BBC Worklife India

As governments across the world ease lockdown restrictions, more and more people are now returning to work. In India, too, this week marks the start of considerable relaxation in the lockdown, which has been in effect since 24 March. Industries and businesses are making a cautious start with stringent health and safety regulations in place. Some have opted for staggered working hours, while others are going for flexible shifts. But with the threat from the pandemic far from over, returning to work is not easy. For many, concerns remain. What about the risk of contracting the coronavirus once back in the workplace? And what about financial security, as cash strapped companies go for huge salary cuts or pink slips to staff? A recent study indicates as many as 93% of India Inc employees are anxious about returning to work over health and financial concerns. So, in this edition of WorklifeIndia, we talk about how to manage work-life after the lockdown.

From the Olympics to the Indian Premier League, many major sporting events have had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Every part of the sporting value chain is affected. In addition to suffering heavy financial losses, sportspeople are having to deal with an uncertain future. So, what happens next? As some countries like Germany and South Korea try to partially resume the sporting calendar, what will be the new normal in the sporting world? Will major leagues be held to empty stadiums to follow social distancing norms? And how will masks and gloves, and strict new conditions, affect players’ performance on the field? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how can sports survive this pandemic.

India has relaxed restrictions on farming and related industries, as it prepares to emerge from a countrywide lockdown. The move is aimed at easing the country’s food supply chain and alleviating economic impact. More than half of India’s workforce is engaged in farming, and agriculture contributes nearly 265bn dollars to the GDP. But the extended lockdown has hurt farming activities. With winter crops just harvested, farmers are facing acute challenges in transporting and selling their produce. Many say they have had to simply leave the harvested produce to rot. The government has announced a 23bn dollar relief package to provide food security and cash transfers to the poor, but it has been criticized for being inadequate. So, how are India’s farmers coping and is the country’s food security under threat? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss the struggle of the Indian farmers and look at measures that can help them survive.

India has relaxed restrictions on farming and related industries, as it prepares to emerge from a countrywide lockdown. The move is aimed at easing the country’s food supply chain and alleviating economic impact. More than half of India’s workforce is engaged in farming, and agriculture contributes nearly 265bn dollars to the GDP. But the extended lockdown has hurt farming activities. With winter crops just harvested, farmers are facing acute challenges in transporting and selling their produce. Many say they have had to simply leave the harvested produce to rot. The government has announced a 23bn dollar relief package to provide food security and cash transfers to the poor, but it has been criticized for being inadequate. So, how are India’s farmers coping and is the country’s food security under threat? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss the struggle of the Indian farmers and look at measures that can help them survive.

India has taken tentative steps to ease lockdown restrictions for some industrial and agricultural activities. According to a recent study, the country is facing an economic loss of nearly 234 billion dollars due to the lockdown, which has now been in place for more than four weeks. The focus now is to restart the stalled economy and save jobs. Nearly 120 million people are presently unemployed. The International Monetary Fund has estimated a sharp economic recovery for India in financial year 2022, at 7.4 per cent. But how soon can recovery take place across different sectors, and what will it take to restore consumer confidence? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss whether India’s coronavirus-hit businesses are ready for a comeback.

As India extends stay-at-home orders to fight the coronavirus outbreak, social media usage has seen a huge spike. According to a recent study, Indians are spending more than four hours every day on social media - nearly an 87% increase since before the lockdown. So social media influencers are faced with the difficult challenge of delivering fresh content and making money, despite severe restrictions on movement. Experts say the economic impact of coronavirus is starting to bite and may lead to a 15-25 per cent drop in what influencers earn for sponsored posts while events get cancelled and businesses trim budgets. Travel influencers are particularly hit by an industry-wide meltdown as nearly 75 million jobs are at risk worldwide - one in eight of them in India - according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. So, how significant are the challenges in the near term? And what are social media influencers doing to cope with the lockdown? #WorklifeIndia looks at the best ways that influencers are finding to create fresh content and their shift to alternative strategies to avoid lockdown blues.

With India on coronavirus lockdown, are families feeling the strain? It has been more than 15 days since India shut its $2.9 trillion economy, issuing strict stay-at-home orders to more than a billion people. Now as the country’s government looks to extend the rigorous 21-day lockdown, how will it impact parenting? According to a UN Women report released in 2019, nearly 80% of households in India include couples - or extended families - living with children. Is it easy to manage work, home chores, taking care of the elderly and keeping children engaged? While most of the emotional pressure-cooker points have clearly defined exits – like stepping out for work, socialising with friends – it’s not the case with the ongoing lockdown. Is it leaving parents seething with irritability or bringing them serenely closer than ever before? Are they taking this time to celebrate with children and contemplate life or is the uncertainty an ingredient for increased stress? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how parents are keeping their kids engaged during the coronavirus lockdown.

Millions of migrant labourers in India have set off on foot for their villages, sparking a crisis as the country observes a lockdown to cope with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many are walking hundreds of miles as public transport has been suspended. The migrant workers form the backbone of the big city economy. They mostly work in informal sectors, as construction labourers on building sites, domestic helpers in housing blocks, or food delivery staff at takeaways. Most live in poor conditions in congested urban ghettos, but they are now expressing fears that they will starve to death as the lockdown has turned them into refugees overnight. What are their stories of the long journey back to their villages? And what are the measures being taken by the government to help these people? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss what is happening on the ground and what are the solutions to resolve India’s massive migration crisis.

As the world adjusts itself to the coronavirus pandemic, one of the biggest changes is enforced home working. Quarantines and social distancing measures have become the new norm in India, the world's second-most populous country. As companies adapt to remote work amid a health crisis and a government-imposed nationwide lockdown, fresh new challenges are emerging at workplaces. How can companies shed off conservative corporate culture? Is it easy for employees to stay motivated and retain work-life balance? Does working from home affect mental health and productivity? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss how a global health crisis is changing the way we work.

Companies around the world are rolling out mandatory remote work due to the coronavirus outbreak. Is shifting to the remote office the new normal? And how is it impacting the business of sharing your workplace with other companies, freelancers and startups? India is one of the biggest markets for shared workspaces with over 200 players in the industry. But will all be able to survive in this price-conscious market? What are the experiences and challenges of coworking? And what are the implications of the coronavirus outbreak as governments urge citizens to work from home?

Worried customers were seen queuing up outside Yes Bank's branches in India earlier this month. The reason? The country's fifth largest private bank suspended its operations and was placed under a 30-day moratorium by the Central Reserve Bank of India. The troubled lender's collapse comes after the fall of another big bank in 2019. In the last four years, several other cases of fraud have been reported in the wider finance sector. The latest case has worsened fears that India's banks are under stress and not doing terribly well. So should people be worried about the safety of their money? Are there any safety nets in place? And are there any knock-on effects? We ask how depositors can better divide savings and whether there are any quick fixes to their immediate troubles.

India has more than 90 million Muslim women. A majority of them are poor and uneducated. Even those at the top of the table of the society feel that they have to face too many established narratives, whether it’s about domestic violence, forced marriage or the burqa, preventing real discussions on more important issues. In recent years, India has also witnessed an increase in hate crimes against the minority Muslim community and some say they now feel anxious about their future as an Indian Muslim. As International Women's Day approaches, we speak to those who have challenged gender and religious stereotypes in India. We ask them, what does it mean to be a Muslim woman in today's India?

Globally, more than 82,000 people in more than 50 countries are now infected with the coronavirus. Close to 2,800 have died, mostly in China’s central Hubei province. While countries battle to control the outbreak, the World Health Organisation has warned it will be ‘fatal’ for any country to assume it will not get any cases. In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we ask, what is the hidden impact of the coronavirus? What measures is India taking to ensure complete preparedness? Is there a social cost to the misinformation around coronavirus? And will businesses that are heavily dependent upon their trade with China cushion the imminent fallout?

Many of us love the natural world. We find animals cute, majestic and even fascinating - but rapid urbanisation and deforestation are threatening their population all over the world. As India hosts an international UN summit to discuss new measures to protect endangered wildlife, it is also facing an increasing risk of extinction of three of these species - the Great Indian Bustard, Asiatic Elephant and the Bengal Florican. In fact, nearly 100 bird species in the country are also at risk of extinction. Is development coming at a cost of depleting natural resources? Is it time the authorities took stricter measures to prevent poaching, habitat encroachment and illegal trade of animals? WorklifeIndia discusses the reasons and the solutions to mitigate India's vanishing wildlife species.

It's Valentine's Day and love is being celebrated across the world. But the way we seek love has vastly changed, and India is no exception. Technology and modern living have morphed how we find romance and express love. While popular culture continues to be overwhelmingly straight, many are breaking free of the default 'hetero' norm, to acknowledge their preference for non-heterosexual sexuality. In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we ask: what are the different faces of modern love? Has the idea of romance changed? And how is it affecting our psyche, interactions with people, and the way we look at relationships?

India has won 13 Olympic medals since the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and women account for five of them. In contrast, all 13 medals claimed by India pre-Sydney belong to men, signifying a change in paradigm in the nation's sporting landscape. But several challenges remain. In a country with a skewed sex ratio, gender discrimination, and striking disparities in opportunities for boys versus girls, it has taken sheer grit and guts for many of our sportswomen to come out shining and force a mindset change. Now, as the BBC launches its first-ever Indian Sportswoman of the Year award, WorklifeIndia asks how Indian women in sports can break barriers and change the game.

The gap between the super-rich and the rest of the world is widening, as wealth continues to be owned by a small minority, according to a new report by global non-profit, Oxfam. Over 2,000 of the world's billionaires have more wealth than nearly 60 per cent of the planet’s population. The contrast is even sharper for developing countries such as India, where some 74% of the money generated goes to the richest 10%, the charity says. So what's the best way to greater equality and faster growth? How can we raise the living standards of the poor, especially the poorest 40%? And how can more women get economic benefit for their unpaid care work?

India is among the world's youngest nations. More than half of its population, over 600 million people, is under the age of 25. That is an extraordinary demographic that gives a sense of importance of young Indians for the future of Asia and of the world. Today's young people are well aware of events in other parts of the world. They are vocal in their demands for good jobs and better education, they challenge established social norms, and in schools and colleges, they are learning to dream big. But are their rising aspirations being met with equal opportunities? What are the fears and concerns in the minds of the Indian youth? What does a young India really want?

Walking on the streets in many Indian cities is often likened to an adventure. People are seen jostling for space in narrow lanes, hawkers shouting, traffic zooming past and of course cows squatting in the middle of the roads. But there is very little chance of finding a walkway with a ramp for people with disabilities, or markers to help the visually challenged. India is home to more than 26 million people with disabilities. A majority of them live in rural areas and struggle for access to education, employment and healthcare. #WorklifeIndia asks how government, corporates and civil society can come together to ensure dignity and inclusion for people living with disabilities.

It’s a new year and the start of a fresh chapter. It is also the time we make resolutions to bring changes into our lives. So what’s on your list? Are you thinking about buying that dream car or home, but don’t have enough funds? Or are you looking at quitting your job to be your own boss, but aren’t sure how to start and what to do? #WorklifeIndia speaks to experts to ask the million-dollar question: how should we manage our money?

Remember the times when you planned your day such that you could catch your favourite show on television? If you missed an episode, you would call others to fill you in. Streaming services and video-on-demand have changed all that. We now consume content on web series, television shows and films anytime and anywhere we like. How does content differ across different platforms? And how is the rise of streaming impacting Bollywood and the traditional platforms like movie theatres? #WorklifeIndia asks how the streaming revolution is changing viewing habits in India, home to one of the world’s most dynamic entertainment markets.

Transphobia is on the rise, recent studies indicate. In the UK alone, trans-hate crimes recorded by the police rose by 81% since last year. Another study of nearly 10 million social media posts across the US and UK by analytics firm Brandwatch says that there is 'inhumane' harassment and transphobhic abuse on digital platforms. In India, over half a million transgender people continue to struggle against discrimination. Many opt for expensive and complicated gender reassignment surgeries to gain social acceptance. So what can be done to make society more inclusive towards transgender people? Could providing better education and legislation improve their rights?

Air pollution in the north of India has reached unbearable levels this month. Many areas of the country’s capital, Delhi, reported hazardous air quality, with the potential to cause respiratory illnesses. Schools were closed for two days and people advised to stay indoors. Low visibility due to a persistent haze caused many flights to be diverted. Rules also went into effect to allow only cars with odd or even number plates to be driven on given days. While politicians blame each other for the conditions, the city’s residents are taking to the streets and the social media to express discontent. Last week, protests were held demanding action to curb pollution using long-term and sustainable anti-pollution measures. So, how are people surviving the toxic air? And what can be done to make the city’s air cleaner?

Many countries are moving towards cashless payment systems. In India too, the trend is picking up. Cards, online banking, digital wallets and other digital payment systems are quite popular. But this also puts users at risk, as cybercriminals target unsuspecting consumers with different kinds of financial frauds. From ATM fraud to social engineering – where someone tries to extract personal information like a password from you – cyber scams are everywhere. How can you avoid becoming prey to one? #WorklifeIndia asks how you can protect your money in the digital age.

Plus-size people often battle issues with social acceptance and self-esteem. They often have to face bullying, harassment, body-shaming and unsolicited advice. Meanwhile, shopping can be a nightmare, due to a shortage of clothing options. But social attitudes are changing. Brands are increasingly recognising plus-size fashion as a business opportunity, and understanding that plus-size fashion can be trendy too. #WorklifeIndia asks if India is ready for plus-size fashion.

As the global economy slows down, people's purchasing power is taking a hit. The International Monetary Fund has forecast that the global economy will grow at just 3% this year - the slowest since the recession of 2008-09. India's central bank too says that consumer confidence has dipped to a six-year low in the country. According to experts, consumer confidence is like an oil tanker - once moved, it can take a very long time to turn around. So, how significant are the current consumer trends? And what can be done to revive consumer confidence? #WorklifeIndia discusses the best ways to create fresh demand and asks what some of the innovative measures are to reform the market and to boost consumer confidence.

There are 450 million smartphone users in India - the second-highest number globally, behind only China. Dirt-cheap data and affordable mobile phones are driving this boom in connectivity. It’s bringing key services like healthcare, education and banking to millions, and for both local and foreign companies, India is becoming a preferred market for their next billion users. Yet parts of India remain under-penetrated with lack of infrastructure and connectivity. A significant population is still in the dark. #WorklifeIndia asks how the mobile revolution is transforming India and impacting our lives, and how digital inclusion can be achieved.

Not a single woman won a Nobel Prize in the science category this year. This is not unusual: according to the United Nations, only 20 women have made it to the list of winners in physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine in more than a hundred years. While women are increasingly opting to be scientists, there is still a huge gap. Women are often told that subjects like engineering and mathematics are not for them. They face discrimination in hiring, growth and funding for research. In this special edition, #WorklifeIndia heads to the India Economic Summit organised in Delhi by the World Economic Forum. We speak to female tech entrepreneurs and scientists and ask them what’s holding women back in the field of science.

India produces an estimated 26,000 tonnes of plastic a day. The majority is packaging material, for everything ranging from takeaway food to online shopping. Most of it ends up at crowded landfill sites in the city along with other waste. A lot of it finds its way into drains and waterways, and eventually into the oceans. It’s toxic not just for the environment and wildlife, but for human health as well. The Indian government has started a campaign to rid the country of single-use plastic over the next three years. But plastic is cheap and ubiquitous, and alternative materials aren’t as easily available and are often more expensive. Are we ready to embrace a life without single-use plastic? Are companies willing to make the change? And what can consumers do to switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle?

Big cities around the world are getting increasingly congested. In some Indian cities, the average commute time easily runs into several hours. A lot of commuters spend their commutes working, answering emails and taking calls. They are often stressed and tired even before the workday officially starts. It can affect performance, health, and work-life balance. So, how can employers make the daily commute less painful and more productive? Should it be counted as part of your workday? #WorklifeIndia speaks to the co-founder of an on-demand commuting service, a human resources professional and a long-distance commuter.

Globally, over 40 million people use vapes or e-cigarettes: battery-powered smoking devices filled with a liquid that contains nicotine, which is then heated into vapours that users inhale. Vapes are often available in attractive flavours and designs, making them popular with young people, and because they don’t contain tobacco, they are perceived by some as a healthier alternative to smoking. But many health experts feel they are dangerous, and could also be a gateway to smoking for others. That’s one of the reasons why India, the country with the world’s second-largest number of smokers, has banned vapes, joining many other countries around the world. Despite this, traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco are still legal here. There is also scepticism about the implementation of the ban, and questions on why the government did not decide to regulate the industry instead. So is banning vapes the solution, and who are the winners and losers from this decision in India?

From high end fashion to expensive jewellery, celebrity invites to exotic destinations, a luxury Indian wedding has it all. Generally lasting a few days, it feels more like a festival. With a huge, young demographic and nearly 20 million people tying the knot every year, India is the world’s second largest market for weddings. The industry is worth tens of billions of dollars and often considered “recession-proof”. But who are the people making it all happen? And how? What do millennial couples want and what are some of their most outlandish requests? #WorklifeIndia takes you behind the scenes of a big, fat Indian wedding with a celebrity fashion designer, a luxury wedding planner and the founder of a digital weddings discovery platform.

An estimated 40 million people globally are subjected to modern forms of slavery. Bonded and forced labour, child labour, sex trafficking and domestic servitude are still rife. India has adopted a United Nations goal to eradicate modern slavery by 2030, but how close are we to achieving that goal? How bad is the problem in India? How does caste-based discrimination play a role? How can businesses be made more accountable, and consumers more aware about the products they buy? We speak to a leading human rights lawyer, the head of an organisation working to free supply chains of bonded labour, and an activist fighting for the rights of those at the bottom of India’s caste hierarchy. We ask them how we can eradicate modern-day slavery.

After years of fast-paced growth, India’s economy is losing steam. In this country of more than a billion people, domestic consumption is one of the main drivers of growth but unemployment is rising and people's purchasing power has taken a hit. While the government maintains that the economic slowdown is temporary and a revival is not too far ahead, for now the impact of the slowdown is being felt across industries. Car sales are declining, private investment is slowing down and the shadow banking sector is in a crisis. India’s central bank has cut interest rates to boost the slowing economy, but is this enough? And with ambitions to become one of the world’s most powerful economies, which sectors can help drive India’s growth in the next 10 years? We speak to the vice-chairman of the Indian government’s policy think tank, an independent economic analyst, and a business journalist. We ask them what India can do to beat the current economic slowdown.

Some believe that believe cryptocurrencies are the new digital gold. From Bitcoin to Ethereum, there are over 2,000 kinds of cryptocurrencies globally, worth over $300bn in digital money. And now Facebook is planning to join the bandwagon with Libra, its own digital currency. But many are wary of cryptocurrencies and the risks associated with them. There are concerns about scams, fraud and user privacy. Countries like India have put restrictions in place on the trade of cryptocurrencies. Now, a new government committee in India has recommended a complete ban, including holding and investing in them. In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we speak to a young professional who works at a cryptocurrency exchange, the policy head at India's leading association of software companies, and a lawyer specialising in technology and privacy. We ask them whether India should ban cryptocurrencies, or embrace them instead as the future of money.

Until a few years ago, India was known globally as a hub for commercial surrogacy. Childless couples and individuals from India and abroad were ready to pay good money to have a child, and poor women were available to rent their wombs. Thousands of infertility clinics sprung up all over India to facilitate the multi-million-dollar industry. But the government has been cracking down on this practice. In 2015, foreigners were banned from seeking commercial surrogacy in India, and now a bill is in the parliament aiming to ban the practice completely, including for Indian citizens. Proponents of the ban say that the industry flourishes at the cost of financial and medical exploitation of the surrogates, and that commercial surrogacy poses serious questions around medical ethics. The government is pushing for altruistic surrogacy instead, which offers no financial compensation, comes under certain conditions, and excludes single parents and homosexual couples. On the other hand, supporters of the rent-a-womb industry, insist that surrogates are treated fairly, and it is a win-win situation for both surrogates and childless people seeking an alternative. We speak to a doctor with extensive professional experience in commercial surrogacy, a public health expert who supports the ban and believes that reproductive labour is highly exploitative, and a choreographer who was one of the first single men in India to adopt a child. We also hear the voices of surrogate mothers and ask them about their experiences.

A study points out that more than 40% of India’s corporate employees suffer from depression and anxiety. It’s a common illness, yet talking about it is still a taboo. And it costs the global economy $1 trillion in lost productivity each year. What are some recognisable signs of a mental health disorder? How can you help a colleague who’s struggling to cope? How does one go about looking for professional help, and is it accessible? In this episode of WorklifeIndia, we speak to a Bollywood star who spoke up about her struggle with depression, a therapist and counsellor working on mental health for more than two decades, the founder of a start-up bringing happiness to the corporate world, and a former corporate employee who was asked to leave her job over a mental health disorder and has now launched an initiative to sensitise workplaces. We ask them what practical solutions workplaces can implement to provide support to their employees.

According to a Greenpeace report, 15 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in India. The government is keen to clean up the air, and one idea is to push for more electric vehicles on the roads to address toxic vehicular emissions. It has announced tax incentives for consumers who purchase electric vehicles, and is pushing to set up more charging stations. But there are some bumps along the way. Does going electric really address air pollution? Is the required infrastructure in place? And are manufacturers and consumers ready to make the shift?

It's been 50 years since the human race first set foot on the Moon. And as the United States celebrates the historic Apollo 11 mission, India is hoping to achieve another space feat. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is attempting to soft-land a rover on the south pole of the Moon – something no other country has done before. The global commercial space industry is worth more than $300bn. India has developed a reputation for being a reliable launch pad for small satellites, but what more can India do to earn larger space revenues? And as India’s space sector slowly opens up to commercialisation, where do private space start-ups come in? Can India have its own version of SpaceX? We ask a young scientist who has developed satellites launched by both NASA and ISRO, a leading space entrepreneur with ventures in three different continents, and a researcher who specialises in India’s space programme whether India is on the right path to become a global space superpower.

India has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform itself into a $5 trillion economy over the next five years. For perspective, that would take the second most populous country in the world into third spot after the United States and China. But it’s not going to be easy, and even the government accepts that. Experts say there are many bottlenecks.The country faces high unemployment, a continuing farm crisis, and rising trade tensions. Growth has been slowing and there are no immediate signs of a turnaround. But the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which has presented the first budget of its second term in office, says concerns have been addressed. We talk to a top industrialist, an independent economist and an entrepreneur to look at the roadmap to achieve this ambitious target, and ask whether the budget can return India to high-trajectory growth.

Twenty-one of India’s major cities may run out of ground water as early as 2020 according to a government report. Some experts contest that assessment but daily water woes are a part of life for almost half of the country’s population. The southern city of Chennai, where reservoirs are drying up due to a delayed monsoon and poor water management, is severely affected. Residents there have been queuing up to collect water from rationed government services, and schools, hospitals and restaurants are struggling to cope. Meanwhile, the Indian government has set up a new Jal Shakti (water power) Ministry, and is proposing a massive project to interlink India’s rivers as an answer to the water crisis. We focus on water conservation and management solutions to India’s water crisis. We speak to a water activist based in Chennai who restores lakes and ponds, the head of a Delhi-based non-profit that works to recharge groundwater, and a water expert who specialises in rural irrigation economy and policy making.

India is facing a health crisis that says a lot about the state of its healthcare systems. More than 100 children have died due to an outbreak of encephalitis in the eastern state of Bihar. The patients are usually in small towns and rural areas where medical facilities are strained. Public hospitals are in a shabby state and struggling to cope with streams of patients. All of this impacts the poor the most, as they are unable to afford the state-of-the-art private medical facilities available in big cities. Public expenditure on healthcare in India is quite low, but last year, the government announced an ambitious health insurance scheme. Can it make healthcare more accessible? And what role can technology and telemedicine play in improving the quality of healthcare?