Archana Shukla
Appearances
Global News Podcast
Trump's threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal
I'm in Patna and it's early morning on the banks of river Ganga. About a hundred students, all in the age group of 18 to 25, are giving a mock test. They are preparing for competitive exams in hopes of a good government job. That's the teacher reading out the right answers and students are marking themselves on the multiple choice questionnaire. It's one of the most extraordinary sights.
Global News Podcast
Trump's threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal
Most of them cannot afford private training centres and hence have made this public promenade their classroom. They are desperate. Government exams are their only shot at a stable career and they try year after year. But their dreams are crushed each time by cheating scandals and frauds where question papers are leaked for money.
Global News Podcast
Trump's threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal
25-year-old Akash Kumar, a graduate, works by day and studies for a police recruitment exam by night. But in the last two years, papers were leaked and exams cancelled.
Global News Podcast
Trump's threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal
Competition is fierce. Millions are vying for a few thousand government jobs. Hundreds of miles away, a sleepy village in Uttar Pradesh bears testimony. In a quiet house, Lakshman Pal Singh sits, grieving. His 26-year-old son struggled to find a secure job for years. Last February, he was one of around 5 million who took an exam to fill 60,000 constable posts. But exams were leaked again.
Global News Podcast
Trump's threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal
In 2024 alone, six major exams were compromised and nearly 10 million students left in the lurch. Enraged, the students have been protesting across the country. As pressure mounted, the government, first dismissive of any failure, has promised reforms.
Global News Podcast
Trump's threats to seize Greenland and Panama Canal
India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters in December the overhaul could be slow but sure to minimise irregularities. Back in Patna, these students still keep trying. After all, the dream of a better life is all they have to hold on to.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
Scores of workers are assembling intricate parts for smart watches, Bluetooth speakers and computer circuit boards in the Zetworks manufacturing factory that supplies to large global brands, churning out over 2.5 million pieces monthly, evidence of India's growing tech prowess. This factory in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru manufactures IT hardware.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
And till about five years ago, India was completely reliant on imports for such hardware. But today, factories like these manufacture almost half of it locally. This is one sector where India feels it is aligned perfectly to benefit with Trump as US president and his hard stance on tariff as far as China is concerned.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
Zetworks, like many other Indian electronics manufacturers, is anticipating a surge in global demand. Josh Folger, head of electronic manufacturing at Zetworks, is quite upbeat.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
Workers are testing smartphones in Zetwork's Adar factory in the city of Noida. Factories like these made India a net exporter of mobile handsets, a success India wants to replicate across electronics, electric vehicles, solar panels and even warships. India is still mostly assembling products with parts made in other countries like China.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
Josh Folger says government is now promoting component manufacture.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
But it's not China that India is actually competing with.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
Arpita Mukherjee, a trade economist studying international economic relations, says India needs to review its own protectionism stance.
Global News Podcast
New Orleans attack: death toll rises to 15
It's lunchtime here and the factory shop floor is bustling with workers' chatter. Creating jobs for this growing workforce is crucial as India aims to boost its global manufacturing. Reason why India is already warming up to ease controls and push its might to become the factory to the world.