- 27 minutes ago
This special 5ive Live news bulletin covers major national, political, technological, and environmental developments. The broadcast reports on the Supreme Court reviewing mandatory front-of-package warning labels proposed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat amid industry concerns over regulatory thresholds.
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NewsTranscript
00:00You are entering the India Today studio, presented by L.I.C.
00:35Hello and welcome. I'm Sonal Mayrothra Kapoor. This is 5 Live.
00:40On the program today, three stories that deserve your attention.
00:45We'll start with what's unfolding in Punjab.
00:48Now, we've heard the stories of drug abuse in Punjab for a while now.
00:53But now it's not just about criminality. It is not just about the money trail.
00:58It's about the power politics that is playing in Punjab.
01:02So it's Punjab powder in politics. How exactly is it unfolding?
01:07And what you need to know, keeping in mind that elections are due over there.
01:10We'll get you the full 360 story on that.
01:13And then we move on to the other big story that impacts one and all.
01:17We are looking at the front of packet labels.
01:23Should it now reveal very clearly what it already has?
01:28Remember, the story is not about changing what's inside the packet.
01:32It's just about revealing it in big, bold words.
01:35The verdict now sits with the Supreme Court.
01:38Will you, starting next year, get to see high salt, high sugar, high fat,
01:44written in big, bold, hexagon red letters on the packets?
01:50And how exactly will the industry take it?
01:52All of that important story coming up.
01:55I've decoded the entire case for you.
01:58And then the story on everybody's mind.
02:00Well, if you've been fancying the fold coming in from iPhone,
02:04well, it costs just 3 lakh rupees.
02:06It's out there.
02:08You can get it.
02:10But should you get it, we've got a verdict coming up on the programme.
02:14And if you stay till the very end,
02:16I've got a little surprise for you as well.
02:18Enough of the 80s trend.
02:20We've got our own newsroom trend going.
02:22So stay tuned till the end of the bulletin
02:24where we unveil what the India Today studios
02:27back in the 80s would be like.
02:30Even I have not seen those pictures, so it'll be interesting.
02:32But first up, let's take you through all the top headlines at this hour.
02:38Prime Minister Deneen Modi is likely to hold a bilateral meeting
02:41with Chinese President Xi Jinping
02:43on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi
02:46on the 12th of September, if confirmed,
02:48which it seems like at the moment
02:50it would be the first face-to-face bilateral talks
02:52between the two leaders since Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
02:56Xi Jinping will arrive in Delhi on Saturday
02:59for the 18th BRICS leader summit.
03:04With critics now questioning what India has actually gained
03:08from the BRICS meeting,
03:09the BJP Vice President Ram Madhav has hit back
03:12at the doubters in Nesiyahs, defending the Modi government.
03:15He says that Prime Minister rightly calls the opposition
03:20Naras Fufa and asked why nobody questioned the benefits
03:24when the UPA hosted BRICS summit.
03:27A political storm has erupted in Punjab
03:29after the family of the diseased Gulzar alleged
03:32that his body was cremated without their consent.
03:35The family claims that discrimination was carried out forcibly
03:39after Gulzar had taken on the Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Chima.
03:42Congress has now demanded the minister's immediate arrest,
03:46turning the case into a major political confrontation.
03:51TVK and its allies have now unveiled a new identity in Tamil Nadu,
03:55the Secular Social Justice Victory Alliance.
03:59The alliance has welcomed the new name,
04:01but the left parties are notably absent from the naming ceremony.
04:05The BJP has meanwhile mocked the alliance,
04:07questioning its secular credentials over the presence of IUM.
04:12Meanwhile, the enforcement directorate carried out searches
04:16at 18 locations across Karnataka and Maharashtra,
04:19linked to Karnataka PWD Minister Satish and his family.
04:23The raids are part of FEMA probe into alleged irregularities
04:27in the state excise department and suspected illegal overseas investments.
04:31The residence of Chikori MP Priyanka Jharkali has also been searched.
04:38Supreme Court has sought a report on the allegations
04:41that a teenage girl was harassed after participating in a CJP protest
04:45following the alleged assault of her father
04:47by pro-Hindu influencer Satantra Bharadwaj.
04:51Satantra Bharadwaj is currently in jail, remember,
04:53over the alleged attack.
04:55The top court made it clear that allegations involving
04:57the harassment of a minor cannot be ignored.
05:02A Delhi court has ordered the framing of money laundering charges
05:05against former railway minister Lalu Prasadyadha,
05:08Vravri Devi, Tejasri Yadav and four others.
05:10The case stems from allegations and also alleged irregularities
05:14in the allotment of two IRCTC hotels during Lalu Prasadyadha's senior
05:19as railway minister.
05:22Donald Trump seems to be keenly following India politics.
05:25He appears to be tying a major economic promise
05:28to the November US midterms.
05:30Donald Trump has proposed a $5,000 dividend for every American adult,
05:34but with a political condition that Republicans must retain control
05:38of both House of Representatives and the Senate.
05:41The promise comes must before, just about a few months before elections
05:46that could significantly affect Trump's ability to push his agenda.
05:51Meanwhile, Apple has significantly increased the prices
05:54of several iPhone models in India.
05:56The price of iPhone 17 now starts at Rs. 99,900,
05:59up sharply from Rs. 82,900.
06:02The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are also considerably more expensive.
06:08And Apple's new foldable iPhone Duo will cost you only Rs. 3,00,000.
06:15At the price, viewers, some buyers may find it cheaper
06:19to pick up the phone abroad and enjoy a short vacation in Bangkok or Dubai.
06:26Meanwhile, Jaspreet Bumrah has been declared fit
06:29and is set to be available for India's upcoming T20 series
06:34against Afghanistan and the 2020 Sensation Games.
06:37His return is a major boost for India,
06:39with Bumrah now expected to lead Pace Attack,
06:41featuring Ashdeep and Yash Chakur.
06:51Our top story today, the question on Punjab's drug crisis.
06:55A confrontation with Finance Minister Harpal Chima.
06:59And days later, Gulzar Singh was dead.
07:02Now his death has triggered a political storm in Punjab,
07:05with his family now alleging his body was forcibly cremated
07:08and his wife claiming police intimidation.
07:11Rahul Gandhi has demanded Chima's resignation,
07:13while Congress, BJP and Akali Dal
07:15have stepped up attack on Bhagavan's government.
07:18Ahmadi Party government, meanwhile,
07:19has accused the opposition of politicising the death.
07:22But Punjab, heading into elections just next year,
07:25Gulzar's death has turned the state's drug crisis
07:28into a major political flashpoint.
07:30Here's what happened.
07:40A question on Punjab's drug crisis.
07:47A confrontation with Finance Minister Harpal Chima.
07:52And days later, Gulzar Singh was dead.
07:58Over a year after Urtah Punjab put the state's drug crisis
08:02on the national screen,
08:03the issue is back at the centre of a political storm.
08:08The controversy escalated on Thursday
08:11after Gulzar's family alleged
08:13that his body was forcibly cremated.
08:18This, a day after Gulzar's family claimed,
08:21there was an understanding with the government.
08:26The defendants życie
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08:30No, no, this crime is back and forth.
08:37One guy is back and forth.
08:42Also more AIDS and unормalous //
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08:47as well as its sexual acts.
09:09His wife has also alleged intimidation and threats from Punjab police.
09:38What began with Gulzar raising questions over drugs has now turned into a showdown in Punjab
09:45with elections due next year.
09:48Rahul Ghani has demanded Harpal Chima's resignation and questioned why his name does not figure
09:55in the FIR.
09:57A congress delegation met the Punjab governor demanding action against Chima.
10:04What began with F.I.R. was given in that F.I.R. was given the name of Sarpanch.
10:31The BJP II met Gulzar's family.
10:35Valdakali Dal has joined the offensive against the Bhagwanthaman government.
11:02They have arrested four people, they say.
11:05One is absconding.
11:07But the biggest name, the first name that Gulzar took in the ambulance was Harpal Chima.
11:13This police tried to downplay that, tried to save Harpal Chima.
11:33And now the National Commission for Scheduled Casts has stepped in.
11:38The NCSC chairman Kishore Makwana met Gulzar's family today, adding to the scrutiny around the case.
11:48Aam Admi Party, meanwhile, has accused Congress, BJP and Akali Dal of politicizing Gulzar's death.
12:21From Urtah, Punjab.
12:28Punjab's drug crisis has once again become a political flashpoint.
12:32With Kamaljeet Sandhu, Bureau Report, India Today.
12:45And more updates coming in on that story.
12:48The political pod in Punjab seems to be peaking over the drug venice in Punjab.
12:53Now, BJP is set to launch a yatra against drug abuse in Punjab.
12:56They're calling it the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra.
12:59And it is set to begin on the 18th of September.
13:02Yatra will begin from Pathan court and end in Jalandhar, we are told.
13:05And will target Amati Party government and the drug menace in the state.
13:09Now, clearly, if you needed any more evidence that the issue is getting politicized, there you go.
13:15The entire yatra around the matter has now been proposed.
13:19Let's cut across to my colleague, Piyush, joining us for more details on this story.
13:24Piyush, what exactly is the BJP planning?
13:28Who are the leaders who will be leading this yatra?
13:41He seems to be losing that signal with Piyush, but we'll try and connect with him in just a bit.
13:49But the yatra has now been called in.
13:52BJP now giving us details over there that a delegation will also visit the ancestral village of Bhagat Singh to
13:58pay respects.
13:59And the drug abuse charge sheet will be distributed during the yatra as well.
14:03Remember, elections in Punjab are not very far away.
14:06And one of the reasons why the death, this particular death, has led to an entire, you know, politics building
14:14up on the matter, which is important.
14:16But let's see which way this one really goes.
14:28All right, moving on from that, we have not got the spotlight of Satya Niketan and what happened here.
14:33The building collapsed, killed seven people, remember.
14:36But for students living in Satya Niketan, the danger has taken another form.
14:40PG owners have disappeared.
14:43Caretakers are gone.
14:44And students say they are now being left to fend for themselves for things as basic as food, safety, even
14:51basic services.
14:52With demolition drives and crackdown gathering pays, these students are caught in the middle of having paid their rent already,
14:59paid their security already, but getting no service.
15:03Because all the PG owners are now, what they say, underground.
15:07So who is taking responsibility and importantly, who will take care of these students in the interim?
15:13Here's the report.
15:22The building next door collapsed.
15:26Seven lives were lost.
15:30But for students living in Delhi's Satya Niketan area, the nightmare is far from over.
15:41At Girls' PG Hostel days in Satya Niketan, around 22 students are now effectively on their own.
15:51For three days, there has been no proper food, no caretaker, no warden and no answers.
16:02Their meals were already included in the PG package.
16:06But now, they say they are being asked to pay an additional 4,000 rupees for food.
16:13We have 30,000 to 40,000 in deposit.
16:16I have paid this month's rent, which is around 15,000.
16:19And the electricity bill is extra, of course.
16:23And now, we are being asked 4,000 extra for the meal.
16:27That too, for two-time meal, like the lunch and only the dinner.
16:30We are expected that we'll arrange the breakfast and snacks by ourselves.
16:36And the problems don't end with food.
16:40The Wi-Fi has been disconnected.
16:44The caretaker and warden are missing.
16:49The students say the hostel's owners, Sudhanshu and Shubham, are not responding to their calls.
16:58Owner's name is, I guess, Sudhanshu.
17:00We called him, he has switched off his phone.
17:03Other who were in the management, like Yash, his name was Yash.
17:08He's a caretaker.
17:09We also called him, his phone was also switched off.
17:12No answers for them, no responsibility from them.
17:16Warden also ran away yesterday.
17:21And the girls say they now have to lock the hostel gate themselves.
17:35They came to Delhi to study.
17:38Instead, they now find themselves fending for food, safety and basic services.
17:47The collapse next door exposed one danger in Satiniketan.
17:53PG's abandoned overnight amid fear of crackdown.
18:00The big question that we must ask, if the money has been taken, who is taking responsibility?
18:08With Morsumi Singh, Bira Report, India Today.
18:17Moving on to the other big story we are tracking.
18:20Pick up any packet around you.
18:22It could be just a packet of wafers or chips or biscuits or even a cold ring.
18:26The information in there is usually on the back of the pack, you'll see.
18:31Now, that could well be changing.
18:34Because Supreme Court is asking a very simple question.
18:37If the food that we are consuming, packaged food that we consume, is high in sugar, salt or fat,
18:43shouldn't you see it right on the front of the pack?
18:47Well, the court has called this a serious matter of food safety.
18:50And it has also made its concern clear that people's health, especially the health of growing children,
18:55is of extreme importance.
18:58So what happened here?
18:59Let me quickly recap that for you.
19:01The Supreme Court wanted front of packet warning for foods in high sugar, salt and fat.
19:06And it wants all stakeholders to consider the issue in the national interest.
19:09The court will also seek more information before taking the matter forward.
19:13Now, FSSAI already had a proposal on the table.
19:18What they proposed was a red hexagon label on the front of the pack.
19:24If it is high in sugar, it should say high sugar.
19:27If it's high in salt, say high salt.
19:29High in fat, say high fat.
19:32The idea is very simple.
19:33Flag the products that are high in sugar, salt or fat.
19:38But there is a catch here, because FSSAI wants to do this in two phases.
19:44In the first phase, the warning would apply according to them, or they want it to happen at least,
19:48when the food is high in two or more of fat, sugar, salt.
19:54Then in the second phase, they want the warning to be extended to foods,
19:57which is high in any one of them as well.
19:59The limits would be based on the ICMR dietary guidelines, they say.
20:04And there is another demand, more stronger, more visible warning of ultra-processed foods.
20:10The food industry, however, is pushing back, of course.
20:14Remember that this is a $100 billion industry.
20:18The proposed rules could affect a huge market of packaged food market in the country.
20:24The industry says the limits are too strict.
20:27Claims almost 80% of packaged food could end up carrying the warning.
20:33Imagine that.
20:3480% of the food that people consume out of a packet or out of a Tetra pack or a
20:40cola drink
20:40could all fall under these warnings.
20:44We are talking about 80% of products in the industry worth around $100 billion all falling in.
20:52The industry has challenged the proposal in Supreme Court and wants the limits to be reviewed.
20:57Though I want to be clear on this one because there is a lot of confusion online.
21:01This isn't the fight over what the packet should have.
21:06The fight is over whether the front of the pack should just simply reveal what the packet already has.
21:13The Supreme Court will be uploading its detailed order, what they have decided in the next few hours.
21:22The centre, the FSSAI and other stakeholders will have to study it.
21:27And the matter will come up for hearing again on the 28th of September.
21:31But this is one that could change the way India eats.
21:35This is one that could change the priorities that we have put health in the centre.
21:41So the industry and consumers both are watching this case very, very closely.
21:51To talk to us a little bit more about this, I'm joined by the advocate in this case, Rajeev Shankar
21:56Divedi.
21:57He is the petitioner for 3S in our health society.
22:00They are representing FOPL, the case, which is basically front of package labelling.
22:06He has been arguing this case in front of the Supreme Court and joins us now.
22:10Thanks so much for your time, Mr. Divedi.
22:13I want to understand this from you.
22:15And because the industry is not here on the programme to talk about themselves, so my question is on their
22:20behalf.
22:22It's a $100 billion industry.
22:24Like we said, 80% of any kind of packaged food, biscuits, powders, colas, chips, name it, will probably fall
22:33under this category.
22:34They are saying they need more time and they are saying it's very drastic.
22:38What exactly are you telling the Supreme Court and how do you answer that question?
22:43They also say that this, if they were to change formulations or make it healthier, it will increase the cost.
22:50Cost that India might not be prepared to pay.
22:56First of all, Sonal, thank you for having me on this wonderful programme.
23:03You started by saying that it is a $100 billion industry.
23:09The same industry people, when they are working in European setup, American setup,
23:16they are complying with even more strict regime over there.
23:21Even with all those compliances, they are fully executing.
23:27Everything is being done over there.
23:29So there is no problem at all with that, number one, number two.
23:34So far as India is concerned,
23:37in fact, on the last occasion, one argument was made by FSSAI.
23:42Kind of the yardage are being put there.
23:46They may be well for a developed country, but not for a developing like India,
23:51which the court came down very heavily on the FSSAI and by saying that do you want the country forever
23:58to remain developing or underdeveloped?
24:01So we need to strive for the yardage which are at par or even better with what is there in
24:09the developed countries.
24:11What are we asking for in this instant case?
24:14We are not asking to change anything at all.
24:16All we are asking, what are you giving to me?
24:21Show that to me on the front of the packet, number one.
24:25Number two, once you have shown that this package food item contains A, B, C, D item,
24:33you have to give a normative declaration whether it is harmful, beneficial or neutral.
24:43Ideally, we are against any kind of this package food or this kind of food.
24:51So our demand is that whatever is there, it should come with a warning or it should come with a
25:00declaration.
25:01For example, if there is a sodium content, sugar content, saturated fat content.
25:10Now, the current compliance certificate, which has been filed by FSSAI, it's very interesting.
25:16And if we go a bit back about four or five years back, one meeting had taken place in the
25:23year 2021,
25:25in which they were representative of the consumer body, representative of the industry, all were there.
25:30Whatever point which has been put forth by the industry today, that was being put forth on that day also.
25:38Like, what are the major points here?
25:42Yeah, but, you know, Advocate Divedi, let me say this.
25:45I understand that.
25:46I understand that these changes have been long time coming.
25:50This case has been going on for a long time.
25:53Different chiefs of FSSAI have come and gone.
25:55Different committees have been made and dissolved.
25:57And we have not been able to implement front of package labeling.
26:02I get that.
26:03But what do you think is the reason behind that?
26:06Why do you think the industry, are you saying they are never prepared?
26:10They should have seen this coming over the years?
26:13Or are you saying that we've not…
26:15I'm not saying that.
26:16This is the time has come that Supreme Court has to force the industry to make it happen.
26:22See, the thing is that, that this exactly what is the wording of the Supreme Court.
26:27The Supreme Court is saying that either you do it or we will have to do it.
26:30Even today, when the court said that we are going to upload the order, see, what happened today?
26:37Today, the court heard me, the court heard Mr. Chahar for the FSSAI, the court heard Mr. Maninder Singh for
26:45the industry representative.
26:47Court said that I will be passing a detailed order.
26:51It may come today.
26:52It may come tomorrow.
26:52Whenever it comes.
26:53Court said that you people, you go through the order.
26:56You give your input on the order.
26:58And at the last sentence of the court was, to the FSSAI, either you do it or we will have
27:06to do it ourselves.
27:08So, the court warned to the FSSAI, who is a regulatory body, to do their statutory duty.
27:19If the court feels that they are falling short of that, then the court will not hesitate in doing the
27:25needful for the sake of this health and the well-being of the citizen.
27:33We are not asking industry to make any changes.
27:39They just have to show.
27:40And see, the very fact that if the declaration is made, then 80% of the product will fall within
27:48that bracket, that actually vindicates our stand.
27:5380% of your product is such, which should not be palatable.
28:00That exactly is the whole issue.
28:03That's right.
28:04But, you know, Advocate Divedi, I just want to put out, again, like I'm saying, I'm playing the devil's advocate
28:08here because I don't have an industry representative.
28:10We tried to get in touch with them.
28:12We also spoke with FSSAI.
28:13And they're saying since the matter is subjudice, they want to see the order first before appearing, which is fair.
28:17The industry representatives, we tried to speak to a couple of them.
28:20They also refused to come on camera.
28:22So, which is why I am putting a question in all fairness on their behalf to say this, that the
28:27impact of this, the cost impact of this on the industry that employs several people, on an industry that feeds
28:36several people as well, is huge.
28:37They are saying this overnight turn could just put the entire FMCG world into a whole roller coaster.
28:44Is that, are you aware of that?
28:46And have you proposed the committee, have they proposed a way to move forward on this?
28:52See, as it is said that it is subjudice, it is absolutely, it is subjudice, order is yet to be
28:59out.
28:59What shape the order will take?
29:02I will be last person to assume that or give any kind of indication of forecasting that because nobody can.
29:11What the aspect that you are taking that has certain presumptions?
29:15The presumptions are that this will have adverse impact.
29:21This is something which they have said.
29:23If you will see that whenever there is any change of this nature taking place, there is a strong resistance
29:32from the existing set up because they may or may not be in a position.
29:39I mean, for the lack of their willingness to change, I am not going on to that aspect at the
29:46moment.
29:47Let the order come.
29:48And the kind of fear mongering that is being proposed that industry will close down or this will happen, that
29:56will happen.
29:58I personally feel as a citizen that I don't think that heavens is going to fall if you write on
30:06the front of the packet what you are already writing at the back of the packet.
30:11See, it is not something new which is being given.
30:15All these ingredients are already written at the back of the packet.
30:18Again, you just have to put it on the front and you have to add what is the content of
30:26sugar.
30:26If this is above normal level, above the advisable level, that is all.
30:32And also not just added sugar, the overall sugar as well.
30:34And you are right that several countries, several developed nations already have it.
30:39Singapore has it.
30:40A lot of European countries also have it.
30:42Yes, you are right that the sugar component and other components in the same product available in India is different
30:47compared to what it is.
30:49But also the fact is that that is why the price is also different.
30:53The price at which you get these products in India is also different at the same product of how much
30:57price it is available abroad as well.
30:59But like I said, as a mom, let me just, I have to, I have to, okay, quickly last 30
31:04seconds, please.
31:04Let me add one thing.
31:08See, the very fact that I am actually surprised if you are writing the same thing which is in the
31:13back in front and you are just adding the value to it that it is helpful to you, it is
31:21harmful to you.
31:22It is just like a cigarette packet.
31:24The cigarette is harmful to your health.
31:27You just have to write that this packet of this product has a very high level of sugar.
31:34But that's all.
31:35How it is going to impact the industry, how it is going to impact the livelihood of the workers.
31:40Well, let's see how this goes.
31:42For the moment, like you rightly said, we all are waiting with bated breath to see what the Supreme Court
31:47has decided.
31:48It could well define how the way India eats.
31:51It could well define how our health turns out and especially those of our kids as well works out in
31:57the country.
31:58So looking at that order and waiting for it with bated breath.
32:00Thank you so much, Advocate, for joining us with the latest on this one.
32:06Talking about the latest, everybody is talking about, well, not just the Supreme Court order, but the Apple foldable iPhone.
32:13The design, the display, the price, of course, how it actually feels in your hand.
32:18So we thought we'll give you a little bit of a sneak peek.
32:21Apple has thrown its hat into the foldable phone's market and everybody wants to know what the big phone is
32:29all about.
32:29So I'll stop talking.
32:32I'll let you watch.
33:00Almost everything from every different viewing angle is perfectly visible, no problem at all.
33:05But when you fold it, it turns into this 5.4 canvas, which is also very hand friendly.
33:10Now, Apple has made sure that the ecosystem iOS is compatible with a larger screen, which was some of the
33:17concerns that people had showcased earlier.
33:19But it is absolutely fluid.
33:22I have been using it for a couple of minutes.
33:24It has no problems at all.
33:26Now, internal specifications inside.
33:28It is running the same A20 Pro chipset that you have on the Pro series, which, again, gives all of
33:33the power to the AI and the Siri inside of the phone.
33:36Now, camera wise, this has a 48 megapixel fusion camera, which is, again, a good option for people who want
33:43to click photography and want a good camera system on their foldable device.
33:47But there is also an internal camera, which, by the way, is not visible.
33:51As you can see, no punch hole anywhere, and that's the engineering that Apple can be credited with.
33:56And also, the hinge mechanism, the folding mechanism is also very good, no problem at all.
34:01You can get an access to the device, not with Face ID, because, again, finally, Touch ID is making a
34:09comeback on this device.
34:10So, yes, access changes for a lot of people.
34:13But I think the talking point will be the multitasking capabilities you get on this phone,
34:18because multi-window, multiple apps at the same time is something that we have seen in the foldable ecosystem.
34:24Now, it finally comes to Apple.
34:26So, yes, this is a first look at the newly launched iPhone Duo and the pricing.
34:33This is something that the Indian market specifically is going to be a bit wary about
34:38because almost three lakh rupees for a foldable phone like this is something that might not be something that many
34:44Indians would be using.
34:45Even the Pro series is something like starting at 1 lakh 50,000 rupees.
34:50So, I would say, again, not for everyone, for a niche-specific market, but also important to know,
34:56I'm sure that in India, many people would be wanting a foldable iPhone.
35:00So, this is a first look at the newly launched iPhone Duo.
35:03Let me know what do you think about this device and if this is a phone that you would want
35:07to buy.
35:10And, of course, it's got to be the price that's got everybody talking on the internet.
35:14There are enough memes as well.
35:16Soon after that entire speech got over, the classic seller kidney jokes comparing the duo with the Royal Enfields,
35:23Maruti cars, even 90s era 9, you know, Nokia phones were all over the place.
35:28So, we picked up some really juicy ones for you to watch in case you missed it.
35:32A car drives down the highway, then it disappears into a tunnel.
35:37New boss and a historic transition.
35:40Camera follows a mysterious figure before revealing our main character.
35:48No, no, no, no, no.
35:49Not me.
35:51That's your guy.
35:53That's your opener.
35:56Hello and welcome to Apple Park.
35:58I am so thrilled to be here today.
36:01John Turnus officially took over Apple's cockpit this month, but within months of his first keynote,
36:07Indian social media realized one thing.
36:09The executive suite may change, but your bank account is getting cleaned out regardless.
36:16Starting at 1.65 lakh rupees for Pro and touching an eye-watering 3 lakh rupees for the all-new
36:24foldable duo.
36:27The Headlines Act of 2026 was supposed to be the engineering marvel of the folding duo.
36:34Instead, it became an instant micro-economic case study.
36:38Even before Turnus wrapped up, a meme-fest had begun.
36:43Centerpiece of Turnus' stage show was the bendable iPhone duo.
36:48Naturally, the internet treated it as an instant-comedy coalmine.
36:52One user congratulated Apple for bravely inventing the foldable phone in 2026.
36:59Another showed off a budget life hack, tapping two old iPhones together to save 3 lakh rupees.
37:06And for the 90 kids, the high-tech hinge wasn't futuristic at all.
37:10It was just the Nokia 9000 communicator returning in a 3 lakh rupee costume.
37:16For many years, the kidney joke was standard internet hyperbole.
37:20In 2026, social media treats it like an official EMI partner.
37:26Now, the medical arithmetic has spiraled out of control.
37:29Posts flooded X listing organs as a primary payment method,
37:33while meme pages even dragged Cristiano Ronaldo into the fray,
37:37asking how many elite athletes it would take to trade in their biological organs just to clear a 1TB card.
37:46Then came the middle-class opportunity cost audit.
37:49Netizens immediately started running the numbers for the price of an iPhone duo,
37:54you could literally ride out of a showroom on a Royal Enfield Himalayan,
37:58or buy a dependable, functional Maruti car,
38:00that can carry an entire family through peak Delhi traffic.
38:05Financial creators jumped in with SIP compounding calculators,
38:09showing how skipping the purchase makes you an outright crore pati.
38:13But who wants generational wealth, when you can unfold a screen at a cafe?
38:19Shock and awe was also what Apple iPhone buyers felt about the raised prices
38:24of the existing 17, 17e and 16 models.
38:29Social media is also packed with hacks to save costs on the iPhone and at the same time,
38:35enjoy a holiday abroad in the US, Dubai or even Thailand.
38:40Because make no mistake, as popular commentator Gubbar pointed out,
38:44the exorbitant price tag is in a design flaw.
38:48It is the entire feature.
38:49It is the definite of Newflex.
38:51Roast it all you want on X today, compare it to hatchbacks and vintage Nokias,
38:56but by Friday morning, Greek order queues will crash the servers.
39:00John Turnus has set his price, social media has supplied the comedy,
39:04and credit cards across the country are bracing for impact.
39:09Bureau Report, Business Today Television.
39:16Okay, and talking about memes and internet trends, I'm sure you've seen the latest one,
39:21the 80s reimagined.
39:23Well, I'm sure you've had your fill by now.
39:25So I thought, let's give you one more.
39:27We got thinking about what the newsroom in the 80s would look like.
39:34And not just any newsroom, well, our newsroom.
39:37So after lots of prompts and lots of shiftings, presenting to you,
39:42India Today newsroom back in the 80s.
39:45Now, keep your trolling in check on this one.
39:47And honestly, I haven't seen these pictures as well.
39:49So let's see it together.
39:51Let's go back to the Walkman era.
39:54Let's play out the first one.
39:57I'm told this is what the input desk back then would look like.
40:01Oh, wow.
40:03Now, the phones are there, the ones that you actually dial, there are typewriters.
40:08And people are actually not using any WhatsApp messages anymore.
40:12These are places where VCR cassettes, oh, on the side, you see files there where scripts
40:18are actually in pen and paper, a board of rundown actually exists.
40:22And there are VCR cassettes which have to be heard.
40:26And there is no AI clearly sort of giving you transcripts for everything.
40:30So that's the input desk.
40:32Let's move to the next one.
40:33Let's see how output looks like.
40:37Well, you don't know these people, but these are all my colleagues who've been reimagined over there.
40:41That's Hrithanshu sitting over there right in the front.
40:44That's Ashok Prishti as well.
40:46Well, I know them, but this is what, again, back in the 80s, the output desk would be.
40:52So clearly, this is an era, I want you to think about it, where Google did not exist,
40:57where chat GPT was not there.
40:59So journalists had to really rely on their own knowledge and expertise on the subject.
41:03They had to just use their brains to write scripts, to type them as well.
41:07No autocorrect, no spell checks as well.
41:09So that is what output would be like.
41:12Let's move to the other parts of news floor.
41:15What do we have next?
41:17Whoa.
41:18Okay.
41:18So this is a rundown and this is a proper programming anchoring happening in the middle of the newsroom.
41:24And look at that big camera, well, it's a massive one, a heavy one.
41:29I have held a few during my early days.
41:33And honestly, this is an upgrade we are not complaining about.
41:36We possibly shoot a lot of our stuff now on phones.
41:40So imagine that just this size.
41:43And that used to be the size back then.
41:47What about production?
41:48Let's see what production desk would look like.
41:52Well, clearly nobody was using Gemini or doing auto-generated AI stuff.
41:58But yeah, look at those again.
41:59Look at those television monitors where you had to literally watch everything.
42:05And if you miss something, there was no rewind.
42:07It was just how it was going.
42:09And there were, of course, like I said, tapes over there as well.
42:13What do we have more?
42:17Alright.
42:18Oh, there you go.
42:19Well, again, for all of you who don't know, this is Samakya, who's our production head.
42:25He's sitting like the dawn that he is otherwise also in office back in the 80s in a tie, which
42:30he's never found in the newsroom these days.
42:32So that's a good look on Samakya.
42:34We're going to ask him to keep that one.
42:35Let's see the next one.
42:38Well, that is Supriya Prasad, popularly known as SP in the office and in the industry.
42:44He's the news director for both India Today and Aaj Tak.
42:47And he's got a bit of a flex there.
42:49Looks very different.
42:55It's very, very different now.
42:57But look at that telephone.
42:58Look at that TV over there.
42:59And look at the picture of the parliament.
43:01Clearly that picture has changed as well.
43:03Let's move to the next one.
43:06All right, there you go.
43:08We've got the prime time man there.
43:09We've got Rajdeep Sardesai.
43:11He's actually one person who actually was still in the industry back in the 80s, actually seen those days.
43:16But honestly, with this picture, it looks like he's aging well.
43:22The current Rajdeep perhaps has aged even better.
43:25But this one is as it would have been imagined back in the 80s.
43:30Let's see the next one.
43:33Gaurav Sawant.
43:35Okay, nationalism in his heart.
43:37India first there, smile on his face.
43:39A little more health conscious maybe now, Gaurav Sawant.
43:43But back then, Gaurav Sawant would still look like that.
43:46Well, humor me.
43:48Let's see the next one.
43:51Preeti Chaudhary.
43:52All right, that's a nice look on Preeti.
43:54I must say AI is picking up over there.
43:58And she's looking very to the point even back then in the 80s.
44:03I like that.
44:04Let's see the next one.
44:06All right, so that's Maria Shakil.
44:09The new track look over there.
44:12I like how all the anchors have these really big inflated shoulder pads.
44:16And that seems to be quite the look over there.
44:19So which has made a feature here as well.
44:21Let's see the next one.
44:25Akshita, Akshita.
44:26Well, back then, she's currently also seen in a lot of sarees.
44:30Every time she goes down south to report.
44:32So this is a nice one.
44:33This is a nice, you know, look on her.
44:37Again, I'm constantly driven towards those telephones and television screens back then.
44:41So much, so much nostalgia.
44:44Let's see more.
44:48Okay.
44:50Hey, same colour.
44:52Almost dead.
44:53Well, I figured I'm going to feature there, but that's a good one.
44:57I like what AI has done with my specs.
44:59Maybe that's a look to consider the hair really blowing my mind away.
45:06But well, that's that.
45:07That's what the India Today newsroom, all our anchors, all our production people, input,
45:15assignment desk, all of them would look like back in the 80s.
45:19What do you have to say?
45:20I'm sure you're going to love it.
45:21Some of you are going to hate it.
45:22But let us know nonetheless on all the comments that are going to float on social media.
45:28Well, with that, we're going to slip into a very quick break.
45:31A pollution solution coming up on the other side.
45:33Stay tuned for that.
46:01Well, on August 22nd, India Today,
46:04and Delhi government launched one of the biggest fights against pollution.
46:07We are calling it Pollution Cust Solution.
46:09We asked you to send in your ideas for solutions that you can find to Delhi's air.
46:13That continues to plague the capital.
46:15You showed up.
46:16We've got over 1500 entries that are currently being looked into by an expert jury panel.
46:22Well, we are all trying to huddle up, meet regularly to try and understand which way this is going to
46:28go.
46:28So if you don't know about this, let me quickly tell you there is a QR code that's going to
46:32pop on your screen very soon.
46:34All you have to do, if you still have a solution, our lines are open.
46:37You have to just simply scan that code, go to our website and send in your solution.
46:42Our jury is waiting in to see all of those.
46:45But while the search for the solution continues, let's also step back and ask a more basic question.
46:49Why is pollution one of the most pressing problems that we face today?
46:53We took that question to a doctor.
46:55Here's what he said.
46:59Open the window and take a deep breath.
47:02Is that so simple?
47:04I don't think so.
47:06The air we breathe, the quality of air is extremely bad.
47:10The air is full of particulate matter, dust and whatnot.
47:16All these toxic particles we inhale go into our body and create havoc.
47:22A child walking to the school, an elderly sitting in the park, you going to your work, all breathe the
47:29same air.
47:31It is not for a particular person.
47:33It is a problem of the whole population.
47:38You will be surprised that this is not a seasonal or only a lung problem.
47:43Definitely, we breathe in the air, which is toxic, but finally these particles go all across the body.
47:50Your skin, your eyes, your nose, your ears, everything is affected.
47:56We will talk about the larger organs, the lung being the main.
48:00We are seeing so many patients come with lung allergies, asthmas, COPDs and even lung cancers, which may be related
48:08to pollution.
48:10Heart, blood vessels, brain, mental health issues, all these are other things which have been reported with exposure to air
48:18pollution on long term basis.
48:20It is no longer an individual solution which we should look at.
48:24No air purifiers on our own home and thinking we are safe.
48:28Sustainable living is the answer.
48:32All stakeholders need to fight this pandemic.
48:36Remember that this is a public health emergency.
48:40We cannot live like this and we cannot let our next generation breathe the same quality of air.
48:49The patients are increasing in the emergencies, especially in the winter months.
48:54We need to actually take our pick now.
48:58So, till we actually understand that pollution is no longer a seasonal problem, we need to find solutions to this
49:05pollution.
49:06Join hands and let's fight air pollution and give our next generation healthy air to breathe in.
49:13Well, the doctor has said it all.
49:15It is a public health emergency, one that demands action from every stakeholder.
49:19So, keep those ideas coming and if you have a solution, all you have to do is scan in on
49:24that code that we just showed you or go in to our website,
49:26indiatoday.in slash pollutioncastsolution.
49:30We'll see you in the next one.
49:31Stay tuned.
50:00We'll see you in the next one.
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