the past few weeks, Tamil Nadu has actually provided an interesting case study — some events that have led to a spike in cases here, a wrong turn taken there (and the Koyambedu market cluster is definitely one). But the other interesting numbers that we have here are that the State is at the moment probably conducting the most number of COVID-19 tests in the country and that’s one of the reasons why it is registering so many cases. Interestingly, a huge percentage of these cases are asymptomatic and the mortality rate continues to be very low. Guests: Ramya Kannan, TN Bureau chief, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indian Council for Medical Research said on May 26 that no major side-effects of Hydroxychloroquine have been found in studies in India and its use should be continued in preventive treatment for COVID-19. This all comes in the backdrop of the World Health Organization (WHO) suspending the testing of the drug in COVID-19 patients temporarily in its global study following safety concerns. Why is India pushing ahead with the drug and what are the kinds of trials it is running to test its efficacy? Guests: Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid heightened tensions on the India-China border, the top United States diplomat for South and Central Asia, Alice Wells, on May 20 hit out at China, saying that the tensions reminded the world of the “threat” posed by Beijing. The U.S. in the past has not always been forthcoming about expressing support on the boundary issue but it may now want to ensure it is in a position to facilitate stronger security ties with countries in the region concerned about China’s rise. At the same time, Washington has developed an understanding of India’s complex relationship with China. We discuss this complicated dynamic in this episode. Guest: Jeff Smith, Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation in Washington and author of Cold Peace: China-India Rivalry in the Twenty-First Century. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recent reforms announced by the government for agriculture — removing certain foodstuffs from the Essential Commodities Act and thereby deregulating them, opening up inter-state trade to farmers to sell their produce beyond the APMC mandis in their States and coming up with a legal framework for contract farming — have generated some debate about whether they represent a watershed moment for Indian agriculture and if it would help farmers get better prices and access to more equitable markets. In this episode we look at the reforms from the perspective of both domestic and international trade and whether the reforms are a step in the right direction or if there are further structural problems that need to be addressed first. Guest: Dr. Biswajit Dhar, professor at the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This weekly update on COVID-19 in India features news on domestic travel opening up, flights bringing back Indians from abroad and the Health Ministry briefings which continue to focus on mathematical modelling to establish the effects of the lockdown and also discussing India’s recovery rates. Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the catastrophic human toll of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic was the first wave to strike the world this year, its severe economic consequences – including loss of livelihoods of the poor across countries, leading to massive internal displacement and starvation in many cases – have been the second wave. It is in this context that the seminal work of Professor Thomas Piketty on the phenomenon of economic inequality gains additional significance today. Here he shares his perspective on this subject, including on its relevance to India. Guest: Professor Thomas Piketty is Professor of Economics at Paris-based School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences and at the Paris School of Economics and Co-Director at the World Inequality Lab and World Inequality Database. Host: Narayan Lakshman, Associate Editor, The Hindu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India’s increased capability to patrol up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) coupled with an increasingly assertive Chinese posture is fuelling new tensions along the border, according to former senior Indian officials. Indian and Chinese troops have been involved in as many as four incidents along the LAC in recent weeks. On Monday, Chinese state media said the People’s Liberation Army was “tightening control” in one of the flashpoint areas in the western sector Galwan Valley, after it accused India of “unilaterally” changing the status quo with “illegal construction”. A build-up has also been reported in Demchok in Ladakh. In this podcast we discuss these developments and the underlying tensions. Also read: News analysis | Behind new incidents, a changed dynamic along India-China border Interview by Ananth Krishnan Guest: Zorawar Daulet Singh is a historian and strategic affairs scholar based in New Delhi. He is an Adjunct Fellow at the Institute of Chinese Studies and a co-founder of The Northcap University. Books include India China Relations: The Border Issue and Beyond, and Power and Diplomacy: India’s Foreign Policies during the Cold War. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We last recorded a data podcast on May 7 when India had crossed 50,000 cases and now, some 11 days later, it has crossed the 1-lakh mark. Accordingly, we review the lockdown as a policy decision and compare numbers with countries around the world. Is stringency of lockdown the only determining factor in halting the spread of the infection? And how are various States within the country doing now in terms of doubling rates and testing? Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest: Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine and a Professor at the Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Host: Narayan Lakshman, Associate Editor, The Hindu Body text: As the world continues to grapple with the debilitating human toll and economic consequences of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, experts such as Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine and a Professor at the Departments of Paediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston , have been at the forefront of both research and treatment of the infection. Dr. Hotez’s perspective is also valuable for his multi-decade involvement in treating neglected tropical diseases, including in India, where he has worked extensively on better understanding the spread of and treatment options for elephantiasis, hookworm, leishmaniasis, and dengue. Dr. Hotez is well-positioned to give us a deep insight into the current state of play with the battle against the coronavirus and what hope there is for the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are over a 100 vaccine candidates for COVID-19 currently under development and the urgency of the pandemic has meant that many of them have accelerated the process of going in for human trials. In some cases, vaccine manufacturers have already announced tie-ups with some labs for mass production before final approvals have arrived. This unprecedented race to find a vaccine has brought to light the various technologies and methods that go into developing a vaccine, some of them so new that the contender in question has never produced a licensed vaccine before. In this episode we break down the methods of vaccine development currently being tested — differentiating between the “traditional” and “new age”. We also address the question of which immunisation strategy India should employ if and when a vaccine becomes freely available. Guest: E. Sreekumar, senior scientist, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a second press conference to detail more aspects of the ₹20-lakh-crore economic package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today’s announcements focussed on measures to help migrants and farmers. Meanwhile, India’s COVID-19 numbers are closing in on China’s officially reported tally. Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gave out the first details of the ₹20-lakh-crore economic stimulus package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 12. Major incentives were announced on Wednesday for micro, small and medium industries. We also have details on the second batch of flights bringing back Indians stranded abroad and interesting details on Indian being caught in the middle of a high-level spat between China and the United States over Taiwan’s status at the World Health Organisation. Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kerala’s success in tackling COVID-19 stands out among Indian States and has been hailed globally as an example of how sustained planning and investment in a robust healthcare system, and a decentralised model of operation, can allow a State of its size to bring a pandemic under control without breaking the bank. How has investment in healthcare in the State been sustained across various administrations, what lessons can other States learn, and to what extent does Kerala still need to be on guard? Guest: Vinod Thomas, Visiting Professor, National University of Singapore and formerly a Senior Vice President at the World Bank Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fifth video call with Chief Ministers to discuss life after the lockdown and possible extensions was still ongoing while we were recording this episode, but we are able to bring you the major highlights and themes. We also give you an update on the huge spike in coronavirus numbers over the last 24 hours and developments on antibody tests, strategy for community surveillance and vaccine development by the ICMR. Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our weekly data update for the week comes at a time when India has crossed the 50,000 mark in COVID-19 cases, and our economy and workers continue to suffer. We’ll discuss the latest numbers — on how India now compares with other countries around the world, on how individual States are doing with containment, and on the unemployment numbers which are continuing to rise. We also have a quick update on the government’s repatriation mission. Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A running theme during this lockdown period and of the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in general so far is that decision-making has been largely centralised while the fact is that it is the States that bear responsibility for the real frontline battles against the pandemic. So we’ll look at the sharing of funds between Centre and State governments and take both a long-term and short-term view. What was the balance like between State and Centre before the pandemic hit? At different phases in our history there are ebbs and flow toward greater decentralisation or greater Central control. At which juncture in that curve do we happen to be in now? More immediately, States are desperately short of funds, especially now with economic activity being almost absent for the past month-and-a-half. How can this problem be addressed? The key strategy is fiscal empowerment of States Our guest today is M. Govinda Roa, an economist who was a former member of the 14th Finance Commission. He is a regular columnist for The Hindu on these issues. Find the In Focus podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher. Search for In Focus by The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India’s largest repatriation exercise amid the lockdown began on Thursday and we have all the details of the operation in this episode. Plus, from the science front, we have some updates on the testing of a new combination of drugs to treat severely affected patients, and on vaccine trials from Israel and Italy. Guest: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take a detailed look at aspects of our healthcare system that are being neglected while all of our resources are directed toward battling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are issues like the immunisation of children, antenatal care of pregnant women, treatment of chronic illnesses and other infectious diseases that still require urgent attention. And the concern is that many of these may suffer as the healthcare system is burdened by COVID-19. Guest: Rajib Dasgupta, Professor of Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While the daily rise in the number of cases in India has been around the 2,000 mark for the last few days, the past 24 hours have seen a huge spike with the new cases numbering reportedly around 3,900. We’ll discuss that spike in numbers as well as some detailed plans being put out by the government to bring back Indians stranded abroad, including the number of flights and how much passengers will have to pay. Guest: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we begin the third phase of lockdown, the big news is that the government has laid out plans to bring back thousands of Indians who have been stranded abroad. We also discuss how the lifting of restrictions will affect the rise in the number of cases, which have been spiking over the last few days. Guest: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two weeks ago, United States President Donald Trump had signed an immigration order restricting certain categories of immigration for a period of 60 days. The ostensible reason for this action was to save American jobs — more than 26 Americans signed up for unemployment benefits between early March and April 18. However, the executive order’s impact is questionable. We examine the deeper roots of this EO, analyse its fallout and discuss what we can expect with regard to Green Cards and skilled workers with H1-B visas, going into election season in the U.S. and beyond. Guest: Doug Rand, co-founder, Boundless Immigration, a U.S.-based firm that provides support for those seeking to immigrate to the U.S. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Franklin Templeton, one of India’s top 10 mutual fund houses, announced last week that it would be winding up six of its debt schemes. The move has resulted in about ₹30,000 crore of investor money being locked up. The development sent shockwaves through the mutual funds industry, and this week, the RBI announced a ₹50,000-crore “liquidity window” specially for mutual funds, to help them tide over redemption pressures. What exactly went down at Franklin Templeton? Will the investors in those debt funds ever get their money back? And what does this mean for the aam aadmi with money in other mutual funds — especially people who have invested in debt funds thinking they are “safer” like FDs? For many, mutual fund investments are not just investments, they are their savings. What does the future look like for people who are looking to redeem their mutual fund investments at this time of pandemic-induced emergency? To answer these questions and more, we have with us Vivek Kaul, well-known business columnist, personal finance expert, and bestselling author of the Easy Money trilogy. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the end of the 40-day lockdown period approaches and we move toward a gradational exit, K. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, member of the ICMR’s COVID-19 task force and one of India’s most eminent doctors, takes stock of what has been achieved during this period in respect of the public health systems. With systemic weaknesses still remaining, he cautions that we would have to be on guard against the virus at least until next April or May even as he discusses details of what we can and cannot do as a society once the lockdown lifts. Guest: K. Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The national lockdown will be extended by a further two weeks after May 4. However, under this broad umbrella policy, there will be some relaxations, based on the classification of the country’s 733 districts into Red Zones (hotspots) where all restrictions will continue, and Green and Orange Zones where there will be considerable relaxations. In this episode, we discuss the extension, the differences between zones and what it all means. Guest: Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a brief episode today we discuss some highlights from briefings at the Health Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs. Guest: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a brief episode of the daily update podcast we cover two developments involving the Ministry of Home Affairs — the issuing of a fresh set of guidelines to allow stranded migrant workers, students, tourists and pilgrims to get back home, and a late-evening announcement that considerable relaxations would be given in many districts from May 4. Guest: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take the opportunity to discuss plasma therapy for COVID-19 in detail after the ICMR on April 28 said that despite some hospitals and other facilities conducting trials it could not be deemed an approved treatment for the disease yet. We’ll also get an update on the latest numbers and the progression of the caseload in India. (Recorded on Tuesday, April 28) Guest: Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an earlier episode of this podcast, we had discussed some of the mathematical models initially presented for India, some of which projected astronomical figures of COVID-19 cases and deaths. We discussed the parameters and assumptions that those models, many prepared by Universities in the United States and discussed the need for mathematical modelling that could be applied for individual States and districts. In a follow-up discussion today, we discuss a new mathematical model, created through an inter-city collaboration by Indian scientists, that can reflect these local realities and is also more accessible to the public. Guest: Dr. Gautam Menon, Professor of physics and biology, Ashoka University, and researcher on the modelling of infectious diseases and its implications for public policy. Host: Shubashree Desikan, Science Correspondent, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the last week of the 40-day lockdown begins, the Prime Minister held a video conference with Chief Ministers on April 27, and indicated that any exit from the lockdown would be gradational in terms of resuming economic activity, with particular emphasis still being placed on bringing down the case load in ‘red zones’. The ICMR, meanwhile, has asked States to stop using antibody test kits supplied by two Chinese companies. We will discuss that with National Editor Suhasini Haidar, who has also interviewed India’s ambassador to China. Plus, a quick update on Tamil Nadu imposing more stringent lockdown measures in five cities and the reasoning behind it with T.N. Bureau Chief Ramya Kannan. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Coronavirus pandemic has posed huge political and economic challenges to China, the country where the virus originated. While the Chinese government has touted its massive national response as an example of how strong its political system is, questions have been asked, even within China, about the ruling Communist Party’s handling of the initial stages of the outbreak. What do we make of the public criticism levelled against Chinese premier Xi Jinping by the likes of party-member and former real-estate tycoon Ren Zhiqiang? And how will China’s foreign relations take going forward? Host: Ananth Krishnan, former China Correspondent, The Hindu Guest: Richard McGregor, Senior Fellow at the Lowy Institute, author of The Party: The Secret World of China’s Communist Rulers, and former foreign correspondent in China for The Australian and Financial Times. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On World Malaria Day, we get a perspective on India’s battle with a disease that still remains a significant challenge even if it’s very much out of the news at the moment. We also have reports on Indian citizens from the Gulf who will be repatriated first after flight restrictions are lifted and on a government panel projection on the slowing of new coronavirus cases thanks to the lockdown. Recorded on April 25, 2020 Guest: Kaushik Sarkar, India technical lead, Malaria No More India; Suhasini Haidar, National Affairs Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we complete one month of the national lockdown, we look at the government's recent statement that the growth of cases in India has been linear and not exponential thanks to the lockdown having being imposed. And while talk of national numbers is well and good, the more important datasets, perhaps, are how individual States are handling the spread of the virus, and the testing rates and strategies they are deploying. We map those divergent trajectories in this episode and look ahead to what we need to analyse moving forward. Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Also track: https://www.thehindu.com/data/covid-19-state-wise-tracker-for-coronavirus-cases-deaths-and-testing-rates/article31248444.ece?homepage=true Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we complete one month of the national lockdown, we look ahead to probable changes in labour market dynamics. Will there be an imbalance between rural and urban economies in the short run? Will the scars of the COVID-19 crisis deter labourers who have returned to their villages from migrating long distances in search of employment? And what can be done by government and private sector do provide more security for labour. Guest: K.R. Shyam Sundar, labour economist, professor at XLRI, Jamshedpur. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’ll get an update from The Hindu's United States Correspondent Sriram Lakshman on the overall situation with regard to the Coronavirus in the U.S. and the reasoning behind President Donald Trump’s temporary ban on immigration, on which he signed an executive order on April 22. We’ll then move on to Ministry briefings — from the External Affairs Ministry, National Affairs Editor Suhasini Haidar will give us an update on medical supplies coming into India from other countries and particularly on whether there has been any response to rapid testing kits imported from China being largely inaccurate. Deputy Science Editor Jacob Koshy has an update from the Health Ministry on some rather detailed numbers put out by the government to show that the growth in the number of cases in India has been linear and not exponential. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a five-member Central team projected that the number of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai would touch an estimated 42,604 by April 30 and spiral to 6,56,407 by May 15, the Maharashtra government has contested the methodology and tools used for the projection. We will discuss that story and also take a detailed look at the various problems the ICMR and state governments are facing with the rapid antibody test kits that have come in from China. Guests: Sharad Vyas, Deputy Editor, Mumbai, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s rather diverse episode covers issues ranging from the BMC in Mumbai revealing that several journalists in the city have tested positive for COVID-19, blood banks across the country running short as thalassemia and dialysis patients are the worst hit, and a developing situation in the Gulf countries where thousands of Indian immigrant workers could find themselves without jobs as the economic effects of the pandemic grow more acute. We also have an update from the Health Ministry briefings. (Recorded on April 21, 2020) Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu. Regional despatches from Health reporters Jyoti Shelar and Bindu Shajan Perappadan Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The WHO is facing arguably its biggest-ever crisis, with questions being raised over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United States has said it will cut its funding to the WHO while many other nations are calling for reforms. Is the criticism being mounted against the WHO justified and where does the world body go from here? Interview by Ananth Krishnan, The Hindu Guest: Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP, former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite its large population, the South Asia region has recorded low figures of the virus. The eight SAARC nations, for instance, account for approximately 1.1% of the world total of nearly 23,00,000 coronavirus cases. In this episode, we pause to look at these numbers, the initial projections for the region and ask thr question — does a separate study need on COVID-19 impact in South Asia? if a separate study needs to be carried out for the region and ask if this variance needs to be studied more closely. We also have a discussion on India revising FDI policy to shield firms from takeovers during the pandemic — a move that seems to be pointed toward China, and updates from the Health Ministry briefings. (Recorded on April 18, 2020) Guests: Suhasini Haidar, National Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is becoming increasingly crucial for people to have awareness and knowledge about COVID-19, how the virus spreads, and the reasoning behind measures like social distancing. Especially in times of great anxiety, various conspiracies theories tend to sprout up and, in response to health emergencies, several dubious ideas on medicine and treatment also come up. In conversation with one of India’s foremost science educators, we talk about the current level of scientific awareness in India, the communication to the public about the disease, and the opportunity this sort of a situation offers for informing and educating people about virology, health and safety. Guest: T.V. Venkateshwaran, Science Educator, Senior Scientist at Vigyan Prasar, New Delhi. Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RBI introduced additional measures on Friday to infuse liquidity into the market and ease the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Health Ministry, meanwhile, has some figures about how the lockdown has slowed down the rate at which the number of cases has doubled in India. We also have a quick update on a new RT-PCR test kit for COVID-19 that has been developed by a lab in Kerala that could be a much cheaper and faster alternative to the diagnostic test kits currently available to us. (Recorded on April 18, 2020) Guests: Suresh Seshadri, Associate Editor, The Hindu; Jacob Koshy, Deputy Science Editor, The Hindu Write to us with comments and feedback at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices