Raise the Question

Anurag Sikder

Raise the question is the quintessential podcast for questioning the relevant and seemingly irrelevant, the pertinent and evidently impertinent, the contemporary and the evergreen. The podcast is hosted by Anurag Sikder and he invites a diverse group of individuals to their discussions. Together, they question each other's observations about history, art, music, cinema, society, business, sports, technology, and anything else that they fancy.

  1. 07/28/2019

    What is more critical: Physical strength or mental strength?

    This one has no description. Just a special guest and the eternal question that goes back and forth: Is physical strength more important or mental strength? Listen in.

    43 min

  2. 07/26/2019

    What is the evolving nature of friendship?

    With time, any and every relationship faces a tough test to prove its strength. Some of them survive while others fade away. That way, some relationships are stronger than others. They withstand the test of time and weariness of continued resolve. Some of them can be accredited to be so because we chose those relationships rather than have them thrust onto us. These relationships are called friendships. A friend is one who impacts our lives and leaves an indelible mark, good or bad. In this episode, the 'Barking Brew Baker' joins the us to discuss his ideas on friendship and the art of maintaining them by learning that just like every thing else, even friendships evolve over time. The form they take may not necessarily be the form that it had when it started out. But they remain the most intriguing relationship of all, because it is the one that we chose to have.

    42 min

  3. 07/06/2019

    Does Bollywood deserve piracy?

    In India, movies were the quintessential escape from reality. They were the transition into a world of disbelief yet they would entertain like no other medium. Now, all that remains of the mainstream version of this young art form in this country is a version that asks its viewers to "leave their brains at home". It feels like a gross insult to the audience. To underestimate one's audience is the beginning of any revolution and that revolution must start with the people. In this episode, we discuss the fall from grace of a world renowned industry and how its interests are represented by less-than-capable artists and its commerce is handled by those who do not have any interest in the artistic value of the creation. Is there a need for a change? If so, who will bring it?

    53 min

  4. 07/04/2019

    What are the top 50 questions that people ask google?

    There have been many skits and television segments that have been written about what people search for on google. Some of the questions are very pertinent, while some others are just down right hilarious. In this episode, we take a look at the 50 most asked questions on google by people around the world. WARNING: Our sense of humor is a bit different. Please be warned!

    54 min

  5. 07/03/2019

    Is the Indian Mens' Cricket Team Overrated?

    Before we start this podcast, let be clear about one thing: we love sports. We love sportspeople and how much they put in on the field. But a very recent incident featuring the popular Indian Mens' cricket team has really raised some very important and uncomfortable questions. These questions have been asked of athletes ever since the inception of professional sports.  It was a sad day watching one of the strongest teams in the world roll over and let the opposition pass them. In this podcast, we get down and dirty analyzing a game where a stronger team seemingly stopped playing hard because they wanted an easier opposition in the future games. Some important questions, some emotional responses and discussing what sportsman spirit is all about.

    46 min

  6. 07/02/2019

    Is Censorship in India Murdering Artistic Value?

    The Indian censorship board's office is located in a posh area of south-central New Delhi. While approaching the office, one is given the impression that there may be serious official who sits around a table and discuss the artist's vision in a film or television production. But in reality, it is an office with 3 people who answer calls and push files. The highest authorities are never seen in the office and they can never be approached to ask for reasons for censorship or worse still, the status of one's application. This lethargy has now permeated to the quality of censorship in the country and very soon, it will be extended to the internet as well. In this podcast, we discuss how censorship in India is like any other government-run enterprise: opaque, slow and too proud for its own good. But what can an artist to but adhere to the demands of this archaic system. Listen in to know how the internet will soon fall under its purview and how it does its own brand of moral policing in India.

    44 min

  7. 07/01/2019

    Is the term 'Work-Life' balance a cruel joke?

    Companies always emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy personal and professional life balance. It is so because otherwise their employees will burnout and won't be able to perform to the best of their ability anymore. By saying so, they absolve themselves of the responsibility to take care and not to overburden their employees with work. Instead, they give motivational lectures and helpful workshops on how their employees can still work round the clock and then spend time with their family. When France banned people from working after 6 PM, the Indian social media erupted with calls for the same in India. But what followed? The simple instruction: Get back in line, because you are just 'another brick in the wall'. In this episode, we discuss the so called work life balance that is proposed for employees and how they, after being in the system long enough, begin to enjoy the non-existence of it but always stress how much they need it.

    54 min

  8. 06/28/2019

    Is faith more powerful than science?

    In an environment of relative safety and security, we can take the time to decipher many happenings according to the principles and tenets of science and technology. But in moments of discomfort and insecurity, it is not uncommon to find the most ardent atheist reciting a prayer or chanting the name of a divine being to give them comfort in that moment.  In this podcast, we discuss whether science is a luxury for the urban landscapes, while faith is the necessity for the rural landscapes. We exchange stories about our personal experiences with the seemingly supernatural, miracles that have a perfectly valid scientific explanation and the notion that if explanation, scientific or otherwise, does not provide comfort, is it an explanation that we really believe.

    45 min
See All (22)

About

Raise the question is the quintessential podcast for questioning the relevant and seemingly irrelevant, the pertinent and evidently impertinent, the contemporary and the evergreen. The podcast is hosted by Anurag Sikder and he invites a diverse group of individuals to their discussions. Together, they question each other's observations about history, art, music, cinema, society, business, sports, technology, and anything else that they fancy.

Information

  • Creator
    Anurag Sikder
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Anurag Sikder
  • Show Website
    Raise the Question