Podcasts about as india

This podcast episode, hosted by Kikee Doma Bhutia from the University of Tartu, features journalist and analyst Aadil Brar discussing India's foreign policy amidst rising global tensions. The conversation focuses on India's balancing act between the US, China, and its own strategic autonomy in a contested Indo-Pacific region. Key topics include India's evolving role as a middle power, responding to China's assertiveness along the India-China border and in the Indo-Pacific, while maintaining its traditional non-alignment stance. India's foreign policy is at a crossroads, shaped by five tense years since the Galwan Valley clash with China. Despite rounds of talks, the border remains uneasy and trust is scarce. Today, China's assertiveness drives nearly every major Indian strategic decision-from military deployments and Quad partnerships to concerns over Beijing's mega-dams on the Brahmaputra. Meanwhile, the US sees India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, but Delhi is determined to maintain its independence and avoid being boxed into alliances. As India watches China's moves from the Himalayas to Taiwan, the question is clear: Are we witnessing a true pivot in Indian foreign policy, or simply a sharp recalibration to meet new realities? The answer will shape Asia's balance of power for years to come. The podcast was brought to you by host Dr. Kikee Doma Bhutia a Research Fellow and India Coordinator at the Asia Centre, University of Tartu, Estonia. Her current research combines folkloristics, international relations and Asian studies, focusing on the role of religion and culture in times of crisis, national and regional identities, and geopolitics conflict between India and China. The podcast guest speaker Aadil Brar is a journalist and international affairs analyst based in Taipei, currently a Reporter at TaiwanPlus News. His reporting focuses on international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian security. Previously, he was a China news reporter for Newsweek and has contributed to the BBC World Service, The Print India, and National Geographic. In 2023, he was a Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fellow and a visiting scholar at National Chengchi University in Taipei. Brar holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and an MSc. in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. ​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies

This podcast episode, hosted by Kikee Doma Bhutia from the University of Tartu, features journalist and analyst Aadil Brar discussing India's foreign policy amidst rising global tensions. The conversation focuses on India's balancing act between the US, China, and its own strategic autonomy in a contested Indo-Pacific region. Key topics include India's evolving role as a middle power, responding to China's assertiveness along the India-China border and in the Indo-Pacific, while maintaining its traditional non-alignment stance. India's foreign policy is at a crossroads, shaped by five tense years since the Galwan Valley clash with China. Despite rounds of talks, the border remains uneasy and trust is scarce. Today, China's assertiveness drives nearly every major Indian strategic decision-from military deployments and Quad partnerships to concerns over Beijing's mega-dams on the Brahmaputra. Meanwhile, the US sees India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, but Delhi is determined to maintain its independence and avoid being boxed into alliances. As India watches China's moves from the Himalayas to Taiwan, the question is clear: Are we witnessing a true pivot in Indian foreign policy, or simply a sharp recalibration to meet new realities? The answer will shape Asia's balance of power for years to come. The podcast was brought to you by host Dr. Kikee Doma Bhutia a Research Fellow and India Coordinator at the Asia Centre, University of Tartu, Estonia. Her current research combines folkloristics, international relations and Asian studies, focusing on the role of religion and culture in times of crisis, national and regional identities, and geopolitics conflict between India and China. The podcast guest speaker Aadil Brar is a journalist and international affairs analyst based in Taipei, currently a Reporter at TaiwanPlus News. His reporting focuses on international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian security. Previously, he was a China news reporter for Newsweek and has contributed to the BBC World Service, The Print India, and National Geographic. In 2023, he was a Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fellow and a visiting scholar at National Chengchi University in Taipei. Brar holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and an MSc. in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. ​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

This podcast episode, hosted by Kikee Doma Bhutia from the University of Tartu, features journalist and analyst Aadil Brar discussing India's foreign policy amidst rising global tensions. The conversation focuses on India's balancing act between the US, China, and its own strategic autonomy in a contested Indo-Pacific region. Key topics include India's evolving role as a middle power, responding to China's assertiveness along the India-China border and in the Indo-Pacific, while maintaining its traditional non-alignment stance. India's foreign policy is at a crossroads, shaped by five tense years since the Galwan Valley clash with China. Despite rounds of talks, the border remains uneasy and trust is scarce. Today, China's assertiveness drives nearly every major Indian strategic decision-from military deployments and Quad partnerships to concerns over Beijing's mega-dams on the Brahmaputra. Meanwhile, the US sees India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, but Delhi is determined to maintain its independence and avoid being boxed into alliances. As India watches China's moves from the Himalayas to Taiwan, the question is clear: Are we witnessing a true pivot in Indian foreign policy, or simply a sharp recalibration to meet new realities? The answer will shape Asia's balance of power for years to come. The podcast was brought to you by host Dr. Kikee Doma Bhutia a Research Fellow and India Coordinator at the Asia Centre, University of Tartu, Estonia. Her current research combines folkloristics, international relations and Asian studies, focusing on the role of religion and culture in times of crisis, national and regional identities, and geopolitics conflict between India and China. The podcast guest speaker Aadil Brar is a journalist and international affairs analyst based in Taipei, currently a Reporter at TaiwanPlus News. His reporting focuses on international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian security. Previously, he was a China news reporter for Newsweek and has contributed to the BBC World Service, The Print India, and National Geographic. In 2023, he was a Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fellow and a visiting scholar at National Chengchi University in Taipei. Brar holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and an MSc. in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. ​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This podcast episode, hosted by Kikee Doma Bhutia from the University of Tartu, features journalist and analyst Aadil Brar discussing India's foreign policy amidst rising global tensions. The conversation focuses on India's balancing act between the US, China, and its own strategic autonomy in a contested Indo-Pacific region. Key topics include India's evolving role as a middle power, responding to China's assertiveness along the India-China border and in the Indo-Pacific, while maintaining its traditional non-alignment stance. India's foreign policy is at a crossroads, shaped by five tense years since the Galwan Valley clash with China. Despite rounds of talks, the border remains uneasy and trust is scarce. Today, China's assertiveness drives nearly every major Indian strategic decision-from military deployments and Quad partnerships to concerns over Beijing's mega-dams on the Brahmaputra. Meanwhile, the US sees India as a key counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific, but Delhi is determined to maintain its independence and avoid being boxed into alliances. As India watches China's moves from the Himalayas to Taiwan, the question is clear: Are we witnessing a true pivot in Indian foreign policy, or simply a sharp recalibration to meet new realities? The answer will shape Asia's balance of power for years to come. The podcast was brought to you by host Dr. Kikee Doma Bhutia a Research Fellow and India Coordinator at the Asia Centre, University of Tartu, Estonia. Her current research combines folkloristics, international relations and Asian studies, focusing on the role of religion and culture in times of crisis, national and regional identities, and geopolitics conflict between India and China. The podcast guest speaker Aadil Brar is a journalist and international affairs analyst based in Taipei, currently a Reporter at TaiwanPlus News. His reporting focuses on international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian security. Previously, he was a China news reporter for Newsweek and has contributed to the BBC World Service, The Print India, and National Geographic. In 2023, he was a Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fellow and a visiting scholar at National Chengchi University in Taipei. Brar holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of British Columbia and an MSc. in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. ​ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

As India and Pakistan accuse each other of fresh ceasefire breaches, defence expert Dr Dalbir Ahlawat unpacks the historical roots of their rivalry, previous ceasefire agreements, the fragile US-brokered truce, and the significance of the upcoming 12 May meeting between defence officials. With US mediation in the backdrop and tensions running high after the Pahalgam attack, we ask: is this ceasefire a turning point or just another pause in a recurring cycle of hostility? Join us for an analysis of where this conflict might head next.

Shloka Nath, Chief Executive Officer of the India Climate Collaborative (ICC), offers an in-depth look at the launch of the HCL ClimaForce Fund, a new initiative designed to bridge the critical gap between promising climate innovations and wide-scale adoption. The fund marks a notable evolution in Indian philanthropy, particularly in the climate mitigation space — an area that has historically received limited domestic funding. Until now, Indian philanthropic capital has largely been directed toward adaptation strategies, focusing on helping communities withstand the impacts of climate change. The HCL ClimaForce Fund, by contrast, shifts the focus to emissions reduction, enabling India to not only respond to climate change but lead on the development and deployment of climate solutions. At the heart of the initiative is a groundbreaking partnership between ICC and HCL, with visionary leadership from Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies. The fund targets three high-impact sectors: sustainable buildings, cooling, and freight — all of which are major contributors to India's future emissions profile and simultaneously ripe for innovation. India's building stock, for instance, is expected to double by 2040, and nearly 70% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 have yet to be constructed. Cooling demand is also set to triple by mid-century, while freight continues to be a critical area of economic and environmental concern. These sectors present a rare window to influence the direction of India's development — and by extension, its climate trajectory. The fund is designed to address what is often referred to as the “valley of death” — the stage where early-stage innovations struggle to gain traction due to a lack of commercial viability, limited data on effectiveness, and high perceived risk. By supporting pilot projects, demonstration initiatives, and capacity-building efforts, the HCL ClimaForce Fund provides the early, high-risk capital that most private investors are unwilling to commit. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for private sector investment and accelerates the scaling of climate solutions that are both affordable and suited to India's socio-economic realities. What distinguishes this effort is not just its technical sophistication, but its collaborative ethos. The India Climate Collaborative brings together a wide network of stakeholders — from policymakers and research institutions to real estate developers, logistics companies, and civil society actors. Rather than operating in silos, the fund is embedded in a broader ecosystem that understands both the scientific imperatives of climate action and the structural and behavioral shifts needed to enable adoption. It also signals a new model of philanthropy in the Global South: one that is strategic, catalytic, and deeply rooted in local leadership and priorities. The fund's structure and strategic focus reflect years of development, trust-building, and alignment between ICC and HCL. According to Nath, success will be measured not only in terms of the specific innovations supported, but in the broader transformation of India's climate finance ecosystem. By de-risking innovation, creating proof points, and fostering cross-sector collaboration, the HCL ClimaForce Fund has the potential to drive system-level change — not just in India, but across the Global South, where similar barriers to climate innovation persist. As India races toward 2030, Nath emphasizes the need to integrate climate action into the country's core development agenda. The ClimaForce Fund is one part of that larger vision: a pathway to scale homegrown, climate-smart solutions that can help define a new model of sustainable development. In her view, leadership today is less about having all the answers and more about enabling others to act — through trust, humility, and a shared commitment to transformative change. Thank you for downloading this episode of the Do One Better Podcast. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 300 case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship.    

As India eyes its net zero targets, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is becoming central to decarbonizing core industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. While the technology holds immense promise, its adoption in India remains limited—hindered by cost concerns and lack of policy clarity.To understand the road ahead, we spoke with Mr. Atanu Mukherjee, CEO of Dastur Energy. From shaping early internet technologies to leading CCUS innovation in India, Mr. Atanu Mukherjee shares a compelling perspective on the need for supportive policies, financing models, and industry-wide collaboration to scale CCUS in India's energy transition.Full transcript of the episode is available in EnglishPresented by 101ReportersAtanu Mukherjee is on TwitterFollow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

This podcast is about an amazing woman and her journey from Wall Street to Purpose-Driven Leadership. Meet India Gary-Martin's and listen to her amazing journey to Chair the Women Business Collaborative (WBC). On this episode of On the Brink with Andi Simon, I had the great pleasure of speaking with India Gary Martin—an accomplished global executive, entrepreneur, and now the new Chair of the Women Business Collaborative (WBC). India's story is more than a professional journey—it's an inspiring narrative about opportunity, resilience, and leadership rooted in purpose. A Global Journey Rooted in Advocacy India began her career with ambitions far from Wall Street—initially pursuing drama at Spelman College, an all-women's institution that helped shape her lifelong commitment to advancing women. A pivot to business led her to Wall Street, where she spent nearly 25 years rising through the ranks and across borders, holding CEO and CTO roles in major financial institutions. Her global career took her to London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, all while raising a family and nurturing a growing passion for justice and equity. Through it all, India remained grounded in one core belief: opportunity emerges when you stay open to change. Her career was not meticulously planned but rather built through taking chances—ones that would later translate into entrepreneurial ventures and global leadership roles. From Banking to Beauty: The Entrepreneurial Chapter India's foray into entrepreneurship was sparked not only by her desire to chart her own path but by a wake-up call. After returning from a business trip, her young daughter barely recognized her. It was a moment of reckoning—and renewal. What followed was a bold leap: the launch of a green nail polish line that grew from two retail shops in London to 300 stores across Europe and the Middle East, including Harvey Nichols and Space NK. But success is never linear. Brexit disrupted the business, scaring off investors and forcing India to shut it down. “It was the hardest thing I've ever done,” she told me, “but I learned how to pivot, and that failure isn't failure—it's just learning.” Her next chapter returned her to her roots in leadership. With Leadership for Execs and Lucent Learning, India created scalable coaching and leadership development platforms for companies, governments, and nonprofits. She also launched Act Three, a community designed to support women in midlife transition. Each venture reflects her holistic vision of leadership: adaptive, inclusive, and deeply human. Carrying Forward a Vision: Honoring Edie Fraser The Women Business Collaborative (WBC), which India now chairs, was founded by the remarkable Edie Fraser, a visionary leader in her own right. Edie had a bold and clear mission: to accelerate progress for women in business by uniting the efforts of organizations, corporations, and individuals under a single collaborative umbrella. She recognized that too many were working in silos—fighting the same battles for equal pay, position, and power. Edie's vision was both simple and powerful: we can go farther, faster, together. Her leadership transformed a concept into a movement, building a platform that now connects over 80 partner organizations, dozens of corporate champions, and countless advocates committed to equity. India Gary Martin steps into this legacy with both reverence and readiness, taking WBC into its next chapter of impact. You will enjoy watching our podcast with India here: Why WBC, Why Now? India's appointment as Chair of the Women Business Collaborative couldn't have come at a more important time. As she told me, “WBC has a tremendous opportunity right now to be a beacon for women in business. It's not just about convening—it's about shaping the future.” With over 80 partner organizations, sponsors, and donors, WBC stands at the forefront of driving change. India brings to it not just experience, but a deeply reflective, philosophical approach to leadership. She believes that collaboration doesn't mean compromising your mission—it means amplifying what unites us. “I don't believe in pushing the boulder uphill,” she said. “We do this with ease because it's who we are. It's how we operate.” Leading by Redesigning the Container One of the most profound insights India shared during our conversation was about the importance of culture in shaping behavior. “People behave as the container creates,” she explained. Rather than focusing on fixing people, she argues, organizations should focus on fixing the environment in which they operate. This anthropological lens is close to my heart. Culture isn't changed with a program or a policy—it's transformed through trust, relationships, and the daily experiences that shape how people feel and behave. As India noted, work has become transactional. We must bring it back to being relational. A Call to Community As we wrapped up our conversation, India left listeners with three powerful takeaways: You are not alone. Find your tribe. WBC is one of them. Opportunity is everywhere. Even the stormiest moments will pass—every storm runs out of rain. We are better together. None of the changes we seek can happen in isolation. Collaboration is not a strategy—it's a necessity. India also shared her excitement for the upcoming Women's Capital Summit in New York City on May 21–22. This event is all about connecting women founders with funders—and building the future of shared success. “Founders and funders, please come out,” she urged. “This is a real moment for us.” Final Thoughts India Gary Martin's story reminds us that the path to leadership isn't always straight—but it is always full of opportunity if we stay open. She embodies the power of living with purpose, leading with vision, and building together. To learn more, listen to the full podcast on On the Brink with Andi Simon and be sure to check out WBC's work and the Women's Capital Summit. Let's go further, faster—together. Other podcasts you will enjoy: 432: Gloria Bohan: From School Teacher to Travel Titan 419: Jennifer Leslie: Transform your Business with Self Awareness 405: How Denielle Finkelstein and Thyme Sullivan Are Revolutionizing Period Care Additional resources for you: My two award-winning books: Rethink: Smashing The Myths of Women in Business and On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights Our newest book, Women Mean Business: Over 500 Insights from Extraordinary Leaders to Spark Your Success, co-authored with Edie Fraser and Robyn Freedman Spizman All of our white papers, particularly those on Blue Ocean Strategy Our Medium publications (come friend us) Our website: Simon Associates Management Consultants Listen + Subscribe: Available wherever you get your podcasts—Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, and more. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share with someone navigating their own leadership journey. Reach out and contact us if you want to see how a little anthropology can help your business grow.  Let's Talk! From Observation to Innovation, Andi Simon,PhD CEO | Corporate Anthropologist | Author Simonassociates.net Info@simonassociates.net @simonandi LinkedIn

Today, Morgan, Martha, and Jess break down Vice President JD Vance's visit to India—a trip originally billed as personal but packed with high-level meetings and geopolitical implications. Vance's arrival coincided with the deadliest terrorist attack in Kashmir in nearly 20 years, as gunmen killed at least two dozen tourists. As India blames Pakistan, tensions are rising, just as the U.S. seeks to deepen trade and security ties with New Delhi. What does this attack mean for India's potential military response—and for regional stability? Can the U.S. and India align more closely on counterterrorism and China strategy? And with Trump and Vance pursuing a more transactional approach to diplomacy, is this the moment to finally lock in a U.S.-India trade agreement?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out these sources which helped shape our Fellows' conversation: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/india-kashmir-terror-attack-tourists-killed-wounded-pahalgam/ Follow our experts on Twitter: @morganlroach@NotTVJessJones@marthamillerdcLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/5F1Mj-0zC4k Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

//The Wire//2200Z April 22, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: TOURIST GROUP AMBUSHED IN KASHMIR, 24 DEAD. DHS SECRETARY VICTIM OF PICKPOCKET, DRAWING SECURITY CONCERNS.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE----- -International Events-India: Overnight unknown insurgents ambushed a group of tourists in the resort town of Pahalgam in Kashmir. So far, the death toll stands at 24 fatalities and an unknown number of wounded as per Indian officials. PM Modi has stated that the incident was a terror attack.AC: The timing of this attack was very likely not random. Not only did this attack take place during American VP Vance's visit to India, but this is the most significant attack in recent memory. In the wider context of the very controversial Kashmir region, the indiscriminate targeting of unarmed civilians is outside the norm for the various separatist groups that have freedom of maneuver throughout the area. As India's government has increasingly flexed their muscle in Kashmir by having an increased security presence over the years, if these attacks continue this could indicate another intensification of conflict throughout the beleaguered region.  -HomeFront-Washington D.C. - Controversy has erupted following a minor incident involving DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who's purse was stolen while having dinner in Washington on Sunday. The investigation into the theft is ongoing.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: While the attention Noem has received since beginning her role at DHS has been palpable, this situation is the latest in highlighting the long-standing problems within federal agencies.The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for managing the US Secret Service, which in turn is responsible for protecting high-ranking individuals who are critical to national security. A person who can get close enough to steal a purse can also do other things. As incredulous as that seems by itself, one must remember the assailant also succeeded in getting away without being noticed until afterward. It's one thing if someone snatched a purse and made it approximately 12 feet before being tackled to the ground...but in this case not one member of her security detail seemed to notice anything happened at all. This means that a malign actor was able to get within close proximity of their protectee, remove something from their possession, and egress from the area undetected.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

As India transitions toward a low-carbon future, the private sector's role in embracing sustainability and ESG is paramount. While top corporations lead with ambitious net-zero goals, many small and mid-sized firms are yet to begin their sustainability and ESG journey — held back by data challenges, lack of awareness, and complex disclosure frameworks.To understand how Indian companies can embrace sustainability and ESG, we spoke with Ms. Prarthana Borah, Vice President, Momentum. With decades of experience across environmental education and corporate sustainability, she offers valuable insights on simplifying ESG frameworks, building internal capacity, and unlocking the potential of India's private sector in the net-zero transition. Full transcript of the episode is available in English Presented by 101Reporters Prarthana Borah is on Linkedin & Twitter Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

To get your dose of daily business news, tune into Mint Top of the Morning on Mint Podcasts available on all audio streaming platforms. https://open.spotify.com/show/7x8Nv1RlOKyMV5IftIJwP1?si=bf5ecbaedd8f4ddc This is Nelson John, and I'll bring you the top business and tech stories, let's get started.  Trump's Tariffs Shake Global Trade, But India Stays Steady Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs—10% on all imports and 27% on Indian goods—sent global markets into a tailspin, yet India's markets showed resilience. While Japan's Nikkei plunged nearly 3% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.5%, India's Sensex and Nifty 50 barely flinched. Analysts say India's competitive edge remains intact, though foreign investors pulled ₹2,806 crore from stocks. Meanwhile, gold prices surged as investors sought safe havens amid U.S. economic concerns. With central banks increasing gold reserves, the move signals deeper worries about the dollar's stability. India's Fuel Trade With the U.S. Faces New Challenges The 27% tariff on Indian imports is set to disrupt India's $6 billion petroleum trade with the U.S., particularly in refined fuels like gasoline. As Western nations cut Russian oil post-Ukraine war, India became a major supplier—but the new tariff threatens that role. Despite a 3.7% rise in export volume, revenue dropped 7% to $40.4 billion this fiscal year. Private refiners like Reliance and Nayara Energy are expected to take a hit. India is unlikely to retaliate with counter-tariffs, as that would raise domestic crude and LNG prices. Instead, officials are considering boosting imports of U.S. WTI crude to maintain trade ties. India's Pharma Industry Wins Tariff Exemption Amid Trump's tariff spree, Indian pharmaceuticals emerged unscathed. The U.S. exempted the sector, recognizing its role in providing affordable medicines worldwide. India supplies 40% of the U.S.'s generic drugs, saving the American healthcare system $219 billion in 2022 alone. With exports worth $8.7 billion to the U.S. and imports of just $800 million, the exemption benefits both nations. However, legal experts warn of potential future scrutiny under Section 232, which assesses imports based on national security concerns. For now, the exemption reinforces India's status as the “pharmacy of the world,” opening opportunities for biosimilars and domestic API production. BMW India's EV Sales Soar Despite Industry Caution BMW India defied concerns over slow EV adoption, reporting a threefold surge in electric vehicle sales in Q1 2024. EVs accounted for 17% of its total sales (3,914 units), with overall sales growing 7% year-on-year. While Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki remain cautious about EV adoption due to infrastructure challenges, BMW sees strong demand even in smaller cities. The company's latest EV, the BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, launched at Auto Expo 2024, has already secured 1,500 bookings. However, the auto industry faces headwinds from Trump's 25% tariff on auto imports, prompting manufacturers to refocus on internal combustion engines (ICE) amid policy uncertainty. Dusit International Returns to India With a Bold Expansion Plan After exiting in 2017, Thailand's Dusit International is making a comeback in India with plans to sign 30 hotels and 3,000 rooms in three years. “This time, we're getting it right,” says Siradej Donavanik, VP of Global Hotel Development. The company is targeting tier-II and III cities while maintaining a presence in metros. Led by industry veteran Deepika Arora, Dusit's expansion includes luxury and upper-midscale brands, with upcoming hotels in Raipur, Bhiwadi, Kolkata, Lonavala, Kasol, and Manali. As India's luxury travel market surges toward a projected $410 billion by 2030, Dusit sees a prime opportunity to establish a strong foothold.

What do the ultra-wealthy know about money that most of us don't? As India witnesses a historic rise in multi-generational wealth, the real secret isn't just better investing—it's a completely different way of thinking.In this episode, we dive into the psychology, systems, and temperament that shape how HNIs preserve and grow wealth across decades. We explore:Why creating wealth is not the same as preserving it?How the ultra-rich plan 30–50 years ahead—often for family members not yet born?The emotional side of money—fear, secrecy, social pressureHow family constitutions keep values and power aligned across generations?Why liquidity, not luxury, is often their biggest strategic edge?Watch full conversation with Munish Randev : https://youtu.be/4a47oKIOoZ4?si=CFhyImuUHIcO6Jts*Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL and certification from National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.Quotes or authorisations in this podcast are provided solely for educational purposes and relate to third-party products.

The role of State-Owned Enterprises (SoEs) in India's energy transition cannot be overstated. SoEs, or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), control majority of India's fossil fuel production and provide millions of jobs across the country. As India accelerates its energy transition, these enterprises will play a crucial role in scaling the rapid deployment of clean energy. Historically, SoEs have been key drivers of economic growth and local welfare. However, they are often seen as bureaucratic, slow in decision-making, and susceptible to political influence.To gain insights into the role Indian SoEs can play in this energy transition, we spoke with Dr. B. Veera Reddy, Former Director (Technical) of Coal India Limited and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Central Coalfields Limited. Dr. Reddy brings nearly four decades of experience working with Indian SoEs. Full transcript of the episode is available in English Presented by 101Reporters Follow TIEH podcast on Twitter, Linkedin & YouTubeOur hosts, Shreya Jai on Twitter, Linkedin & Dr. Sandeep Pai on Twitter, Linkedin

It's Thursday, March 20th, 2025. This is Nelson John, let's get started.  Market Rally Continues, Mid- & Small-Caps Shine Indian markets extended their winning streak for the third straight session, with the Sensex closing 148 points higher at 75,449 and Nifty 50 reclaiming 22,900. However, the real momentum was in mid- and small-cap stocks, which surged over 2%, adding nearly ₹5 lakh crore in investor wealth. “The market's positive momentum is backed by valuations,” said Vinod Nair of Geojit Financial Services, though global uncertainties persist. While Shriram Finance and HDFC Life led the gains, ITC and Tech Mahindra lagged. Analysts expect rangebound movement, with support at 22,600 and resistance at 23,100. Trump Organization Enters India's Commercial Realty Market After four luxury residential projects, the Trump Organization is launching its first commercial venture in India—Trump World Center Pune. Partnering with Tribeca Developers and Kundan Spaces, the ₹1,700 crore office complex will span 1.6 million sq. ft. with a premium retail boulevard. “There's a dearth of premium office spaces in India,” said Tribeca's Kalpesh Mehta. With record-high leasing in Pune's commercial market, experts believe Trump's entry will reshape the city's office landscape. Prologis Bets Big on India's Warehousing Boom Global warehouse giant Prologis is investing $500 million in India by 2026 to develop large warehousing parks. “The market is underserved, and there's massive potential,” said Prologis CIO Joseph Ghazal. With major clients like Amazon, the firm is expanding in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Chennai. It has already secured 270 acres for projects in Chennai and Bengaluru. As India's Grade A warehousing sector grows, Prologis may eventually expand into data centers. RBI's Balancing Act on the Rupee With the rupee depreciating 2.1% in 70 days under Governor Sanjay Malhotra, the RBI faces a tough choice—intervene or let markets decide. “The uncertainty around Trump's policies is a key factor,” said economist Madan Sabnavis. India's $654 billion forex reserves provide a cushion, but too much intervention could distort market dynamics. Former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao cautioned, “Excessive intervention could make markets reliant on the RBI.” India Builds Tur Buffer to Curb Inflation To stabilize tur (pigeon pea) prices, the government is targeting a 1-million-tonne buffer for FY26. With production up 3% to 3.5 million tonnes, procurement has reached 200,000 tonnes so far. Despite an MSP of ₹7,550 per 100 kg, market prices fluctuate between ₹7,000-7,600. Imports from Mozambique and Myanmar help bridge the demand gap. The government has allocated ₹4,019 crore under the Price Stabilization Fund to maintain supply and control food inflation.

It's Monday, March 10th, 2025. This is Nelson John, let's get started. 

As India celebrates 76 years of independence - Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has drawn criticism for promoting a kind of hindu nationalism that's rooted in the colonial period. Rohan Kalyan says Modi's vision for India doesn't leave much room for non-hindus and other minorities. And: Neel Amin studies the writings of British hunters in 19th century India. He says a nomadic people called the Banjara threatened the sense of colonial superiority held by the British. Later in the show: In 1765, the ruler of the Indian province of Awadh was defeated in battle by the East India Company. Flush with war debt, he turned to his wife, Bahu Begam, to bail him out. Nick Abbott looks at how Bahu Begam leveraged her wealth to gain political influence during the colonial period. Plus: While Greco-Roman polytheism has long died off, Hinduism remains alive and well. In fact, it's the third largest religion in the world. So what accounts for its staying power? Atin Basu says it's because there's no jealousy among the pantheon of Hindu gods.

Join us as we talk to Sachin Agarwal, the Co-founder of Bizongo about their story. This is yet another episode with a Bizongo co-founder! Last time, in March 2022, we had Ankit Deb. Today, we have Sachin, who completed his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay in 2012. He went on to work with leading companies like PepsiCo and Biocon before serving as a Risk Manager at Gravitas. In 2014, he co-founded Bizongo.

In the second episode in the DLAI Fintech Conclave 2025 podcast series, we are joined by Pallavi Shrivastava, co-founder of Progcap, to explore the critical role of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in driving India's economic growth. As India sets its sights on achieving Viksit Bharat—a vision of a developed India—MSMEs are positioned as a key driver of this transformation. However, access to finance and digitization remain significant challenges for many small businesses.Pallavi shares her expert perspective on how fintech innovation is bridging these gaps, empowering MSMEs with much-needed access to formal credit and digitization solutions. The episode delves into the recent budget announcements aimed at boosting MSMEs, fintech innovations reshaping access to finance, and the challenges faced by small businesses in adopting new technology.This episode offers a comprehensive look at the future of MSMEs and how they are central to the Viksit Bharat vision.Key Highlights:

As India prepares to celebrate the 76th Republic Day, we look back at the journey of Indian cricket from the Pre-Independence era to the events that shaped our destiny in the nation's early tryst with the colonial game. In this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket, a podcast by IDFC FIRST Bank watch Cyrus in conversation with esteemed sports journalist Clayton Murzello as they take us through stories of Indian cricket’s history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Video footage courtesy of https://www.youtube.com/user/SaintGobainTV In this episode of The Core Report: Weekend Edition, CEO B. Santhanam reveals Saint-Gobain's ambitious sustainability journey in India. The company is transforming manufacturing through groundbreaking green technologies, with two remarkable world-first achievements: A Chennai glass factory that's electrified 25% of its natural gas processes, and a Vizag plasterboard plant running entirely on biomass with zero emissions. These innovations are part of Saint-Gobain's bold global goal to cut CO2 emissions by one-third by 2030. Beyond technology, Santhanam champions a workforce revolution, highlighting the critical role of young, skilled workers—especially women—in driving this sustainable transformation. As India's manufacturing capabilities rapidly evolve, Saint-Gobain is not just adapting but leading the charge towards a cleaner, more inclusive industrial future. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Listeners! We await your feedback....⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Core and The Core Report is ad supported and FREE for all readers and listeners. Write in to shiva@thecore.in for sponsorships and brand studio requirements. For more of our coverage check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecore.in⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join and Interact anonymously on our whatsapp channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Linkedin⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube

As India's economic landscape evolves amid population growth, crafting regulations that foster progress is critical. But how can India leverage its advanced digital infrastructure and young workforce to drive innovation and create sustainable job opportunities? What regulatory reforms could help create an environment that encourages start-up growth and technological entrepreneurship? And how do proposed reforms like the draft Digital Competition Bill shape up? In this conversation, Shane Tews is joined by Shruti Rajagopalan and Shreyas Narla. Shruti is a senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center and a fellow at the Classical Liberal Institute at the New York University School of Law. She leads the India Political Economy program and Emergent Ventures India at Mercatus. Shreyas is a research scholar with the India Political Economy program at Mercatus. Join us as they explore the challenges regulatory frameworks pose, the importance of digital infrastructure, and the need for reforms to foster innovation and growth in India's economy.

As India rises on the world stage, what stories and narratives are we ready to share?In this episode of Books and Beyond, Tara and Michelle speak with author Sriram Devtha the author of Amrut:  The Great Churn. Diving into the heart of Indian brands that have received global recognition with Amrut Distilleries, a brand pushing boundaries in the whiskey market. We explore the journey from its early days to becoming a major soft power player, reaching enthusiasts in Sweden. They discuss the crucial moments in Amrut's rise, like the fusion story and how pivotal figures shaped the brand, from finance head Lakshmanan, who's been with the company for 50 years, to the distillery's unique culture, where trust in people is key.Sriram reflects on what it takes to build an enduring brand, sharing his approach to narrative nonfiction. He seamlessly weaves personal stories of Amrut's founding family, their challenges, and triumphs, creating stories that resonate both locally and internationally. Listen in as Sriram reveals how Amrut, a small Indian whiskey brand, took the world by storm. He shares personal insights into the Amrut family legacy and explores how Indian brands can become global icons. Books mentioned in this episode: Cutting for Stone - Abraham VergheseCovenant of Water - Abraham Verghese Big Billion Startup - Mihir Dalal ‘Books and Beyond with Bound' is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D'costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India's finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.

This episode unpacks several key issues that shape India's role on the global stage. As India navigates the path to re-establishing stability along its contested border with China, Gokhale and Varma analyze what the recent BRICS Summit outcomes and new patrolling agreements mean for India-China relations. They also explore the broader implications of India's balancing act between the U.S. and Russia, especially in the context of the Ukraine crisis and India's role as a potential communicator.The conversation touches on India's long-term approach to its partnership with the U.S., considering the upcoming U.S. elections and shared interests in technology and energy. Additionally, our experts reflect on the complexities of India-China economic integration, highlighting the need to manage dependencies in critical sectors while building alternative supply chains. Together, these insights provide a nuanced perspective on India's diplomatic strategies in an increasingly multipolar world.Episode ContributorsVijay Gokhale is a nonresident senior fellow at Carnegie India and a former Indian Foreign Secretary. He has served as India's ambassador to China and Germany, with extensive expertise in Indo-Pacific affairs, Chinese politics, and diplomacy.D.B. Venkatesh Varma is a distinguished fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation and has served as India's ambassador to Russia and the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. He brings deep experience in India's security and defense policies.Additional ReadingsStabilizing the Border: A Possible Way Ahead in the Post-Galwan Situation by Vijay GokhaleA Conversation with His Excellency Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister by Mariano-Florentino (Tino) CuéllarCrosswinds: Nehru, Zhou and the Anglo-American Competition over China by Vijay Gokhale Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

As India and England fail to reach the last four of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, the inquest into their exit begins. Alison Mitchell, Jim Maxwell and Charu Sharma discuss where it all went wrong, and ask if anyone can stop Australia defending their title.Scotland returned from their first ICC Women's T20 World Cup and leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood joins the team to talk about her experience of playing in the tournament for the first time, what she's been able to learn from facing the top-ranked teams in the world, and why being a role model is so important to her.Plus, we find out more about the garden shed invention which changed the shape of spin bowling. Matthew Pryor, son of the inventor Henry, joins the team explain how Merlyn came to be and how it's helped teams master the conditions in the sub-continent.Photo: Abtaha Maqsood of Scotland warms up prior to the the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match between Pakistan and Scotland at The Sevens Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Credit: ICC via Getty Images)

In this enlightening episode of the Prime Venture Partners Podcast, we delve into the transformative world of AI-powered healthcare monitoring with Gaurav Parchani, co-founder & CTO of Dozee. As India's 1st AI-based Contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) & Early Warning System (EWS), Dozee is FDA cleared, has monitored 250 Billion+ Heart Beats and saved 14 Million Nursing Hours! Dozee tracks vital parameters such as the Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Blood Pressure, Blood Oxygen Saturation, and Skin Temperature with clinical grade accuracy, and tracks sleep quality while flagging indicators of sleep apnea.In this podcast episode we spoke about the below topics, dive in:00:00 - Revolutionizing Healthcare With AI Monitoring07:50 - Reimagining Patient Monitoring With Dozee11:13 - Transforming Patient Monitoring With AI21:42 - Advancing Healthcare Monitoring With AI28:13 - Doctor Skepticism vs Real World Evidence40:44 - World's 1st Non-Contact Blood Pressure InventionEnjoyed the podcast? Please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and subscribe wherever you are listening to this.Follow Prime Venture Partners:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primevp/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Primevp_inThis podcast is for you. Do let us know what you like about the podcast, what you don't like, the guests you'd like to have on the podcast and the topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes.Please share your feedback here: https://primevp.in/podcastfeedback

The US national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, is visiting China, where he'll meet with authorities to discuss Taiwan, and trade. We get the latest. As India becomes the most populous country on Earth, its population is ages rapidly. We take a look at businesses trying to cash in on the booming silver economy. And the construction of an airport in The Philippines has been delayed because due to a sand shortage. We hear about the relevance of sand for the construction industry, and the environmental implications this has.

As India celebrates it's 77th Independence Day people are telling the stories of the freedom fighters who didn't make the history books.

Welcome to another episode of A Century Of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Today, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Abhinav Bindra, who took the shot that changed our nation's sporting landscape forever. From being the youngest participant at the 1998 Commonwealth Games to clinching India's first-ever individual Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, Abhinav Bindra etched his name in Olympic history. We'll explore how this shooting prodigy rose through the ranks and overcame mental barriers to become a Khel Ratna awardee and an Olympic legend. As India's torchbearer at the Paris 2024 Olympics and an awardee of the Olympic Order, let's reflect on Bindra's impact on Indian sports and his legacy for the current generation of shooters competing at Paris. Subscribe for more such inspiring stories! New episodes out every Monday! #AbhinavBindra #IndianSports #Olympics #Paris2024 #ACenturyOfStories Open IDFC FIRST Bank savings account :  https://www.idfcfirstbank.com/personal-banking/accounts/savings-account?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=content&utm_campaign=June&utm_content=COS   Know more about Zero Fee Banking : https://www.idfcfirstbank.com/getmorefromyourbank?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=centuryofstories&utm_campaign=cosepi1&utm_term=Aug23 Follow ‘A Century of Stories' official Instagram handle at @acenturyofstories Subscribe to A Century of Stories YT channel Listen to A Century of Stories across Audio Platforms Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Gaana | Amazon Music | Jio Saavn Follow our host Kunal on Instagram at @kunalvijayakar And don't forget to rate us!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the past decade, Indian politics has seen systemic changes with the changing nature of the electorate, the expansion of political competition in one sense and its shrinking in the other, the use of tools like social media and the decline of old political constants. As India approached another general election, we took a look at how Indian politics is changing and what lies ahead. This episode was recorded before the election and may, therefore, seem out of sync with the present in some parts. However, the insights Abhimanyu Bhatiya, co-founder of the School Of Politics and veteran campaign strategist, offered to All Indians Matter are very relevant even today.

Evelyn's Stage Performance Continues it be a big hit. By BradentonLarry - Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories. Evelyn directed the couple into another position. Now the man was lying on his back while his ‘wife' rode his cock, rather enthusiastically, while Evelyn sat on the man's face, grinding her pussy and clit on his mouth and watching the woman enjoy that fat cock. Don watched as Evelyn squeezed her own breasts, twisting her nipples, and then reached out to do the same to the woman across from her. Evelyn leaned forward and managed to get her mouth on one of the woman's nipples, which seemed to send the woman into another orgasm. Then, Evelyn was sitting back on the man's face, head thrown back and her hands squeezing her own tits tightly as her body rocked with her own first orgasm of the session.Don's cock throbbed and twitched, as if in sympathy with Evelyn's body. When the trio changed positions again, it was Evelyn's turn to lie on her back, her butt at the edge of the bed, as the man held her legs up and shoved his thick cock back into her pussy. At first the woman knelt on the bed next to Evelyn, making out with her and sucking on her tits, but then she moved up to kneel over Evelyn's face. Don watched as Evelyn grasped the woman's ass and held her in place so she could lick and suck at her clit and pussy, while the man fucked Don's lover hard and deep. Soon the woman was climaxing again, crying out loudly so everyone in the club noticed, and the man was shoving up into Evelyn with short violent strokes until he too was clearly coming. As he eventually drew out of Evelyn, a long, thick strand of cum hung between her pussy and the head of his cock. Evelyn said something to the woman who then quickly got down on her hands and knees at the end of the bed, first to suck the man's cock clean and then to bury her face in Evelyn's messy snatch, licking and sucking up all the cum he'd left there. Soon, Evelyn was sitting half up on the bed, her muscles clenching tight, as she held the woman's head in place while Evelyn's orgasm tore through her. For a long moment, Evelyn just lay back on the bed with a happy smile on her face, and then she sat up and looked out at the audience with a grin. Don grinned back at her, though he was pretty sure she couldn't see him. Still, when she mouthed, “One more?” he gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up. In any case, they had agreed she would give him a sign to let him know she was ready to leave, and she certainly hadn't given it. After Evelyn and her two playmates cleared that set, a couple of servitors came and straightened things up quickly, but without bothering to change the bed or anything. By the time Evelyn reappeared, only the big orgy on the circular bed and the couples in the dungeon set were still going at it. Don was downstairs, idly watching the orgy, when Evelyn came back on stage, this time entering the bus stop set. She had her hair in a couple of pigtails and was wearing a light sundress. She took a seat on the plastic bench against the wall, and waited, for a bus, supposedly, but really for her next set of playmates to join her. Soon two men joined her. There was quite a bit of pantomimed flirting and exaggerated come-hither looks before the men were standing in front of Evelyn having their cocks sucked. They had apparently left the door light set to yellow, because by the time Evelyn was on her hands and knees, though still in her sundress, getting spit-roasted, another guy poked his head in and decided to join in. By the time the scene had run its course, Evelyn had serviced six guys altogether, and a beautiful brown-skinned young woman with long, thick, black hair had come in to take over on the mattress. Don was happy to watch this woman enjoy herself while Evelyn got cleaned up and ready for round three. When Evelyn came back on stage, she was again wearing high heels, but this time they came with black boots that went almost all the way up her thighs. Her torso was wrapped in a shiny black bodice that left her crotch and tits exposed, and she was wearing black gloves that went up to the middle of her biceps. Her hair was now pulled back tightly into a ponytail, and she led a beautiful naked Asian woman with black hair hanging down to the middle of her back out and promptly began tying her to a frame that left her spread-eagled and vulnerable to anything Evelyn might inflict upon her. Evelyn spent the next hour teasing and tormenting this poor woman, who seemed to love every minute of it, even when she was begging Evelyn for release. Evelyn finally let the woman come, but only after she had stuffed a rather large butt plug and a big, shiny black dildo into their respective places, and fastened heavy nipple clamps to her nipples. Then, with only the command, “Come,” Evelyn reduced the woman to a shuddering, quivering display of ecstasy that went on for what seemed like several long minutes. Then Evelyn sat on a bench so the grateful woman could crawl across the floor on her hands and knees to lick and suck at Evelyn until she made her temporary mistress come. Finally, Evelyn came onto stage with the next bunch of five people to make use of the big circular bed. Two lucky men were accompanied by Evelyn and three women, who all came in naked and wasted no time in climbing onto the bed and getting acquainted. Soon it became rather hard for Don to keep track of Evelyn amid the confusion of heaving bodies. At one point, she was near the center of the bed, slowly turning with it, as she rode slowly up and down on a cock as several hands reached up to caress her body. At another, she was on her hands and knees near the edge, gliding past the front of the stage, making out with a girl lying on her back at right angles to Evelyn, while one of the men slowly, but intently fucked Evelyn from behind. They must have left the light on yellow, because while they played another five people came to join the party - three men and two women, this time. Don found a chair to get comfortable, but continued to resist touching his straining cock. He was a bit amused by all the men in the audience who were, and had been all night, watching Evelyn and bringing themselves to intense, squirting orgasms. He was, however, much more distracted by the women around him, moaning in orgasmic pleasure as they watched the shows before them. Eventually, with her hair a wild mess around her head, Evelyn broke free from the orgy on the bed and staggered to the front of the stage to give the agreed upon sign that she was ready to leave. Don went straight to the exit, expecting to have to wait for Evelyn to get cleaned up, but she met him right away, naked and carrying her clothes with her in a bundle. She had cum all over her and smelled deliciously of the sex she'd been having. “Hi there!” she grinned. Don caught her face in his hands and kissed her deeply and passionately. When he released her, she asked, “Did you enjoy the show?” “Fuck yes!” he laughed. “Let's go over by the pool and find someplace for the night.” “Good idea! I need to get cleaned up.” “Not quite yet,” Don smiled. “I'm going to add to your … makeup, first.” “Oh! Excellent!” she beamed. “You really had a good time?” “I did!” he laughed again. “Sorry I took so long. If we can't have sex, I want to make sure I'm ready to actually sleep.” “Good thinking,” Don grinned. “What was your favorite part?” she asked. “It was all very hot, but I have to admit the first one was probably my favorite,” Don said. “I liked the story you were telling.” “I knew you'd get it!” “What was your favorite part?” he asked. “Oh, that's easy,” she said, “this next bit!” Laughing, he said, “That doesn't count.” “Hum, well, that's really hard to say. There were high points in each scene. In the first one, for instance, I really liked having that guy, Dave, fucking me from behind while I went down on Julie. In the second, well, there was that first time I had three cocks in me at once. Then, when I let Tamiko come … that was hot! I came so many times during the last scene I couldn't say, really. Damn, I really have become a wild woman here, haven't I?” “Yeah, and I love it!” Don grinned. They had reached the poolside and quickly found a double-sized lounger. Evelyn dropped her clothes on the ground and sat down on the edge of the lounger, leaning back and spreading her legs in front of Don. “Damn! That's so tempting,” he breathed. “No touching!” she smiled up at him. “Just watch me as I touch myself. You liked watching those men fucking me, didn't you? It felt so good to have them in my pussy and ass, and to suck them, and to lick those sexy pussies and clits,” Evelyn said as her hands moved slowly over her body, cupping her breasts and then sliding over her taut belly down between her legs. “I kept thinking about how hard your cock must be as you were watching me up on that stage, fucking and getting fucked, sucking and licking, coming over and over.” She was simultaneously strumming her clit and fucking herself with several fingers. “I kept thinking how hot it was to have you watching me, watching me suck… and fuck… and all that cum on my face and tits… and… and… up inside me… God, Don, I'm going to come again. Give me your cum, Don!” Don couldn't restrain himself any longer. His iron-hard cock swelled in his hands and then erupted, spraying a geyser of hot cum all over Evelyn's naked body. It splattered all over her belly, across her tits and neck, and hit her chin. The second gout splashed over her lower belly and covered her fingers, getting pushed up into her pussy as she clenched upon herself on the lounger, her face scrunched up tightly as she came with him. Don staggered backward a bit and Evelyn fell back on the lounger with a heavy sigh. “Ugh,” she moaned. “I need to clean up, but I don't think I can move.” “Fuck it,” Don chuckled. “Let's just do it when we wake up.” “Seriously?” she laughed. “Okay.” “But you do have to move. We can't sleep like that.” “I'm not moving. You get your own,” she waved her hand in the air. When Don actually started to sit down on the next lounger over, though, she said, “Fine, fine, I'm moving!” They managed to spend the night spooned together, in a rather sticky mess, without violating the terms of Don's mission to not have physical-contact sex, and then enjoyed a leisurely bath in the pool in the morning. At the resort's wardrobery, they managed to find Evelyn a nice backpack for her pilgrimage, and then, with a long hug and a deep, loving kiss, she set off in quest of the Grove of Rati. “So, you were left alone again, in the sex resort where you couldn't actually have sex, for a year,” Toshia summed up. “Yeah, that's about the size of it.” “How did it go?” “Well, at the time it seemed very slow, but when it was over it didn't seem bad at all,” Don shrugged. “I did have a couple of visitors along the way. Both Nicole and Stephanie passed through the Resort before I was done.” “How were they doing?” “Okay. I found out that the watcher's council seemed to have something of a pattern in their assignments. A few personalized quests to start with and then a long-term test, like my sheriff's job or Evelyn's pilgrimage. Nicole had to find the Trans-Erosian Railway and ride it from end to end. She came through the Resort heading in the opposite direction from Evelyn, hoping to connect with that train. Stephanie came through very near the end of my year after spending a year in Rendezvous without having sex with any men.” “That sounds a lot easier than your task,” Toshia frowned. “That's what I said!” Don laughed. “She admitted it wasn't that difficult, but she was glad to get back to ‘proper fucking' as she called it. Oh, and I got to talk to India a few times, too. But mostly, I just kept myself busy watching other people and getting to know the ins and outs of the Resort. I fell into a pretty stable, comfortable routine. I was actually kind of surprised when I came back into my office after a 'patrol,' and suddenly found myself in that big courtyard at the Hall of the Crimson Mountain King. At that moment, I was mostly just happy that my staff, which I had left in the office, appeared a second later on the ground at my feet. Then I remembered that this meant I could have sex again!” Toshia chuckled, “Uh oh!” “Yeah,” Don laughed. “I got into and out of those showers in record time. Then I dove into that super orgy for a solid hour. The first girl I hooked up with was a thin young woman, probably about nineteen. I've never had such an intense passionate session of anonymous sex in my life. I was nice about it, of course, but I fucked the hell out of that girl.” “I'll bet!” Toshia laughed. “Did she object?” Don shook his head, “Not at all. But after I'd had my fun, I cleaned up and headed upstairs for my next mission.” Task Five: “Congratulations, Don, you're now more than halfway finished with your tasks,” Pamela almost smiled. “For your next assignment, we want you to find a familiar face. To be clear, we mean you must find someone you clearly recognize, and can put a name to, but whom you haven't seen previously in Eros.” “So, if I recognize my second-grade teacher but can't remember her name, that doesn't count?” “Exactly,” she nodded. “Do they have to remember who they are?” Don asked, thinking of all the people who seemed to have little or no memory of their non-Erosian existence. In particular, he recalled the stunning Price is Right model he had been so happy to meet on the beach outside Rendezvous. “No,” Pamela said. “We will be able to verify their identities to corroborate you.” “That's handy.” “We are aware that this particular task is largely out of your control and could take a very long time to complete. We are also, frankly, impressed with your efforts so far. So, we have decided to grant you some of the power you are seeking a bit early.” She gestured to a ring that was now on the table in front of Don. Picking it up, he thought it had the weight and look of white gold. He slipped it onto his left middle finger. Nothing happened. “You have to press it twice in quick succession to call up the menu.” Don pressed the ring twice with his thumb as if he were double-clicking the ring. Suddenly, floating a bit above the midrange of his visual field was a horizontal blue bar. There was one item, in white letters, on that bar: “Travel.” “Concentrate on the desired menu item to activate it,” Pamela went on. Don wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing, but he focused intently on “Travel,” until a drop-down menu opened with the following list: Abbey of Records; Crimson Mountain - Porch; Elven Court; Gladys's Office; Grotto of Ishtar; Heolfor House; India's Home; Manor; Rendezvous - Beach; Rendezvous - Riverboat Dock; Resort; Shagbottom; Sisterhood Castle; Untamed Village; Witches' Glen; and, Wizard's Home. “Nice!” Don breathed. “When you visit a new location for which there is an established landmark it will automatically be added to your list,” Pamela continued to explain. “Before you select anything, I should add that you can dismiss the display at any time.” Don tried willing the menu and bar away and they promptly vanished. He called it up again and dismissed it, just for practice. “When you select a travel destination, the menu will automatically close when you arrive. With the exception of these offices, you will not be able to use the ring to travel when anyone else can see you. Well, anyone who doesn't have a similar ring or one that is higher in rank, that is. Also, when traveling to a location, you will arrive at the closest safe position to the landmark where no one can see your arrival.” “This is incredibly useful!” Don grinned. “It is,” Pamela nodded. “Do you have any questions about your task?” “Find someone I can name from outside Eros,” Don smiled. “Then report back here.” “Exactly,” Pamela said. “You should be able to manage all your own travel from now on.” “So, I just call up the menu, focus on “Travel,” then focus on a destination…“ Then suddenly Don found himself standing outside the Abbey of Records. "Whoa! Seriously?” Toshia gaped. “Yeah,” Don chuckled. “It's pretty cool. When I'm in Eros I can bop around like crazy. I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a lot of fun.” “Damn!” “Well, I am restricted to the places I've already found, like in a video game with unlockable fast-travel points, but it's still massively useful. I'm thinking about setting off on a general exploration trip when I go back, to collect as many landmarks as I can. Stephanie probably has a lot more than I do. I know Evelyn's list is different from mine. She's got the Dark Labyrinth and a bunch of places she found on her pilgrimage, but not the Wizard's Home or Shagbottom, for instance.” “That must have made your task much easier.” “Well,” Don paused. “I'm sure it cut out a lot of time going from one place to another, but it still took a lot of time to find someone I recognized. I started out just working down the list of places, skipping Gladys's office, the Grotto of Ishtar, and India's home. I was at the Abbey of Records anyway, so I went in and asked Charlotte if she could help me out at all. Naturally, I had to go through the whole routine, which took quite a while, and, in the end, she got a lot more out of me than I did from her. She wasn't aware of anyone that I might recognize, but then I had known it was going to be a long shot anyway. I crossed that off my list of places to try. "I skipped the Crimson Mountain, figuring it would just take too damn long to try to comb through that orgy, or go looking for other rooms in that place, and went right to the elven court, Heolfor House, et cetera. It was kind of fun revisiting places and talking to people again. The Wizard and Madeleine, the Player, the Lady and Robert all say 'hi,' by the way. And Daphne says I'm to bend you over and fuck you hard in the ass.” “Oh my!” Toshia laughed, actually feeling her cheeks reddening a bit. “After working all the way down the list, with no luck, I went back to the Crimson Mountain. I walked around the big orgy for a while, then started exploring some of the other areas in the King's Hall. There are a lot of rooms in that sucker, but most of them were empty. When I didn't find any familiar faces, I started all over again, but I focused on just what I thought were the more likely prospects: the Manor, Rendezvous, the Resort, Shagbottom, and Crimson Mountain. Each visit to each one of them took quite a bit of time, plus, every time I got to the Resort or the Manor, I followed the protocols Evelyn and I had agreed on, so that took time. Anyway, it was only after I'd visited each of them for the third time that I found someone I recognized.” Don had found Rendezvous the most frustrating place to search. The strange, non-Euclidean geography of the relatively crowded city made it difficult to have any kind of established search pattern, and the size of the place served to impress upon him how difficult and potentially open-ended his current task actually was. In principle, he could wander Eros for years without being lucky enough to come across someone he recognized from the 'real' world. Wandering the winding, confusing streets of Rendezvous and prowling through its many, many buildings made his task more than a little depressing. On the other hand, there was no shortage of playful diversions to be had in that odd city, and Don was always finding something new to explore. So it was that on his fourth attempt to find someone, anyone, he recognized in Rendezvous that he came upon a lovely park set among the buildings but with a nice view over the lower city to the beach and the sea beyond. Don thought that whoever had designed, or set up, Rendezvous had done a particularly good job of including this park and putting it here. It was a pleasant early afternoon, with the usual blue sky adorned with a few fluffy white clouds. Here and there were couples and small groups playing on the grass, on benches, or, in at least one case, in a hammock. There were even a few people, like Don, just enjoying a walk through the park. Off to the left, on a low hill, was a gazebo where there seemed to be a nice little orgy going on. Don thought it would be a good idea to go have a look at the participants. It was one of his rules to whenever possible check out any group of more than three. But then a leggy brunette stood up and came down the gazebo's steps and began walking across the grass toward a small fountain. Her body was simply gorgeous, with firm muscles in her limbs and belly, full breasts, and, as Don saw as she got closer to the fountain, a stunning ass. She had long dark hair with hints of lighter, sun-bleached strands. Her shoulders were broad and there was something exquisitely confident in the way she sauntered over the lawn. Don decided the orgy could wait and proceeded to the fountain. He watched the beauty bathing with her back to him, enjoying the way the water ran over her body. He got to the fountain and splashed some water on his face and proceeded to give his own body a good rinsing off. All the while his eyes kept returning to the woman. Then she tossed her hair to the side, and Don caught a glimpse of her lovely, long neck. There was something about the combination of her exquisitely sculpted shoulder, the line of the side of her neck, and her jawline, which Don could only barely discern, that struck a deep chord in Don's memory. This woman had the body of a sex symbol, and Don suddenly felt like he had seen this sex symbol before. Then she happened to turn in the water, and Don saw her face. Her eyes were closed, and she was smiling slightly, happily. It was her cheekbones that did it. Don was sure he knew who she was. When she opened her vaguely Asian eyes and smiled at him, Don's heart leapt in his chest and he was certain. Don swallowed, for the first time in a long time in Eros flustered. He finally managed to say, “Pardon me for staring, but you're so very beautiful.” She laughed, “That's alright. I was checking you out, too.” Don was suddenly conscious of the fact that he was buck naked standing there talking to a gloriously naked Jessica Biel while sporting a serious erection. It took a second before it penetrated his brain that she was perfectly fine with it and was moving closer to him. “No fucking way!” Toshia almost yelled. “I swear,” Don replied. “The actress?!” “The one and only, in the flesh,” he nodded. Toshia studied Don's face, looking for the slightest indication that he was putting her on. “I am not kidding,” Don assured her. “Well, goddamn, now I really am jealous. She's one of the reasons I knew I liked women!” Don laughed, “I can say she's definitely one of the reasons I like women, too.” “Come here often?” she smiled at him with that beautiful toothsome smile and those laughing eyes of hers. Don realized she was just a little shorter than him. “Well, this is my first time to this fountain,” Don smiled, slowly feeling like he was regaining control of himself. Then she reached out to wrap her hand around his cock and Don knew he had very little control of anything at that moment. She chuckled a little and said, “What do you think of it so far?” “Well, it's definitely my favorite fountain at the moment,” Don said as he reached out to run his hands over her hips. His brain was screaming, Jessica Biel's hips! Jessica Biel's naked hips! Don did his best to power through, and asked, “How about you? Is this a favorite of yours?” She was now standing up against him, her perfect breasts brushing against his chest, her hand slowly stroking his cock, while Don's hands had slipped around to squeeze and caress her ass. She said, “Oh, no, I just woke up here. What a wonderful place!” “I DEFINITELY agree,” Don grinned. “Did you enjoy the gazebo?” Her eyes widened as she grinned back at him, “Oh my god, I did!” Don tried to think of another question, but then she was kissing him, and all coherent thought flew away. His hands were squeezing her tight ass as her tongue pushed eagerly into his mouth and her grip tightened on his very hard prick, but all Don could do was focus on kissing the gorgeous woman in front of him. Somehow, they made their way over to the edge of the fountain basin, and then Don urged her down until she was sitting on the stonework and he was kneeling in the grass. Her hands held his face, making sure he didn't stop kissing her until he pulled away with a smile, and said, “I'm not going anywhere.” Then Don leaned in and kissed the side of her long neck, finally setting aside her celebrity status and simply making love to her as the gorgeous, talented, warm, and very sensual woman she was. After lingering all too briefly over her perfect breasts, Don was soon on his hands and knees kissing his way slowly along the insides of her firm thighs. As his tongue ran over her moist lips and teased the sensitive tip of her clit, she sighed and leaned back a bit, pushing herself forward for him. Soon she was groaning and trembling with her orgasm as Don licked and sucked at her clit and fucked three fingers slowly in and out of her pussy. Don smiled up at her as she caught her breath, but then, with a playful laugh, she lunged forward and pushed him backward, sending him sprawling on his back in the grass as she quickly straddled him. She grinned down at him as she held him down with her left hand on his chest and used the other to get hold of his cock. Don just lay back and enjoyed the view as she rubbed the fat head of his organ between her lips and then pushed it up inside her. “Uh, that's better,” she purred as she sank down on Don, who groaned a little as he felt her warm pussy enveloping him in its tight, wet embrace. She proceeded to grind against him, rubbing her clit against his body while working his cock in and out of herself. Don reached up to cup her tits in his hands, gently squeezing them and brushing his thumbs over her erect nipples. “Tighter,” she murmured, as she worked her pelvis down against him. Don squeezed her breasts harder and pinched her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers. “Yes,” she nodded with closed eyes. She was rocking herself on Don intently, leaning back so that she was fully upright on top of him. The fingers of her right hand were now stroking her clit as she rode Don's cock. “Harder!” Don twisted her nipples and arched his back a bit, pushing up into her grasping pussy. “Fuck yes!” she said loudly, apparently oblivious to the fact that they were fucking there open in the middle of the park. Then she was coming again, shuddering and calling out, “Goddamn! Yes! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” Don just lay there, loving the way her pussy was squeezing and pulling at him, and lost in the spectacle of Jessica Biel climaxing on top of him. Then she was collapsing forward on him, kissing him passionately and deeply, while still rocking her pelvis against him. Don had automatically released her tits and was now squeezing her ass as she writhed against his body, fucking him enthusiastically. Don did his best to flex up into her in time with her motions, but she was definitely setting the pace, and soon she was coming yet again, biting down on his shoulder as her body clenched and spasmed on top of him. Don held onto her, caressing her back, as she slowly came down. She was kissing the side of his neck, and there was no way he was going to do anything to interrupt this moment. Then, abruptly, she pushed up and looked at him seriously, “You haven't come yet, have you?” “Uh, no, but…” She didn't give Don a chance to complete that thought, but quickly scrambled around until she was lying perpendicular to him so she could lean over him and suck his cock. With her hand wrapped tightly around the base, she moved her mouth up and down on his sex. Don felt her lips moving on him and her tongue massaging the length of his cock. He felt his sensitive head hitting the back of her throat. It was some of the most aggressive head he'd ever received, which, coupled with the circumstances of the entire situation, brought him to the brink in no time. He groaned loudly and shoved up into her mouth as his cock swelled in her fist and mouth and then erupted with a hot, jetting fountain of cum. Don lay there shuddering as his orgasm had its way with him and then as his new lover intently sucked the any remaining cum from him and swallowed it down. Don was grinning up at the sky, then there was a beautiful woman smiling down at him as she slipped her leg over his and caressed his chest. She said, “Damn, that was hot! By the way, my name is…” “Jessica, yes, I know,” Don smiled. Her eyes widened in alarm, “You recognize me?” “Yes, of course,” he nodded. “I'm Don, and I'm very happy to meet you!” “But… what the hell?” she looked at him intently with an expression of near panic. “This is real?” “Well, yes, I suppose so.” “What the hell?!” she repeated. “I thought this was all some crazy dream or something.” So, Don began explaining Eros to her as best he could. “My god,” she interrupted after a bit. “What have I done? I need to get back! My son…” “You have a son?” “Yes, of course, and a husband!” “Ah, I didn't know that,” Don frowned. He didn't bother to point out that she had still done nothing to move away from him. “I really thought you were single.” She rolled her eyes at him, “You must really be out of touch with the celebrity gossip.” “Well, yeah, that's probably true, but…” “I thought everyone knew I was married to Justin Timberlake.”A Task Leads to a weekend romp with Jessica Biel. “What the fuck?!” Toshia interrupted. “I would have heard about that!” “Yeah, I had pretty much the same reaction,” Don laughed. “But then I had a thought…” “Ah, Jessica, what year is it for you?” “What do you mean ‘for me'? It's 2019.” “Ah,” Don smiled. “It's just 2011 for me.” “What?!” she gaped at him. “That's crazy!” So, Don explained what he knew of time in Eros, ending with “It's crazy, I know, and I still have questions, but the good news is that while we're here time is moving very slowly in the ‘real' world. You can spend weeks here and then go back and no one will even notice that you've been gone.” “Seriously?” “It definitely seems to be the case,” Don nodded. “Does that help?” “I guess,” she admitted. “If I can get back and my son won't miss me, well, yeah, that helps.” “You'll go back automatically when you're satisfied, or bored,” Don smiled. “There's also a shortcut I can help you with, if you decide you're in a hurry.” “Hum,” she frowned thoughtfully. Don considered keeping his mouth shut, but couldn't help but ask, “And what about Justin?” “Oh, fuck him! I'm mad at him anyway,” she scowled. She explained that he had gotten too friendly with a pretty co-star, and apparently got caught by the paparazzi. “I know I'll forgive him. I love him, really, but it's just so goddamn frustrating… not to mention embarrassing. You probably think I'm crazy, but, honestly, that's the thing that's most annoying. We've both spent so much time in the spotlight, you'd think he'd know better. Asshole!” Don frowned in what he hoped was a sympathetic way. He was having a hard time imagining anyone out there in the ‘real' world stepping out, even a little, on Jessica Biel, but he was also painfully conscious of the fact that that very woman was now lying there naked in the grass with him after some truly intense sex. He didn't want to do or say anything to screw this up, including prompting her to defend her husband's honor, even a little. So, he kept his mouth shut. Ultimately, after a few long quiet moments, she seemed to reach a conclusion. Looking down at Don, she smiled and said, “I can go back whenever I want, you said, and no one will miss me if I stay a while?” “That's what I understand, and I can help you with getting back,” Don nodded. “And, what happens in Eros stays in Eros?” she grinned. Don noticed that her hand had found his reawakened cock again. “Certainly,” he grinned back. “In fact, there's no such thing as STDs or pregnancy here.” “That's good. Holy…! I completely forgot about those things!” “Yeah, apparently that's a side effect.” “Damn,” she laughed. “Well, then, Don, want to show a girl around some?” “And that's how I got to spend three days in Eros with Jessica Biel,” Don concluded, rather smugly, Toshia thought. “That's crazy!” Toshia laughed. “You lucky, lucky bastard! You're going to have to give me all the details next time we talk!” “Okay,” he smiled. “Oh, and apparently we need to keep an eye out for a series called The Sinner. Jess is particularly proud of that one.” “Oh, it's 'Jess' now, is it?” she grinned. “Okay, go on with your story. You've got two tasks left and it's almost time to meet Sarah.” “Okay, this won't take too long to finish up,” Don smiled. Chapter 11. Lords of Eros “You've reached the final stages of your trials, Don, and it's time we gave you some additional information,” Pamela said seriously. “You have not simply been being evaluated on whether or not you accomplished your tasks, but also on how you have accomplished them, how you have conducted yourself. The rings grant substantial power in Eros. Those who have them exercise quite a bit of authority in making this world into what they desire, and thereby shape the experience of everyone else in Eros. We watchers, as you call us, try as much as possible to refrain from interfering directly, and have followed this policy for some time. However, we do not want Eros to become a static environment. “It should instead be something that grows and changes with the interests and decisions of those to whom it matters most. That is, you and the others who have gone to such lengths to gain these rings. We concluded that we should bequeath dominion of this world to you and the others. We have, in effect, made the owners of the rings lords of Eros. This is a grave responsibility, and we cannot give such power to anyone who will not take it seriously.” Don frowned thoughtfully and said, “That makes sense.” “Throughout your time in Eros, with the possible exception of the unpleasantness with those ruffians by the river, you have exhibited patience and kindness in your dealings with others. When the Wizard asked you for help, you responded creatively and cheerfully.” “Well, he didn't really give us much choice,” Don smiled. “That's not true,” Pamela shook her head. “You could have resisted, or at the very least helped him grudgingly. Even when you fought your way through the Sisterhood to rescue Toshia, you went out of your way to disrupt their little culture as little as possible. You and Toshia consistently treated the people you met with respect. Your care and concern for your travelling companions was evident throughout your time in Eros. “When you were in Shagbottom, rather than simply ask for where to find Lady Primrose and then leave, you made friends. When you were sent into the untamed lands, you spent the time to learn about the tribes' ways and customs, and then adapted your approach accordingly. Over the course of a year in the Resort, when you were prevented from interacting with the guests in a directly sexual way, you consistently helped people find ways to enjoy themselves. For instance, there was this…” Suddenly there was, hovering over the table between them an extremely well-rendered holographic display of a scene at the Resort. Don and a young woman were sitting on a bench outside the Temple of Venus and Aphrodite. The woman was in her early twenties at the most and Don had found her outside the temple crying. She had just spent several hours in the orgy room, and then suddenly felt that she was doing something very wrong. This was the first time Don had encountered anything like this in Eros. He had only talked to her and then sat with her until she felt better. “She felt guilty about enjoying so much sex; so much,” Don explained. “She couldn't remember it, but I'm sure she was raised in a very repressive family, probably a religious fundamentalist one. I guess most of those folks who end up here just roll with it, but she had internalized the whole insane set of rules and thought of her healthy sexuality as depravity. She was too honest, too good a person, to just dive in and live with the hypocrisy.” “Did you say any of that to her?” Pamela asked. “No, that wouldn't have been helpful,” Don shook his head. “She just needed someone to listen and not tell her what to do for five minutes.” “You spent more than an hour and a half with her.” Don shrugged. “Then there was Ms. Biel,” Pamela smiled. “When she realized Eros wasn't just a dream and that she had been cheating on her husband, you talked her through it, helping her come to a happy understanding of her situation.” “Oh, yeah, Saint Don,” he laughed. “I was hoping to have a lot more sex with her.” “Of course, but there are many ways of going about meeting that end, and you chose a thoughtful and caring approach,” Pamela said. “I'm going over all of this to emphasize the kind of character we see in you Don and to stress that it is because of that character, more than the fact that you want the ring or have accomplished these tasks, that we are allowing you to continue onto the final two steps. You are worthy of the responsibility.” Don sat silently for a moment before saying, “Thank you.” Then, suddenly concerned, he asked, “Is Evelyn worthy? I don't mean that I think she might not be!” Pamela smiled again and said, “That is between her and us. Though I can tell you that she has already been given her sixth task.” Grinning, Don said, “Oh, excellent! But do you often decide someone will not continue?” “Often? No, but it does happen.” Don thought about Stephanie and Nicole and wondered if they would pass onto the next stage, or if they had already. Task Six. “For your next task, we require that you contribute something to Eros. This is to be a lasting feature of this world. You might think of this as a graduate project. For example, The Jungle Room was India's project in response to this task, and the Dark Labyrinth was built using the capability we'll be giving you.” “Okay, but…” Pamela anticipated his question, “Your ring has been upgraded so that you now have 'Builder' permissions.” Don looked at his ring, which now looked like a simple gold band. Pamela went on, “You'll see the 'Builder' option next to travel, but this is simply a mode you'll enter. How to actually build things and the limits of your ability are things we leave to you to discover. Do not be surprised, though, if people without rings seem to ignore you while you are in builder mode. They will know you're there and stay out of your way, but they will not be interested in what you're doing. When you dismiss that menu bar, you will exit the mode.” Don frowned and said, “I guess I'll work it out, then.” “That's the idea,” Pamela smiled. “Do you have any questions?” “Yes, actually. Can two of us collaborate?” “As long as there are two clearly distinct contributions to Eros at the end of things, yes.” “And we can do whatever we like and put it anywhere?” Pamela shook her head a bit, “No, you'll find that you can't build anywhere that someone else has also used, and we will be evaluating the value of your contribution. However, in regard to that last bit, we will be rather open-minded, and we have no reason to think you will do something we find unacceptable, particularly if you are working with Evelyn.” Don smiled broadly and said, “Thanks. I think I'm ready.” “Good luck, Don, and have fun.” He laughed, “Always!” Then he teleported himself to the Resort. “Wait, wait,” Toshia stopped him. “How is that supposed to work?” “I'm getting to that,” Don laughed. “Hold on… let me respond to this text real quick… okay, where was I?” More accurately, Don teleported himself to the Riverboat dock outside the Resort, and from there walked to the pool area, where he would look for Evelyn. It was late afternoon, and the poolside was populated by the usual cross section of naked or almost naked Resort guests, many of whom were enjoying some level of sexy play. It would be easy for Don to get distracted, but he really had hopes of reuniting with Evelyn on this visit. Sure enough, there she was! She emerged from the water with her dark hair flowing down over her strong shoulders and slowly moved toward the edge of the pool, more of her naked body coming into view with each step. Don was at about her four o'clock, so she didn't see him, but he was able to enjoy the sight of the water running over her skin as she waded into the shallower part of the pool. Her perfect breasts came into the air and Don realized he would soon be able to kiss those as well as all of her other delicious parts. Don was torn between shouting her name and breaking into a run to her and holding back to see what she might get up to without knowing he was watching her. When her perfect ass came into view, with the water streaming over it, Don decided that he had enough of watching her from any distance, and picked up his pace, but refrained from yelling and running. As he neared the corner of the pool, he watched her shake her hair out a bit. She was making her way over to a spot near a lounger where it looked like a blonde woman was enjoying the attention of two men. As Don rounded the corner, he saw that Evelyn was watching the threesome with her hands on her hips. He couldn't help but admire her ass as he drew closer. As he came up behind her, Don heard her saying, “That's it, Raj, lick that clitty. Save some of that tongue action for me, though.” “Maybe I can help you with some of that tongue action,” Don offered. Evelyn turned a bit and looked over her shoulder with a smile, which broke into a wide grin as she recognized Don. In another second they were in each other's arms, kissing passionately. Having her warm, though damp, body in his arms lifted Don into a nearly delirious state of delight. Kissing her again had his heart racing and head spinning. Then Evelyn was turning and drawing him with her onto the lounger next to the one being used by the threesome she had been coaching. Their kiss continued as she pulled him down on top of her. She parted her legs for him and then he was inside her, as if this were what their bodies automatically did, and it certainly felt as if that was what they should do. Don kept kissing her deeply, with all the passion of his pounding heart, as her hands squeezed his ass and pulled him into her, wordlessly demanding that he fuck her. Don's hands had slipped under Evelyn's body to hold her shoulders, holding her in place so he could drive into her. Her legs were wrapped around his, helping her work her body against him. He could feel her breasts pressed hard against his chest as her pussy squeezed and pulled on his cock. Their bodies, drawn taut by their lust as well as their time adventuring in Eros, strained together, needing each other. Only when she began to come, did Evelyn break their kiss, her head falling back as she began to shudder beneath him. Then she was burying her face in Don's neck as her body clenched around him. Shaking and groaning, she clutched at him, her nails digging into his back and her legs holding him deep inside her. Don shoved himself into her as hard as he could and then felt his body erupting inside her. He ground himself into her wildly, instinctively, as his cock swelled and filled her pussy with his hot cum. Don only gradually became aware that he was still rocking slowly in and out of Evelyn and that she was kissing his neck. When he drew back a bit to smile down at her, she grabbed his head in her hands and said, “Let's never do that again!” “Damn, I thought it was pretty good,” he smirked. “Ass!” she scowled and then pulled him down to kiss her again. When she let him up again, she said, “You're mine, remember? No more wandering off!” “Agreed,” he nodded seriously. “And I love you too.” “You better!” she smiled. “This must be Don, I take it,” said the blonde from the next lounger. Don turned to see that the young woman, who had a very nice hourglass shape and full breasts, was now lying with her head on the belly of a muscular young black man with a large, thick cock, which the blonde was idly stroking. The cock was still leaking a bit of cum, though most of that seemed to have been deposited on the woman's cheek and forehead. An older gentleman, who Don presumed must be Raj, had the blonde's upper leg raised so he could push his cock into her from behind. Evelyn laughed and said, “Whatever gave you that idea?” “Pleased to meet you,” Don smiled. “No, you keep fucking me,” Evelyn said, pulling Don into her with her legs. “Yes, Princess, this is Don. Don, this is Princess Lavinia, and that fellow with the big cock is Pete, and that's Raj.” Don was happy to keep moving slowly in and out of Evelyn's sweet embrace, but had to ask, “‛Princess'?” “Yes, she's a princess,” Evelyn smiled. “So, show proper respect when you're fucking her later.” “Oh, well, of course,” Don laughed. “But…” “No, no, I want more of your cock before we start sharing stories,” Evelyn ruled. “Well, if that's the way it has to be,” Don smirked as he shoved up into her harder for emphasis. “Yes, that is exactly the way it has to be!” Evelyn grinned and pulled his head down so she could kiss him again. After Evelyn had three more orgasms, and after they had taken a break in the pool, Evelyn suggested it was time for Don to get to know Lavinia a bit better so she could have some fun with “the boys,” Pete and Raj. Don demonstrated that Raj wasn't the only one who knew who to go down on a princess, and then fucked Lavinia from behind, her generous ass up in the air as she leaned over the side of the lounger so both she and Don could watch Evelyn with the boys. As they first started watching, Evelyn was getting spit-roasted, Pete fucking her from behind with his long, thick cock and Raj kneeling in front of her so she could deep throat him. Then, though, Evelyn had Raj get down on the lounger so she could ride his cock and Pete could fuck her ass. Raj did his best to shove up into Evelyn in time with the rough fucking Pete was giving her, but the event was dominated by the big black cock reaming petite Evelyn's tight ass. After Lavinia came, her fingers rubbing her clit furiously while Don fucked her, Don moved over to offer Evelyn his slippery cock to suck. Soon Evelyn was coming in wave after wave of muscle clenching pleasure and three cocks were pumping cum into her. Only after she had come down and all the men gently disengaged, did Evelyn tell her story … well, part of it. She was lying back against Don with his arms wrapped around her. Pete and Raj had gone back to the lounger with Lavinia. The sun was setting, and twilight was spreading rapidly. “After I got back from my pilgrimage… I'll tell you about that later, lover,” she patted Don's arm and smiled up at him. “I was sent to the Kingdom of Argent with instructions to help the ruler with his problem. It turns out that someone had abducted Princess Lavinia and he needed a champion to get her back.” “Oh, nice!” Don grinned. “So, they gave me a suit of armor, a sword, and a horse, and sent me off to what they call the Bandit Lands, where I needed to rescue Lavinia from the bandit chief, Rolando. I met some resistance along the way, but, as soon as I said I was looking for Rolando, anyone I met just pointed out the way and left me alone. Sure, I made a couple of stops along the way… A girl has needs, you know.” Don chuckled, kissed the top of her head, and said, “I do, indeed.” “But it didn't take long to get to Castle Badass. No, I'm serious, that's what they called it!” Lavinia raised her head from Raj's lap and said, in a noticeably changed tone, “'Tis true!” “So, I get to Castle Badass about noon, and say I'm there to see Rolando, and they let me in to this big old courtyard. It reminded me of the arena in Gladiator, but not so big, of course, but it was all sand. I got off my horse and tied him up to a post near the gate I'd come through and walked into the center of the courtyard. Then, on this balcony in front of me, out comes this tall guy with long black hair, and says, 'Welcome, fair lady.'” Evelyn's voice dropped in pitch and adopted a somewhat Spanish accent when quoting the man. She resumed her normal voice as she continued with, “I was a bit surprised by so polite a greeting, but I said I was there to retrieve the princess. He just laughed, and then I saw that there were a lot of other men, and some women, watching me from other balconies and windows around the courtyard. They were all laughing too. "Rolando - the tall guy turned out to be Rolando - said, 'This princess?' and he pulled Lavinia here out to stand next to him. She was wearing a collar and Rolando was holding the leash tied to it. I said, 'Well, if she's Princess Lavinia, then yes.' He said, 'She's been a lot of fun for us. What kind of fun will you give us in exchange?' "I thought about offering sex. Rolando was good looking, and I was horny, but I guessed it was unlikely that they were going to give up Lavinia for just one fuck session. Maybe I could offer sex with all of them, but there were a LOT of them…” “There were!” Lavinia chimed in, “and not all of them are as polite as Rolando, believe me!” “You loved it and you know it,” Evelyn chided the princess with a laugh. “Anyway, I also thought it would be a waste of that nice suit of armor. It really was nice! It was surprisingly light and easy to move in. Not much protection for the crotch, to be honest, but that made it easy to fuck in. Yes, of course, I tested that. You would have too!” “Certainly,” Don laughed. “So, anyway, I said something like, 'If you give her up, I won't kick all your asses.'” “Really?” chuckled Don. “'Tis true!” Lavinia chimed in again. “She was so brave!” “Aww, thanks, babe,” Evelyn said. “Rolando said, 'All our asses? That sounds exhausting, and unlikely. How about, you defeat my best fighters and I'll give you the princess?' I agreed, and then had to fight seven of his fighters. I had the sword, but, honestly, I was better with the staff and didn't really feel like killing anyone, so I just fought them with the staff. It went pretty quick, really. Like you said, lover, when you just decide that you can do whatever you need to here, it works out really well. A couple of them were a bit challenging, especially this one woman - who was really hot, by the way - but I won.” “She was amazing!” Lavinia grinned, Raj's hard, slippery cock in one hand and Pete's monster in the other. “Everyone, well, everyone minus seven, applauded and cheered and Rolando invited me in to congratulate me and give me Lavinia. I was pretty happy to let Rolando congratulate me several times, if you know what I mean.” “He made me watch,” Lavinia pouted. Evelyn laughed, “You mean he made you just watch. Anyway, he kept his word and gave Lavinia a horse and sent us on our way. On the road back to Argent, Lavinia insisted on showing her gratitude. She was very grateful!” “I still am!” Lavinia smiled. “They were always at me, never giving me any rest, and so rude! Well, not Rolando, but still, I was exhausted. You're my hero!” “Aww, you're sweet. So, when we got back to the king, he agreed to let me take Lavinia with me for a few days.” “Damn,” Don smiled. “That's quite the adventure!” “I thought so, too,” Evelyn chuckled. “We need to get her back, but in the morning. What should we do tonight?” “We could try the Jungle Room,” Don suggested. It continued to be his favorite club at the Resort. “Okay, but at least one of us needs another bath, first,” Evelyn said as she struggled to get up off the lounger. Things were busier in the Jungle Room than they had been in a while, or at least on any of Don's more recent visits. Even India was there, dancing for a couple of guys who had pulled up an additional stool for the show. She smiled and waved to Don, but they were obliged to wait until she had finished dancing, which included swallowing a load of cum from each of the men, before she sauntered over to greet them properly. After receiving a hug and a lingering kiss, Don introduced the rest of the group, ending with Evelyn. “Oh, you are the beautiful Evelyn,” India smiled. “Don has told me about you. He is very much in love with you.” “Oh, is that what he told you?” Evelyn winked at Don. “No, but a woman can tell when a man is in love when he talks about the object of his affection.” Then India looked down at their hands, and said, “I see you have gold rings now. Congratulations. We should do something to celebrate. Would you enjoy a jungle orgy?” In another moment, they were told to wait there, while India went back to the dance area to give some instructions to the women and men she had working there. While she was gone, Evelyn pulled Don close to whisper, “Damn, you're right, lover! She's sexy as hell!” “I know, right?” Don grinned. “I wouldn't mind rocking her world,” Evelyn breathed. “I think you'll probably get your chance,” he chuckled. Soon, they all heard India's voice speaking in their ears, as if she were leaning in close and speaking quietly to each of them. She said, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is orgy night here in the jungle. Grab a partner or two and come to the big orgy bed in the middle of the jungle! If you don't want to play with us, find somewhere else to play, but for tonight everyone must be having sex to stay in the jungle.” “That's a very neat trick!” Evelyn said. “Maybe we'll be able to do that,” Don suggested. Then they were all following India's swaying backside as she led them toward the center of the Jungle Room, which had once again been extensively rearranged. The big orgy bed India had mentioned was at least as large as the big bed in the Manor's big bed room, and was raised off the floor of the jungle by three broad stone steps. Torches illuminated the clearing and gave the tableau a primitive ritualistic feeling. India crawled up onto the bed and out to its center, where she turned and beckoned Don, Evelyn, and their friends to join her. She greeted Evelyn with a deep, passionate kiss, but reached out to take hold of Don's cock. When India turned to kiss Don, Evelyn moved down to kiss the left side of India's neck and then to kiss and suck at her dark nipple. Evelyn's fingers slipped up between India's firm thighs and began stroking her moist lips. India sighed happily when Evelyn began to fuck her fingers slowly in and out of her. Without letting go of Don's extremely hard cock, India let him and Evelyn lower her onto her back on the bed. Don moved around so he was next to Evelyn over India's right side, kissing, b

As India inches closer to the ambitious target of 10MMT of air cargo handled per year by 2030, one question that is being asked is: Why are there so few freighter operators from India? One of the major reasons is the high belly capacity available in India. Around 80 percent of cargo traffic is carried on passenger aircraft. Today, Blue Dart apart, there are only a handful of freighters carrying the India flag. August 15 brings a great golf tourney as the 19th Annual Dan Ferrante gathering takes place at JFK International Airport.

As India's economy continues to grow, can the world's most populous country truly replicate China's success of the past decades? Should India even imitate China? Maybe not, says our guest on this episode, Alicia García Herrero, Hong Kong-based Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at French investment bank Natixis, and Senior Fellow at European think tank Breugel. Alicia discusses the key differences between the two countries, talks about if the world is even looking for a new China, and provides insights on what economic policies could drive India's continued growth, especially as the country enters a second decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More info and other episodes: https://asiasociety.org/switzerland/podcast-state-asia

As India goes to the polls in the penultimate round of voting in their general election, Anita speaks to the BBC's Divya Arya in Delhi. They discuss what political issues are most important to women in this election, and how the main parties have been wooing them.Valérie Courtois was recently announced as the winner of the 2024 Shackleton medal for her work revolutionizing climate conservation in the Canadian arctic, most notably for her vision connecting Indigenous Guardians as ‘the eyes and ears on the ground' to preserve ecosystems. Valérie talks to Anita about leading the movement for indigenous-led conservation and land stewardship.   Carys Holmes is a 17-year-old girl with an ambition to join the British Army. She passed all of her army selection tests but says she was later taken aside and told she was being rejected because of an 'extensive' history of breast cancer in her family. Anita is joined by Carys who explains that the army has now retracted its decision. Emma Norton, a lawyer and Director of the Centre for Military Justice, also joins. Clara Schumann was one of the greatest female musicians of the 19th Century – a virtuoso performer who gave over 1,500 concerts in a 60 year career, all while raising eight children and financially supporting her household. Concert pianist Lucy Parham and actress Dame Harriet Walter join Anita to discuss their concert I, Clara which celebrates the ground-breaking life and work of Clara Schumann in her own right.Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Maryam Maruf Studio managers: Donald McDonald and Bob Nettles

As India's Lok Sabha elections enter the final phases, the nation finds itself amidst strong equity market outperformance and favourable demographic tailwinds. Additionally, India is well-positioned to reap significant benefits from the AI revolution.Join our Julius Baer experts Mark Matthews, Head of Research Asia and Bhaskar Laxminarayan, CIO Asia, and Head of Investment Management Asia, as they take a pulse check on the current political and market sentiment and examine the economic and investment landscape for India beyond the elections.

As India votes in the general election, it is impossible to avoid the wealth of AI-generated content being created - from campaign videos, to personalised audio messages in a range of Indian languages, and even automated calls made to voters in a candidate's voice.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also already made the best of the emerging technology to campaign effectively - addressing an audience in Hindi which, by using the government-created AI tool Bhashini, was then translated into Tamil in real time.But as the tools get more sophisticated, experts worry about its implications when it comes to making fake news appear real. In April, two viral videos showed Bollywood stars Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan campaigning for the opposition Congress party. Both filed police complaints saying these were deepfakes, made without their consent.The BBC's Meryl Sebastian, who is based in Kochi in southern India, explains how the election is playing out amidst the wave of AI and deepfake content.Plus we get advice on how to deal with AI and deepfake material as a voter from Divyendra Jadoun, founder of The Indian Deepfaker, who creates this exact content.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Josh Jenkins and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde

Extreme heat has immense economic and social impacts in Southasia, an area that is most vulnerable to heat, that is densely populated, and that has a large numbers of people living in poverty. Research says that extreme heat is here to stay and will likely only get worse. An analysis of the 2022 heatwave across India and Pakistan showed that human-induced climate change makes Southasian heatwaves 30 times more likely. In this episode of State of Southasia, Nayantara Narayanan speaks to Chandni Singh, a senior researcher at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements who works on climate change adaptation across Southasia. Singh talks about how the current Southasian experience of heat is unlike anything the region has seen in the past. State of Southasia releases a new interview every four weeks. Episode notes: Further reading from Himal's archives: As India's election heats up, soaring temperatures from climate change find little mention in mainstream media: https://www.himalmag.com/politics/india-election-rising-temperatures-heatwaves-risks-climate-change-journalism-mainstream-legacy-media Nepal's unescapable trap of migration, farming and climate change: https://www.himalmag.com/politics/nepal-himalaya-migration-rural-farming-agriculture-climate-change INTERVIEW: COP28, the transition from fossil fuels and the Loss and Damage fund: https://www.himalmag.com/podcast/cop28-dubai-climate-change-net-zero-simon-evans Climate change in Bangladesh is driving a dengue outbreak in winter: https://www.himalmag.com/video/climate-change-dengue-outbreak-in-winter-bangladesh Primacy and absence of climate change: https://www.himalmag.com/excerpt/primacy-and-absence-of-climate-change-bangladesh-threatening-dystopias-excerpt-2021 Chipko to climate change: https://www.himalmag.com/reportage/chipko-to-climate-change-2021

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 and point to a widening gap between top income-earners and ordinary Indians. To make sense of this debate, Milan is joined on the show this week by Maitreesh Ghatak. Maitreesh is a professor of economics at the London School of Economics, where he has been the director of the Development Economics Group at the research centre, STICERD, since 2005. He is a widely respected voice on India's economic development and has been especially focused, in recent years, on questions of growth, poverty, and inequality.Milan and Maitreesh discuss the government's recent consumption survey, contested claims that India has eliminated extreme poverty, and recent inequality trends. Plus, the two discuss the overall health of the macro-economy and the state of India's statistical system.Episode notes:1. Maitreesh Ghatak and Rishabh Kumar, “Poverty in India Over the Last Decade: Data, Debates, and Doubts,” The India Forum, April 10, 2024.2. Maitreesh Ghatak, “The rise of the affluent is the real India growth story,” Hindustan Times, February 29, 2024.3. Maitreesh Ghatak, “The simmering debate over poverty rate,” Mint, May 4, 2023.4. Maitreesh Ghatak, Ramya Raghavan, and Linchuan Xu, “Trends in Economic Inequality in India,” The India Forum, September 19, 2022.5. Maitreesh Ghatak, “India's Inequality Problem,” The India Forum, June 23, 2021.6. “The Crisis in India's Economic Data (with Pramit Bhattacharya),” Grand Tamasha, February 12, 2020.7. “Decoding the Indian Economy (with Pranjul Bhandari),” Grand Tamasha, April 3, 2024.

As India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi claims on the campaign trail that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the country into a "centre of unemployment", we look at the situation that young Indians face on the job market. Also in this edition, the US will see its first high-speed rail line in 2028, when commuters will be able to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in just over two hours.

Nalin Mehta is a political scientist and journalist in Delhi, India, and author of The New BJP, a work you can only call THE  book on the BJP, the largest political party in the world. Under the leadership of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP has solidified its position as the uncontested center of power in the world's most populous country.As India heads to the polls over a 6-week period beginning April 19, we talk with Nalin about how the BJP built and expanded its power base, and what Modi, who is all but certain to once again win the elections, could set as priorities upon starting his second decade as Prime Minister. This episode is from Asia Society Switzerland's STATE OF ASIA podcast, bringing you exclusive, engaging conversations with leading minds on issues that shape Asia and affect us all. More info and other episodes: https://asiasociety.org/switzerland/podcast-state-asia

Why is Narendra Modi so popular? As India begins voting this week, FP Live host Ravi Agrawal discusses his essay “The New Idea of India” with executive editor Amelia Lester. The two take subscriber questions on how India is changing under Modi and what New Delhi's foreign policy will look like in the future.  Suggested reading: Ravi Agrawal: The New Idea of India Rishi Iyengar: Modi's Messenger to the World Snigdha Poonam: Meet India's Generation Z Josh Felman, Arvind Subramanian: Is India Really the Next China? Anusha Rathi: 5 Charts That Explain India Amitava Kumar: Becoming Indian Mukul Kesavan: 4 Books to Understand Modern India

As India enters election season, we look at the crucial female vote. For decades, the number of women turning out to vote in India has been low, but that's changed in the last decade. Now, political parties are deliberately targeting policies at women, to try and win over this key group. We hear from a group of women about their priorities in the 2024 general election - for the workplace, in business, and their day-to-day lives.(Picture: A group of women in India lining up to vote. Credit: AFP)Presented and produced by Devina Gupta

As India completes 10 years of being governed by the Hindu nationalist BJP, Divya Arya explores the divergent political and religious views of different castes in modern day India. Despite government-led programmes to increase job opportunities and reduced caste based discrimination, inequalities still exist particularly in smaller towns and villages. Divya meets a young Brahman influencer who makes reels about her caste pride, a man from the lower Dalit caste who has moved away from Hinduism and another Dalit man who has joined an organisation with close links to the ruling BJP.

As India's election approaches, some Bollywood films are promoting the politics of the country's prime minister. What does it tell us about Narendra Modi's influence and his brand of Hindu nationalism?To find out more about Tortoise:- Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists- Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content- Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As India's election approaches, some Bollywood films are promoting the politics of the country's prime minister. What does it tell us about Narendra Modi's influence and his brand of Hindu nationalism?To find out more about Tortoise:- Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists- Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and exclusive content- Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and moreIf you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can innovative technologies like India Stack truly pave the way for a digital-first economy? In a rapidly digitising world, how do initiatives like Aadhar and PMJDY redefine notions of financial inclusion? As India progresses in digital innovation, what unforeseen sectors might be revolutionised by the ripple effects of initiatives such as ONDC and UPI? Join us for the third episode of our series with Neelkanth Mishra, part-time Chair of India's UIDAI project and one of India's leading economists, as we delve deeper into India's shift towards a digital-first economy and showcase the innovative India Stack's pivotal role. Chapters: 00:00:00 - 00:01:10 Episode Introduction 00:01:10 - 00:22:26 What is ‘India Stack' and how are we feeling its impact? 00:22:26 - 00:24:08 How has India Stack influenced the digital infrastructure of other countries? 00:24:08 - 00:32:50 Neelkanth dissects the features and intricacies of Indian fintech initiatives 00:32:50 - 00:44:11 How are the Indian government and its stakeholders enhancing and expanding India Stack? 00:44:11 - 00:53:57 Neelkanth elaborates on how GST is empowering the growth and success of India Stack 00:53:57 - 00:58:35 How has GST helped in boosting India's economy? 00:58:35 - 01:12:18 The formation, functioning, and future outlook of ONDC 01:12:18 - 01:19:41 Neelkanth talks about current inefficiencies and prospective future of India Stack

As India moves closer to 18th Lok Sabha Elections, Author and Former IAS officer takes delves deep in the transformation of Indian Democracy between 3rd and 5th Lok Sabha elections.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/how-indian-democracy-transformed-between-3rd-and-5th-lok-sabha-elections/1989991/

One of the most telling statistics from the General Social Survey, is that Americans are having less sex now than they did in 1980s and 1990s. Young men especially have become less sexually active. Since 2008, the share of men under 30 reporting no sex at all has nearly tripled. This stat is one of the clearest signs of what has turned into a counterintuitive but reliable pattern. The more “liberated” and “progressive” our culture becomes, the less interested in or capable of finding human partners we become. I say, “human partners,” because the decline of sex and the rise of high-tech sex alternatives have gone hand-in-hand. Online pornography use, for instance, has become ubiquitous. The Institute for Family Studies reported in 2022 that a majority of men ages 30-49 say they've watched pornography in the past month. And given the connection between porn and male sexual dysfunctions, this becomes a self-perpetuating cycle. Now, another emerging alternative to real women will likely draw even more men into unreality. British freelance writer Freya India recently highlighted the phenomenon of AI girlfriends, describing an array of new apps like Replika, Intimate, and Dream Girl Builder, which offer men the chance to craft “flawless” digital partners. These apps promise AI-airbrushed pornography. Users customize body type, face shape, and hair color to “create their dream companion,” that will “exceed [their] wildest desires,” and can join them on “hyper-realistic voice calls.” These apps offer not only simulated sex, but also the promise of companionship and emotional attention. As India writes: "Eva AI, for example, not only lets you choose the perfect face and body but customise the perfect personality, offering options like “hot, funny, bold”, “shy, modest, considerate” and “smart, strict, rational”. Create a girlfriend who is judgement-free! Who lets you hang out with your buddies without drama! Who laughs at all your jokes! “Control it all the way you want to,” promises Eva AI. Design a girl who is “always on your side”, says Replika." That last app has been downloaded more than 20 million times, and the industry seems poised to boom, with NBC reporting that “Ads for AI sex workers are flooding Instagram and TikTok.” This isn't an expansion of sexual and romantic freedom or a tool that empowers people to make human connections. Rather, it is a retreat from human connection, a turning away from the very thing for which we are biologically, socially, and emotionally wired. And yet this has always been the end of the road we started on long ago, when we mixed a commitment to hyper-individualism with technology. As Sherry Turkle observed over a decade ago in her book, Alone Together, the process started with living our lives on the internet. Soon we began exploring alternative identities through social media. We crafted these identities and connections to perfection, pruning our “friends lists” to include only those people who pleased us. Before long, we came to prefer these digital relationships on our terms to the messy and often frustrating demands of in-person relationships. Now we have reached the stage at which many would rather cut out humans altogether, opting instead for “drama-free” companions who never have bad days, never grow old, always laugh at our jokes, never ask anything of us, and can be simply “paused” if it suits us. And AI technology is here to fill that demand. What's next? C.S. Lewis was among many science-fiction authors to speculate. In That Hideous Strength, the last book of his Space Trilogy, he describes corrupted inhabitants of the Moon who do not sleep with each other when they marry, but “each lies with a cunningly fashioned image of the other, made to move and to be warm by devilish arts, for real flesh will not please them, they are so dainty … in their dreams of lust.” Perhaps AI girlfriends will eventually become robotic girlfriends, deceiving users into truly giving up on human relationships. But what insanity! We were never made for such nightmares. We were created with bodies for embodied relationships—among them the one-flesh union of marriage, through which God gives children. And at the heart of Christianity is the message that God values our embodied natures so highly that, in Christ, He assumed that nature in order to save us. Our human relationships don't need replacing. They need redemption. As our culture's retreat from humanity reaches new levels of strangeness, the task of the Church may increasingly be to call our neighbors back to being human. Few would have expected Christians to get a reputation for being the “pro-sex people,” but if falling in love with a computer is the alternative, we may be well on our way. This Breakpoint was co-authored by Shane Morris. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

This week, we're casting our eyes towards the brightest and largest object in our night sky: the Moon. As India becomes the 4th nation to achieve a successful soft landing on our only natural sateillite, we saw a fantastic opportunity to chart the history of how the Moon was formed and the many billions worth of missions invested in finding out more about it... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists