Line Of Truth

How did the armed forces manage to control the Chinese intrusion without busting the capital budget?

How did the government bring down the pension allocation by Rs 9,150 crore?

Lt Gen Prakash Menon joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to analyse the defence budget for financial year (FY) 2021-2022, the pension allocation cuts, and the increase in capital outlay.

What does India need to be a global power?

Why is American's gross human right violation in Afghanistan and Iraq overlooked with the larger picture of 'war on terror'?

How can intelligence agencies adopt to the world of information warfare?

Former R&AW Chief Vikram Sood joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about the importance of nations to build narratives and control them so as to improve their image and standing abroad.

Why it is critical to mould Public Policy schools as institutions of practice?

Will a Masters in Public Policy be a MBA in future?

Does India need it's version of a RAND?

Citizen for Public Leadership (CPL) founder Prateek Kanwal joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about the first-of-its-kind organisation for advocating for progressive public policy and developing the next generation of leaders through CPL fellowship, nature of policy schools in India, and the need for structuring evidence-based policy courses.

Do you need a structure to workship a deity?

Is belief and faith the same?

What is the Indian model of wealth accumulation? 

Bestselling Mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about his prodigal writing speed, the historical judgement of Ram temple and the traditional Indian business model.

Why can't the Indian Media speak truth to power?

The media industry has expanded tremendously in the last decade. Instead, of having a diverse and vibrant press from this expansion, the Indian media now is more influenced by corporates and political pressure. 

The Co-founder & CEO of Newslaundry, Abhinandan Sekhri joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about independent media, a revenue model that can sustain independent journalism and his interviewing style.

The stories of second-generation Kashmiri Pandits post-exodus is filled with the constant struggle of keeping their culture and rituals alive with the distant memory of a piece of land they can call their 'home'.

Practising Advocate of Delhi High Court, Rashika Raina and Student of CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Shreya Raina joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about their constant struggle as second-generation Kashmiri Pandits post-exodus and the first-generation Kashmiri Pandits who have grown outside their home, Kashmir. 

Are we moving towards the American tradition of late-night satire where shows pack in factual news with tongue-in-cheek commentary?

Political Satire is booming in India and the reason is all about the controversy surrounding their opinions. It is with a dry humour that political satirist are making their points without necessarily lampooning the politicians. 

Akash Banerjee, founder and host of India's biggest Political Satire platform, The Deshbhakt joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about political satire, the process of using satire to make a point and the future of political satire in India.

What was the formula that Modi-Shah used to win the general election for the second time in five years?

What was the core issue in the election: a development agenda or national pride? 

Will the Modi magic work in the assembly elections or does the BJP needs to work on its allies?

Bestselling author and veteran Journalist Padma Shri Rajdeep Sardesai joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to decode the 2019 General Elections, shares his experience and stories from the campaign trail and the road ahead for the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Did Nirbhaya’s rapist, Ram Singh, commit suicide or was he murdered?

What was the last wish of Maqbool Bhat and why wasn't it delivered?

Is the hanging of Afzal Guru a stain on India's democracy?

Mary Morgan Hewett Award recipient veteran journalist and author, Sunetra Choudhury joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about life inside Asia's largest prison, the hanging of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat, and the life of Sunil Gupta as a jailer.

Should you compromise your ethics over money?

Can you be friends with a person from opposing political opinions?

Would Zaira Wasim be treated differently if she was a Hindu?

Hiba Beg joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about what it's like to be a millennial journalist in India and a Muslim in Modi's India. 

Kashmir has been misrepresented by Bollywood for a long time. Lush green hills, shikara rides, Dal lake and fetishization of ordinary Kashmiris are the imageries you find in a Bollywood movie. Ashvin is one of the only directors who have tried to give a human side to the conflict and narrated the story of Kashmiris like never before. After two successful documentaries and a decade long experience in Kashmir,  Ashvin makes a coming-of-age film about friendship, hope and peace told through the innocent eyes of Noor-a British Kashmiri teenager.  

India's youngest Oscar-nominated director, Ashvin Kumar joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty to talk about his new film 'No Fathers in Kashmir' ahead of its global release on January 24. 

Is liberalism a western idea or does have its root in India?

Can you be a liberal and patriot at the same time?

How will the nationalist rhetoric with a claim to challenge the pernicious effects of neoliberalism affect the Indian polity in the long run?

Liberalism is central to public and political debate at this moment and it is more challenged in India today than in any other democracy in the world. While the hate crimes and violence on minorities have increased over the years, freedom of free speech and expression are at stake and there is rampant misuse of public institutions- it is time we take a step back and understand the values of liberalism that Gandhi taught us. Veteran journalist and author, Sagarika Ghose joins Ratnadeep Chakraborty for the first episode of 'Line Of Truth'.

Edited by: C Prateek Singh Chauhan