The states, more than the Centre, are going to be the first line of defence against the coronavirus outbreak. But do their budgets allow for it? Do they have the finances for it? In the first segment, Udit Misra, talks about the recent analysis of 17 state budgets done by the India Express and why its findings reveal that things are not going to be easy.  Next, Avishek Dastidar talks about the series of measures taken by the Railways to combat the spread of COVID-19 (12:16). And last, Kaunain Sheriff explains what herd immunity is and the reasons why the UK faced widespread criticism for using it as a method to deal with the coronavirus outbreak (19:06).

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792: The problem with state budgets, measures by the Railways and herd immunity

The headlines this evening, from the Indian Express.

791: The Catch Up: 19 March

With the total number of active Coronavirus cases in India climbing, Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of cases, followed by Kerala, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/) . On the first segment, Vishnu Varma explains why Kerala is leading by example in the way its tackling the spread of Coronavirus. Next, Anil Sasi explains why the government has been seeking call data records of all mobile subscribers and whether the action raises questions about surveillance and privacy. Last, Ritika Chopra details how Indian students abroad have been struggling with travel advisories.

790: Kerala tackles Coronavirus, Government seeks call records, Stranded Indian students

The headlines this evening, from Indian Express.

789: The Catch Up: 18 March

India has been facing criticism over not testing enough for COVID-19 cases. But was exactly is India's testing strategy to combat the disease? In the first segment, Karishma Mehrotra, who recently interviewed officials from ICMR, join us to talk about it. Next, Apurva Vishwanath talks about why Ranjan Gogoi's nomination to the Rajya Sabha puts a shadow on the independence of the judiciary and raises questions about his tenure (10:46). And last, Abantika Ghosh, talks about the new travel restrictions and measures the Indian government taken against the coronavirus (23:14).

788: India's testing strategy for COVID-19, Ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi, new travel restrictions

787: The Catch Up: March 17

The Italian couple in Jaipur, who were administered anti-HIV drugs when they tested positive for COVID-19, have now tested negative. Does this mean we could be on our way to developing a drug that fights COVID-19? Abantika Ghosh who covers health for the Indian Express bureau and has been reporting extensively on the Coronavirus outbreak in India, joins us to explain. Next, Shubhajit Roy details how the SAARC countries are coordinating to fight the Coronavirus outbreak and why their meeting was significant. Last, Apurva Vishwanath details why sweeping powers have been given to a claims tribunal under the new Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damage to Public and Private Property Ordinance. Further reading: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-saarc-neighbours-spell-out-plan-to-fight-coronavirus-satellite-classes-to-closed-borders-6316050/

786: Anti-HIV drugs used on Coronavirus patients, SAARC meeting, UP ordinance

785: The Catch Up: 16 March

Today on the show, we clear our doubts and queries about the coronavirus –  What can older people do to protect themselves? When should you contact a doctor? Do you build immunity against the virus after recovering from it? To answer these questions and more, we spoke to Dr KK Aggarwal, the former National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMF). And later in the episode, Abantika Ghosh explains what it means for the coronavirus outbreak to be termed as a "notified disaster" and talks about other recent measures that the Indian government has takes against the virus.

784: The former IMA president answers our coronavirus questions

783: The Catch Up: 13 March

Yesterday, a 76-year-old man from Karnataka become India’s first casualty due to the coronavirus. In this episode, we look at the measures that the government is taking to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in India.  First Abantika Ghosh, talks about what it means for the WHO to declare the virus as a pandemic and the measures being taken by the Indian government. Next, Anuradha Mascarenhas, explains how the virus affects the body and whether the scientific community is hopeful for a vaccine. And last, Mihir Vasavda, tells us whether major sporting events this year, like IPL and the 2020 Olympics, would be impacted by the outbreak.

782: The impact of the coronavirus pandemic in India and how the government is tackling it

781: The Catch Up: 12 March

When Jyotiraditya Scindia tendered his resignation to the Congress party and made the news public on Tuesday, all political hell broke loose for the Madhya Pradesh government. On today’s episode, Manoj CG and Liz Mathew join us to dissect three angles to this story- what does Scindia stand to gain by joining the BJP, what happens next and what does his exit mean for the Congress.

780: How the Madhya Pradesh political crisis can play out

779: The Catch Up: 11 March

Last week, Iran criticized India on two occasions on the Delhi riots. Shubhajit Roy explains if this criticism marks the souring of relations between India and Iran, why the UN Human Rights chief talked about moving the SC and whether India is indeed losing friends over the Citizenship act and communal violence. Next, Amrita Dutta explains how HS Doreswamy was involved in India’s fight for freedom and why there has been political controversy around this in the Karnataka Assembly. Last, why people have been buying canoes in Kerala.

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