The BL Context

For the first time in many years, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has cleared the environmental release for GM mustard. This is likely to make way for its commercial release in the near future. Back in 2002, BT Cotton was the last GM crop approved for commercial cultivation. What would this mean for India as an agrarian nation and is this a step in the right direction for GM crops in India? MR Subramani, head, of Commodities and Agri Business, The Hindu businessline, explains. listen in! Read the full story here

Delay in capital raising has placed Dhanlaxmi Bank under RBI’s tight monitoring. What led to the move, What would this mean for the bank in the coming months, and will this make the bank an easy acquisition target? Hamsini Karthik, tells us more regarding this increased monitoring of Dhanlaxmi Bank. Listen in.

The demand for returning to the old pension scheme is gaining momentum across several States, and leaders of various political parties are making promises about returning to the old scheme. What is the old pension scheme? Will it be possible to bring it back? Listen in.

The six-airbag norm for passenger cars, which was to be implemented from October 1, has been deferred by a year on account of supply chain issues faced by auto companies. In this backdrop, we look at the evolution of safety norms in the auto industry, the costs involved, and India’s road safety record.

Whether it is a small budget or a big budget movie, whether the actor is a superstar or a newcomer, whether the language is English or regional one, whether the movie is shot in an exotic foreign location or in rural India, one thing that binds all these is the silver screen. Many movie enthusiasts wonder why movies from South India often shine at the box office. But do we have adequate exhibition infrastructure in the country? Let us explore some of these points in this podcast.

2022 is the third consecutive year that La Nina, which has caused unseasonal rainfall in India in 2020 and 2021, is setting in. La Nina is coming at a time when many countries face the risk of recession amid the Ukraine War. This is pushing up costs, which is leading to inflation, as per analysts. MR Subramani, head, Commodities and Agri-Business, The Hindu BusinessLine, explains.

In another move to curb cash flow into Russia, the G7 nations -- Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US -- are working on a mechanism to cap the price of Russian oil. This move would build on the European Union’s sixth sanctions package, which will come into effect on December 5. In the latest episode of the BL Context, Nivedita V talks to Richa Mishra, Chief of News Bureau, Hyderabad and Kolkata, to understand the reasoning behind the price cap, its mechanism and to know how the oil sector could react to the development.

As the sugarcane crushing season nears, the demand for agri workers increases. In Maharashtra, most of them are from the Beed District. When the parents move away for work during the season, which goes on till April, the children stay back. The daughters of these workers are now focusing on one task -- to earn a new identity for their district and for themselves. Why are these girls want to change the identity of their district? Can they successfully help change their families’ economic situation? Deputy editor Rasheshyam Jadhav brings you this special report.

On Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi met Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina and the two leaders talked about various issues, including fast-tracking an free trade agreement. In this podcast, Senior Deputy Editor Amiti Sen talks about the significance of the meeting and why it could potentially help boost India’s trade with its eastern neighbour. Listen in to the latest episode of the BL Context.

The last couple of days has been tough on Bengaluru because of an unprecedented downpour in recent days with life coming to a standstill in India’s Silicon valley. What does flooding mean for India’s IT capital? What are the issues that need to be sorted out both short-term and long-term? BusinessLine’s Bengaluru’s Bureau chief Venkatesha Babu explains!