Latest news with #GSampath
The Hindu
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
The Sandal Scandal: Of Birks, Crocs, and Fakes In Focus podcast
There's been a lot of action in the world of footwear fashion – especially legal action involving claims and counter-claims about cheap fakes of expensive originals, and also expensive rip-offs of cheaper originals. First it was the crocs, the uniquely shaped perforated sandals. The American company which makes them, Crocs Inc., is pursuing legal action against several Indian companies, including the likes of Bata and Liberty, for copying their visual design and 'passing off' their product as crocs. Then we have the case of Italian luxury fashion brand Prada, which has been facing heat in India after it showcased men's 'Toe-ring Sandals' that looked a lot like Kolhapuri chappals. And now we have the German sandal brand Birkenstock getting court approval to inspect factories in India and seize counterfeit Birkenstock sandals. Are these three cases comparable? How exactly does the copyright regime work in the fashion world? And why are Indians crazy for Birkenstocks? In Part 1, we look at the legal battles. In Part 2, we explore how footwear became a cultural and fashion phenomenon. Host: G Sampath Guests: Shantanu Sood, a lawyer who specialises in intellectual property-related issues, and Rosella Stephen, editor of The Hindu's Sunday Magazine. Produced and edited by Jude Francis Weston
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
What was the rationale for the fuel ban on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) in Delhi
From July 1st onwards, Delhi started enforcing a fuel ban on End-of-Life Vehicles or ELVs. In Delhi, this means diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. This enforcement drive followed an order from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) stipulating no fuel for ELVs from July 1. But now, following a public outcry, the Delhi government has written to CAQM asking for this fuel ban to be put on hold 'with immediate effect'. The reasons it has cited include 'critical operational and infrastructural challenges' and 'public discontent and outcry'. While the enforcement drive raising a public outcry is understandable, it cannot be denied that Delhi's air quality has become a year-round emergency which needs counter-measures. How was this decision to ban 10-year-old diesel cars and 15-year-old petrol cars arrived at? Is this a practical policy in a poor country like India where for many, their vehicle is linked to their livelihood? Are there better ways to weed out polluting vehicles? What about retro-fitting older vehicles to make them less polluting? Guest: Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi. Host: G Sampath, Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Produced and Edited by: Jude Francis Weston Camera & Post-Production Assistance: Manushree Swami
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Does the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar risk mass disenfranchisement?
The Election Commission of India is going to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Bihar is due to hold Assembly elections before November22, which is when the term of the current assembly ends. This revision exercise requires all voters who were enrolled after 2003, to provide proof of their and their parents' citizenship, in order to get their names on the electoral rolls. This elaborate exercise is supposed to be completed in two to three months. It has raised many questions, and fears of mass disenfranchisement, and backdoor implementation of the controversial National Register of Citizens or NRC. When does the EC normally conduct an SIR? What was the reason for initiating it now, just before State elections? Are the fears of disenfranchisement justified? Guest: M.G. Devasahayam, a former IAS officer, who is also Co-ordinator, Citizen's Commission on Elections. Host: G Sampath. Social Affairs Editor, The Hindu Edited by Jude Francis Weston
The Hindu
02-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Is Manipur ready for a ‘popular government' yet?
Manipur has been under President's rule since February 13, 2025. But this week, a group of 10 MLAs met the Governor and informed him that they would like to form a 'popular government' with the support of a total of 44 MLAs. The Manipur Assembly has a strength of 60. At the same time, the state is again in turmoil over an incident in Gwaltabi village where security forces allegedly asked for the state's name on a bus to be covered up. Angry protesters locked up central government offices, including the office of the Election Commission, and defaced government signboards as part of a state-wide agitation. What is behind the latest episode of civil unrest? What has been the impact of the President's Rule so far? And what are the chances of a 'popular' government being formed in the current scenario? Host: G Sampath Guest: Abhinay Lakshman from The Hindu's Delhi Bureau. Edited by Jude Francis Weston For more episodes of In Focus:
