Seema Says

Bill to End MGNREGA, 14 Years Jail for Ex ISI Chief, Sinking Rupee

In this episode, The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti talks about the new Bills introduced in parliament just before its close, the context behind the 14-year sentence to former ISI chief Faiz Hameed in Pakistan, what it means for the rupee to hit low after low, and the Netflix vs Paramount bidding on Warner Bros. Seema’s recommendations: 1. A terrifying (and terrific) read on a nuclear device put in the Himalayas by the CIA and the Indians to spy on China, that has gone missing. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2... 2. The book, ‘Slow Poison’ by Mahmood Mamdani, on issues around Idi Amin and his successor Museveni – on identity and colonialism in Africa. [Mamdani had to leave Uganda when Amin ordered Asians out in 1973.] Jahnavi’s recommendations: 1. Sukanya Shantha’s series on the NIA: https://thewire.in/tagspecial/The-For... 2. ⁠The new Knives Out film, Wake Up Dead Man: https://www.netflix.com/title/81458424

What Indigo Fiasco, SC Comment on BLOs and Putin’s Visit Have in Common

The Wire’s Editor Seema Chishti breaks down some of the big recent headlines - why we should be concerned about monopolies like Indigo, the importance of Karnataka’s hate speech Bill and what FIFA giving a ‘peace prize’ to Donald Trump says about the world. 
Seema’s recommendation:
It is the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’. But is Vivaldi Still the Soundtrack of the Seasons? A conversation With Dr Hannah French. 
https://podcasts.apple.com/dz/podcast/is-vivaldi-still-the-soundtrack-of-the-seasons/id708371900?i=1000737783585&l=fr-FR
A may-wish-to read:
Viral Acharya’s paper on monopoly capitalism in India and its ill effects https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BPEA_Spring2023_EM-Panel_Acharya_unembargoed_updated.pdf
Jahnavi’s recommendation: 
Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/451608/enter-ghost-by-hammad-isabella/9781529919998

Getting Ready for Putin, Why Stats Being C-Grade Matters, No Snooping on Phones & MF Husain is GOAT

Minal Saeed Khan asks and Seema speaks about the Indian dilemmas around Russian President Putin’s visit to New Delhi, why the government should not be snooping on your phone. Also why Indian stats being designated C-grade by the IMF matters to ordinary Indians + the picture painted by the fact that one of the world’s finest artists, MF Husain’s museum has opened in Qatar.

The Mamdani-Trump Bromance and Lessons it Has for India

The Wire's Editor Seema Chishti talks about the Zohran Mamdani-Donald Trump meeting in the White House Oval Office, the four labour codes recently notified by the Union government and the questions they raise, and why independent filmmakers had to resort to a public plea regarding showings at multiplexes and film distribution.
Seema's recommendations:
1.⁠ ⁠A review of the just-retired Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai’s tenure by Gautam Bhatia
2.⁠ ⁠Two exhibitions: Aban Raza and film posters
Jahnavi's recommendation: Now You See Me: Now You Don't

Sheikh Hasina Verdict, Bihar Results and Indian Football

The Wire's Editor Seema Chishti takes on this week's big news in a new episode of Seema Says: a Bangladesh tribunal has given former PM Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal the death sentence for 'crimes against humanity' during last year's protests; the NDA has swept Bihar; and India's football management is in chaos, with matches on hold.
Seema's recommendations:
A review of Heaven Lake, written by Vikram Seth on travelling in China by Jeremiah Jenne - done as part of vintage reviews on China Books Review.
Bodkin, on Netflix – A drama set in Ireland – a journalist, researcher and a podcaster in search of a real-crime story for a podcast
Jahnavi's recommendation: An easy, quick and fudgy brownie recipe for the winter, from none other than Katherine Hepburn
Around 3:20, Seema has said 2006 instead of 2008. The error is regretted