A Veteran Journalist's Unvarnished Look at Modern India

# Chapters: 00:00 The Politics of City Renaming - From Bombay to Mumbai

06:45 Host Introduction and Background

13:46 The 1990s Turning Point - Hindu Nationalism and City Names

16:55 Personal Stories of Language Policing and Public Response

21:24 Caste in Modern India - The Persistence of Discrimination

26:33 Technology as a Solution - Demonstrating AI for Civic Engagement

32:06 The Changing Nature of Political Discourse

37:10 Civil Society Organizations and Democracy

42:37 Economic Inequality and the Middle-Class Squeeze

47:24 Building Bridges with Technology

52:39 Violence in Indian Society - Challenging the Non-violent Myth

58:29 Social Media, WhatsApp, and the Spread of Misinformation

1:01:22 The Way Forward - Youth Movements and Hope for Change

1:08:11 Closing Remarks

# Pure Intentions, Bold Journalism: A Conversation with Kalpana Sharma In this illuminating episode, veteran journalist Kalpana Sharma brings decades of fearless reporting and sharp cultural insights to The Idea Sandbox. Our conversation cuts through the noise to examine fundamental questions about India's social transformation - questions often buried under the daily churn of headlines and hot takes. Through the lens of pure journalistic integrity, we explore how institutions shape society, how technology might enhance democracy, and what it means to seek truth in an age of polarization. ## Episode Highlights: - The profound implications of city renaming campaigns and their deeper significance beyond administrative changes- A candid examination of persistent social hierarchies in modern India- The role of technology in enhancing democratic transparency and civic engagement- Fresh perspectives on violence, social change, and the power of civil society- The vital importance of independent journalism in maintaining democratic discourse Our conversation reveals how pure intentions in journalism can illuminate society's blind spots and challenge comfortable narratives. Kalpana's insights, drawn from years of ground-level reporting and thoughtful analysis, offer a masterclass in how bold journalism can catalyze social understanding and change. ## Key Insights: "Our politics has become so poison now. And I'm saying now, it's, I mean, it's been poisoned before, but it's reached a point where I honestly don't know whether in my lifetime it's going to turn back because, you know, once you push hatred and othering of full sections of your society as part of political discourse, then to reverse that is very difficult." - Kalpana Sharma. The discussion moves beyond surface-level analysis to examine the structural challenges facing Indian democracy while highlighting paths toward positive change through civic engagement and technological innovation. ## Connect With Us:- Future Guests: https://theideasandbox.com/recent-%26...- Blog: https://thecuriousnobody.substack.com/- Art: https://www.behance.net/theideasandbox- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...- Email: [e-mail] ## Featured Guest:- Kalpana on X: https://x.com/@kalpana1947- Kalpana on NewsLaundry: https://www.newslaundry.com/author/kalpana-sharma-2- Kalpana at UC Berkeley: https://journalism.berkeley.edu/person/kalpana_sharma/ --- The Idea Sandbox explores the intersection of technology, society, and innovation through meaningful conversations with thought leaders and change-makers.