3 Things

The Catch Up: LPU violence case, and more (2 October) 02.10.2026 4m

The headlines of the week by The Indian Express

Agniveers look for jobs, Indian caught in war, and a nurse trapped abroad 02.10.2026 27m

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about Uttarakhand’s proposed Agniveer Cell, how it plans to help the first returning batches find civilian employment, and the challenges involved in matching their skills and aspirations with available opportunities.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Brendan Dabhi about Sahil Majothi, a young man from Gujarat who travelled to Russia as a student, joined its armed forces and later surrendered in Ukraine, where he remains in a prisoner-of-war facility as his family seeks his return. (11:50)And in the end, we look at the case of Ranchi-based nurse Monica Kachhap, who says she was promised a nursing job in Dubai but became trapped in an exploitative work arrangement and an alleged debt of more than ₹3 lakh. (23:55)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: Critical actions that saved Flydubai plane (1 October) 01.10.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Behind the LPU protests, deep-tech funding, and Flydubai flight incident 01.10.2026 31m

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Raakhi Jagga about the protests that took place at Punjab's Chitkara University and Lovely Professional University. She discusses the reasons behind the protests, the resulting violence, and how social media posts triggered both incidents.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha about the Research Development and Innovation Fund, the government's initiative to provide funds to companies engaged in research in sectors such as space, robotics and artificial intelligence. He shares how the process worked and why the invitation for funding will now close. (13:57)Lastly, we discuss an incident where an Indian pilot was credited with saving all the passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that signalled an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. (28:15)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: Govt showpiece deep-tech initiative hits pause (30 September) 30.09.2026 3m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Delhi's unsafe parks, demand for UP's split, and SC to hear SIR plea 30.09.2026 28m

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pragynesh about the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old at Delhi’s Aastha Kunj Park, the security gaps across the Capital’s green spaces, and why restricting women’s access cannot substitute for making public places safer.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vikas Pathak about the renewed debate over dividing Uttar Pradesh into four states, how such a reorganisation would work, and why it may not suit the BJP politically. (17:00)And in the end, we look at a Supreme Court petition questioning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s decision-making and seeking to invalidate the nationwide Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. (25:50)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: SC agrees to hear plea against CEC Gyanesh Kumar (29 September) 29.09.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Christian concerns in Chattisgarh, CCTV gaps, and protests in Odisha 29.09.2026 22m

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Jayprakash S. Naidu about certain notices put up outside churches in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh saying that non-Christians entering the church are doing so on their own responsibility. He talks about the communal disturbances occurring in the state and the concerns of the Christian community. Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Brendan Dabhi about Gujarat's CCTV network. He talks about a case of five year old's kidnapping, for which the Gujarat police was dependent on the CCTV network and the gaps in the system that were highlighted during the case. (7:14)Lastly, we discuss a BJD-led protest in Odisha against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 (19:58)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: Part of Shahi Masjid in Ujjain being removed (28 September) 28.09.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Afghans under scrutiny, a bird changes its call, and avalanche in Nepal 28.09.2026 24m

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Shubham Tigga about how Jharkhand’s voter-roll revision has left a small Afghan-origin community in Jamshedpur fearful, and the difficult questions it raises about residence, documentation and citizenship.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Vidheesha Kuntamalla about how human-made noise is changing the calls of the Himalayan monal, why this behavioural adaptation matters, and how development and climate change are affecting the bird’s habitat. (08:30)And in the end, we look at the major avalanche on Nepal’s Himlung Himal, where at least two people have died and 14 remain missing as rescue efforts continue amid hazardous weather conditions. (21:30)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: Election Commission SIR row, and more (25 September) 25.09.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

Express Investigation: The unprecedented rift within the Election Commission 25.09.2026 36m

The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which began in Bihar last year, has resulted in more than 13 crore names being removed from draft rolls across 30 States and Union Territories, putting the Election Commission at the centre of an intense public debate.But questions about the exercise were also raised within the three-member Election Commission itself. An investigation by The Indian Express found that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi formally objected, at least 14 times over 10 months, to decisions taken and orders issued, they say, without their knowledge.In this episode, we discuss this unprecedented rift within the Election Commission with The Indian Express' Ritika Chopra, who investigated the story.Hosted and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: EC’s flawed system leaves valid Goa voters out of SIR (24 September) 24.09.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

IIT-B student death, march for Konkan’s future, and 5,500 kids go without milk 24.09.2026 21m

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Pallavi Smart about the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, the protests and demands that followed, and the questions being raised about institutional accountability and mental-health support on campus.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Alok Deshpande about the Rakhandar Yatra, through which young activists are walking across Maharashtra’s Konkan region to connect concerns over development projects with local culture, livelihoods and environmental protection. (7:55)And in the end, we look at why Amul stopped supplying milk to 400 anganwadis in Vadodara, leaving around 5,500 children without their daily nutritional entitlement because of a dispute over bills and payments. (18:00)Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: 2 Election Commissioners objected to poll panel steps (23 September) 23.09.2026 3m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

XLRI: Why working professionals can't stop learning 23.09.2026 13m

The way we work is changing rapidly, driven by new technologies, evolving industries and shifting expectations from employers and employees. For professionals, this means that the skills they begin their careers with may not always be enough to meet the demands of a changing workplace. Continuous learning is therefore becoming increasingly important, helping people stay updated, adapt to new roles and remain prepared for what lies ahead.As part of our ongoing collaboration with XLRI, Jamshedpur, we bring to you our 3rd episode of the series where we discuss how professionals need to keep learning to stay relevant. And to talk about this we’re joined by Professor Sunil Kumar Sarangi, Convenor - VIL and Corporate Programmes, XLRI, Jamshedpur. He is the Program Director of Basic Leadership Skills, the flagship Management Development Program of XLRI and has over 20 years of corporate and academic experience.Hosted by Roshun PovaiahProduced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar Links to our previous two episodes:Episode 1Episode 2

Bihar molestation case, Asian Games ground report, and forest officer killed 23.09.2026 27m

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Himanshu Harsh about a recent case that surfaced in Bihar where a teenage girl and boy were questioned and assaulted, and the girl was molested. This incident has once again raised questions about women's safety and law and order in the state. Next, the hosts of the Express Sports podcast Amit Kamath and Mihir Vasavda discuss the Asian Games, India's progress, and the issues that athletes and coaches are facing in Nagoya, Japan, where the games are being held. (11:32)Lastly, we discuss a Forest Ranger in Rajasthan who was crushed by a dumper truck accused of illegally transporting soil. (24:19)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma, and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarOur previous episodes with XLRI, Jamshedpur:Episode 1Episode 2

The Catch Up: IIT Bombay suicide case takes a turn (22 September) 22.09.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express

CCTVs at medical stores, Kamathipura’s redevelopment, and protests at IIT Bombay 22.09.2026 21m

First, we speak to The Indian Express’ Anonna Dutt about the Union Health Ministry’s proposal to make CCTV cameras mandatory in medical stores, whether surveillance can curb the misuse of prescription drugs, and why chemists are raising concerns about cost and privacy.Next, we speak to The Indian Express’ Apoorva Agashe about the redevelopment of Mumbai’s Kamathipura, how the historic red-light district has already changed, and why sex workers without formal ownership or tenancy rights risk being excluded from rehabilitation. (12:15)And in the end, we examine the death by suicide of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, the allegations of caste-based discrimination made by his family, the institute’s handling of the case, and the demands raised by protesting students. (18:40)Hosted by Ichha Sharma Produced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

The Catch Up: Rishi Sunak’s warning over race, identity (21 September) 21.09.2026 4m

The headlines of the day by The Indian Express