On The Record
89 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago -In this podcast, politicians and policymakers talk to Hindustan Times' national political editor Sunetra Choudhury about the big issues of the day. Listen to these interviews and you'll get a rare insight into all that's making headlines.
This is a Hindustan Times production, brought to you by HT Smartcast.
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Episodes
Why The Centre Is Wrong On Fuel Prices & GST
May 13, 2022 13:59 - 1 hour - 59.5 MBTamil Nadu's finance minister and one of the fiercest critiques of the Modi govt, Palanivel Thiagarajan, has criticized the union government over the issue of coal shortage, power crisis, and fuel price hike. In this episode of the On the Record, PTR spoke to Hindustan Times over the ongoing energy crisis, the political situation in the country, and the winning streak of the BJP.
What Shehbaz Sharif's Appointment As Pakistan PM Means For India?
April 14, 2022 04:32 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBShehbaz Sharif is the new Prime Minister of Pakistan and he assumed office after Imran Khan was ousted through a no-confidence motion amid an unprecedented week-long drama. Sharif is the younger brother of former PM Nawaz Sharif and used to be chief minister of the Punjab province. So, what does having a new regime in the neighborhood mean for India. To talk about that, we have the former Indian High Commissioner and author of the excellent book on Pakistan TCA Raghavan in this episode of On ...
What's wrong with the new Criminal Procedure Identification amendment?
April 06, 2022 14:26 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBIn this episode of 'On The Record', Hindustan Time's Sunetra Choudhury speaks to VN Rai, IPS officer and former head of the Indian Police Academy, about this week's most debatable issue in the parliament, the new Criminal Procedure Identification amendment. During this interview, he discusses and understands what's wrong with the new amendment, whether the new criminal identity law is really draconian?
After 4 decades, Nagaland gets a woman MP
March 29, 2022 13:17 - 19 minutes - 18 MBOn this week's episode of On The Record, host Sunetra talks to BJP's MP from Nagaland - Phangnon Konyak who has been victorious in the Assembly Elections 2022 and she also happens to be the first women MP from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha and the last time that happened was 4 decades ago. Tune in to the conversation where she talks about her education from the DU & why she decided to join BJP!
Escape from a war zone
March 03, 2022 12:25 - 12 minutes - 11.1 MBIt's been more than a week since Russia invaded Ukraine and war broke out on February 24. More than 20,000 Indians who were stranded there are young students pursuing their higher education as Ukraine promised them affordable education. When news reports started emerging of a possible strike, they were torn-should they immediately leave and jeopardise their career or could they stay and try to survive? There were mixed signals that they received- from their college authorities and the Indian ...
The Hijab Row Controversy
February 17, 2022 06:55 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBAs the Karnataka high court hears petitions against the hijab ban, Farrah Ahmed, a professor at Melbourne Law School who specialises in Constitutional law and religious freedom, spoke to HT's Sunetra Choudhury about the right to practice faith, privacy, and education.
Harak Singh Rawat interview: Joining Congress wasn’t my plan... BJP overreacted
January 18, 2022 09:15 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBThe Bhartiya Janata Party expelled a sitting minister from its government in Uttarakhand amid reports that he was unhappy and negotiating with Congress. Harak Singh Rawat may be joining the opposition party soon, but he told Sunetra Choudhury that the BJP forced his hand, and his unhappiness was after years of being ignored, and not being allowed to deliver crucial promises to voters in the state.
Why are UP ministers quitting? BJP Former ally OP Rajbhar explains
January 13, 2022 07:11 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBIn an interview with HT's Sunetra Choudhury, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) leader OP Rajbhar said BJP was an enemy of OBCs and more party leaders are expected to quit ahead of the elections.
Gita Gopinath: Changing a Man’s World
December 17, 2021 06:29 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBIn this episode, Hindustan Times' Sunetra Choudhury speaks to Gita Gopinath, Chief Economist, IMF about being the first woman to lead the IMF and what she make of all the headlines that are doing the rounds. She also spoke about the state of the world now and the state of women in it.
Smriti Irani: Minister and novelist?
November 26, 2021 06:57 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBUnion Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Zubin Irani has turned author with her debut novel “Lal Salaam”, announced publishing house Westland. “Lal Salaam” is the story of a young officer, Vikram Pratap Singh, and of the challenges he faces against a system that is steeped in backroom politics and corruption. Listen to her in conversation with HT's National Political Editor Sunetra Choudhury who speaks to her about her new journey as an author, where she got the idea from, how d...
What’s in store for women in NDA: Air Marshal Padma Bandhopadyay
November 12, 2021 13:25 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBThis week the President of India conferred one of the highest civilian awards to one of the first women in the armed forces Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay who joined the force in 1968. We speak to her as the armed prepares for the first time to receive women NDA cadets. What advice does she have for the new entrants?
The Fractured Himalaya: India & China The way forward
November 09, 2021 04:39 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MBIt has now been more than a year and a half since Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a standoff at the border. There have been thirteen rounds of talks between the two sides but increasingly, it has become evident, that the two sides may be locked in an impasse. HT interviews the former foreign secretary Nirupama Rao who has just authored a book called The Fractured Himalaya: India Tibet China 1949-62 Listen to her in conversation with HT's National Political Editor Sunetra Choud...
Aryan Khan Case: Why is he in jail without drug possession? Top defence lawyer explains
October 25, 2021 14:35 - 19 minutes - 17.4 MBIn the latest episode of On the Record, Top defence lawyer Rebecca John speaks to Hindustan Times' National Political Editor, Sunetra Choudhury on the Aryan Khan drugs case. John explains why Shah Rukh Khan’s son is still in jail without possession of drugs. Aryan was arrested by NCB earlier this month for his alleged connection to a drugs case. A special court in Mumbai on Wednesday refused to grant bail to Aryan & two others. Listen to the full episode for more.
Lakhimpur Kheri: Violent Political Clashes | In conversation with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
October 07, 2021 08:32 - 21 minutes - 19.7 MBThe situation prevails to tense in Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri where the violent clashes claimed eight lives on Sunday. Section 144 has been imposed on several political party workers, even on the big names. In this episode, Hindustan Times' National Political Editor, Sunetra Choudhury speaks to a Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as she shares what all she has faced in the last 2 days as she tried to visit the Lakhimpur Kheri district. Tune in to know more.
How to be a CEO and raise a family : Indra Nooyi
September 30, 2021 14:34 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBIndra Nooyi, the former CEO OF PepsiCo is a popular name in the world of business. She is a rule breaker in her conservative family and in an era in India where it was considered unseemly for young women to exert themselves, she touched new heights and did wonders and became an inspiration for many. In this episode, our host speaks with Indira Nooyi as she shares what it took for her to handle her work, family and raise kids. She reveals about her life and work and some of the key issues fac...
Women's Reservation Bill: 25 years later
September 13, 2021 14:27 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBOn September 12, 2021, it will be 25 years since the first time the Women's Reservation Bill was introduced in Parliament. Years have passed, however, the Bill continues to languish and is yet to become a reality. In the recent edition of On The Record, CPIM leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat speaks to Hindustan Times' National Political Editor, Sunetra Choudhury and talks about the 25 years of the Women's Reservation Bill. Why is it still pending? Why is it not on top of the agend...
Taliban Takeover: What it means for India
August 19, 2021 11:28 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBIn the latest episode of On the Record, former ambassador to Afghanistan Amar Sinha speaks to Hindustan Times' National Political Editor, Sunetra Choudhury and talks about the recent developments in the war-torn country. The former Afghan envoy explains what the Taliban takeover of the neighboring nation means for India. Watch the full interview for more.
68: What's it like being in Kabul as Taliban fighters roam the street?
August 17, 2021 09:47 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBOn this episode of On the record listen to a young aid worker from Bengal hiding in Kabul. Wanting to remain hidden out of fear 'AH' tells us how he missed the last flight as he didnt have his covid test printout. He speaks to us as gunshots ring in the background
Assam-Mizoram Peace Treaty
August 11, 2021 08:23 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBIn this fresh episode of ‘On The Record’, National Political Editor Sunetra Choudhury speaks to Assam CM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma about the border dispute with Mizoram and the efforts that were made to ease tensions. They talk about the current relation between Assam and Mizoram and explain the whole issue to the listeners. Tune in, now!
The Parliament protester
August 06, 2021 06:31 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIn the latest edition of On The Record, Hindustan Times' National Political Editor Sunetra Choudhury catches up with Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen. Dola was among the six MPs who were suspended from the House for a day. On Wednesday, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had suspended the TMC MPs for the day for carrying placards into the well of the House while protesting along with other opposition MPs over the Pegasus issue. The other TMC MPs who were suspended included Md. Nadimul Haque,...
Pegasus: Why there needs to be a probe
July 27, 2021 08:11 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times' Sunetra Choudhury speaks to CPM Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas on Pegasus issue. John Brittas have approached Supreme Court in this regard and opposes the idea of being under constant watch even after living in a democratic country.
'God won't be pleased if lives are lost because of our laxity': Uttarakhand CM
July 16, 2021 12:51 - 17 minutes - 16 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times' Sunetra Choudhury speaks to Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Dhami on why he stopped the religious gathering of Kanwars. The Uttarakhand Government on Tuesday decided to cancel the annual Kanwar Yatra, in view of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic situation.
‘BJP will get less than 100 seats in Uttar Pradesh’: Sanjay Singh
July 06, 2021 08:46 - 8 minutes - 8.11 MBAam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh spoke about his meeting with Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav. Singh said the meeting with Yadav was to discuss how “BJP used money power during the Zila Panchayat Chairperson polls”. The AAP MP demanded suspension of the recent Zila Panchayat Chairperson polls in Uttar Pradesh. Singh also said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not get more than 100 seats in the upcoming 2022 Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. Listen to the full podcast for more details.
Shyam Benegal: Why he approves of govt’s changes for cinema
June 30, 2021 10:58 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBMany filmmakers have raised concerns at the proposed “Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021” and believe it could endanger the freedom of expression of cinema. However, the famous film director Shayam Benegal seems to support the government's move. Catch Sunerta Choudhury in conversation with Shayam Benegal to find out why supports the government’s move.
Could Covid deaths be 10 times the declared number?
June 16, 2021 04:28 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury speaks with Professor Chinmay Tumbe on the number of Covid-19 deaths in India. Tumbe, the author of a highly regarded book called 'The Age of Pandemics', has also studied the death toll of the present Covid pandemic. He throws light on the number of excess deaths in some of the large states of the country.
Jitin Prasada on why he joined BJP
June 10, 2021 07:20 - 9 minutes - 8.65 MBWith Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections approaching quickly, the Indian National Congress party suffered a serious blow on June 9. Jitin Prasada, considered a close confidant of Rahul Gandhi, quit the grand old party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Tune in as Hindustan Times' Sunetra Choudhury speaks to Jitin Parsada about what led him to shift to BJP and much more.
When to get vaccinated post covid and Black Fungus- Dr Faheem Younus Answers our questions
May 20, 2021 12:38 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBIn this episode of On The Record HT's Sunetra talks to infectious diseases expert from the University of Maryland, Dr. Faheem Younus who explains when one can take vaccine after recovering from Covid-19 and much more. Tune in to know more
MB Rajesh on why Shailaja was dropped, new Kerala team, & more
May 19, 2021 06:48 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBKerala has just announced its new team of ministers. It has a brand new team and new faces but what many are keen on knowing is why was the health minister KK Shailaja dropped? For this and much more, the new speaker MB Rajesh speaks to Sunetra Choudhury
'Strategic vaccination can help stop the spread of the virus': Dr. Tom Frieden
May 11, 2021 14:06 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times’ National Political Editor, Sunetra Choudhury speaks with Dr. Tom Frieden President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives about the current situation of Covid-19 and vaccination in India. Dr. Frieden said 'Providing clinical care and strategic vaccination can help stop the spread of the virus.' Tune in for more!
India’s deadly second wave: What needs to be done
April 28, 2021 11:12 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBThe world now watches in horror as India struggles to cope with the second wave of the corona virus in India. The country is seeing a record number of new cases and people dying, many times due to oxygen scarcity. The US has promised help with stocks of vaccines or its raw materials but what more can be done. We speak to Dr Ashish Jha, dean at Brown University
Everything you want to know about masks, explained by Dr Gagandeep Kang
April 28, 2021 11:01 - 21 minutes - 20 MBDr Gagandeep Kang, professor of microbiology at CMC, Vellore, and former chair of an ICMR panel on Covid drugs and vaccines spoke to Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury on the ongoing second wave of the Covid pandemic. Dr Kang said that if there is someone who has been infected with the virus at home, all others in the house should wear masks, even when they are inside. She added that masking up at home is a good advice to follow at this time when cases have seen a steep rise in the capital.
Amartya Sen on why BJP's attracting Dalit and backward voters.
April 19, 2021 08:58 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times' Sunetra Choudhury speaks with Nobel Prize-winning economist and author Amartya Sen about the ongoing West Bengal elections. Polling for the first four phases has been concluded while the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth phases will take place on April 17, 22, 26, and 29 respectively. The counting of votes will take place on May 2.Listen to the full podcast for more details.
More Powers to LG Law passed: What now?
March 26, 2021 03:37 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MBOn Wednesday, Rajya Sabha cleared the NCT bill which empowers the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi with powers over all of the Delhi Government's decisions. It appears to be in direct contradiction to what the Supreme Court ordered in 2018 but the Bhartiya Janata Party and Central Government say that it is only clarifying what is already on paper. What is the reality? Does this mean that the Aam Aadmi Party becomes ineffectual and merely a rubber stamp? HT's national political editor speaks to to...
Sachin Vaze: Secrets of Encounter Cops
March 19, 2021 09:36 - 26 minutes - 24.6 MBOver the last few days, the country has watched shocked as the National Investigation Agency arrested encounter specialist police officer Sachin Vaze. Vaze is known to be close to the Shiv Sena but how do police officers like him operate. India’s first woman chief of the Mumbai Crime Branch talks to HT's Sunetra about what she calls daredevil policemen she met and dealt with.
'Haryana Job quota law to be tweaked': Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala
March 15, 2021 08:12 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury speaks with the deputy chief minister of Haryana, Dushyant Chautala about the 75% job quota for locals in the state and how industry says it will destroy ease of business.
RS Sharma: Vaccinating India
March 15, 2021 08:11 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBOn the day that India began inoculating members of the general population against Covid-19, RS Sharma, CEO of National Health Authority, spoke on the programme. He called the vaccination of Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'major boost' for the drive. He also projected a daily vaccination target of 27 lakh in the near future. Sharma also explained the process of registration for vaccination for those aged 60 and above, and those aged 45+ with comorbidities. Listen to the full episode for more.
49: Dinesh Trivedi on Trinamool Congress and corruption
February 16, 2021 08:10 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury speaks with Ex-leader of Trinamool Congress Dinesh Trivedi about the party, corruption and BJP’s offer. Trivedi said, “Why should I have to go by BJP? The people of the state are saying it." He added, “When asked I said it would be a privilege to join the BJP as it is the number 1 party in the world. Sitaram Yechury is also a good friend, so is Uddhav Thackeray. I met Sharad Pawar the other day. Everybody is a friend....
48: 'Will join BJP when there's black snow in Kashmir': Congress' Ghulam Nabi Azad
February 12, 2021 10:22 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who will be ending his Rajya Sabha stint on Monday after a four-decade-long career in Parliament, spoke to Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury and Saubhadra Chatterji about his farewell by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speculation that he may join the BJP, about being a ‘Hindustani Muslim’, and the thinking behind the letter written by the ‘Group of 23’, among other issues. Listen to the full episode for more.
47: Busting population myths with Dr SY Quraishi
February 10, 2021 09:55 - 19 minutes - 17.8 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record with Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury speaks to former chief election commissioner Dr. SY Quraishi. The former CEC busts population myths. Dr. Quraishi talks about polygamy behind the population explosion and how Muslims are not the most polygamous. Listen to the full episode for more.
46: Why one NDA ally is sticking with BJP on farm laws | On The Record
February 05, 2021 12:43 - 25 minutes - 23 MBIn the latest Podcast of 'On The Record' , Sunetra Choudhury and Janata Dal (United) president and Rajya Sabha member Ram Chandra Prasad (RCP) Singh spoke on the ongoing farmer’s agitation against the Centre’s three new farm laws. "Everyone agrees that farmers need to do well, their incomes need to increase. A farmers' organisation is different from a political party. So if you bring in a political agenda, then that has a different platform," he said. Singh also talked about the violence on ...
45: CEA Subramanian responds to Manmohan Singh's inequality charge
February 02, 2021 11:53 - 9 minutes - 8.69 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record with Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury, Chief Economic Advisor, Krishnamurthy Subramanian responded to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s inequality charge. Subramanian said, “I think we have to look at the strength of the economic argument other than the person making the argument. The chapter that we have written in the Economic Survey on inequality and growth, I think has a resounding answer to arguments like these. I think these commentaries ar...
44: Ex-vice president Hamid Ansari on Parliament impasse: 'It's getting ugly'
January 29, 2021 07:54 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury speaks to former vice president Hamid Ansari on Parliament impasse. Ansari said that the boycott of the President’s address by Opposition parties may be a symbolic move but the hostility between the ruling party and the opposition is becoming ‘ugly’. This comes after leaders of 17 political parties said they will boycott President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to Parliament to express protest over the new agriculture laws...
43: In Bengal, if you are with BJP, you lose: Saugata Roy
December 24, 2020 09:58 - 17 minutes - 16.4 MBIs there an arithmetical challenge to the BJP's chances of winning in Bengal? @SaugataRoyMP tells HT’s Sunetra Choudhary that you can't exclude muslims from your politics in the state and still expect to win.
42: 'Mamata, Abhishek behind attack on Nadda: Vijayvargiya'
December 11, 2020 17:13 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBIn this interview with host Sunetra Choudhury, Kailash Vijayvargiya spells out BJP’s strategy ahead of Bengal Polls. Vijayvargiya says TMC leaders are unhappy with CM’s support of her nephew and his style of working which is why they are joining them.
41: The story of BJP before Modi
November 23, 2020 14:32 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBOn this episode, we speak to Vinay Sitapati about his new book Jugalbandi that takes us back to the beginning of the BJP and the Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani leadership. Did they hate each other and who was the woman Vajpayee defied the RSS for?
40: We need to introspect: Top Congress leader after Bihar results
November 18, 2020 12:40 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MBOne of the biggest failures in Bihar election 2020 was of the Congress party. While Congress says they were given tough seats, CWC member Tariq Anwar has admitted that the problem was entirely their own. He speaks to Hindustan Times' political editor Sunetra Choudhury about where the problem lies for the party.
39: US Presidential elections over-viewed by Dr. Shashi Tharoor
November 05, 2020 05:37 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBIn this episode, an Indian politician, writer and former international diplomat, Dr. Shashi Tharoor dialogues with Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury. A heart to heart discussion is held on ongoing US Presidential elections. In this conversation, Dr. Shashi Tharoor gives a brief regarding US voters and the politics in the state. Tune in to know more.
38: Harvard Prof Martin Kulldorff explains why schools should open
October 20, 2020 05:59 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBHarvard Professor Martin Kulldorff, in an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury, explains why schools should open now. Schools have been shut in India since March in view of Covid-19 pandemic. Professor Kulldorff also explains about the Great Barrington Declaration.
37: Hathras Case: Dalit Perspective with Suraj Yengde
October 08, 2020 13:58 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBIn the latest episode of On The Record, Hindustan Times’ Sunetra Choudhury speaks to author Suraj Yengde about what the Hathras case tells one about the status of Dalits in India. A 19-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly gang-raped in UP's Hathras by four men in her village on Sep 14 when she went to a farm. She was taken to a hospital in Aligarh and later moved to Safdarjung hospital in Delhi where she breathed her last on September 29.
36: Babri Verdict- Why top lawyer says verdict shows ‘CBI collusion'
October 01, 2020 13:40 - 22 minutes - 20.4 MBThe demolition of Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, changed the course of India’s history. As the CBI special court acquitted LK Advani, MM Joshi, Uma Bharti among others, top lawyer Yug Mohit Chaudhry looks at the larger implication of the verdict. Why is it that CBI failed to get any evidence after 28 years?