In this week’s episode of Global Compass, Seema Sirohi, a Washington-based journalist and columnist for The Economic Times, shares her insights on how the international media covered the recent Lok Sabha election results in India. Seema discusses the predominant narratives in the run-up to the elections, including the skepticism about Indian democracy and the negative bias against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Seema highlights how major publications like The New York Times and The Guardian emphasized Modi’s perceived loss of invincibility and the rebuke from Indian voters, while The Wall Street Journal presented a more balanced view, acknowledging the complexity of the electoral outcome and Modi’s substantial support base.
She also delves into the role of social media in shaping public opinion and contrasts the media landscapes of India and the US. As Seema points out, despite the inherent biases and challenges in both countries, the strength and resilience of Indian democracy have been reaffirmed by these election results. This interview gives an international perspective on one of the world’s largest democratic exercises.
Also, Wednesday, 05 June, was World Environment Day and Global Compass spoke to Dr. Raghu Murtugudde, a renowned climate expert, on the impacts of global warming and environmental degradation.
Speaking to us from Sonmarg, he shared his observations and insights on the visible changes in the glaciers there; despite this being his first visit to Sonmarg, Dr. Murtugudde highlighted the stark differences in the glacier’s condition.
Speaking on the broader global context, referencing statements by UN Chief António Guterres and the critical challenge of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, Dr. Murtugudde offered a nuanced perspective on the responsibilities of governments, corporations, and individuals in addressing climate change. He critiqued the alarmist language often used in climate discourse and argued for a more comprehensive understanding of the impacts of various levels of warming.
The conversation changed gears to the political landscape in India, noting the absence of climate issues in recent election debates, despite the severe heatwaves and other climate-related challenges the country faces. Dr. Murtugudde called for a more sustained and inclusive dialogue on environmental issues, integrating them into the political and social fabric of the nation.
He shared his optimism about India’s progress in areas such as early warning systems and disaster management, while also stressing the need for further advancements in renewable energy, efficient technologies, and conservation efforts.
Highlighting the importance of strategic afforestation and the protection of existing forests, Dr Murtugudde reflected on the urgent need to maintain the balance between development and conservation.
