Best Open Box Policy Podcasts (2024)

1
The Dilemma of an Indian Liberal 1:01:48

2M ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Gurcharan Das is one of India's best-known authors and thinkers. He had a celebrated career in business, most notably as the CEO of Procter and Gamble in India, before devoting his full attention to writing. He is the author of numerous best-selling books, including India Unbound, The Difficulty of Being Good, and India Grows at Night. Most recentl…

1
India's 2024 Election—and its Aftermath 54:36

2M ago54:36

54:36

This week on Grand Tamasha, Milan is joined by Grand Tamasha’s India news roundup regulars: Sadanand Dhume of the Wall Street Journal and the American Enterprise Institute and Tanvi Madan of the Brookings Institution. On the show this week, the trio discusses the 2024 Indian general election and its aftermath. They debate the politics, as well as t…

1
Making 'Make In India' Come Alive 40:27

2M ago40:27

40:27

On Sunday night, India’s new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was sworn into office, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at its helm once more. We have a new group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allies, a new group of ministers, and a new look in terms of how the Modi government will function in its third term. However, the economic cha…

1
Decoding the 2024 Indian General Elections 1:03:07

3M ago1:03:07

1:03:07

We’ve finally come to the end of the 46-day Indian general election. And we have a surprising result which many experts did not see coming. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi failed to secure a single-party majority in the Lok Sabha in what is being interpreted as a major setback. The BJP-led National Democratic Allian…

1
The Lessons of Gujarat Under Modi 56:50

3M ago56:50

56:50

Gujarat Under Modi: Laboratory of Today’s India is a new book by the scholar Christophe Jaffrelot but one that has an old backstory. It is the definitive account of Narendra Modi’s tenure as chief minister of the state of Gujarat. And it helps place into context the changes we’ve seen in national politics, economic policy, and society over the past…

1
A Blueprint for India’s State Capacity Revolution 1:04:06

3M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

Over the last five years, Milan has interviewed authors of big books, that have brought innovative new ideas to the India policy debate. And he’s also interviewed authors of lengthy books. On the show this week, he sits down with an author who’s written a big book in every sense of the term. It is no stretch to say that Accelerating India’s Develop…

1
How India's Economy Can Break the Mold 51:02

4M ago51:02

51:02

Breaking the Mould: India’s Untraveled Path to Prosperity is a big new book by the economists Raghuram Rajan and Rohit Lamba. The book is both a critique of India’s development model as well as a manifesto for reform. Most notably, it challenges the conventional wisdom that India’s primary goal should be to transform the country into a blue-collar …

1
What Rahul Gandhi Wants 47:38

3M ago47:38

47:38

The third phase of India’s 44-day long polls took place this week with voting held in 94 constituencies across 12 states. Thus far, the elections have been marked by lower-than-expected turnout, intensifying communal rhetoric, and a sharp debate about inequality and redistribution. Against this backdrop, the New York Times Magazine recently publish…

1
Inside the BJP Campaign 45:10

4M ago45:10

45:10

The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi entered this election as the clear favorite with every single pre-election survey pointing a decisive victory. However, the party is leaving no stone unturned in its effort to notch a third consecutive parliamentary majority. To discuss the BJP’s campaign, Milan is joined on…

1
The Great Indian Poverty—and Inequality—Debate 55:52

4M ago55:52

55:52

As India heads to the polls, a new chapter is being written in a very old debate about poverty and inequality in India. This debate has been stirred up by the release of new data from a government-sponsored consumption survey, which some have argued shows a massive decline in poverty in India. Others believe that this data are not so unequivocal an…

1
Previewing India's 2024 General Election 49:46

4M ago49:46

49:46

In just a few days, India’s eighteenth general elections will get underway with voting in the first phase kicking off on April 19. Between April 19 and June 1, India will have seven separate polling days culminating in a final counting of votes on June 4. Every single pre-election survey to date shows the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) allianc…

1
Is India Ready to Launch? 53:11

5M ago53:11

53:11

On March 11, the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization conducted the maiden test of its Agni-V MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle) missile. MIRV capability is a complex technology and there are only a handful of countries that have developed it. The test represents a breakthrough for India’s missile program but …

1
Decoding the Indian Economy 38:21

5M ago38:21

38:21

It seems wherever you turn these days, there are stories about India’s status as the fastest growing major economy in the world. Its growth rates remain the envy of both the developed—and the developing—world. But what is really happening under the hood? What are the opportunities for India in a world riven by conflict and technological disruptions…

1
Savarkar, In His Own Words 50:02

5M ago50:02

50:02

In today’s India, there are few historical figures whose writing and thinking help explain the current ideological zeitgeist more than Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Despite this newfound attention, Savarkar is often viewed in black and white—as a staunch Hindu nationalist who devoted his life to expounding the virtues of conservative, Hindu majority ru…

1
The Citizenship Amendment Act's Next Chapter 59:08

6M ago59:08

59:08

A few weeks ago, the Indian government formally notified the rules implementing the controversial 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act, or CAA. The law provides persecuted religious minorities hailing from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan an expedited pathway to Indian citizenship, provided they belong to the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Parsi,…

1
Eating India, One State at a Time 1:06:38

5M ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Zac O’Yeah is a Swedish novelist, rock musician, and author of the Majestic Trilogy—a trio of detective stories set in his adopted home of Bengaluru. And if that were not enough, he’s also the author of the brand-new book, The Great Indian Food Trip: Around a Subcontinent à la Carte. In the book, O’Yeah catalogues his travels crisscrossing India on…

1
Dalits in the New Millennium 41:02

6M ago41:02

41:02

Over the last several decades, there have been monumental changes in the social, economic, and political lives of Dalits, who have historically been one of the most oppressed groups in all of South Asia. A new volume edited by three leading scholars of India—Dalits in the New Millennium—examines these changes, interrogates their impacts on Dalit li…

1
The End of the Electoral Bond Era 48:05

6M ago48:05

48:05

Two weeks ago, a five-judge bench of India’s Supreme Court ruled that electoral bonds—a controversial instrument of political giving introduced by the Narendra Modi government—violated the Constitution and would immediately cease operating. Under the court’s ruling, the State Bank of India will immediately stop issuing bonds; the Election Commissio…

1
A Fresh Look at India’s Neighborhood First Policy 51:59

6M ago51:59

51:59

With general elections just months away, it is the era of the ten-year retrospective—a chance for India watchers to reflect on what has changed over the past decade under the Narendra Modi government—and what has not. One area especially deserving of scrutiny is India’s relations with the neighborhood. The Modi government came to power with an eye …

1
🎙️ Unfiltered Vision: Women on Mission - Episode: Alex Jones on the Government Takedown of the Black Community Pt. 2 🌟 45:50

7M ago45:50

45:50

Welcome back to another powerful episode of "Unfiltered Vision: Women on Mission"! Join hosts Ashaki Nichols and Stacia Hall for the continuation of their riveting discussion with special guest Alex Jones. In Part 2, they dive even deeper into the critical topic of the government's role in the challenges faced by the Black community. In this compel…

1
🎙️ Unfiltered Vision: Women on Mission - Episode: Alex Jones on the Government Takedown of the Black Community 🌟 53:48

7M ago53:48

53:48

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Unfiltered Vision: Women on Mission"! Join hosts Ashaki Nichols and Stacia Hall as they engage in a compelling discussion with special guest Alex Jones. Together, they tackle the critical topic of the government's involvement in the challenges faced by the Black community. In this thought-provoking conver…

1
Pakistan's Political Earthquake 40:44

6M ago40:44

40:44

Last Thursday, voters in Pakistan went to the polls in the country’s first general elections since the July 2018 election that brought former prime minister Imran Khan to power. In 2022, Khan was ousted in an unprecedented no confidence vote and now finds himself behind bars. In the months before the election, Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehre…

1
Separating Fact From Fiction 41:51

7M ago41:51

41:51

From the Obama “birther” movement in the United States to the fringe politicians who believe congestion pricing in London is part of an international “socialist plot,” it is no exaggeration to say that conspiracy theories have become part of the standard political playbook the world over. But when it comes to outlandish conspiracy theories, India s…

1
UVW: DC Flood/Haley/Trump-Kennedy Ticket? 47:40

7M ago47:40

47:40

Welcome to "Unfiltered Vision: Women On a Mission," where empowerment fuels fearless conversations. Join hosts Ashaki Nichols and Stacia Hall as they fearlessly tackle pressing issues and captivating topics. In this episode, Ashaki and Stacia delve into the heart of recent events, starting with the DC Flood. With insightful analysis and keen observ…

1
India and the Emerging Chip Race 56:05

7M ago56:05

56:05

It seems like you cannot open a newspaper, listen to a foreign policy podcast, or open Twitter/X without somebody somewhere sounding off on the emerging geopolitical battle over semiconductors. Semiconductors, which we colloquially refer to as chips, have quickly moved from the periphery to center-stage of global high politics. To discuss this high…

1
Governing India's Digital Revolution 50:39

8M ago50:39

50:39

This week, Grand Tamasha kicks off its eleventh season with a special return guest to the podcast. The Third Way: India’s Revolutionary Approach to Data Governance is an important new book by the lawyer-scholar-and-author Rahul Matthan. Rahul is a partner at the law firm Trilegal, where he heads their technology practice. Over the past several year…

1
Empowering Perspectives: Navigating WEF, Shadow Aliens, and Pro-Life/Pro-Choice 52:17

8M ago52:17

52:17

Welcome to "Unfiltered Vision: Women on a Mission," the podcast where authenticity meets empowerment. Join your hosts Stacia and Shak as they embark on a transformative journey of unapologetic conversations. These dynamic women fearlessly tackle a wide range of topics, including the intricate workings of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the mysterio…

1
Grand Tamasha Unveils the Best Books of 2023 22:48

8M ago22:48

22:48

Back in 2019, we started the Grand Tamasha podcast on a whim. India’s 2019 general elections were around the corner, and we sensed that there might be a (temporary) marketplace for a weekly audio podcast focused on Indian politics and policy for diehards hoping to keep up with the campaign action. Nearly five years later, the podcast has become a w…

1
The Indian Supreme Court in the Modi Era 44:08

9M ago44:08

44:08

Over the past decade, India has witnessed significant conflict within—and around—several democratic institutions meant to act as a check on executive power. One of the most important theatres of conflict has been the judiciary—more specifically, the Supreme Court. A new book by the legal scholar Gautam Bhatia, Unsealed Covers: A Decade of the Const…

1
What the 2023 State Elections Tell Us About 2024 50:20

9M ago50:20

50:20

On December 3, votes were finally tallied in four Indian states which went for elections this past month—the last test parties and candidates will face before the general elections in April-May of next year. After much anticipation, Counting Day left very little to the imagination. In a big setback for the Congress Party and the opposition alliance…

1
Tackling India’s Air Pollution Crisis 42:06

9M ago42:06

42:06

Anyone who has even casually glanced at the news over the past several weeks would be hard pressed to miss the plethora of headlines about north India’s air pollution crisis. Every year as late Fall rolls around, air pollution across north India—including in the nation’s capital of Delhi—climbs to levels that make life almost unlivable for hundreds…

1
The Downfall of India's Princely States 55:30

10M ago55:30

55:30

One of the most remarkable episodes in modern Indian history is the story of how the leaders of over 550 sovereign princely states were convinced that they should give up their independence to become a part of a free India. This monumental task of accession was carried out over weeks, not months or years. But accession was just the first step in an…

1
Demystifying the Indian Supreme Court 51:06

10M ago51:06

51:06

In recent years, there has a growing concern that the Supreme Court of India is not firing on all cylinders. Critics have argued that the court functions in an opaque manner, exhibits excessive deference to the executive, is sluggish in concluding cases, and is hampered by an excessive reliance on super-lawyers who can get their cases heard for exo…

1
The India-Canada Conundrum 51:04

10M ago51:04

51:04

It’s been six weeks since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to the floor of Parliament to announce that Canadian security agencies had evidence of credible allegations that Indian authorities had a hand in the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on Canadian soil in June 2023. Nijjar was a well-known activist in Sikh diasp…

1
India’s Pivot in the Middle East 53:52

10M ago53:52

53:52

As the fighting between Israel and Hamas intensifies, the world is bracing for the widening of a conflict that has the potential to escalate quickly and bring in outside powers from the region and beyond. India’s position in the aftermath of the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th—and the subsequent Israeli military response—has been no…

1
What the Women's Reservation Bill Means for Women 41:24

11M ago41:24

41:24

In September, India’s parliament passed a long-anticipated piece of legislation, known as the Women’s Reservation Bill. The bill—which sailed through both houses of Parliament within days of being introduced— reserves one-third of seats in the national parliament and the various state assemblies for women—formalizing a quota that has long existed a…

1
What the Solar Revolution Means for India and the World 36:15

11M ago36:15

36:15

One of the major themes of India’s G20 presidency, which concludes later this year, has been the advancement of an ambitious green transition for the 21st century. If the world’s hopes of accelerating a clean, sustainable, just, affordable, and inclusive energy transition are to come to fruition, ensuring the spread of solar power—especially to the…

1
The Hidden History of Conservative Economics in Post-1947 India 45:21

11M ago45:21

45:21

Toward a Free Economy: Swatantra and Opposition Politics in Democratic India is a new book on the Swatantra Party, a leading opposition party that emerged after Indian independence to contest the entrenched dominance of the Congress Party. The leaders of Swatantra imagined a conservative alternative to the left-of-center Congress, one that embraced…

1
An Unconventional History of 20th Century South Asia 48:52

11M ago48:52

48:52

Shadows at Noon: The South Asian Twentieth Century is a sweeping new book by the historian Joya Chatterji. The book tells the subcontinent's story from the British Raj through independence and partition to the forging of the modern nations of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. This is no ordinary history, however. Of course, there is plenty of politi…

1
What the Personal Data Protection Act Means for India 47:04

12M ago47:04

47:04

This August, India’s parliament passed a landmark piece of legislation, known as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. The new act provides a framework for the protection of users’ personal data and the privacy of individuals. The passage of this bill marks the culmination of a decade-long effort to frame a data privacy law—an effort that has h…

1
Unfiltered Vision: Reagan Box's Bold 2026 Senate Run and America's Tomorrow 34:08

12M ago34:08

34:08

Prepare to be captivated by a riveting episode that promises to reshape your perspective on American politics. In this electrifying edition of the Unfiltered Vision Podcast, we welcome Reagan Box, the Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate in 2026. Join us for an unfiltered, no-holds-barred discussion that delves deep into the latest and most critica…

1
India's G20 Triumph 44:42

12M ago44:42

44:42

On Saturday, September 9, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised observers by announcing on Day One of the G20 summit in New Delhi that all 20 member nations had achieved consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration. The announcement capped nine months of frenzied activity which involved thousands of meetings, consultations, and…

1
Ro Khanna on the U.S.-India Partnership 31:04

12M ago31:04

31:04

Ro Khanna is a Member of the United States Congress who has represented California's 17th congressional district since 2017. He also serves as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and recently led a bipartisan delegation to India that coincided with India’s Independence Day. During their visit, the eight-member delega…

1
Breaking Barriers: Wayne A. Pope Sr. - A Candid Dive into the Future of America 49:59

1y ago49:59

49:59

Get ready for an electrifying episode that's set to reshape your perspective on American politics! In this groundbreaking edition of the Unfiltered Vision Podcast, we welcome Wayne A. Pope Sr., the Democratic Presidential Candidate for 2024. Buckle up for a no-holds-barred discussion that dissects the latest political issues shaping the United Stat…

1
The Next Chapter in U.S.-India Defense Ties 38:58

1y ago38:58

38:58

After a long summer break, we are excited to be back with the tenth season of Grand Tamasha. To kick off our brand-new season, this week Milan sits down with the U.S. government’s point person on the U.S.-India defense relationship to discuss the next chapter in U.S.-India defense ties. Lindsey Ford is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for …

1
Unfiltered Vision: Coffee and Truth - Makya Little's Unconventional Path: Intelligence Agency Officer to Political Candidacy 30:35

1y ago30:35

30:35

Welcome to "Unfiltered Vision," the podcast that uncovers extraordinary stories, transcending boundaries and challenging norms. In this captivating episode, we sit down with the remarkable Makya Little, a trailblazer who has journeyed from being an Intelligence Agency Officer to the forefront of political candidacy, with an ongoing case against the…

1
MacDaddy Life - From Ex-Racist to Champion of Black History and HBCUs 30:07

1y ago30:07

30:07

Welcome to "Unfiltered Vision," the podcast that fearlessly explores transformative journeys and impactful narratives. In this compelling episode, we sit down with TikTok Influencer MackDaddy Life, who takes us on a remarkable odyssey from his past as an ex-racist to his present role as a passionate advocate for Black History and Historically Black…

1
Rescuing the Indian Statistical System 39:25

1y ago39:25

39:25

Programming Note: This is the very last episode of Season Nine of Grand Tamasha. As is our usual, we are going to take July and August off to recharge our batteries. We will be back in September with our tenth season of podcasts, and we’re excited about the conversations we have planned for the Fall. Some of our listeners may recall way back in Feb…

1
Analyzing the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision 28:56

1y ago28:56

28:56

Welcome to "Unfiltered Vision," the podcast that fearlessly explores the critical issues shaping our society. In this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the Supreme Court's groundbreaking ruling on affirmative action, dissecting its implications and sparking a vital conversation on equal opportunity and social progress. Join us as we navi…

1
A Realistic and Resilient U.S.-India Partnership 35:25

1y ago35:25

35:25

Last week on the show, Milan sat down with the Carnegie Endowment’s Ashley J. Tellis to discuss his much talked about Foreign Affairs essay titled, “America’s Bad Bet on India.” In that piece, Ashley argues that if U.S. policymakers are expecting India to come to America’s aid in the event of a military conflict with China, they would be well advis…

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