#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: theideasandboxpodcast@gmail.com

## 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/

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The Idea Sandbox explores the intersection of technology, society, and innovation through meaningful conversations with thought leaders and change-makers.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) The Politics of City Renaming - From Bombay to Mumbai
(00:06:45) Host Introduction and Background
(00:13:46) The 1990s Turning Point - Hindu Nationalism and City Names
(00:16:55) Personal Stories of Language Policing and Public Response
(00:21:24) Caste in Modern India - The Persistence of Discrimination
(00:26:33) Technology as a Solution - Demonstrating AI for Civic Engagement
(00:32:06) The Changing Nature of Political Discourse
(00:37:10) Civil Society Organizations and Democracy
(00:42:37) Economic Inequality and the Middle-Class Squeeze
(00:47:24) Building Bridges with Technology
(00:52:39) Violence in Indian Society - Challenging the Non-violent Myth
(00:58:29) Social Media, WhatsApp, and the Spread of Misinformation
(01:01:22) The Way Forward - Youth Movements and Hope for Change
(01:08:11) Closing Remarks