Best Murugan Podcasts (2026)

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Thiruparankundaram Murugan Temple Karthigai Deepam Row: What is behind the dispute? 50:29

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2d ago50:29

50:29

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is one of the six abodes of Tamil god Murugan. Set in Madurai, the ancient capital of Pandyas, it has found reference in Sangam literature and subsequent literary works. The temple is now in news over the lighting of the Karthigai deepam at the hills. While one section claim that the Deepam is traditionally lit at t…

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845: Decoding the Role of Biophysical Signals in Health and Disease - Dr. Nirosha Murugan 42:58

14d ago42:58

42:58

Dr. Nirosha J. Murugan is a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Tissue Biophysics as well as Distinguished Research Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research focuses on how our bodies, cells, and tissues communicate with each other from the molecular scale all the way up to our organ…

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Indore deaths: What ails the water supply systems in India 24:12

15m ago24:12

24:12

At least eight people have died, hundreds were hospitalised and thousands more were affected after consuming contaminated water in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in a tragedy that has rocked the nation and also severely dented the image of Indore as a clean city. The case has now gone to court, and while the government claims the situation is under contro…

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Nikko Kennedy: Circadian Pregnancy & Birth 1:15:56

6h ago1:15:56

1:15:56

Nikko Kennedy is a practicing doula and Director of Research at the Institute of Applied Quantum Biology. She also writes a popular Substack under the name, ‘Brighter Days, Darker Nights’, where she shares invaluable information on circadian rhythms, pregnancy issues and homebirthing. Nikko has been at the forefront of a movement investigating the …

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Insurance Bill 2025: What’s in it for policyholders? 31:37

26m ago31:37

31:37

The Parliament has passed the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025. It is being touted as a game changer, especially with the move to allow 100% FDI in insurance companies. The government also says that the act strengthens the Insurance Regulatory Authority of India (IRDAI), and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (L…

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In Focus-Parley | Is the 10-minute delivery model necessary? 35:13

16h ago35:13

35:13

On December 31, more than a lakh gig and platform workers held a strike. In a memorandum to Union Labour Mansukh Mandaviya, their unions demanded that the that the 10 to 20-minute service delivery system should be immediately withdrawn to prioritise worker safety. The Union government sees the four Labour Codes, which was implemented recently, as a…

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How is AI redefining the case for personality rights legislation in India 39:08

19m ago39:08

39:08

India does not have a codified law that recognises or regulates personality rights, particularly concerning artificial intelligence (AI). In 2025 alone, several Indian celebrities have moved court to protect their personality rights including Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jr. NTR among others. The cases are over the personalities' right to c…

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From aviation to digital markets: why tighter regulation is needed to curb duopolies 47:22

19h ago47:22

47:22

The recent disruption India’s aviation sector due to IndiGo's crew shortage has thrown up questions about the concentration of powers in the hands of a few in the market across sectors. India’s domestic aviation market is heavily concentrated. IndiGo and Air India together control close to 90 per cent of passenger traffic. Passengers were left with…

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846: Studying the Genetics and Mechanisms of Specialized Proteins in the Brain that Regulate Neurotransmission 58:59

7d ago58:59

58:59

Dr. Randy Blakely is a Professor of Biomedical Science at Florida Atlantic University and Executive Director of the Florida Atlantic University Brain Institute. Randy is examining how neurons control neurotransmitter signaling, as well as how medicinal drugs and drugs of abuse impact neurotransmitters. He is interested in how normal neurotransmitte…

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Indian tennis in 2026: Bengaluru Open and beyond 25:12

8d ago25:12

25:12

The Bengaluru Open is the most prestigious event on the tennis calendar in India. It is an ATP 125 Challenger. Although Challengers are tier 2 in the ATP rung, this is the only ATP 125 level event in India. The other three Challengers – in Chennai, Pune, and New Delhi – are below the ATP 125 level. This year, for a change, Bengaluru Open will see t…

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The Aravalli debate: Is it impossible to protect fragile ecosystems in India? 32:26

4d ago32:26

32:26

The Aravallis are the green lungs of northern India. They are a defensive wall that protects the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains from desertification – from an eastward expansion of the Thar desert. But over the years, commercial exploitation has put this fragile ecosystem under immense strain. On November 20th, the Supreme Court ruled that only Arava…

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Has housing become prohibitively expensive in Indian cities? 32:20

5d ago32:20

32:20

Roti, kapda aur makaan (roti, clothes, and housing) has been a political promise for generations. Now, with housing becoming increasingly expensive, makaan has been taken out of the equation in urban India. In Patna, for instance, buying a 2 BHK (bedroom, hall, kitchen) costs over ₹1 crore. This is the case in other rapidly urbanising cities as wel…

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Beyond Mamdani’s Inauguration: What’s in store for the Democratic party in 2026 41:10

12d ago41:10

41:10

Zohran Mamdani, an avowed socialist, will be sworn in as New York City’s new mayor on January 1. His rise has revived old debates about the future of the U.S. Democratic Party. For most of the last century, the Democratic Party offered a clear promise. If you worked hard, if you were new to the country, if the economy knocked you down, this was you…

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What defined 2025 for India and the world, and what awaits us in 2026 45:05

7d ago45:05

45:05

2025 tested India and the world on multiple fronts. Politics dominated the discourse, global trade shocks rattled economies, climate stress pushed cities to the brink, and public health and trust came under strain. From BJP’s continued dominance and a faltering Opposition, to Trump-era tariff pressures, the war in Gaza that claimed many lives, and …

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India’s SHANTI Bill: Does it pass the smell test on nuclear safety? 52:02

8d ago52:02

52:02

The essence of nuclear governance is safety. That’s not only because any accident can destroy thousands of lives – it’s also because the harm unfolds over time, affecting generations. It can destroy entire regions, as nuclear radiation can make them uninhabitable for a long time. It is thus a matter of common sense that safety has to be a higher pr…

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Ten years on, has the Paris Climate Accord delivered? 45:48

9d ago45:48

45:48

This year marks ten years since the Paris Agreement, the climate pact that redefined global climate action. In 2015, nearly 200 countries signed on to a framework based on nationally determined commitments, balancing ambition with political and economic realities.The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It ha…

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From firefighting to managed decline: why the RBI let the rupee breach 90 15:15

16d ago15:15

15:15

In early December 2025, the Rupee slipped past the ₹90 per dollar mark. While this drop is labelled as 'psychologically significant,' the underlying economic factors hasn't changed much. Yet a specific set of recent events has added fresh momentum, decisively tipping the scales against the currency. The Rupee’s rise or fall depends on two main fact…

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Why do reports of attacks on Christians spike around Christmas in India? 26:51

11d ago26:51

26:51

Every year around Christmas, reports of attacks on Christian worshippers surface from different parts of India. This year, there were numerous reports of various groups disrupting celebrations across several States, including Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and even Kerala. Several church bodies have written to the Central go…

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Can propaganda be great art? 48:26

12d ago48:26

48:26

The age-old question of whether works created with explicit ideological intent can achieve artistic greatness has long divided critics, artists, and audiences. From Leni Riefenstahl’s films glorifying Nazism to the bold, constructivist posters of the Soviet era, history offers uncomfortable affirmations of propaganda transcending its purpose to bec…

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VB-GRAMG Bill: Will it destroy the world’s most successful workfare program? 43:58

19d ago43:58

43:58

The Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-GRAMG) Bill, 2025 has received the President’s assent. This Bill replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which stands repealed. The move has sparked an outcry, from the Opposition and civil society. Critics say this new law will destroy t…

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Explained: Why is India’s NHRC accreditation being downgraded from ‘A’ to ‘B’ 31:49

15d ago31:49

31:49

India’s top human rights body, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), is going to have its accreditation status downgraded -- from ‘A’ to ‘B’. The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is the international body that mediates the relationship between national human rights institutions and the United Nations (UN). In Ma…

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844: Applying Physics and Nanotechnology to Understand Mechanics and Shape in Biological Systems - Dr. Sonia Contera 41:44

21d ago41:44

41:44

Dr. Sonia Contera is an Associate Professor of Biological Physics at the University of Oxford Physics Department, and a Research Fellow of Green Templeton College. She is also the author of the recently released book Nano comes to Life. Sonia is a physicist who is interested in biology and the mechanics of biology across different space and time sc…

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In Focus-Weekend | ‘Sick Nation’: Are you eating your way into metabolic dysfunction? 50:37

22d ago50:37

50:37

Everyone knows someone with diabetes or heart disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It’s impossible to find somebody who doesn’t have at least one victim of these diseases in their family or friends circle. That’s how widespread they’ve become. All these disorders share one thing in common – all are ‘lifestyle diseases’ linked to insulin re…

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How can India navigate the new wave of trade protectionism? 33:15

17d ago33:15

33:15

Data shows that India’s exports increased by over 15 percent in November year-on-year, the country’s fastest growth in three years. India’s total exports (Merchandise and Services combined) for November 2025 is estimated at $ 73.99 billion. This is a growth of 15.52 per cent, compared November 2024. The rise comes at a time when U.S. has imposed st…

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IPL 2026 auction: Why did teams splurge on uncapped players? 29:23

18d ago29:23

29:23

The Indian Premier League 2026 mini-auction delivered record spending and a clear shift in team priorities, as franchises splurged on Indian domestic talent alongside marquee overseas names. While Cameron Green became the costliest overseas buy in IPL history, the night belonged to uncapped players, several of whom attracted multi-crore bids and re…

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In Focus-Parley | Is the Artificial Intelligence boom a bubble? 35:38

19d ago35:38

35:38

Global spending on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to reach $375 billion this year and and $500 billion by 2026, according to the UBS. That raises a fundamental question: is AI’s value being driven by genuine technological progress, or by investor enthusiasm racing ahead of reality? Is the AI boom a bubble? Guests: Bhagwan Chowdhry and An…

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India’s new labour codes explained: Why are trade unions upset? 45:27

20d ago45:27

45:27

On the 21st of November, the government of India has brought in 4 labour codes to reform and replace the 29 existing laws in the country They are Code on Wages, Code on Industrial Relations, Code on Social Security and Code on Occupation Safety, Health and working conditions. The government is touting these labour codes as India’s biggest labour re…

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Does the WHO’s “benchmark” of 1 doctor per 1,000 people actually exist? 30:09

27d ago30:09

30:09

For years, India’s political debates, parliamentary discussions, and health-policy arguments have leaned heavily on a simple figure of one doctor per 1000 people supposedly set by the World Health Organization or WHO But the WHO in a written reply to the Hindu has clarified that it has never actually recommended this ratio. This episode breaks down…

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Why did India get a 'C' grade from IMF? 18:19

22d ago18:19

18:19

In its recent assessment, the International Monetary Fund India’s national accounts statistics, which includes key figures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Value Added (GVA), a grade of ‘C’, the second-lowest grade there is. “National accounts data are available at adequate frequency and timeliness and provide broadly adequate granula…

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843: Breaking Down the Mysteries of Digestion in Animals With Unusual Diets - Dr. Donovan German 38:39

28d ago38:39

38:39

Dr. Donovan German is Associate Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine. Donovan aims to better understand how materials move through the gut, which enzymes are secreted during digestion, what microbes are present, and what role these microbes play. In particular, Dono…

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Russia-Ukraine war: Is the 28-point Trump peace deal dead in the water? 39:13

24d ago39:13

39:13

It will soon be four years since Russia invaded Ukraine. As the conflict drags on, neither side seems ready for a compromise. But President Donald Trump has been pushing for a peace deal. He recently released a 28-point peace plan. It basically asks Ukraine to cede territory it has already lost in exchange for security guarantees. But Ukraine Presi…

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Indigo’s ‘cancel culture’: Is India’s aviation sector jinxed? 44:17

25d ago44:17

44:17

Indigo’s mass cancellations have disrupted the lives of thousands of passengers. This company is not a newbie or a start-up. It is India’s largest airline, with 60% market share. In Financial Year 2024, it returned a profit of ₹8,000 crores. So, finances were not a concern. Yet, it did not invest in preparing for the new Flight Duty Time Limitation…

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In Focus-Parley | Is the falling rupee a cause for alarm? 19:22

26d ago19:22

19:22

Over the last few days, the rupee exchange rate has fallen below ₹90 a dollar and has largely stayed at that level. Now, with Parliament running, a lot of the discourse on this has been political. However, from a policy level, it is critical to understand the economics behind the fall. Why is the rupee falling? Is it falling worse than other curren…

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India vs South Africa: What the Test collapse and ODI fightback reveal 26:18

1M ago26:18

26:18

India’s home season against South Africa has been nothing short of dramatic, from a bruising Test whitewash to a spirited comeback in the ODIs. But beneath the results lies a deeper story about where Indian cricket stands today and where it is headed. In this episode of In Focus, we break down the biggest talking points from the tour. Why is India …

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Is India staring at a superbug threat? 30:00

28d ago30:00

30:00

A recent report released by the World Health Organization, stated something that experts in India have been warning about for years: antimicrobial resistance or AMR in our country the report said, “is a serious and escalating threat, with resistance rates among the highest in the world.” The government is taking this threat seriously: it has now br…

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Delhi’s toxic air: Can it ever be fixed? 43:03

29d ago43:03

43:03

Every winter, India’s capital city turns into a gas chamber. There is a sharp spike in cases of people reporting respiratory complaints. Children’s schooling is disrupted. They can’t go out and play. The elderly can’t take their morning walks. And the state does very little to address what is evidently a public health emergency. Beijing had exactly…

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842: Investigating the Biology and Origins of Small Cell Lung Cancer - Dr. Trudy Oliver 38:56

1M ago38:56

38:56

Dr. Trudy G. Oliver is a Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Cancer Biology as well as a Duke Science and Technology Scholar at Duke University. Trudy's research focuses on small cell lung cancer, a disease known for its remarkable ability to "shape-shift" or undergo cellular plasticity. This adaptability allows cancer cells to change typ…

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In Focus-Weekend | Artillery at Kargil: How India’s guns turned the tide 25:57

30d ago25:57

25:57

From high-altitude warfare, extreme weather and the shock of Pakistan’s surprise occupation of the heights, to the evolution of artillery tactics that changed the course of the conflict, his memoir Artillery’s Thunder: The Untold Kargil Story recounts the lesser-known, ground-level realities of Operation Vijay. In this conversation, he also reflect…

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Digital Gender-Based Violence in India: Why are survivors struggling for justice? 41:49

1M ago41:49

41:49

With the rise in telecom and internet penetration in India, technology-based crimes are on the rise. While financial fraud and digital arrests are the focus of the conversation, a less talked-about issue is that of digital gender-based violence. A new report, titled Experiencing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in India: Survivor Narrat…

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Sanchar Saathi episode: Is India lowering expectations on consent and privacy? 32:24

1M ago32:24

32:24

Earlier this week, the Department of Telecommunications ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. It also told them to ensure that the app’s functionalities are not disabled. It said this would protect users from cyber-fraud and phone theft. But within two days, the government revoked this order. It …

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In Focus-Parley | Do we need to change how cities are governed in India? 34:38

1M ago34:38

34:38

The rise of Zohran Mamdani as the Mayor of New York City in the United States has brought focus to the lack of visibility of similarly elected civic officials in Indian cities. Why do citizens in urban areas of India have no elected official to turn to in times of crisis or to help improve civic infrastructure and amenities? The Brihanmumbai Munici…

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On reasonable accommodations: Why a rights-based approach is needed to make workplaces disability inclusive 23:48

1M ago23:48

23:48

December 3 marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an annual observance established by the United Nations in 1992. The 2025 theme is "fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress". In this episode, we examine India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and the principle of reasonable acc…

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Norris, Piastri, Verstappen: Breaking Down F1’s Thrilling 2025 Title Battle 24:59

1M ago24:59

24:59

The 2025 Formula One season has delivered one of the most thrilling championship battles in over a decade. What looked like a straight McLaren shootout between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took a dramatic turn after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both drivers were disqualified for technical infringements.That stunning twist, combined with Max Ve…

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Enlightenment Isn’t a Weekend Retreat 16:14

1M ago16:14

16:14

**Episode 1 – Enlightenment Isn’t a Weekend Retreat – And That’s Actually Good News** In this inaugural transmission, Murugan dismantles the most seductive lie of modern spirituality: that self-realization requires perfect conditions, endless retreats, or a different life than the one you’re living right now. Of all the knowledge we can pursue, onl…

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Health insurance: Decoding the mismatch between claims filed and settled 31:30

1M ago31:30

31:30

What is going on with health insurance claims? According to recent data from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), the volume of claims filed rose 21.8% in the financial year 2025, but the total amount settled by insurers increased by only 12.88 %. This stark mismatch has spilled over social media – where stories of c…