JRD Tata to Vijay Mallya: The Story of India's Airlines Business
In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to senior aviation journalist Ashwini Phadnis and former Senior Deputy Editor at Business Line (aka The Hindu Business Line) about the long and chequered history of India’s civil aviation sector—from the post-Independence days of Air India under JRD Tata to the airline’s recent crash under Tata Group ownership. They trace how government policy, corporate decision-making, and regulatory uncertainty shaped the rise and fall of airlines like Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Air Deccan and Air Sahara. Ashwini draws on decades of reporting to unpack the behind-the-scenes politics, failed mergers, and missed opportunities that brought down some of India’s best-loved carriers. He also reflects on what made Indigo a standout success—and what Air India must fix if it is to rebuild trust. Tune in for insights into Indian aviation, past and present.
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Why India's Employment Puzzle Resists Solutions with Amit Basole
In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Amit Basole, Professor of Economics and Head, Centre for Sustainable Employment and the lead author of the State of Working India report. They talk about why India’s unemployment challenge remains unresolved, why fixing the employment crisis goes beyond grand economic reforms, touching on issues like local governance, municipal underfunding, and the lack of coordination between ministries and levels of government. They also delve into what India’s demographic trends imply for the future, and whether the country risks “growing old before growing rich.” Tune in for insights into one of India's most urgent and complex economic problems.For more of our coverage check outthecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
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The Hidden Costs of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement with Abhijit Das
In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Abhijit Das about what’s at stake for India in its free trade agreement (FTA) with developed economies like the UK. Why do countries push for non-trade clauses such as labour, environment, and gender standards in trade deals? How do intellectual property (IPR) obligations affect India’s ability to innovate? Drawing on his deep experience in global trade negotiations, Professor Das explains how developed countries often mask protectionist aims behind values-based clauses, how stringent standards can become new barriers to exports, and why India must be cautious about TRIPS-plus commitments. They also discuss how much FTAs actually contribute to export growth, and why domestic reforms—like cutting red tape and improving logistics—matter more for India's trade ambitions. Tune in for insights on how the fine print of FTAs can shape India’s economic future.For more of our coverage check outthecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
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Do Wealthy Indians Pay Enough Tax with Ram Singh
In this episode, journalist Puja Mehra speaks to economist and Director of the Delhi School of Economics, Ram Singh about why India's income tax base remains so narrow. Why do the richest Indians pay a smaller share of their income in taxes than the middle class? Drawing on his research, Ram Singh explains how India's tax system unintentionally favours the wealthy, and why income reporting becomes less honest as wealth increases. They talk about changes in compliance between 2014 and 2019, the role of GST, digital trails, and behavioural nudges like faster refunds in improving tax honesty. Should India introduce a wealth tax to plug the gap? Is the current tax structure fair? And what policy tweaks could make India’s tax regime more equitable without causing unintended harm? Tune in for insights on the disparity, psychology, and economics of taxation in India.For more of our coverage check outthecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
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The Sovereign Push Fueling India’s AI Aspirations with Payal Malik
In this episode, journalist Puja Mehra speaks to economist and competition law expert Payal Malik about India’s push to become an AI powerhouse. While India has advantages in data and digital talent, Malik argues that inadequate computing infrastructure, limited R&D spending, and over-reliance on big tech threaten to stall its progress.They discuss how initiatives like AIRAWAT aim to build indigenous capacity, but without strong competition policy and sustained investment in innovation, India risks repeating past mistakes—ceding control of critical digital infrastructure to global giants. With countries like China far ahead in AI funding, Malik warns that unless India builds open, contestable markets and ramps up support for startups, its AI ambitions may remain just that—ambitions.Tune in for analysis of the political economy shaping India’s AI future.For more of our coverage check outthecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube
Join journalist Puja Mehra as she breaks down one story to give you all the context you need to understand how it fits into the larger picture of India's economy.
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