The Health Worker
The Health Worker brings you stories from India’s frontlines of care, from doctors, public health workers and community organizers who are transforming healthcare in India.
You thought it was Indian? That’s the thing — it might not be!
That’s The Thing is a breezy, curiosity-powered podcast from Radio Azim Premji University that takes a closer look at everyday things we proudly call desi. But are they really? Hosts Jimmy Xavier, Kavya Srinivasan, and Atharva Karandikar dive into surprising backstories, spicy trivia, and oddball records behind familiar Indian objects and ideas.
Expect playful banter, sharp insights, and the occasional song as the trio plays historical detective, sifting through origin stories and modern myths. It’s history without the homework — a weekly dose of wonder for the endlessly curious.
Whether you’re a trivia geek or just nosy about your kitchen shelf, That’s The Thing promises to challenge what you think you know about what’s “Indian.”
CREDITS
Produced by Jimmy Xavier for Radio Azim Premji University
Start from the beginning — listen to all episodes
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From Mannat to Morchals: A Short History of the Indian Fan
In this episode of That’s the Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva chart a journey that starts with fandom — cricket crowds, cinema chants, and the electric energy of being part of something larger — and ends in the quiet hum of history, myth, and technology behind everyday fans. They trace how being a “fan” in India isn’t just about cheering — it’s about comfort, caste, ceremony, and control.
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How the autorickshaw tuk-tukked its way to India
Think the auto rickshaw is purely Indian? Think again! The debut episode of That’s The Thing takes you on a hilarious, high-octane ride through the unexpected global journey of India’s most iconic three-wheeler.
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The garam-garam story of Chai
Is chai really Indian? This episode brews surprising history, trivia, and untold stories behind India’s favourite drink — one cup at a time.
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How Moksha Patam Rolled into Snakes and Ladders
Is Snakes and Ladders just a kids’ game? This episode traces its roots from ancient India to living rooms today — revealing a game of karma, virtue, and the occasional fall from grace.
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From Divine Desire to Bollywood Ballads: The Ghazal Story
What do divine love, poetic form, and heartbreak have in common? The ghazal. In this episode, we trace the lyrical journey of the ghazal — from its roots in Persian poetry to its soulful place in South Asian hearts. Discover how Sufi mystics, Mughal courts, and modern musicians shaped this centuries-old art form. With playful examples and surprising history, we unpack the structure, the symbolism, and why the ghazal still makes us feel all the feels.
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The Flip-Flop Tale of Hawai Chappals
You wear them every day — but where did chappals come from? This episode takes a light-hearted but well-researched journey across time and continents to uncover the 15,000-year history of the slipper. From prehistoric Spain to dynastic China, from ancient Egypt’s leather soles to Japan’s zori and geta, the story of footwear is more global than you’d imagine.
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How the Indian Train Chugged into Our Collective Soul
Trains may seem like just a way to get from Point A to Point B — but in India, they’re so much more. This episode rides through the tracks of history, from colonial steam engines to chai-fuelled friendships and Bollywood farewells. Packed with pop culture, unsung heroes, and a whole lot of nostalgia, it’s a journey through the sound, soul, and stories of the Indian Railways.
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Rooh Afza, With Love (and Ice cubes)
In this episode of That’s the Thing, Jimmy, Kavya, and Atharva trace the story of a drink that’s as familiar as the fridge door you were scolded for leaving open. Rooh Afza — part Unani medicine, part summer memory — has travelled from 1906 Delhi to iftar tables, school holidays, and millions of kitchen shelves across South Asia..
