In this episode, Vincent speaks to Harpreet Dhody, a communication expert with a background in politics, entrepreneurship and education. Dhody is currently at the European University Institute as a Policy Leader Fellow, where he aims to create a blueprint and advocacy paper to build a digital media observatory in India.

They speak about the Indian elections of 2024, the nation’s media dynamics and about how Western media struggle to keep up with the New India and prime minister Narendra Modi.

Meet the guest 

My guest this week is Harpreet Dhody. He is a communication expert with a diverse background in politics, entrepreneurship and education - and he advised the government of Chhattisgarh on effective communication, regarding public welfare schemes and public policy issues. He has an MBA from Oxford, and is currently at the European University Institute as a Policy Leader Fellow, where he aims to create a blueprint and advocacy paper to build a digital media observatory in India. He will be in Florence until July, after that you can keep up with him through his LinkedIn profile. 

Recommendation of the week 

Harpreet Dhody has one crystal clear recommendation: travel, speak, read, translate in such a way that you get to know the real India, with all its diverse regions and languages. Really dive into the vernacular languages and have a deep, intense understanding of India. I can’t expect people to learn Hindu before these elections are done, but I’ve taken a look at some Youtube-channels and translated some of the comments in Hindu - and it was one of the better rabbit holes I’ve gotten myself into, recently! As a more ‘clear’ recommendation, mr. Dhody recommends one Youtube channel, and two books. 

• The Youtube Channel is the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash Clips. Here, she hosts different people, from all layers and societies in India - this is largely in English Indian so it’s a great way to learn more about the country. 
• And if you want to study the old, Oxford-educated India (not my words!) - even though it is a very nuanced version of it - he recommends two books - both written by Rajdeep Sardesai: The Election That Changed India (2014) & How Modi Won India (2019) 

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In each episode of Radio Vinternational, host Vincent Hoffmans dives into one fascinating and hopefully informative international topic with a passionate expert. The mission is to showcase original and interesting perspectives on actual and historic international affairs, and to have fun!