Podcasts about Kerala

In this segment, we explore Dr. Nibodhi's new program, Complete Ayurveda. This is a comprehensive, self-paced course designed to bring the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda into your everyday life. I genuinely couldn't be more thrilled for this program to be released to the public and to support so many people. Dr. Nibodhi has poured years of study, clinical experience, and genuine care into creating a program that is deeply rooted in tradition but is also incredibly practical for modern living. Whether you're completely new to Ayurveda or looking to deepen your understanding, this course provides accessible tools that you can begin applying immediately.With over 10 hours of video content, 50+ lessons, 20 interactive worksheets, 12 guided meditations, and 3 personalized quizzes, every module is designed around implementation rather than information alone. The goal isn't simply to learn the philosophy of Ayurveda - it is to experience it through meaningful changes in your health, energy, habits, and overall sense of wellbeing.Receive 50$ off with the discount code AYURVEDANOW50 through August 1st! www.nibodhi.com/complete-ayurvedaNibodhi is a student and practitioner of Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedic Astrology and Indigenous Wisdom traditions. Professionally he a board-certified Traditional Naturopath and Ayurvedic Practitioner and educator. He has also studied Jyotish with an emphasis in medical astrology. He is certified in Vedic psychology/ counselling, clinical nutrition, & yoga teacher/ yoga therapy as well as numerous certifications and trainings in other fields of Health and Consciousness. While he has formally studied at numerous schools his most profound studies came from one on one training with numerous Vaidyas, Yoga masters, Shamans and Elders and Healers from the Vedic traditions as well as various indigenous traditions. He has more than 3 decades of studies and experience in mindfulness and tantric meditation practice and offers guidance in personal and private practice. His vision and heart follows these wisdom paths that support health and consciousness on an individual and planetary level.He is the author of six books on health and consciousness.He offers Vedic/Ayurveda Consultations in person and online. Sessions with Nibodhi give clients a deeper understanding of their total state of health and provide tools for creating greater well-being in their lives. Ayurvedic consultations with Nibodhi are a physical, emotional, and spiritual journey towards optimum, radiant health and consciousness. Nibodhi listens with deep awareness to your health and life concerns. He determines and explains your unique constitution, and offers you a completely individualised approach and protocol that supports your health and life goals.Sessions with Nibodhi may include, but are not limited to, individualised nutrition, dietary, and herbal protocols, yoga and/or other exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, and lifestyle practices which are personalised to bring you into optimum balance.Since 2003 he has been living half of each year in Kerala, India serving in a 100% Non-profit/Charitable, Ayurveda and Naturopathy Wellness Center where he also has taught week long Ayurveda-Yoga intensives twice a year since 2013. Since 2004 he has travelled the world (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, EU, Australia, Singapore, Malayasia, Thailand) offering Ayurveda Health and Consciousness guidance and counseling. Since 2020 he still spends half the year in India and half the year in Maui. https://www.instagram.com/dr.nibodhi/To find out more or sign up for a consultation, email:Dr.Nibodhi@gmail.com __________________________________Characteristics of Your Spouse:https://youtu.be/i_cOvdSbjy0Soulmate Astrologyhttps://youtu.be/ExnDysvjzUwChristine:website: innerknowing.yogainstagram: astrologynow_podcastpatreon: patreon.com/astrologynowpodcast 

He hit the wall at his first Mumbai Marathon in 2013. Walked the last 10 kilometers. Finished in 4:02. And came home thinking — I can do better.Thirteen years later, Vijayraghavan Venugopal — known as ViRa — has run sub-3 thirteen times, completed all six World Marathon Majors, and clocked a personal best of 2:47:17 at Cape Town in 2026.In Episode 257 of Run with Fitpage, Vikas sits down with ViRa for a detailed conversation about what it actually takes to go from a 4:02 first-timer to one of India's most consistent sub-3 marathon runners over 13 years of learning, failing, and coming back stronger.In this episode we covered:➝ Growing up in Kerala in the golden era of Indian athletics — and why cricket became his sport when football and athletics felt out of reach➝ His first marathon at Mumbai 2013 — the wall at Haji Ali, the walk home, and the one decision that changed everything➝ How he went from 4:02 to 3:31 in five months using a single book — Run Less Run Faster➝ The only marathon he ever won — Spice Coast 2015 — and why a police escort to the finish line changed what he believed was possible➝ Paris 2016 — how he broke sub-3 for the first time without even planning to➝ New York 2019 — buying a Vaporfly three days before the race to compensate for a lack of confidence — and what happened next➝ The L4-L5 disc extrusion that almost ended his running — and the six-month rebuild that followed➝ What 20 days in Kenya in 2023 taught him about running that 10 years of training could not➝ How he restructured everything after 2022 — strength training, easy runs, mileage, sleep, nutrition — and why the results finally showed up in 2024 and 2025➝ Four marathons in 14 months at 50 — London, New York, Mumbai, Cape Town — and what comes nextAbout Vikas Singh:Vikas Singh, an MBA from Chicago Booth, worked at Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, APGlobale, and Reliance before coming up with the idea of democratizing fitness knowledge and helping beginners get on a fitness journey. Vikas is an avid long-distance runner, building fitpage to help people learn, train, and move better.For more information on Vikas, or to leave any feedback and requests, you can reach out to him via the channels below:Instagram: @vikas_singhhLinkedIn: Vikas SinghTwitter: @vikashsingh101Subscribe To Our Newsletter For Weekly Nuggets of Knowledge!

Star Jam Ft. Chidambaram | RJ RafiIn this episode of Star Jam, director Chidambaram sits down with RJ Rafi to talk about his new film Balan, why he insists it is “not an award film,” and how he balances festival buzz with making a movie that truly works for the theatre audience. He opens up about the pressure after the massive success and multiple State Awards of Manjummel Boys, his collaboration with composer Sushin Shyam, and building an emotional thriller around a mother–son journey through Kerala.Chidambaram also shares candid stories from scripting with Jithu Madhavan, casting choices like Jean Paul Lal, the challenges of making a star-less but big-scale movie, and what it really felt like to take Balan to Cannes and show it to an international crowd. If you love Malayalam cinema, behind-the-scenes creative process, and grounded conversations about “award films” vs commercial cinema, this conversation is for you.

Ever since Margaret Thatcher's declaration of TINA (There Is No Alternative) in 1980, virtually all policy proposals to fix society's grave problems work within the dominant framework of growth-based consumer capitalism. What if this framework is the problem? What if there actually is an alternative? To reimagine and reframe the conversation, join us for an evening with George Monbiot and Jeremy Lent who will discuss what the world might look like if it were organised, not for extraction, exploitation and elite wealth accumulation, but to instead set the conditions for all beings to thrive on a regenerated Earth. Covering themes from Lent's new book, Ecocivilization: Making a World that Works for All, they will explore the transformative ideas already put into practice around the world—spanning the globe from Mondragón, Spain, to Jackson, Mississippi and Kerala, India—and discuss how these examples might weave together into a new societal fabric. Speaker: Jeremy Lent, author and speaker Chair: George Monbiot, journalist and author Donate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3ZyPOEa Become an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueemb Follow RSA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/ Like RSA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/ Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYU Join our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join

A version of this essay has been published by Open Magazine at https://openthemagazine.com/world/india-will-collapse-without-digital-sovereignty-and-pax-indica-lessons-from-hormuzBy now it is clear that the Iran War (or West Asia War) has been a disaster to all concerned, including the principals as well as assorted passersby. The massive amounts spent by the US (at last count $25 billion) are at least articulated; the bill for the enormous infrastructural and human suffering inflicted on Gulf states, in the theater of war, must be greater, by definition.The collateral damages suffered by the rest of the world from the cessation of trade through the Straits of Hormuz will presumably run into the trillions of dollars. As one of the worst affected, India, which imports 90% of its hydrocarbons from the Gulf, not to mention other essential items such as urea (for fertilizer), sulfuric acid, helium, etc., is on track to take a massive hit. As an article in The Economic Times said, “India must brace for broad-based economic shock”.Indian exports of up to $50 billion are also affected, especially agricultural products including perishable foodstuffs, but also gems and jewellery, electronics, textiles and garments. Some of this can be diverted via Oman and the UAE's Fujairah port, but much of it passes through the Straits of Hormuz and is potentially blocked and/or stranded at sea.The Hormuz closure is a body blow to India's economy. What can and will India do about it? The Indian State has a habit of rising to the challenge only when there is a crisis, while vegetating otherwise. The 1991 economic crisis is a case in point; the sanctions following “The Buddha is smiling”, and the denial of cryogenic rocket engines and supercomputers are other examples where the nation rallied. So were covid vaccines. Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention.Turning a threat into an opportunityIf I were to be an optimist, I could say that the current crisis is actually an opportunity. In fact, a major opportunity. My reading of the Iran War is that it is President Trump's strategic tit-for-tat against China for denying him rare earths and cutting off soybean purchases. In return Trump decided to deny China access to oil by closing access to Venezuela and Iran. Whether this will work, or whether the G2 condominium (read ‘surrender') will prevail, is unclear.But that is, in a sense, background noise that needs to be managed. India needs to focus on its own issues, of which I see several as critical, and the solution in general is to become Atmanirbhar, self-reliant, and from that, to create an Anti-Fragile nation:* National security/defense* Food security* Energy security* Digital security/narrative control* Trade securityThe first three do not need an explanation: they are obvious. Internal and external security are pre-requisites for any successful society. If India's hard-won food security can be threatened by external threats, then there needs to be some deep introspection. Energy security means diversification, both of hydrocarbon sources, and of types of energy, including renewables, nuclear, biomass, coal-based, and so on.Malign narratives and digital sovereigntyNarrative control is something that the Indian State has failed at so far; it is laughably easy to create hate speech against Indians and India (as has been demonstrated freely by any number of players, starting from the MAGA crowd, to Audrey Truschke to a”Cockroach Janata Party” and some nitwit Norwegian journalist in just the last fortnight) and there are no consequences to the culprits. It's enough to make me pine for Lee Kuan Yew's aggressive legal battles against the media.It's one thing if it were only a problem with foreigners, but with the massive spread of social media, and in particular generativeAI, it is becoming a serious domestic issue. Since India is an avid consumer of social media, and because generativeAI is trained on things like Wikipedia, X, Whatsapp and Google content, biased and motivated material becomes ensconced as The Truth. I have written about narrative warfare and manufacturing consent.This used to be a one-way tsunami of (mis)-information by legacy media, but now there is also the opposite: the wholesale and free vacuuming-up of Indian data (whatever happened to “data is the new oil”?). The “Great Firewall of China” both kept out foreign BIg Tech applications and prevented their plundering Chinese data: is that the way to go?Manufactured narratives are intended for regime change: all the color revolutions today are hatched with massive bot-farms funded by some combination of Deep State, CCP, ISI, Qatar etc. (for example the alleged Gen-Z uprisings that rocked Nepal, drove Sheikh Hasina out of Bangladesh). Thus muzzling malign narratives, and ensuring data security, are imperative.Even Singapore is not immune: it had to block anti-India narratives that likely originated from Chinese sources.A particularly striking example of narrative warfare is the virtual hate speech inducted into Wikipedia by deeply prejudiced anonymous editors. Ashley Rindsberg, who exposed the mighty New York Times' biases in his book The Gray Lady Winked, provides many examples of this.Of note to Indians and Hindus is his recent substack titled “Wikipedia's India War” where he identifies just four editors as having created most of the content condemning the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) in ‘Wikivoice', i.e. the allegedly neutral perspective of Wikipedia. They are, on the contrary, shown to be highly one-sided.As Rindsberg mentions, Wikipedia being central to generativeAI, the damage is baked into the world-view of all AI applications. Truly Orwellian. Says Rindsberg: “four… anonymous accounts can have an enormous impact on what millions of people believe to be the truth.” “Over four years (2021-2025), editors systematically erased HAF's identity as an American civil rights group, transforming its Wikipedia page into a heavily curated dossier of accusations.”Trade, and how the Spice Route was far superior to the Silk RoadFinally, something that is becoming increasingly important: ensuring freedom of trade. This is more than just freedom of navigation, although I find it instructive that Emperor Rajendra Chola sent a huge fleet 1,001 years ago simply to open up the Straits of Malacca. India can make an active attempt to regain primacy in Indian Ocean trade, the whole Pax indica idea.Here is another example of the power of narrative: we have been led to believe that the Silk Road to China was some major highway of commerce between ancient Rome and ancient China, but it was a term coined only in 1877 by the German Ferdinand von Richthofen. There was no highway. A large caravan might take six months, and with 500 camels traversing treacherous deserts and braving bandits, it might carry a maximum of 100 tons. That is puny.In comparison, on the Spice Route, a single stitched ship from Muziris could carry 400 tons of ivory, pepper, silk, tigers and elephants; and the historian Strabo around 1 CE talks about fleets of 250 ships going from Alexandria to India on a six-week monsoon-powered journey. That is 100,000 tons of merchandise. No wonder Pliny the Elder complained that Rome's treasuries were being emptied of gold by India.Simple question: where are hoards of ancient Roman coins found in Asia? Answer: not along the Silk Road. The hoards are in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.Today, it is possible for India to aspire to port-led development of trade, especially with the major ports at Trivandrum (Vizhinjam), Maharashtra (Vadhavan), and Great Nicobar (Galathea Bay). The underlying ‘software' of India's millennia-old trade competency was a ‘multi-protocol switch' as I pointed out, and today's India Stack can replicate that. Then there is the need for a blue-water navy: muscle to provide security on the Hormuz to Malacca sea-lanes.So there is a vision. How can India get there? This is where policy matters, as I discussed with policy expert Anuj Gupta. Policy, especially industrial policy, has had a bad reputation in certain circles because it was deemed to violate the virginal purity of classical capitalism. However, in a recent U-turn, even the World Bank admitted that industrial policy may not be all that bad, after all: the success of Japan, the Asian Tigers, and China can't be ignored.That leads to the question of why policy in India has produced mediocre outcomes, what is different now, and where the best use of policy might be.Industrial Policy: What went wrong in the past?There are many problems here. To begin with, the Soviet model, which Nehruvians swore by, was, in hindsight, a dead end. Second, there is the problem of governance: post-Independence bureaucrats have awkwardly borne the legacy of imperial hauteur and the needs of a developing society. Third, until recently, the bare necessities (food, electricity, road access) were not available to many citizens, and GDP growth was not their priority.There is also the culture of jugaad: of clever ways in which you overcome constraints through frugal improvisation and seat-of-the-pants making-do. This is fine for one-off things (e.g. converting a tractor trailer into a makeshift transport vehicle because your truck broke down), but it does not make for efficient and replicable industrial products. As The Economic Times said recently, it is time to junk jugaad. Quality has to become ingrained in people's minds.The issue of governance is significant: the bureaucracy and the judiciary have both under-performed, politicians, as everywhere, have been venal. It is said that China's growth can be attributed to the fact that its babus are engineers, and therefore with engineering ruthlessness move in straight lines. The US' babus are lawyers, and India's are humanities graduates. Well, engineers are not very good at second-order effects (eg. China's lurch from one-child policy to demographic collapse), but a little bit of ruthlessness is probably good.What is going reasonably well?There are a few modest success stories: for example, in electronics manufacturing or assembly. The PLIs (and DLIs) have produced the desired effort, with clusters of excellence where global suppliers have also set up shop (as they did earlier for the automobile industry in, say, Sriperumpudur). The fact that a lot of iPhones in the US are now imported from India is laudable, even though it may be derided as “screwdriver jobs”. That's where one starts the move up the value chain.The current semiconductor policy is a big hope, especially after the landmark agreement by the Dutch firm ASML with Tata Electronics in Dholera, Gujarat. Given that ASML has a near-monopoly position in Deep Ultraviolet Lithography (DUV) this is a major boost to India's chip ambitions. My recent conversation with AMD CTO Suraj Rengarajan went into India's chances to realize its ambitions.A recent announcement from Trivandrum-based fabless startup NetraSemi (a recipient of DLI) of the commercial availability of its edge AI chips is a landmark.Next is the newly announced plan for energy security revolving around both coal gasification and intensive offshore exploration. These fall squarely into the Atmanirbhar category: India simply cannot afford to have its energy held hostage by distant nations. It also needs distinctly Indian innovation.The Samudra Manthan initiative is also showing some promise. At least one out of three deep-water wells in the Andaman Sea (SriVijaya Puram-3) are reported to be showing the availability of natural gas, although it will take 5-10 years for this to be commercially available.What should the future look like for India's Industrial Policies?This of course is the hard question. Here is my personal perspective, and I accept that reasonable people may disagree. I think three areas need to be focused on, and will pay large dividends.* Drones and swarming software* Social media and AI stack* Maritime Trade and Blue-Water NavyI admit that these are not the only worthwhile industrial policies. Another is for copper, which would reverse the catastrophic effects of the closure of the Sterlite plant in Thoothukkudi, as the metal is an increasingly important component in electronics, data centers, etc., and far from being self-sufficient earlier, India now imports 50% of its needs. Another area of interest in quantum computing.There are also failures from which the right lessons need to be learned. The policy for EV batteries has apparently failed: according to Swarajya magazine, India has not been able to escape from near-total dependence on imported Chinese batteries.Drone swarmsI wrote recently that drones may well herald a step-change in warfare. For the moment, though, they are searching for their niche in offensive/defensive warfare. Drone hardware is already a well-trodden path with Chinese and other nations dominating it, although with IdeaForge, Paras, Garuda, IoTechworld Avigation etc., India is also making progress there. And India is indeed buying the hardware, $2 billion-worth, according to the Economic Times.But I believe the real game is in drone swarms. AI-based control software (similar to HiveMind) that would allow an entire swarm to act autonomously, just like a murmuration of starlings, would be the gold standard to aim for. Such a self-managing swarm would be virtually impossible to defend against, and I think India should put in place a PLI to support it, leveraging software capability in the country.Of course, drones are not just for military purposes, but also for commercial uses including things like logistics and agricultural use, such as precision delivery of fertilizer and pesticide to crops (as Garuda demonstrates). An Indian initiative that supports both drone hardware, and especially drone software, would be a potential winner.Digital Sovereignty: Social media and AI stackThere is a raging battle over which part of the AI stack India needs to invest in. As an old Unix hand, I believe the foundational model is not where the differentiation is. In analogy with Linux (the open-source Unix variant that was popularized by Linus Torvalds and an army of volunteers), there is little value in re-writing the operating system, but one can differentiate by building on top of it, or by judiciously choosing certain modules of it.Besides, the cost of building an entirely new foundational model would be astronomical and would consume the entire budget of IndiaAI Mission.Thus, my personal opinion is that the foundational model (especially when, it is believed, there are more or less open-source models available for free, e.g. Llama, DeepSeek) is not where India should expend its precious R&D resources, but on the layers of the stack above it. It is the data that matters, as Larry Ellison apparently suggests too.But there is the interesting counter-example of Sarvam AI which is producing its own sovereign model: multi-lingual and presumably otherwise tuned to Indian needs. The question is whether this can survive when hundreds of billions worth of capital investment are going to the US Big Tech companies and their Chinese rivals. The sad history of Koo, a Twitter rival, comes to mind. So does Arattai, a Whatsapp rival, whose popularity has waned. .A well-thought-through industrial policy on generativeAI is therefore essential. The status quo ante is unsustainable; given the fact that Sarvam has also found it difficult to raise funds in the US, it is worth pondering whether a China-style massive subsidy is the answer. And where should it go, into foundational models or into the layers of the stack above it? The answer is “both”, but with priority to the latter.Here is where I would prioritize investments, in order:* Vertical applications in specific domains: e.g. defense, healthcare, agriculture, governance (particularly in the judiciary and in ease of doing business in the bureaucracy)* Fine-tuning and customization: for the needs of the Indian context, e.g. multi-linguality under Bhashini* Compute infrastructure: GPUs, sovereign and protected indian datasets* Sovereign Small-Language Models such as Sarvam AIAs mentioned above, at the moment India's data is being sucked up for free by US Big Tech. In addition, there is the real danger that Indic Knowledge Systems will be mined and digested, as has happened to yoga, pranayama, etc., which have been given Western analogs and nomenclature, as in Pilates, ‘coherent breathing' etc.These two problems are connected, and both need to be tackled in parallel. Social media is being weaponized against India, and this is magnified by the legacy media in a positive feedback loop. Three examples: one was the rage against Adani based on the dubious research of Hindenburg, which then went under; the second is Bloomberg's reckless accusation about gold reserves being sold by the RBI, which they were forced to retract, but social media and Wikipedia will remember it; the third is the meteoric (media) rise of the Cockroach Janata Party.Trade using major ports, Digital Public Infrastructure and a blue water navyUsing trade for competitive advantage is an age-old tactic. The trade tiffs between the US and China are examples of this: we are witnessing war by other means. Many nations are getting into this act, and India does have some advantages, partly based on geography. Maritime trade is likely to continue to be the key, which makes naval chokepoints the big story, but not the only story to watch out for.The major aspects of maritime trade include infrastructure, the digital “multi-protocol switch”, and security. On the one hand, India is developing not only major container ports, and the road/rail links to get to them, and the industrial goods to ship out through them, but also a serious shipbuilding industry, which was one of India's historical strengths. Then it used to be stitched wooden ships (teak beams lashed together with coconut rope). Now it's modern steel ships.There are the big, efficient new ports, which can now turn ships around with Singapore-like efficiency; the proposed third aircraft carrier group which will make it possible to patrol the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal at the time; the Air-Independent Propulsion diesel submarines and nuclear submarines that can monitor (and if necessary, deny) narrow straits; the sale of supersonic Brahmos cruise missiles to the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia (and Cyprus) that create ship-denial zones: all this is muscle.And the final piece, the ‘software' for trade, the “multi-protocol switch”. This last is complicated. Its value is underestimated by many. But this is what enables friction-less transactions between various unrelated parties. The India Stack and the Digital Public Infrastructure can be utilized to provide such a facility. But it is complex enough to need significant study as to what is possible, and how to roll it out.Second-order effectsIn closing, it is worth considering some of what the (unintended) consequences of these proposals may be. Let us note that the G2 has no interest in allowing India to grow and make it a G3. They will do everything in their power to kneecap India, by all means possible.There is also a certain derision for India in some circles. Here is a generic western opinion on why China got rich, and India didn't. Well, the author doesn't consider the second-order effects of the wholesale destruction of Chinese civilization: that is a tradeoff Indians may not prefer for themselves. We all know how China's well-intentioned One Child Policy turned into demographic collapse within a few years. Besides, as The Economist asks, “China is innovative. Its economy is a mess. Which will win out?”This is why I think planning for these second-order effects is important. We tend to ignore them because they seem counterintuitive or unlikely, but Nassim Taleb has sensitized us to how low-probability Black Swan events can have grave consequences.As an example, attempting digital sovereignty may have unwelcome side-effects: Big Tech have the first-mover advantage and network effects and there are increasing returns to scale. They will surely make it hard for a new player to break in. Besides, the large investments in data centers and GCCs that they are making in India would make it very difficult for them to be ejected with a “Great Indian Firewall”.Even taxing their capture of Indian data will be complicated; not to mention that they have demonstrated that they can happily violate copyright laws with no consequence; therefore they will find ways to chew up and spit out Indian Knowledge Systems, and essentially re-colonize India. Digital colonialism is not a threat, it is a reality today, and it is a consequence of the relatively open Indian system.In addition, there is a malign group, the “barbarians within” as Arnold Toynbee once put it, who are ready to sacrifice Indian sovereignty for a pittance.Given all this, it will be very difficult to put in place serious measures to gain digital independence; and the narrative-peddling is likely to gain further momentum: just consider the caste allegations that have haunted BAPS in the US (despite the cases being dismissed by the US DoJ), the Cisco Systems case where, again, the case was dismissed, but the narrative continues, and the persistent efforts in various US states to turn caste into a weapon to bludgeon Indians.Another sensitive issue is that of the multi-protocol switch for trade. While from an Indian point of view, it eases trade and harks back to a Golden Age of Indic maritime commerce, but that will be viewed elsewhere very differently, for instance by the US as an attempt to de-dollarize. The US has jealousy guarded – with very good reasons that we will not go into here – the dollar's reserve currency status.We have also seen what happened to those who attempt to hurt the dollar's primacy: in 1985, the Plaza Accord devalued the dollar, and that was a body blow to Japan's economy, which has not recovered its mojo to this day. Later, Iraq's Saddam Hussein and Libya's Muammar Gaddafi both had ideas about replacing the petro-dollar with, respectively, the Euro and a new pan-African gold-backed currency. We know what happened to them.If the India Stack multi-protocol switch is perceived as an alternative to the US dollar, there may be grave consequences. Therefore, it should be conceived and deployed only as an adjunct to it and to the almighty SWIFT settlement system.ConclusionIndia is at a crossroads now. Even though the Hormuz closure is a serious problem, if it plays its cards right, adversity can be turned into opportunity across a variety of perspectives. The key is Atmanirbhar, self-reliance. If India can now implement a crash program of industrial policy, and at the same time overcome an ingrained Third-World tendency to cut corners, it can finally break free of the years of underperformance, what I called the Nehruvian Penalty in 2004.It is possible, but there are caveats: unforeseen consequences. Hic sunt dracones. Here be dragons. Be afraid. Be very afraid.3700 words, 7 June 2026This is episode 192 of the Shadow Warrior podcast. Here is a companion AI-generated slideshow. (Note that the borders of India are not necessarily depicted correctly here, because it is generated by an AI, notebookLM.google.com) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com/subscribe

VOV1 - Từ những con tàu chở dầu trên Vịnh Ba Tư đến các tàu hàng vượt Đại Tây Dương, thủy thủ Ấn Độ hiện diện trên hầu hết các tuyến hàng hải quan trọng của thế giới. Ít ai biết rằng cứ 5 thuyền viên làm việc trên các tàu thương mại quốc tế thì có 1 người mang quốc tịch Ấn Độ.Bên lề Hội nghị Thượng đỉnh Nhóm các nước công nghiệp phát triển (G7) tại Pháp, Thủ tướng Ấn Độ Narendra Modi đã nêu vấn đề an toàn hàng hải trong cuộc gặp với Tổng thống Mỹ Donald Trump:“Chúng tôi luôn khẳng định rằng quyền tự do hàng hải phải được đảm bảo. Tất cả chúng ta cần cùng nhau nỗ lực nhấn mạnh điều này. Chúng ta đều biết, trong thương mại hàng hải toàn cầu, hàng trăm nghìn thủy thủ Ấn Độ hiện đang phục vụ trên khắp các đại dương, đóng góp một phần to lớn vào sự phát triển của thế giới. Tôi cho rằng sự an toàn của họ rất quan trọng và cũng tin rằng, với thỏa thuận vừa đạt được (giữa Mỹ và Iran), sự an toàn của các thủy thủ của chúng tôi cũng sẽ được đảm bảo và được ưu tiên hàng đầu.”Đối với New Delhi, đây không chỉ là vấn đề an ninh hàng hải mà còn liên quan trực tiếp đến sinh kế của hàng trăm nghìn công dân đang làm việc trên biển.Trên thực tế, Ấn Độ hiện có hơn 300.000 thuyền viên được chứng nhận làm việc trên các tàu quốc tế, đưa nước này trở thành một trong những quốc gia cung cấp nhân lực hàng hải lớn nhất thế giới, cùng với Philippines và Trung Quốc. Thủy thủ Ấn Độ hiện diện trên hầu hết các tuyến hàng hải quan trọng, từ Vịnh Ba Tư, Biển Đỏ, Địa Trung Hải cho tới Đại Tây Dương và Thái Bình Dương.Theo các chuyên gia hàng hải, vị thế đặc biệt này không phải ngẫu nhiên. Với đường bờ biển dài hơn 7.500 km và lịch sử giao thương bằng đường biển kéo dài hàng nghìn năm, nhiều cộng đồng ven biển Ấn Độ đã hình thành truyền thống đi biển từ nhiều thế hệ. Tại các bang Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra hay Tamil Nadu, không ít gia đình có cha, con và cháu cùng theo nghề thủy thủ hoặc sĩ quan hàng hải.Bên cạnh yếu tố truyền thống, hệ thống đào tạo hàng hải phát triển cũng là một lợi thế lớn của Ấn Độ. Hàng chục học viện và trung tâm đào tạo đạt chuẩn quốc tế mỗi năm cung cấp hàng nghìn sĩ quan, kỹ sư và thuyền viên cho các hãng tàu trên toàn cầu. Khả năng sử dụng tiếng Anh tốt cùng trình độ chuyên môn được công nhận rộng rãi giúp lao động Ấn Độ có tính cạnh tranh cao trên thị trường nhân lực hàng hải quốc tế.Tuy nhiên, sức hấp dẫn lớn nhất của nghề đi biển vẫn là thu nhập. Đối với nhiều thanh niên tại các địa phương ven biển, làm việc trên tàu biển quốc tế có thể mang lại mức lương cao gấp nhiều lần so với các công việc trong nước. Một sĩ quan hàng hải giàu kinh nghiệm có thể nhận mức lương từ vài nghìn đến hàng chục nghìn USD mỗi tháng, tùy theo vị trí và loại tàu. Tại nhiều làng ven biển ở Kerala, nghề đi biển được xem là “tấm vé đổi đời”, giúp nhiều gia đình xây nhà mới, cho con học đại học hoặc mở rộng hoạt động kinh doanh.Ngoài thu nhập, nghề hàng hải còn mang đến cơ hội làm việc trong môi trường quốc tế. Nhiều thuyền viên trẻ coi đây là cách để khám phá thế giới, tích lũy kinh nghiệm và xây dựng sự nghiệp lâu dài. Chính những yếu tố đó đã giúp nghề đi biển trở thành một trong những lựa chọn nghề nghiệp hấp dẫn nhất đối với thanh niên tại nhiều khu vực ven biển của Ấn Độ.Sự kết hợp giữa truyền thống hàng hải lâu đời, hệ thống đào tạo phát triển, khả năng hội nhập quốc tế và triển vọng thu nhập hấp dẫn đã giúp Ấn Độ trở thành một trong những nguồn cung thuyền viên quan trọng nhất của ngành vận tải biển toàn cầu. Nhưng trong bối cảnh các tuyến hàng hải ngày càng chịu tác động của xung đột và cạnh tranh địa chính trị, hành trình mưu sinh trên biển của họ cũng đang gặp nhiều rủi ro hơn bao giờ hết./. Đình Nam/VOV Ấn ĐộLàng ven biển Ấn Độ - nơi sản sinh nhiều thế hệ thủy thủ. Ảnh: ANI

This July, Dr. Vignesh Devraj travels from Kerala to Austria for a rare one-week immersive experience designed to help you reconnect with the healthiest version of yourself.A Program Designed to Help You Understand Your Prakriti with masterclasses, daily Ayurvedic Therapies, and a dedicated week towards inner healing. Happening from 19th to 25th July 2026, at Ayurveda Resort Mandira in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria.To know more: https://sitaramretreat.com/Return_to_your_healthiest_self/BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLEVata is responsible for Prana, the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hours of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/For further information, kindly visit: www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.comIn this episode, Dr Vignesh Devraj explores one of the most common misconceptions in modern Ayurveda: the belief that an online dosha quiz can accurately tell you who you are.Many people take a quiz, receive a dosha label, and begin identifying with symptoms such as anxiety, acidity, poor sleep, weight gain, or fatigue as though they are permanent aspects of their personality.But Ayurveda offers a much deeper framework.Dr Vignesh explains the difference between Prakriti, your healthiest baseline, and Vikriti, the deviations that develop through stress, lifestyle, relationships, environment, and life experiences. The episode explores why symptoms are not identities, how online quizzes often confuse imbalance with true nature, and why real healing begins when we understand how far we have drifted from our healthiest self.The conversation also introduces the philosophy behind the "Return To Your Healthiest Self" retreat in Austria and how Ayurveda can become a tool for self-awareness rather than self-labelling.Episode Highlights:• Why dosha quizzes can be misleading• Prakriti vs Vikriti explained• Why symptoms are not your identity• Stress, anxiety & false self-labels• Understanding your healthiest baseline• Returning to balance through AyurvedaTimestamps:00:00 - 02:20: The Problem With Online Dosha Quizzes02:20 - 04:55: Prakriti, Vikriti & Why Symptoms Are Not Your Identity04:55 - 07:15: Healthiest Self vs Current Self: Understanding The Difference07:15 - 09:47: Return To Your Healthiest Self: The Austria RetreatAbout Dr Vignesh DevrajDr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj, please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewformInstagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajTwitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss any new episodes. Thank you for your support.Disclaimer: We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about a brain-eating amoeba which is causing cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis in Kerala. While the state saw just eight cases of the infection from 2016 to 2023, cases surged in the last two years. And in the last five months of this year alone, the cases in Kerala rose to 133 and 33 deaths. Anonna talks about the infection, the symptoms and what precautions to take. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Ravi Dutta Mishra about the challenges being faced by Indian exporters due to the war in West Asia. He shares how opportunistic pricing practices by foreign shipping lines, along with additional charges imposed by port authorities are impacting the exporters and even after a potential deal between the US and Iran, the issues could continue for sometime. (10:12)Lastly, we give an update on The Indian Express' report about the iconic Dancing Girl artefact of Mohenjodaro, which was covered up in a new NCERT Class 9 Arts Education textbook and the NCERT's response. (20:04)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarFirst episode in association with Mobile Creches:https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/mobile-creches-international-day-of-play-early-childhood-development/10733781/

Why did the Visigoths demand three thousand pounds of black pepper as the ransom for Rome — and what does that tell us about a climbing vine in Kerala that reshaped the entire history of the western world? How did a country of one million people on the edge of Europe come to control half the pepper reaching the continent, and build the Jerónimos Monastery to celebrate a voyage driven by spice? And what happens to an empire built entirely on a markup when someone finally figures out how to remove the middleman?Join John and Patrick as they tell the story of Portugal and pepper — Vasco da Gama's ninety-three days at sea, the dismantling of the Venetian spice monopoly, and the Torre de Belém, still standing on the Lisbon waterfront, paid for by a vine in India...----------In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review-----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

Gaëlle Wagner devait partir en Chine apprendre le Kung Fu chez les moines Shaolin. Elle avait tout prévu, tout économisé. Et puis une rencontre a tout changé. Elle a annulé la Chine, s'est inscrite dans une école de Kalaripayattu au Kerala, tout au sud de l'Inde, et au moment où l'on enregistre, elle y a déjà passé 7 mois.Le Kalaripayattu, c'est un art martial vieux de plus de 3000 ans, considéré comme l'ancêtre du Kung Fu, et réputé comme la mère de tous les arts martiaux. Le truc, c'est que Gaëlle n'avait jamais fait d'arts martiaux avant. Zéro.On parle de son quotidien d'entraînement, de ce que la discipline lui a appris sur la confiance en soi, du rapport des Indiens au stress (un de ses profs ne connaissait pas le mot

In this report, I look at the shigella outbreak and the new Nipah virus case reported in Kerala state in southern India.

Auto-generated transcript: As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘alamin, was-salatu was-salamu ala sayyidina Muhammadin Rasulullah ﷺ, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallam. Tasliiman kathiran kathiran, wa hamdun lillah. My brothers and sisters Alhamdulillah, two days ago I was in Kerala, in the south, a place called Kundai Estate. And we were looking… Continue reading From darkness into light

ThePrintPod: Left out in the cold in Kerala, CPI(M) calls for public inputs on rebuilding party, way forward

This July, Dr. Vignesh Devraj travels from Kerala to Austria for a rare one-week immersive experience designed to help you reconnect with the healthiest version of yourself.A Program Designed to Help You Understand Your Prakriti with masterclasses, daily Ayurvedic Therapies, and a dedicated week towards inner healing. Happening from 19th to 25th July 2026, at Ayurveda Resort Mandira in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria.To know more: https://sitaramretreat.com/Return_to_your_healthiest_self/BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLEVata is responsible for Prana, the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/For further information, kindly visit: www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.comIn this episode, Dr Vignesh Devraj focuses on understanding why modern humans are becoming increasingly exhausted despite having more convenience, technology, and comfort than ever before.Dr Vignesh explains the difference between rest and recovery, how constant stimulation affects the nervous system, why silence feels uncomfortable for many people today, and how Shirodhara creates the conditions for deep nervous system regulation.The episode also explores the Ayurvedic concept of rhythm, the relationship between stress and recovery, wearable data observations from patients undergoing Panchakarma, and why Shirodhara should always be personalised rather than treated as a generic relaxation therapy.Episode Highlights:• Why rest and recovery are not the same thing• The hidden cost of constant stimulation• Why successful people often struggle to switch off• The difference between passive and active recovery• Why Shirodhara is becoming more relevant today• The Ayurvedic concept of rhythm and healing• How modern life disrupts nervous system balance• Shirodhara and wearable health data• Why calmness feels unfamiliar to many people• Who should and should not undergo Shirodhara• Takradhara, hot flashes, psoriasis & inflammatory conditionsTimestamps:00:00 - 02:01: Rest vs Recovery: Understanding the Difference02:01 - 05:42: Why Modern Humans Struggle to Slow Down05:42 - 07:49: What Shirodhara Really Is and How It Works07:49 - 10:36: Racing Thoughts, Recovery & Wearable Health Markers10:36 - 12:39: Shirodhara, Panchakarma & Burnout Recovery12:39 - 14:46: Who Should Receive Shirodhara 14:46 - 15:24: Other Conditions & Final ReflectionsAbout Dr Vignesh DevrajDr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewformInstagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajTwitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss any new episodes. Thank you for your support.Disclaimer: We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

VOV1 - Theo báo cáo mới được Chính phủ Ấn Độ công bố, lần đầu tiên trong lịch sử hiện đại, tỷ lệ sinh của nước này đã giảm xuống dưới mức thay thế dân số, đánh dấu bước ngoặt quan trọng trong quá trình phát triển nhân khẩu học của quốc gia đông dân nhất thế giới.Theo Báo cáo Hệ thống Đăng ký Mẫu (SRS), tỷ lệ sinh tổng cộng (TFR) của Ấn Độ hiện chỉ còn 1,9 con trên mỗi phụ nữ, thấp hơn mức 2,1 con cần thiết để duy trì quy mô dân số ổn định trong dài hạn. Trong khi đó, vào đầu những năm 2000, chỉ số này vẫn ở mức khoảng 3,3 con trên mỗi phụ nữ.Các chuyên gia nhận định xu hướng suy giảm mức sinh phản ánh những thay đổi sâu sắc về kinh tế và xã hội tại Ấn Độ. Việc phụ nữ được tiếp cận giáo dục tốt hơn, sử dụng các biện pháp kế hoạch hóa gia đình rộng rãi hơn và có vai trò lớn hơn trong quá trình ra quyết định của gia đình đã góp phần làm giảm số con trung bình. Bên cạnh đó, chi phí sinh hoạt và nuôi dạy con cái ngày càng tăng tại các đô thị cũng khiến nhiều cặp vợ chồng lựa chọn sinh ít con hơn.Một nguyên nhân quan trọng khác là tỷ lệ tử vong ở trẻ sơ sinh liên tục giảm. Theo số liệu của Chính phủ Ấn Độ, tỷ lệ tử vong trẻ sơ sinh đã giảm từ 30 ca trên 1.000 trẻ năm 2019 xuống còn 24 ca vào năm 2024, qua đó làm giảm tâm lý phải sinh nhiều con để bảo đảm duy trì quy mô gia đình như trước đây.Báo cáo cũng cho thấy sự chênh lệch đáng kể về mức sinh giữa các bang. Những bang có thu nhập thấp ở miền Bắc như Bihar và Uttar Pradesh vẫn ghi nhận tỷ lệ sinh cao nhất cả nước, lần lượt là 2,9 và 2,6 con trên mỗi phụ nữ. Trong khi đó, thủ đô New Delhi cùng các bang phát triển ở miền Nam như Kerala và Tamil Nadu chỉ ghi nhận mức từ 1,2 đến 1,3 con.Các nhà kinh tế cảnh báo xu hướng này có thể làm suy giảm lợi thế dân số vàng - động lực quan trọng thúc đẩy tăng trưởng kinh tế của Ấn Độ trong hơn hai thập kỷ qua. Khi số trẻ em sinh ra ngày càng ít, lực lượng lao động trong tương lai sẽ thu hẹp, trong khi số người cao tuổi tiếp tục gia tăng, tạo áp lực lớn đối với hệ thống y tế, lương hưu và an sinh xã hội.Trước thực trạng trên, một số bang đã triển khai các biện pháp khuyến khích sinh con như hỗ trợ tài chính cho gia đình sinh con thứ ba, thứ tư hoặc mở rộng các chương trình hỗ trợ sinh sản. Tuy nhiên, nhiều chuyên gia cho rằng bên cạnh các chính sách khuyến sinh, Ấn Độ cần sớm chuẩn bị cho quá trình già hóa dân số thông qua việc tăng cường đầu tư cho y tế, lương hưu và hệ thống an sinh xã hội trong những thập niên tới./.Ảnh minh họa (Reuters)

Gretchen Lowe is with us to share her recipe for Kerala Chicken Curry with Coconut, Ginger and Fried Curry Leaves.

This July, Dr. Vignesh Devraj travels from Kerala to Austria for a rare one-week immersive experience designed to help you reconnect with the healthiest version of yourself. A Program Designed to Help You Understand Your Prakriti with masterclasses, daily Ayurvedic Therapies, and a dedicated week towards inner healing. Happening from 19th to 25th July 2026, at Ayurveda Resort Mandira in Bad Waltersdorf, Austria.To know more: https://sitaramretreat.com/Return_to_your_healthiest_self/ BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE Vata is responsible for Prana - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/ For further information, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreatIn this episode, Dr Vignesh Devraj explores the fascinating relationship between seasons, health, and Ayurveda through the lens of Karkidaka Chikitsa, Kerala's traditional monsoon healing protocol.Ayurvedic physicians considered the monsoon a vulnerable period for overall health. Dr Vignesh explains the science and philosophy behind Karkidaka Kanji, the role of Panchakarma during the monsoon season, and why this period remains one of the most popular times for Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala.Whether you live in Kerala, Europe, or the Middle East, this episode offers practical insights into how seasonal adaptation is a powerful tool for longevity.Karkidaka Kanji Guide: How To Prepare It, When To Take It & Who Should Avoid It: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IewRsW5jiDJEbMipK-N7457J3kKm8VzQTRkqtAlUoWY/edit?usp=sharing Episode Highlights:Understanding Ritucharya and seasonal adaptationWhy Karkidaka Masam is important in AyurvedaThe connection between monsoon and immunityWhy major decisions were traditionally avoided during KarkidakamKarkidaka Chikitsa explainedWhy monsoon is ideal for PanchakarmaKarkidaka Kanji and its medicinal ingredientsDasamoola and Dasapushpam benefitsHousehold vs clinical Ayurvedic protocolsHow to apply seasonal Ayurveda anywhere in the worldTimestamps:00:00 - 02:57: Understanding Karkidaka Masam02:57 - 06:10: Why Karkidakam became a healing month06:10 - 08:35: Why monsoon is ideal for Panchakarma08:35 - 10:20: Navara rice & medicinal properties10:20 - 12:55: Dasamoola, Dasapushpam & monsoon immunity12:55 - 14:55: Karkidaka Kanji14:55 - 18:29: Why people travel for monsoon Ayurveda18:29 - 19:19: How to practice seasonal Ayurveda at home19:19 - 20:10: Who should consider Panchakarma during monsoon?About Dr Vignesh DevrajDr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajTwitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss any new episodes. Thank you for your support.Disclaimer: We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

Star Jam Ft. Chef Pilllai | RJ Rafi | Part 2 In this Star Jam episode, Chef Suresh Pillai sits down with RJ Rafi to unpack why mandi has become Kerala's most loved comfort food and what that says about our changing food culture. From affordability, speed and sharing culture to the unhealthy rise of mayonnaise with rice, he breaks down how we eat, what we waste, and why better meal planning can transform both our health and our household budgets.Chef Pillai also travels district by district through Kerala, recalling legendary small eateries, wood-fired beef spots and traditional meals that shaped his palate and philosophy on food. He talks about safe food as a basic right, the urgent need for better hygiene from fish and meat stalls to restaurant kitchens, and how collective responsibility from consumers, hoteliers and government can prevent food poisoning tragedies.Beyond food, he shares his personal journey from security guard to celebrated chef, his life-changing moves from Kollam to Kozhikode, Bengaluru and London, and how hard work, sacrifice and a bit of “universal timing” built the brand Chef Pillai is today. The conversation closes on personal branding, the realities of running a restaurant business, and why genuine passion will always matter more than quick profits.

I'm recording this from a small town in Kerala, South India, somewhere I didn't expect to learn something so meaningful about language. Watching people communicate here without worrying about perfect grammar made me reflect on a story involving a friend of mine and a Japanese sake bar. It's a bit of a surprising one. If you've ever felt like you need to get your Japanese perfect before you speak, this episode is for you!

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here 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 week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

This week on Democracy Dialogues, Maya Tudor speaks with two keen observers of Indian politics, Gilles Verniers and Yamini Aiyar, about what India's 2026 state elections reveal about the future of the world's largest democracy. Why did the incumbent government BJP make major gains in some states while struggling in others? Do competitive elections still mean democracy is entirely healthy? And why have places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala remained resistant to Hindu nationalist politics? This episode analyses one of the most important democratic stories in the world right now — and asks what state elections might tell us about India's democracy more broadly. Gilles Verniers, Centre for South Asia at Stanford University. Gilles Verniers' work on Indian politics and elections hereYamini Aiyar, Visiting Professor of the Practice at the Watson School of International and Public Affairs, Brown University. Yamini Aiyar's recent writing on democracy and electoral administration in India here 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

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Legal Affairs Editor Apurva Vishwanath about a case where the Supreme Court allowed a 15 year old girl to terminate a 30 week pregnancy. She highlights what stands out in the case and how the role played by the government in such cases is changing. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Science Editor Amitabh Sinha about increasing heatwave conditions and how it is leading to warmer nights. Higher nighttime temperatures pose higher risks to human health. Amitabh shares why this is happening and why it is risky. (14:52)Lastly, we discuss an Enforcement Directorate raid on former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in connection with a money laundering case. (26:34)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/   Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com   Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn

The 14-Day Ayurvedic Reset at Sitaram RetreatThis 14-day program at Sitaram Retreat focuses on resetting the body's natural balance, creating the conditions in which sustainable healing can finally happen without quick fixes. If you have been struggling with autoimmune conditions, menopause, burnout, or stagnant weight loss, then consider taking time out for a deep reset and authentic healing. Check out www.sitaramretreat.com or Chat Here: https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=8138888912&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0 BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE Vata is responsible for Prana - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/ For further information, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreatWhy do so many women with Hashimoto's struggle with people-pleasing, anxiety, guilt, and difficulty expressing their true feelings?In this episode, Dr. Vignesh Devraj and Dr. Dixa Bhavsar explore the emotional and psychological patterns often seen in Hashimoto's and other autoimmune conditions. Drawing from clinical experience and Dr. Dixa's personal healing journey, they discuss the connections between stress, self-worth, communication, boundaries, emotional suppression, and recovery.The conversation highlights Ayurveda's perspective on self-love, mindfulness, feminine energy, gratitude, and the idea that healing extends beyond medicines and dietary changes. It also involves improving the relationship we have with ourselves.Episode Highlights • Emotional suppression and Hashimoto's • Communication and healing • Self-love vs. toxic self-love • Why women are more prone to autoimmune conditions • Feminine energy, rest, and burnout • Gratitude, mindfulness, and journaling • Health anxiety and perfectionism in healing • Boundaries and emotional awareness • Intention and recovery • Ayurveda, mindset, and resilienceTimestamps 00:00–05:42 — Stress, Self-Worth & Hashimoto's 05:42–12:50 — Relationship Boundaries 12:50–21:10 — Emotional Suppression & Autoimmune Disease 21:10–27:00 — Healing Family Resentment 27:00–35:00 — Activating Feminine Energy 35:00–43:00 — Breaking Perfectionism 43:00–52:20 — Building Emotional ResilienceAbout the GuestsDr. Dixa Bhavsar is an Ayurvedic physician specializing in women's health, thyroid disorders, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune conditions.Dr. Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician, founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, and a practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link:https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic (or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )For further information about Dr Vignesh Devraj, kindly visit:www.vigneshdevraj.comwww.sitaramretreat.comInstagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajTwitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Leave your review and subscribe to the podcast so you never miss any new episodes. Thank you for your support.Disclaimer: We strongly do not recommend using the content of these episodes as medical advice for any medical conditions.

Kerala not Bengal': Amid criticism, CM Satheesan defends state CEO Kelkar's appointment as secretary

For more of my latest content, subscribe to my YouTube channel, Dark Asia with Megan and join our awesome community. Your support means everything, and I can't wait to share more Asian cases with you! On Other Platforms: • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darkasiawithmegan • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkasiawithmegan • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darkasiameganlee Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

https://theprint.in/india/in-2nd-cabinet-meet-satheesan-led-udf-govt-scraps-pinarayis-pet-k-rail-project/2936307/

FedEx President and CEO Raj Subramaniam discusses how the company moves nearly $2 trillion worth of goods annually, its use of AI and data analytics, autonomous trucking, and the massive transformation underway inside FedEx. He also shares his personal journey from Kerala, India to becoming CEO of one of the world's largest transportation companies, including lessons from founder Fred Smith and the culture that continues to drive FedEx forward. Subramaniam is on this week's episode of "The David Rubenstein Show: Peer to Peer Conversations." This interview was recorded April 29 at the Economic Club of Washington DC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this show we are chatting to Martijn van der Spek, the developer of the very popular PiccyBot application. Martijn tells us how he got started creating accessible apps for the blind, and of course all about his latest creation PiccyBot. The BGC fellas have been using this app for a while and love it. Jan is just back from a bitterly cold camping trip, where he has a top tip: wear all your clothes at the same time for a good night's sleep! Clodagh's got an email from Máire from Kerry, asking about audio description for GAA football and hurling, and gets rather excited explaining these Irish games to the non-Irish lads! Finally, a reminder that Óran is hosting the next Audio Description Association (ADA) VI User Group event on Tuesday, May 26, when he will be speaking with Dr Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez from Dublin City University, about the ADESI (Audio Description in Ireland) project. This is a research project and report published in 2025 on “The challenges of audio description in Ireland: Bridging education, users and industry.” All are welcome. Details below: Date: May 26th Time 13:30pm - 14:30pm  (GMT) Zoom Link: https://tinyurl.com/ADAviUserGroup So, stop trying to vote for your favourite song - the Eurovision Song Contest is over! And instead vote number 1 for the number 1 podcast this side of the Blue Danube: Blind Guys Chat. 112 out of 114 Minions prefer it to being despicable! Links for this show: ·       Piccybot: www.piccybot.com ·       GAA: https://www.gaa.ie/ ·       Croke Park audio description service: https://crokepark.ie/matchday/adc-commentary ·       Clodagh's favourite song about Vienna (It's a cover): https://tinyurl.com/ViennaSong Support Blind Guys Chat by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/blind-guys-chatRead transcript

In today's Tech3 by Moneycontrol, Deepinder Goyal's experimental wearable-tech startup Temple picks Zetwerk and Ethereal Machines to scale manufacturing as it prepares to move from hundreds to thousands of devices. We also track travel fintech startup Scapia's fresh $63 million fundraise and why Gen Z travellers are becoming a major business opportunity. Plus, Kerala and Tamil Nadu create dedicated AI-focused ministries, signalling how states are treating artificial intelligence as a governance and economic priority. And finally, Nykaa and Honasa Consumer post strong quarterly growth as India's beauty and personal care market continues expanding.

Lalita du Perron talks to Sharika Thiranagama about her new book, how she came to this research in Palakkad, Kerala, after her earlier work on war in Sri Lanka, and all matters of caste, class, and identity.

Three new state governments, three old debts—what are TVK, BJP and UDF dealing with in Tamil Nadu, BJP & Kerala? Within days, the newly appointed Chief Ministers will convene with their Finance Secretaries, and these discussions will have nothing to do with electoral vote shares. ThePrint Consulting Editor (Economics) Bidisha Bhattacharya:   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Read full Report: https://theprint.in/economy/three-new-state-governments-three-old-debts-what-are-tvk-bjp-and-udf-dealing-with/2928391/

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Liz Mathew about the Congress high command naming V D Satheesan as Kerala's next Chief Minister, and what his elevation reveals about the party's internal politics and future strategy.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Aditi Raja about the new Sociology curriculum at MS University in Vadodara, which includes modules on Modi Tattva, RSS fieldwork, and Hindu sociology, and why it has sparked debate over politics in the classroom. (11:11)And in the end, we look at the case of a British-Indian doctor who spent four months stranded in India after a Look Out Circular linked to a Facebook post prevented him from leaving the country. (25:05)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Flora Swain and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the second gathering in SAND's ongoing series on AI and the human spirit — and it takes a deliberately different rhythm. Rather than asking "is AI safe?" or "will it take our jobs?", Tiokasin Ghosthorse and Pooja Prema invite us to slow down and ask the deeper questions: What cosmology is AI extending? What is intelligence, really? And what happens when the earth-based, organic, living intelligence of Indigenous and ancestral ways of knowing gets replaced by a synthetic one? A spacious, felt-sense conversation that asks us to remember what a living mind actually is. Timestamps 00:00 — Welcome & framing the deeper questions 00:04 — Opening body practice: tuning into felt sense before speaking 00:07 — Tiokasin: AI as the latest ship on the shore — colonization in a new form 00:17 — "There is no artificial intuition" — what technology cannot replace 00:18 — Pooja: the cosmology behind AI — colonial linearity vs. the curving motherboard of Earth 00:25 — AI as the latest savior narrative — and why that story keeps repeating 00:45 — Who owns the data? Who controls the intelligence? The politics of AI 01:05 — AI as therapist, AI replacing elders — the cost to young people and mental health 01:10 — Ghost in the Machine: how to resist empire over the long game 01:15 — Closing: "Our body is the mystic" — an invitation to make this a living inquiry Guests Tiokasin Ghosthorse is a member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation and lifelong Indigenous activist. He is the founder and host of First Voices Radio, which broadcast for 33 years before its final episode in July 2025. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2016, is a National Native American Hall of Fame nominee, and a master musician who performs worldwide. He describes himself simply as "a perfectly flawed human being." He is also featured in SAND's film The Eternal Song. Pooja Prema is a first-generation Indian American writer, multidisciplinary artist, and ritualist from Kerala, South India. Her work weaves ecofeminism, decolonial somatic practice, and animistic cosmologies. She is the founder of The Rites of Passage Project and The Ritual Theatre. Her work has been featured at the Kennedy Center, Ebony Magazine, and NPR. Resources & Links Tiokasin Ghosthorse Akantu Intelligence — website First Voices Radio — archive Featured in The Eternal Song — SAND film Pooja Prema Website: poojaprema.com The Rites of Passage Project The Ritual Theatre Instagram: @thecabinwitch Film referenced Ghost in the Machine — documentary directed by Valerie Veatch, Sundance 2026 — traces the buried history of AI and its roots in eugenics, racism, and colonial power. Featuring Tasheka Lavann on how indigenous nations are resisting data centers and how we resist empire over generations. Concepts discussed Conspecific aggression — Tiokasin's term for what happens when a species competes so aggressively over shared resources that it turns on itself Present-phobic language — technology as a tool for escaping the present into an imagined future The real motherboard — Pooja's framing of Earth and cosmos as the original curving, relational, non-linear intelligence that AI's linear grid cannot replicate SAND series context Part 1 of The Great AI Unraveling — with Tristan Harris The Eternal Song — SAND film series Contact SAND podcast@scienceandnonduality.com Support the mission of SAND and the production of this podcast by becoming a SAND Member

The 14-Day Ayurvedic Reset at Sitaram RetreatThis 14-day program at Sitaram Retreat focuses on resetting the body's natural balance, creating the conditions in which sustainable healing can finally happen without quick fixes. If you have been struggling with autoimmune conditions, menopause, burnout, or stagnant weight loss, then consider taking time out for a deep reset and authentic healing. Check out www.sitaramretreat.com or Chat Here: https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=8138888912&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0 BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE Vata is responsible for Prana - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/ For further information, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com What happens when movement becomes more than fitness? The conversation moves through the modern wellness culture, the psychology of discomfort, and why many people today feel disconnected despite living in the most connected era in history.If you've ever felt overstimulated, emotionally disconnected, or constantly seeking comfort yet feeling restless, this episode with Luuk Melisse explores movement, emotional expression, discomfort, community, and the future of human connection in an increasingly digital world.Episode Highlights:What Sanctum is and how it combines ancient & modern practicesWhy discomfort is necessary for growth and resilienceThe emotional side of movement and expressionSpiritual bypassing and modern wellness cultureWhy humans are designed for movement and challengeCommunity, loneliness, and the future of social wellnessHuman connection as a “premium experience” in the futureTimestamps:00:00 - 04:50: What is Sanctum? 04:50 - 08:45: Why comfort is slowly killing us08:45 - 16:25: Emotional suppression & body expression16:25 - 20:00: Movement and mental health20:00 - 24:40: Blocked energy for awareness24:40 - 39:10: Over-optimization leads to loneliness39:10 - 49:20: Why humans seek challenges49:20 - 54:20: Movement, trauma, and boundaries54:20 - 57:21: Ayurveda & the Sitaram experienceAbout Luuk MelisseLuuk Melisse is the founder of Sanctum, a global movement-based wellness practice that combines fitness, breathwork, meditation, music, and emotional expression into immersive experiences focused on connection, resilience, and transformation.About Dr Vignesh DevrajDr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here. or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajLinkedin - Dr Vignesh Devraj Twitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Thanks for your support.Disclaimer: We don't recommend using this as medical advice for any medical conditions.

ThePrintAM: Why is delay in naming Kerala CM causing unease within UDF? https://theprint.in/politics/delay-in-naming-kerala-cm-causes-unease-within-udf-ally-iuml-says-ball-now-in-congresss-court/2928015/

Ralph welcomes back Adolph Reed, Professor Emeritus of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Mount Holyoke College to discuss the latest Supreme Court decision gutting the Voting Rights Act. Then, Ralph and our resident constitutional scholar, Bruce Fein, talk about what ordinary citizens can do to pressure their reps to impeach Donald Trump.Adolph Reed is Professor Emeritus of political science at the University of Pennsylvania and Distinguished Visiting Professor at Mount Holyoke College. His most recent books are The South: Jim Crow and Its Afterlives, No Politics but Class Politics (co-authored with Walter Benn Michaels), and Black Studies, Cultural Politics, and the Evasion of Inequality: The Farce this Time (co-authored with Kenneth W. Warren).I think the issues are a lot more complex than they seem to be or than seems to be the way that they are represented in the debate [over the Voting Rights Act]…To cut straight to the political case, I think there's a distinction between the Act's guarantee that black citizens and others (where pertinent) who live in areas where there's been a history of suppression of the right to vote have the support of the federal government to make certain that Black voters have the ability to vote for and to elect candidates of their choosing. Which is not the same thing as a right of Black individuals to be elected to office. And I think that's one of the confusions that characterizes, frankly, both sides of the debate at this point. And I think that's definitely something that needs to be clarified.Adolph ReedSome of my friends and I have been talking about this, and have been bouncing this idea back and forth since, frankly, even before the court handed down the [Louisiana v Callais] decision. In thinking about developments in black politics across the board, the idea that all that Black voters are supposed to get out of politics is the representation of people who look like them and share in the same racial identification has also fueled backward turns. Like how all of a sudden the biggest issue in Black American politics supposedly had become the racial wealth gap, which boils down to a complaint that rich Black people aren't as rich as rich white people are. So, yeah, shaking up or reshuffling the deck for how we might begin to try to determine the stakes of Black Americans' engagement in national politics is something that needs to happen. No matter what brings it about.Adolph ReedBruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.My website is www.lawofficesofbrucefein.com and my email address is Bruce@feinpoints.com. And I'll respond and give you guidance as to how you can help be part of this effort to impeach and remove by far the most dangerous President in the history of the United States. And he's most dangerous to the world as well.Bruce FeinNews 5/8/26* Our top story this week comes to us from the Bulwark, which reports that dissatisfaction with Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin is reaching a fever pitch. Martin has faced criticism over the course of his tenure for reneging on his promise to release an autopsy on the 2024 presidential campaign and for his decidedly lackluster fundraising efforts. The DNC has reportedly “spent more money than it has raised” and “has more debt than cash on hand,” while the Republican National Committee enjoys a “roughly seven-to-one money advantage.” According to this report, high-level DNC members are now privately discussing ousting Martin, only tabling these discussions “after members failed to identify an alternative candidate willing to step into the role.” Martin's failures have even led Democrats to openly wonder “whether the 178-year-old committee should even exist anymore.” Martin was elected DNC Chair last year, beating out Wisconsin Democratic Party chair Ben Wikler, who helped rebuild the party and raise tremendous amounts of money in that critical swing state.* Speaking of money in politics, this week POLITICO released a damning report on End Citizens United, the good-government focused 501(c)(4) that has in past years been a “fundraising behemoth” but has now faded nearly into complete irrelevancy. The issues highlighted in this piece will be familiar to many who have worked in this world. Despite raising $14.8 million, the group's PAC arm is burning through the money more quickly than it can raise it, having just $324,000 on hand at the end of March. What are they spending the money on? According to POLITICO, about $650,000 has gone to candidates and party groups and about the same amount has been bundled. Meanwhile, payments to fundraising firms have eaten up an astonishing $5.3 million. This is just another case of Democratic Party aligned consulting firms run amok and growing fat off of small dollar donations.* Another disappointing story comes to us from the Teamsters. According to Bloomberg, the union has forfeited a hard-won union foothold – the first ever unionized Chipotle – following three years of battling the company and failing to secure a contract. A Teamsters local president said in an email to the National Labor Relations Board that the union “officially withdraws and disclaims interest” at the Lansing, Michigan location. Legally speaking, this means the company will no longer be “required to recognize or negotiate with the union.” The employees of this location voted to unionize in 2022 by a margin of 11-to-3. Chipotle corporate has been decried for seeking to bust this union, with Biden NLRB General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo accusing them of employing illegal anti-union tactics like “withholding raises from the store's staff and telling workers that the union was keeping their pay frozen…[and punishing] a pro-union employee to discourage activism.” However, it was the Teamsters themselves who ultimately gave up, paving the way for the demise of the workers' heroic stand against corporate power. As the saying goes, with friends like these.* In more positive political news, during the Washington DC mayoral debate last week, the Washington Post reports democratic socialist mayoral hopeful Janeese Lewis George seemed to endorse the idea of opening municipal grocery stores in DC food deserts, including the impoverished and majority Black Wards 7 and 8. Asked about this topic, Councilmember Lewis George committed to bringing at least one more grocery store to Ward 7 and at least two more to Ward 8, noting that she would seek to shore up investor confidence with public dollars. If private options do not materialize however, she vowed that “we will work towards” a publicly-owned store. Municipally-owned grocery stores were a much publicized part of the Zohran Mamdani campaign platform and, if Lewis George is elected, his success or failure in carrying out that pledge is sure to impact her decision making on this issue.* Meanwhile, in media news, the New York Times reports Lupa Systems – the private holding company representing the interests of James Murdoch, son of conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch – is “in talks to acquire major parts of Vox Media.” Vox, founded in the 2010s by journalists Ezra Klein, Matt Yglesias, and Melissa Bell, now owns major media properties including New York magazine, the Verge, Eater and a podcast network featuring Kara Swisher and others. Murdoch, through Lupa, owns a “majority stake in Tribeca Enterprises, the parent company of the Tribeca Film Festival.” Additionally, the Times notes that Quadrivium, the foundation founded by Mr. Murdoch and his wife, Kathryn, has financial interests in “The 19th, a nonprofit newsroom focused on gender and politics, and The Bulwark, a so-called ‘Never Trump' digital media company.” James Murdoch, along with his sister Elisabeth, are seen as far more liberal than the Murdoch patriarch and his other son, Lachlan, who together successfully ousted the other family members from control of the family trust in a recent legal battle.* Turning to international news, yet another deadlocked presidential election in Peru is looming. A new Ipsos poll, taken near the end of April, shows an exact 50-50 split between the two candidates in the runoff: the left-wing member of Congress Roberto Sánchez and Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former Peruvian dictator Alberto Fujimori. This election was always going to be close – Peruvian politics have been deadlocked for years, resulting in ultra-narrow presidential victories frequently followed by impeachments. Fujimori has been a runoff candidate in every presidential election going back to 2011, losing each by extremely narrow margins. Most recently, she lost to Pedro Castillo by a margin of 50.13% to 49.87% in 2021. Castillo however was thwarted by, and ultimately ousted by, the Congress. The runoff will be held on June 7th.* In India, the Left suffered catastrophic defeats in this week's state elections, Al Jazeera reports. The state of Kerala – “the first in the world to have a democratically elected communist government” and “the last state in India where communists were in power” – will now be led by the United Democratic Front, a coalition headed by the Congress party, which won over 100 out of 140 seats. The Left bloc will likely capture around 35 seats. Beyond Kerala however, the Left has seen setbacks throughout the country, with no state now being ruled by the Left for the first time since 1977 and the national parliamentary Left bloc declining from 62 in the 2004 election to just eight seats today. Different factors are cited for the general decline of the Left in India, including an inability to adapt Marxist analysis to non class-related issues in the country, such as caste and gender, as well as the decline of industrial trade unions and a general trend towards Right-wing Hindu nationalism. Hopefully, the Left will take this electoral rout as an opportunity to rebuild itself into a viable force for 21st century Indian politics.* Turning to East Asia, the Financial Times reports North Korea has subtly revised its constitution to drop references to reunification of the two Koreas. Specifically, the new text reads “the territory of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea includes the territory bordering the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation to the north and the Republic of Korea to the south, and the territorial sea and airspace established on it”. In acknowledging the existence of the Republic of Korea, more commonly known as South Korea, experts see a move away from the long-held North Korean contention that the peninsula is a single country illegally partitioned. The revision was “disclosed by an academic at a press conference hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Unification on Wednesday.” Though this article notes that “North Korea has not made any comment on the revised constitution and the source of the text revealed by the unification ministry was not disclosed,” it highlights that Kim Jong-un has increasingly moved in this direction in recent years, renaming Tongil (“reunification”) metro station in Pyongyang and dismantling an Arch of Reunification monument.* Our last two stories have to do with the People's Republic of China. First, Reuters reports China's Commerce Ministry has issued an injunction to “block U.S. ​sanctions imposed on five Chinese refiners accused ‌of buying Iranian oil.” Hengli Petrochemical, one of the five small “teapot” refineries primarily located in China's Shandong province, was slapped with sanctions last month, when the Trump administration accused the company of purchasing billions ​of dollars in Iranian oil. The other four have been sanctioned since last year. However, the Ministry now argues that the sanctions violate “international law and ‌the ⁠basic norms of international relations,” and with the injunction in place, “the United States cannot recognize, ​implement, or comply ​with the ⁠sanctions imposed on the aforementioned five Chinese companies.” This is perhaps the most significant challenge to the American-led international sanctions regime in decades and whatever reaction issues from the U.S. will surely inform other states on just how far they can go in flouting such sanctions.* Finally, in a stunning legal decision, Fortune reports Chinese courts have ruled that “companies cannot terminate employees just to replace them with artificial intelligence systems.” The case in question hinged on whether a tech firm in eastern China had acted illegally when firing one of its workers, a “quality assurance professional…identified only as Zhou” after he “refused to take a demotion” and a 40% pay cut, when his job was automated by AI. The court found that the termination did not meet established standards, such as business downsizing or operational difficulties, and the court separately stated that “Companies cannot unilaterally lay off employees or cut salaries due to technological progress.” This stunning legal victory for workers in the face of challenges by technology is bittersweet – heartening in that it's happening at all, yet at the same time depressing because it is almost impossible to imagine an equivalent worker protection regime being implemented in the United States.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

We talk about the left's recent defeat in the famously radical Indian state of Kerala. But first, some Twitter drama involving Christian Smalls and AOC. For full episode and more subscribe to our bonus feed at Patreon.com/poddamnamerica

The 14-Day Ayurvedic Reset at Sitaram RetreatThis 14-day program at Sitaram Retreat focuses on resetting the body's natural balance, creating the conditions in which sustainable healing can finally happen without quick fixes. If you have been struggling with autoimmune conditions, menopause, burnout, or stagnant weight loss, then consider taking time out for a deep reset and authentic healing. Check out www.sitaramretreat.com or Chat Here: https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=8138888912&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0 BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE Vata is responsible for Prana - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/ For further information, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com Explore Hashimoto's from both a clinical and lived perspective from Dr Dixa's experience and understand how Hashimoto's is different from hypothyroidism, what happens in the body, and what can be done to manage the condition effectively. A key focus of this conversation is why Hashimoto's is more common in women today. Episode Highlights:How is Hashimoto different from regular hypothyroidism?Common early symptoms of Hashimoto'The role of gut health and nutrient deficiencies in Hashimoto'sKey Lifestyle Factors for Healing Hashimoto'sDietary patterns that worsen Hashimoto's symptomsLong-term lifestyle changes for Hashimoto'sTimestamps:00:00 – 08:30: Diagnosis, journey, medication fears, lifestyle & stress 08:30 – 16:30: Mindset, emotions, Hashimoto's basics & self-worth 16:30 – 24:30: Thyroid vs autoimmune, gut health, brain fog & awareness 24:30 – 32:00: Self-love, discipline, balance, weight & routine 32:00 – 40:00: Movement, habits, intention, food & environment 40:00 – 48:00: Inclusion, sustainability & mindset shifts 48:00 – 50:00: Final reflectionsAbout Dr. Dixa BhavsarDr. Dixa Bhavsar is an Ayurvedic doctor specialising in women's health, particularly thyroid, hormonal, and autoimmune conditions. Having personally experienced Hashimoto's, her approach combines clinical understanding with lived experience, focusing on sustainable lifestyle practices and long-term well-being.About Dr Vignesh Devraj: Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here. or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajLinkedin - Dr Vignesh Devraj Twitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Thanks for your support.Disclaimer: We don't recommend using this as medical advice for any medical conditions.

** NOTE TO LISTENERS: This week, we are releasing a special “flash episode” of Grand Tamasha to recap India's recently concluded 2026 state assembly elections. As usual, we will still be publishing a new Grand Tamasha episode next Tuesday, May 12 at 9 pm ET, Wednesday 6:30 am IST.  It's safe to say that India's 2026 state assembly elections have scrambled many of the assumptions that have long shaped our understanding of Indian politics.  The BJP has finally captured West Bengal after decades of trying, secured a third consecutive victory in Assam, and made modest, but important gains in Kerala. With its allies, it also retained the union territory of Puducherry. In Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, the upstart TVK—led by the enigmatic actor Vijay—has disrupted a political duopoly that has defined the state for decades.  At a deeper level, across these elections, familiar assumptions about welfare, identity, institutions, and opposition politics have suddenly been called into question. To make sense of these results—and what they might tell us about the road to 2029—Milan is joined today by two of the sharpest observers of Indian politics and political economy.  Neelanjan Sircar is an associate professor at Ahmedabad University and one of the country's leading scholars of Indian politics. He has spent years studying party organizations, welfare politics, and electoral change across states—including West Bengal and Assam. Yamini Aiyar is a Senior Visiting Fellow at the Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia and the Watson Institute at Brown University. She was previously president and CEO of the Centre for Policy Research, and is a leading expert on the Indian state, welfare delivery, and democratic accountability.  Milan, Yamini, and Neelanjan discuss the BJP's historic win in West Bengal, the demise of the Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee, and the Election Commission of India's controversial revision of the electoral rolls. Plus, the trio discuss the rupture in Tamil politics, the Congress' lone victory in Kerala, and the BJP's strategy for 2029. Episode notes: Samanth Subramanian, “From Sea to Saffron Sea: Neelanjan Sircar,” Equator, May 6, 2026. Roshan Kishore, “Terms of Trade: And then there were none,” Hindustan Times, May 4, 2026. Neelanjan Sircar and Bhanu Joshi, “Party has left the building: The rise of parallel politics in Bengal,” Hindustan Times, May 4, 2026. Neelanjan Sircar, “Verdict Bengal: Decisive win in a divided state,” Hindustan Times, May 4, 2026. Bhanu Joshi, “DMK's defeat proves it: Welfare is the floor, elections have moved to the ceiling,” Indian Express, May 4, 2026. Neelanjan Sircar and Bhanu Joshi, “Beyond numbers, how West Bengal's voter roll revision is redrawing citizenship lines,” Hindustan Times, April 29, 2026. Bhanu Joshi and Neelanjan Sircar, “In Bengal hinterland, poll victory might hinge on ground visibility,” Hindustan Times, April 23, 2026.

The 14-Day Ayurvedic Reset at Sitaram RetreatThis 14-day program at Sitaram Retreat focuses on resetting the body's natural balance, creating the conditions in which sustainable healing can finally happen without quick fixes. If you have been struggling with autoimmune conditions, menopause, burnout, or stagnant weight loss, then consider taking time out for a deep reset and authentic healing. Check out www.sitaramretreat.com or Chat Here: https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=8138888912&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0 BALANCING THE MIGHTY VATA - ONLINE COURSE NOW AVAILABLE Vata is responsible for Prana - the master panel of our body, and our emotions. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned that controlling Vata is the most difficult part of healing and recovery. With over 6 hrs of content and notes filled with practical insights that can be integrated into our lives. Link: https://vigneshdevraj.com/balancing-the-mighty-vata/ For further information, kindly visit www.vigneshdevraj.com and www.sitaramretreat.com Explore Hashimoto's from both a clinical and lived perspective from Dr Dixa's experience and understand how Hashimoto's is different from hypothyroidism, what happens in the body, and what can be done to manage the condition effectively. A key focus of this conversation is why Hashimoto's is more common in women today. Episode Highlights:How is Hashimoto different from regular hypothyroidism?Common early symptoms of Hashimoto'The role of gut health and nutrient deficiencies in Hashimoto'sKey Lifestyle Factors for Healing Hashimoto'sDietary patterns that worsen Hashimoto's symptomsLong-term lifestyle changes for Hashimoto'sTimestamps:00:00 – 08:30: Diagnosis, journey, medication fears, lifestyle & stress 08:30 – 16:30: Mindset, emotions, Hashimoto's basics & self-worth 16:30 – 24:30: Thyroid vs autoimmune, gut health, brain fog & awareness 24:30 – 32:00: Self-love, discipline, balance, weight & routine 32:00 – 40:00: Movement, habits, intention, food & environment 40:00 – 48:00: Inclusion, sustainability & mindset shifts 48:00 – 50:00: Final reflectionsAbout Dr. Dixa BhavsarDr. Dixa Bhavsar is an Ayurvedic doctor specialising in women's health, particularly thyroid, hormonal, and autoimmune conditions. Having personally experienced Hashimoto's, her approach combines clinical understanding with lived experience, focusing on sustainable lifestyle practices and long-term well-being.About Dr Vignesh Devraj: Dr Vignesh Devraj is a fourth-generation Ayurvedic physician and the founder of Sitaram Retreat, Kerala, a space for authentic healing. He is a committed practitioner and researcher of Panchakarma.If you are interested in doing a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation with Dr Vignesh Devraj please find the details in this link: https://calendly.com/drvignesh/30-minute-session-with-dr-vignesh-devraj-md-ay-istIf you are economically challenged, please use the form provided to request a free Ayurvedic consultation here. or copy paste this in your browser: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd29nHcrC1RssR-6WAqWCWQWKKJo7nGcEm8ITEl2-ErcnfVEg/viewform )Instagram - @sitarambeachretreat | @vigneshdevrajLinkedin - Dr Vignesh Devraj Twitter - @VigneshDevrajWe truly hope you are enjoying our content. Thanks for your support.Disclaimer: We don't recommend using this as medical advice for any medical conditions.

A loss for LDF in Kerala would mean no state will have Left rule for the first time since Independence. ----more---- https://theprint.in/elections/congress-led-udf-scripts-path-to-a-kerala-comeback-after-decade-out-of-power/2920718/

#nationalinterest As counting of votes for crucial assembly elections draws to a close, ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta shares insights & lessons from the results in three states— West Bengal, Tamil Nadu & Kerala. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Read Writings On The Wall: https://theprint.in/opinion/writings-on-the-wall/writings-on-the-wall-bengals-epitaph-for-left-is-i-let-doctrine-become-dogma-ideology-obstacle/2913628/

What are the three big factors behind BJP's victory in West Bengal & Assam? How did the party manage to end Mamata-led TMC rule in the state? What does the rise of Vijay in Tamil Nadu point to? And, how to read Himanta-powered NDA win in Assam? Watch this edition of #CutTheClutter, where ThePrint Editor-In-Chief Shekhar Gupta & Political Editor DK Singh discuss how today's election results are likely to redefine Indian politics.

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An edited version of this conversation is now available as part of our collaboration with The Yale Review. Read it here: https://yalereview.org/article/shakespeare-and-company-interview-arundhati-royRecorded live at Shakespeare and Company, Paris, Adam Biles sits down with Arundhati Roy to discuss her memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me. Roy reflects on writing a “novelist's memoir,” where memory and imagination blur, and explores her complex relationship with her mother, Mary Roy. The conversation moves from Roy's unconventional childhood in Kerala to her formative years in architecture, activism, and the aftermath of The God of Small Things. She discusses resisting literary celebrity, embracing political responsibility, and finding strength in chosen families and friendship networks. With candour and wit, Roy rejects reductive “therapy narratives,” instead offering a portrait of identity shaped by contradiction, resilience, and love.Buy Mother Mary Comes to Me: https://www.shakespeareandcompany.com/books/mother-mary-comes-to-meArundhati Roy is the author of the novels The God of Small Things, which won the Booker Prize in 1997, and The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, which was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2017. She is the author of various works of non-fiction including My Seditious Heart, Azadi and The Architecture of Modern Empire.Adam Biles is Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company, Paris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.