On the Contrary by IDR

We live in an era of infinite scrolls, curated feeds, and algorithms, with each click designed to keep us hooked just a little longer. But the promise of technology has too often become a race for metrics and growth, moving further away from its original purpose: connecting people. In this episode, we’re speaking to Grace Clapham and Priya Goswami, two people embedded in the worlds of tech a...

Activism can often feel like a race against time; the gravity of injustice too urgent to look away from. But what does this constant sense of urgency mean for the well-being of those at the frontlines of responding to these crises? In this week’s episode of On the Contrary by IDR , we speak to two veteran activists from South Africa.   Kumi Naidoo is a human rights and environmental jus...

When we talk about philanthropy, we usually focus on the tangible: what’s being funded, where the money goes, and what results it delivers. But behind every outcome is a relationship—between funders and grantees, between organisations and the people they serve. So what would it take to centre well-being, not just as a perk or an afterthought but as a guiding principle of how philanthro...

What does well-being mean when systems are built on conflict and violence, and who gets to define what healing looks like? This week’s episode of On the Contrary by IDR brings together two guests who have witnessed conflict up close. Paula Moreno, founder of Manos Visibles (Visible Hands), works on racial and territorial justice in Colombia and is the youngest person to hold a cabinet positi...

How does the media function in times of crisis? How do audiences respond to multiple stories of crisis one after another? Is it possible for journalists to cover conflict without causing harm to themselves or others? And what is the emotional cost of journalism in the 21st century? In this episode, Mar Cabra, a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and the co-founder of The Self-In...

In this episode, journalist Namita Bhandare, researcher Sharon Buteau, and author and economist Shrayana Bhattacharya, delve into the data on female labour force participation, revealing the truth about Indian women’s engagement in paid work. Host: Saloni Meghani Produced and edited by: Sneha Philip, Smarinita Shetty, Shreya Adhikari, and Halima Ansari IDR is an online journal that publishes cutti...

In this episode, Gayathri Vasudevan (Chief Impact Officer, Sambhav Foundation and Chairperson, LabourNet Services India), and feminist and queer activist Manak Matiyani discuss how gender norms and masculinities shape women's access to the workforce . Host: Smarinita Shetty Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Shreya Adhikari, and Halima Ansari IDR is an online journal that publ...

In this special episode, we speak with climate activist Disha Ravi, environmental lawyer Mridula Vijairaghavan, and nonprofit leader Stalin Dayanand. Together, they unpack the dynamics of environmental protests — what works, what doesn't, and whether these movements hold the key to shaping climate action in policy rooms . Host: Shreya Adhikari Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora,  Smarinita Shett...

Water conservation is the need of the hour, and it requires both community-led initiatives and increased corporate engagement. In this episode, Shraman Jha, CEO of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, and Padma Shri awardee Uma Shankar Pandey, a jal yoddha or water warrior from Bundelkhand, Uttar Pradesh, discuss how communities and businesses can step up their water conservation efforts.   Host: Saloni...

In this special episode, we travel across India's farming landscape with three experts—Narendranath Damodaran (Pradan), Naseem Shaikh (SSP), and Swapna Sarangi (FES) as they help us envision a more sustainable future for agriculture and farmers in the country. Host: Sneha Philip Produced and edited by: Saloni Meghani, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and Shreya Adhikari IDR is an online journal tha...

Women play a vital role in India's agrarian economy, but are often excluded in policy considerations. In this episode, our two guests Ireena Vittal and Kavitha Kuruganti help us understand the contribution of women in agriculture, while also getting us to imagine what a future without women farmers would look like. Host: Smarinita Shetty Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Sneh...

"Two leaders belonging to different generations, PANI's Bharat Bhushan and Deo Datt Singh, unpack the evolution of farming in the country over the last 7 decades, and discuss what needs to change in light of the current threats of climate change and water scarcity."  Host: Sneha Philip  Produced and edited by: Rachita Vora, Smarinita Shetty, Sneha Philip, and Shreya Adhikari IDR is an online journ...

Groundwater is key to achieving water security for the nation. However, very little is understood of its importance and the need to manage it. In this episode, Mala Subramaniam, CEO at Arghyam, and Himanshu Kulkarni, executive director at ACWADAM, discuss the state of India's groundwater today, what’s happening on the policy side and what’s shifting in practice, in order to address this alarming d...

India’s water challenges are complex, but there are innovative solutions that are being championed by a range of diverse stakeholders—governments, civil society, the private sector, and others. How can they come together to ensure water security for India? In this episode, Ajith Radhakrishnan (World Bank) and Jagdeesh Rao Puppala (FES) deliberate on what it will take to solve India’s water crisis....

On the Contrary by IDR is back with a new season and this time, we’re diving deep into India’s water crisis. Hear from policymakers, practitioners, and business heads as they discuss and debate what it will take to achieve water security in India. For more information, visit: www.idronline.org Donate: https://idronline.org/donate/

In this episode, Archana Soreng, a young climate activist belonging to the Kharia tribe in Odisha, speaks with Bijal Brahmbhatt, director at the nonprofit Mahila Housing Trust. They discuss how the climate crisis is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities across rural and urban India, especially for women and indigenous communities. Exploring the future of climate action, they also talk about why i...

As the climate emergency worsens, can we continue to work the way we do? And if the nature of jobs needs to change, how can we ensure that the most vulnerable communities don’t bear the brunt? Harish Hande, the co-founder of SELCO, argues that moving away from centralised businesses and localising jobs is the way to go. However, Sabina Dewan, the founder and executive director of the JustJobs Netw...

Technology is emerging as a crucial lever for climate action. However, there is also an urgent need to discuss its consequences. Is adopting tech truly the only low carbon answer or just a more profitable one? And who gets to control it? The big tech companies or the communities facing the devastating consequences of climate change on the ground? Jim Fruchterman, Founder and CEO of Tech Matters, a...

Much needs to change in India when it comes to agriculture, especially given the climate crisis and its impact on our food systems. On this episode, Crispino Lobo, co-founder of the Watershed Organisation Trust, and Mark Kahn, co-founder of the agritech-focused venture capital firm, Omnivore, discuss what farmers need most today to help them develop climate resilience. Host : Rachita Vora Produced...

With the increasing focus on climate action in India, all eyes are on the funding landscape to back it up. But where do corporate, individual, and private philanthropy stand when it comes to funding climate solutions? What are their constraints, and given the quantum of funds required, is a collaboration between them a potential solution? Gayatri Divecha, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at...

The climate change story has largely been all doom-and-gloom. As we wake up to the impacts of worsening climate change, it still feels a bit abstract. How does the crisis relate to people’s day to day lives? Is there a role for individuals to play? This week, Navroz Dubash, policy advisor and professor at the Centre for Policy Research, and Sahana Ghosh, science journalist at Mongabay India, look...

India Development Review’s podcast,  On the Contrary by IDR  returns with Season 4, and this time it's focussing on the most serious crisis of our times—climate change. In every episode, two climate experts discuss the interplay between the climate emergency and gender, livelihoods, technology, and more. Tune in every Wednesday, on your favourite podcasting app. For more information, visit:  www.i...

Can investing in government schools result in an improved education system? Or does the answer lie in developing affordable private schools? In this episode, Aditya Natraj, CEO of Piramal Foundation, and Parth Shah, founder-president of the Centre for Civil Society, discuss the pros and cons of government and private schools, and why both systems need to work together to ensure quality education f...

In this episode KK Shailaja, former health minister of Kerala, and Liby Johnson, executive director of Gram Vikas, discuss why disaster preparedness is about more than just building back better. What is needed is a model of development that is inclusive and prioritises the well-being of all citizens. Highlights Socio-economic factors play a huge role in how a particular state or region is affected...

Would philanthropy be more impactful if donors took a trust-based approach? In this episode Reshma Anand, CEO of Hindustan Unilever Foundation, and Anand Sinha, India country adviser at Packard Foundation, discuss the role of trust in philanthropy and why power needs to be shared in order to create a more just and equitable society.  Highlights: Power dynamics in philanthropy are deeply entrenched...