ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash: Recent Episodes
Asian News International (ANI)
ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.
A few major tech companies are dominating the digital world and have significant influence in politics as well. Big Tech companies control many aspects of our lives, including markets, businesses, and public services. Is it a good idea to allow a few tech giants to monopolize our data?
Where does China stand in the tech race against the USA? Where does India stand in the global tech race, and what are its digital vulnerabilities? And what about modern warfare? How are drones changing the course of war and transforming how battles are fought? what is data privacy—and why is it important?
To answer these questions, the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash features Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence officer, academic, and tech entrepreneur.
He explains how technology is reshaping the battlefield, allowing countries to win wars without even entering the battlefield. He also discusses the role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare and emphasizes the need for India to protect its digital interests.
This is a must-watch podcast for anyone who thinks there’s nothing to hide and doesn’t understand why privacy matters for both individuals and businesses.
00:00 - Introduction
01:16 - Pager Attack in Lebanon
10:24 - China’s Supply Chain Strategy
15:36 - OSI Layers of Encryption
25:58 - Five Eyes' Response to Intel Threats
28:54 - Digital Policies of China & India
35:28 - Data Privacy in India
41:02 - Data Breaches in the USA
42:59 - India Under Surveillance
47:41 - Semiconductor Industry in India
51:19 - China–India Relations
56:16 - U.S. Dollar and SWIFT
59:21 - Why SWIFT Remains Indispensable
1:10:36 - Use of Cyber Technology in Wars
1:13:54 - The Rise of AI Apps
1:15:45 - India’s Position in the Cyber Power Ranking
1:24:36 - Quantum Cryptography
1:28:21 - Snowden Revelations
1:31:49 - Is Your Phone Listening to You?
1:44:48 - Hamas Attack on Israel
1:52:00 - What Should India Do Amid Global Wars?
Social media has greatly transformed the skincare industry. People are constantly searching for the best sunscreen, ways to get rid of acne and pimples, and tips for flawless skin. This obsession with skincare is at an all-time high, especially among the youth.
In the latest episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Delhi-NCR's top dermatologist, Dr. Ankur Sarin, joins to clear up common myths about skincare products and explain the difference between European and Indian beauty products.
Dr Sarin shares a simple three-step routine for healthy skin and discusses the effectiveness of traditional home remedies. He also highlights why teenagers might be experiencing hair loss, pointing to stress, weight issues, and environmental factors as common causes.
Watch this episode to learn more about skincare, hair care, and ways to manage hair loss and baldness.
00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – Most Asked Questions to Dermatologists
02:55 – Male Pattern Baldness
04:50 – Pigmentation
07:50 – When to Use Sunscreen
12:00 – Demand for Fair Skin
13:54 – How to Get Rid of Acne & Pimples
19:20 – What’s Best for Your Skin
21:40 – European vs. Indian Products
25:50 – How to Take Care of Your Skin & Body
30:54 – Male and Female Pattern Baldness Treatment
35:30 – Chemotherapy and Hair Loss
37:55 – 'Ghar Ke Nuskhe' for Skin & Hair Oiling
39:57 – True & False Segment
45:35 – This & That Segment
49:59 – Impact of Social Media on Choosing Skin Care
Avinash Dharmadhikari is a renowned Indian bureaucrat, author, and educator, celebrated for his contributions to public service and youth empowerment. A former IAS officer from Maharashtra, Dharmadhikari resigned from his prestigious post in 1996, choosing to dedicate his career to educating and mentoring the next generation of civil service aspirants and social leaders. Known for his deep commitment to societal transformation, he founded the Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, an institution aimed at nurturing aspiring civil servants through a blend of values-based education and rigorous training. Dharmadhikari is also an accomplished writer, and his works include Aswastha Dashakanchi Diary, a popular Marathi book chronicling his journey and reflections on India's social and administrative challenges.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Avinash Dharmadhikari opens up about the challenging realities of the UPSC exams and shares why he left the civil services to focus on politics and education. Reflecting on his role in Anna Hazare's Anti-Corruption Movement, he discusses his subsequent disillusionment with the Aam Aadmi Party and later with the Shiv Sena. Dharmadhikari also gives his perspective on the current political landscape in Maharashtra, analyzing why the Mahayuti alliance struggled to create a more significant impact in the state in the 2024 General Elections.
In this candid conversation, Avinash Dharmadhikari further explores Vir Savarkar's role in India’s independence movement, and explains Savarkar's vision of Hindutva.
0:00 - Introduction
0:45 - Quitting Civil Services
6:22 - Contesting Elections
9:00 - Anna Hazare's Anti-Corruption Movement
14:30 - Corruption in UPSC Selection Process?
17:03 - Importance of 'Character Building' for UPSC Aspirants
21:40 - Disillusion with Shiv Sena
26:10 - Savarkar's Role in Indian Freedom Struggle
32:49 - Where Does Loyalty of Civil Servants Lie?
35:27 - Mahayuti's Poor Performance in 2024 Lok Sabha Polls
41:43 - Foreign Interference in 2024 General Elections?
44:30 - Indian Youth Disillusioned with Media & Governance?
47:10 - Increasing Tolerance for Corruption Among Politicians
51:13 - Flaws in Indian Democracy?
54:15 - Reservation Protests & Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra
59:00 - Importance of Rural Development Projects
1:00:43 - Rising Trend of Civil Servants Entering Politics
1:03:13 - Dark Side of UPSC Coaching Institutes
Manisha Koirala is a renowned Nepali-Indian actress known for her exceptional talent and versatility in Hindi, Nepali, and South Indian cinema. Born in Kathmandu, she comes from a prominent Nepali political family. Manisha has delivered some powerful performances in iconic films like Bombay, 1942: A Love Story, Dil Se, and Khamoshi: The Musical. Known for her skill in portraying deep and complex characters, she returned to the spotlight with the OTT series Heeramandi, earning significant critical acclaim.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, veteran actress Manisha Koirala opens up about her journey in Bollywood, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from her acclaimed films such as 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi, Dil Se, Bombay, and Heeramandi. She reflects on her experiences within the industry, discussing the ways Bollywood has evolved over the years.
A cancer survivor, Manisha speaks on her advocacy for cancer awareness, emphasizing the importance of timely treatment. She also shares her thoughts on spirituality and the central role of family in her life.
0:00 - Introduction
0:40 - The Cult of '1942: A Love Story'
5:25 - The Story Behind 'Khamoshi'
7:35 - Behind the Scenes of 'Heeramandi'
10:50 - How Bollywood Changed Over the Years
16:18 - The 'Bombay' Controversy
19:27 - The Original 'Dil Se' Plot
24:50 - The Making of 'Heeramandi'
30:00 - Battling with Cancer
37:12 - The Legacy of Koirala Family
45:10 - Navigating Through Bollywood
49:25 - Friendships & Relationships
51:33 - A Director's Actor
53:43 - Political Volatility in Nepal
58:22 - The Massacre of Nepal’s Royal Family
1:00:38 - Role of Spirituality
1:01:41 - Raising Cancer Awareness
1:05:17 - The Importance of Therapy
1:07:00 - Speaking Up on Women's Issues
1:09:38 - Nepal's Human Trafficking Crisis
1:10:50 - Mantra & Goals
1:11:46 - The Importance of Family
Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus!
Edition 4.0 is here and it's all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions.
Joining the chat are:
Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF
Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst
Anand Ranganathan, author and scientist
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies
This episode dives into some heated topics, including:
The India-Canada spat over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
The rise of Khalistani elements under Trudeau’s watch
Did India send an agent to take out Khalistani separatist Pannun in the USA?
The panel also digs into why exit polls keep missing the mark on voter sentiment and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu's call for more babies—what's behind it? And much more.
Don't miss the witty banter in this episode!
00:00 - Introduction & Message to Viewers
03:14 - Samosa Caucus Returns
08:43 - Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killing
15:40 - Israel-Iran War Escalation
16:45 - Impact of Cancel Culture
19:06 - Canada-India Diplomatic Crisis
27:14 - Canada Harbouring Criminals?
33:42 - U.S. Sheltering 'K-Backer' Pannun
36:54 - Did India Disown Vikas Yadav over 'Kill Pannun' plot?
46:39 - BRICS 2024 & India-China Relations
55:00 - Pakistan's Bid to Join BRICS
1:01:25 - Exit Polls' Flop Show
1:07:34 - Mainstream Media Losing Credibility?
1:15:34 - Ola's Business Model
1:23:38 - Samosa Caucus 5.0 in Goa?
1:25:04 - J&K Assembly Elections 2024
1:31:29 - Stalin Demands 'Tamil Name' for Kids
1:33:39 - Aging Population Issue in South India
1:40:34 - Inter-State Migration
1:50:11 - 'Batenge to Katenge' Row
2:06:14 - Uber's MOU with IAF
2:19:48 - Maharashtra Assembly Polls
2:28:14 - Why Congress Lost Haryana
2:31:34 - 'Flop' Exit Poll
2:32:47 - Favorite OTT Shows
2:38:14 - Luxury Apartments
2:43:52 - Resolutions for 2025
In recent months, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a surge in attacks, with police encountering new strategies from terrorists. Who is fueling this renewed terror, and how can armed forces respond? To answer all these questions, we have former top cop Shesh Paul Vaid, who has witnessed the rise of militancy firsthand and the evolving landscape of J&K. He shares insights from his personal experiences, including surviving an attack, the release of Masood Azhar, and attributing recent violence to Pakistan’s influence.
Shesh Paul Vaid, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has served as one of Jammu and Kashmir's most respected top cops. Known for his dedication and resilience, Vaid led the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) as Director General (DGP) during a critical period marked by heightened militancy and security challenges. His tenure saw numerous counter-insurgency operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. He also worked to strengthen community policing initiatives to foster trust with local communities.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former Jammu and Kashmir top cop Shesh Paul Vaid discusses the recent surge in terror attacks in the region. He shares insights into the terrorists' modus operandi and the strategies they use to incite violence in the Valley. Vaid also reflects on the release of Masood Azhar during his tenure, describing it as an embarrassing moment for the country. Additionally, he recounts a near-death experience when his convoy was ambushed by 17 terrorists, as well as the circumstances surrounding the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits.
00:00 - Introduction
00:45 - IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
08:44 - Masood Azhar's Release
22:20 - Kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed
25:14 - 'First' Wave of Militancy in Kashmir
30:36 - Aftermath of Burhan Wani Killing
39:44 - Public Safety Act
42:44 - Operation All-Out in J&K
44:26 - Hanging of Afzal Guru
51:09 - Hurriyat hypocrisy
57:24 - When 17 Terrorists Attacked SP Vaid
1:04:54 - 'Special' Treatment for Syed Ali Shah Geelani
1:07:07 - Mast Gul's Escape from Charar-e-Sharief Shrine
1:10:32 - J&K Security Situation in the '90s
1:12:18 - Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits
1:22:34 - Contribution & Sacrifices of J&K Police
1:29:26 - Modus Operandi of Recent Terror Attacks in J&K
1:38:05 - J&K Assembly Elections 2024
New Delhi-Ottawa relations have reached an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian government officials and diplomats in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a figure who was designated as a terrorist in India and placed on Canada’s no-fly list.
Both countries have since expelled top envoys and other diplomats as tensions over Nijjar's killing escalate. Trudeau accused India of interfering in Canada’s sovereignty, while India dismissed his claims as baseless and absurd.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Kumar Verma, the recalled Indian High Commissioner to Canada, shares his perspective on Canada’s handling of Sikh extremist elements, which he believes is influenced by vote-bank politics.
Verma also explains why Trudeau has refrained from taking action against Khalistani figures who are wanted in India for serious crimes. He shares personal accounts of the challenges he and his family faced in Canada. Verma stresses that a small group of Khalistani elements has hijacked the narrative and that the majority of Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement.
Watch this episode to understand how the Canadian government addresses Khalistani extremism and why some believe it has given them a free hand.
0:00 - Coming Up
1:12 - Introduction
2:02 - India-Canada Diplomatic Row
8:40 - What Canadians Think of India
12:00 - Nijjar Killing Probe
16:44 - Bishnoi Gang Link to Nijjar Killing
21:07 - Trudeau's Allegations Against New Delhi
23:56 - MEA's Strong Response to Canada
27:00 - Threats & Attacks against Envoy Sanjay Verma
35:34 - Attacks on Diplomats in Western Countries
39:47 - Indian Journalists Accused of Foreign Interference
45:22 - Lawrence Bishnoi
51:00 - Trudeau Harbouring Khalistani Elements
55:33 - 'Fake' Asylum Claims in Canada
59:06 - India: A 'Rogue' Nation?
1:01:30 - Will India-Canada Ties Improve?
1:04:05 - Pakistan-Khalistan Ties?
1:05:05 - What's Next for Envoy Sanjay Verma
Annu Kapoor is an entertainer who has worn many hats—actor, singer, director, producer, radio jockey, and television presenter—earning immense respect and recognition worldwide. He became a household name through iconic television shows like Antakshari and Wheel Smart Srimati.
Known for speaking his mind, Annu Kapoor has appeared in over 100 films and numerous television shows. He has been honoured with two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and two Indian Television Academy Awards.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Annu Kapoor delves into his thoughts on nationalism. He expresses his belief that most Indians do not truly love their country and also opens up on atheism.
Kapoor shares anecdotes about legends from the film industry, including a vivid recount of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar’s wedding, and reflects on a spat with Amitabh Bachchan. He also reveals an intriguing episode from the sets of 7 Khoon Maaf, alleging that Priyanka Chopra refused to kiss him because he wasn’t a 'hero.'
Tune in to this episode as Kapoor shares his flair for 'shayari' and performs a 300-year-old rap in his signature style.
00:00 - Introduction
01:44 - Upcoming projects
04:37 - Early life struggles
16:42 - Patriotism vs. Nationalism
21:37 - Early days in Bollywood
33:10 - Why he avoids watching films & news
34:33 - National Awards
37:05 - Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita
39:19 - True meaning of 'Deshbhakti'
43:59 - Publicity stunts
46:30 - Punctuality & Discipline
49:02 - Why was Wheel Smart Srimati scrapped?
53:40 - Learning discipline from Islam
55:27 - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad teachings
58:52 - Love, religion, and honour killings
1:02:14 - The story of 'Bharat'
1:04:34 - Annu 'Google' Kapoor
1:10:14 - Relationship with parents
1:13:48 - 'Kiss' controversy with Priyanka Chopra
1:20:14 - Shabana Azmi & Javed Akhtar's wedding
1:22:14 - Darr shoot
1:25:14 - Story behind India's independence
1:29:58 - World's 'oldest' rap song
Krishnamurthy Venkata Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021, becoming the youngest to hold this prestigious position.Subramanian's tenure as the Chief Economic Adviser was marked by his contributions to shaping India's economic policies during crucial years, including the Covid-19 pandemic. He is now India's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he continues to represent India on global economic matters.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prof. Subramanian delves into the critical role of wealth creators in driving India’s economic progress, explaining why they are the backbone of a thriving economy. He emphasizes the importance of balancing economic policies to encourage entrepreneurship while also addressing income inequality.Subramanian doesn’t shy away from discussing the systemic challenges facing the country, including the pressing need for judicial reforms to address backlogs that hamper business operations and economic efficiency. He also touches on the impact of India's increasing digital transactions on economic transparency and efficiency. Additionally, he discusses how spirituality and mindfulness can serve as tools for personal growth, especially in the fast-paced world of economics.00:00 - Introduction01:00 - India @100 Book05:41 - India's Projected Economic Growth10:35 - Wealth Creators15:25 - Slow Growth of Small Businesses25:03 - India's Agricultural Policies32:55 - Importance of Economic Reforms41:27 - Signs of a Good Economy47:23 - The Willful Defaulter Phenomenon51:45 - Need for Judicial Reforms1:00:02 - India's Digital Boom1:06:29 - Lessons from Demonetisation1:11:32 - India's Job Market1:18:25 - Responsibility of State Govts. in Job Creation1:21:35 - The Politics of Freebies1:34:22 - Snap Reaction Segment1:45:39 - Remembers His Father & Family1:57:04 - Economic Challenges During the Pandemic2:05:39 - Spirituality & Mindfulness2:08:45 - Importance of Reading
John Chambers is the Chairman of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the former CEO of Cisco. Under his leadership, Cisco became one of the world’s largest and most successful technology companies.
Dr. Mukesh Aghi is the President and CEO of USISPF. He works closely with business and government leaders in both the U.S. and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two nations.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the evolution of India-U.S. relations over the past 15 years. John Chambers expresses strong confidence in India, saying that this decade and century belong to New Delhi. Dr. Mukesh Aghi shares a similar view, noting that the ties between India and the U.S. are on an upward trajectory, unaffected by changes in political leadership.
They also address the recent tensions between India and Canada over the Khalistan issue and its potential impact on businesses and students. Both guests praise Prime Minister Modi for fostering an environment in which entrepreneurship and startups have flourished in the past decade.
00:00 - Introduction
00:44 - India’s Century
03:49 - India: Then vs. Now
04:55 - India-Canada Spat
10:00 - U.S. Presidential Election
12:08 - India vs. China Economy
14:10 - India: A Tough Negotiator
16:54 - The Future of AI
20:15 - U.S.-China Tensions
22:30 - Middle East Conflict
25:00 - Tariffs & Migration in the USA
29:34 - India’s Chip Ambitions
33:34 - Business Prospects in India
37:31 - Indian vs. U.S. Investors
Conrad Sangma is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a leader of the National People's Party (NPP). He began his political career as a campaign manager for his father, P.A. Sangma, a former Cabinet minister. After serving as an MLA and the Opposition Leader, he became the NPP President in 2016. Sangma was first elected Chief Minister in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Conrad Sangma discusses his alliance with the BJP, despite having the numbers to run the government independently. He addresses the beef ban issue, stating that people should not interfere with others' eating habits.
He also talks about the border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya in Mukroh. Further, Meghalaya CM Sangma shares his thoughts on the Uniform Civil Code and its potential impact on the region. He also discusses the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and One Nation, One Election.
He explains Meghalaya's economy and a government lottery scheme designed to increase revenue. Additionally, he highlights the drug problem in the Northeast and how tourism can contribute to economic growth. He also compares the Look East policy, which was upgraded to the Act East policy in 2014 by the Modi government.
00:00 - Introduction
01:25 - Legacy of P.A. Sangma
02:55 - Congress sidelined P.A. Sangma?
08:28 - Formation of NPP
11:12 - BJP-NPP Alliance
15:14 - Beef Ban Row
20:25 - Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute
26:50 - UCC
28:50 - CAA-NRC Impact in NE States
31:17 - One Nation, One Election
33:36 - NPP to Expand in Other States?
35:05 - UPA's Neglect of the NE
40:04 - Bangladesh Crisis: Security Risks for Meghalaya
43:20 - Meghalaya's Economy
47:36 - Government Lottery Scheme
53:38 - Northeast's Drug Problem
1:02:05 - Tourism in Meghalaya
1:10:28 - Manipur Crisis Impact on Meghalaya
1:15:10 - Snap Reaction
1:33:25 - CM 'Cool'
Revant Himatsingka is on a mission to encourage Indians to read food labels. His goal is to educate people about what they're consuming and to protect them from 'misleading' marketing tactics. By challenging FMCG giants, he aims to improve the quality of food products available in India.
Originally from Kolkata, Revant moved to New York to study finance. He later earned an MBA from Wharton and completed a course in nutrition.
In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Revant explains his decision to return to India to raise awareness about the importance of reading food labels before making purchases. He has initiated the campaign 'Label Padhega India' to inform people about the effects of processed and packaged foods on their health.
He also discusses what the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) can do to improve public awareness. Revant's mission is to spark a health revolution in India by revealing how FMCG companies often sell substandard products domestically while providing higher-quality goods in European markets. Additionally, he shares personal anecdotes about the sacrifices he is making in his battle against these large corporations.
00:00 - Introduction
00:52 - Conscious Capitalism Meaning
02:08 - What is FMCG?
08:02 - 'Label Padhega India' Campaign
11:38 - Food Labels
26:20 - Baby Food in India vs. Europe
31:14 - Biscuits vs. Chocolates
41:18 - India: Food 'Dumping Ground'
46:20 - India vs. Singapore: Food Product Regulations
47:57 - What should FSSAI do?
55:13 - How to Read Food Labels
58:28 - Health Literacy in India
1:10:23 - Frozen Dessert vs. Ice Cream
1:14:28 - Choosing Food Products
1:25:02 - Next Goal
It has been one year since Hamas launched a significant attack against Israel, which was one of the deadliest incidents in recent history. Over 1000 were killed, and over 250 people were taken hostage. In response, Israel initiated ground operations in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of casualties and continuing strikes.
Amid this conflict, Israel has opened two new fronts in the war. They have targeted the entire Hezbollah leadership, including its chief, Hassan Nasrallah. This move has provoked a strong reaction from Iran, which launched over 180 missiles toward Israel.
How Israel will respond and whether it will consider attacking Iran’s oil and nuclear facilities. The outcome of these events could significantly alter the landscape of the Middle East.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), former General Officer Commanding of the Army Training Command and an expert in counter-insurgency operations, along with Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence operative, academician, and tech entrepreneur.
They discuss whether the U.S. will support Israel in attacking Iranian facilities and what lessons India can learn from the Israel-Iran conflict. They also delve into Israel's unique Pager Attack and how AI is transforming modern warfare. They also talk about the role of Russia and China in the Middle East.
00:00 - Introduction
02:35 - Israel’s 3-Front War
04:35 - Israel's Pager Attack
11:25 - Killing of Hassan Nasrallah
20:50 - Russia’s Role in the Middle East
30:25 - Persian Civilization
37:32 - China’s Stand on the Israel War
41:42 - China vs. Taiwan
44:39 - Regime Change in Iran
59:17 - India's Role in the Middle East
1:02:50 - How AI is Changing Warfare
1:10:43 - What is AI Assassination
1:20:45 - Weaponization of Social Media
1:26:24 - Private Players in Defence Sector
1:30:44 - Lessons for India
1:40:10 - China Leading in Manufacturing
1:44:54 - Should India Embrace AI?
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are taking place for the first time in a decade, following the abrogation of Article 370. What role will Jammu play—can it be a kingmaker in government formation? How do the people of Jammu feel about the abrogation of Article 370? Is there a possibility for J&K to have a Hindu Chief Minister?
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by two seasoned journalists from Jammu, Manoj Kaul and Arun Joshi, who have extensively covered the region for decades.
They predict an edge for the National Conference (NC), forecasting a hung assembly where government formation is unlikely without the support of Congress or NC. The journalists highlight how Jammu can play a key role as a kingmaker in the upcoming elections.
They discuss the issue of restoring statehood, which remains a major concern for voters. Additionally, the two journalists examine the participation of former Jamaat leaders in these elections and consider the potential success of Engineer Rashid's party in the J&K polls. Watch the episode for an in-depth discussion on the future of Jammu and Kashmir politics.
00:00 - Introduction
00:50 - J&K Polls: Now vs Before
09:11 - Jamaat Factor in J&K Polls
14:54 - Engineer Rashid's Role
24:27 - Jammu Being Neglected
30:13 - Altaf Bukhari & Ghulam Nabi Azad
35:36 - Will BJP Sweep Jammu?
43:40 - Reporting on J&K Polls
48:58 - Reporting on Stone Pelting
52:24 - Jammu vs. Kashmir Development
57:27 - Is Jammu a Kingmaker?
1:02:56 - Impact in Jammu: Modi vs. Rahul
1:09:16 - Dynasties in J&K Politics
1:13:33 - Ethnic Communities in J&K
1:17:48 - Post-Poll Alliances
1:22:15 - Article 370 in Jammu
1:25:55 - Outsiders in J&K Polls
1:30:43 - Jammu Statehood
Rasheed Kidwai is a senior journalist, political analyst, and author known for his insights into Indian politics and the Congress party. He has written extensively about the Indian political system and is the author of notable books like 24 Akbar Road. Kidwai regularly contributes to national media outlets and appears on prime-time debates for various news channels.
Yana Mir is a journalist and political commentator from Jammu and Kashmir, known for her bold views on the abrogation of Article 370 and how it has changed the valley.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, journalists Rasheed Kidwai and Yana Mir discuss the assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir. Kidwai highlights the anti-incumbency and local dissatisfaction with BJP leaders in Haryana. He also discusses the rift between Hooda and Selja and whether it could be a spoiler for the Congress party in the Haryana polls.
Yana Mir talks about the political scene in Kashmir, noting how locals are growing disillusioned with the Abdullah and Mufti dynasties. She discusses the rise of independent candidates in the valley and how Engineer Rashid is attracting voters’ attention.
They also highlight the media's influence in shaping narratives and the importance of these elections for the BJP and its allies in NDA 3.0.
00:00 – Introduction
01:53 – Haryana & J-K Polls
08:57 – Independent Candidates in J&K Polls
12:10 – Crowded J&K Poll Fray
16:53 – NC vs PDP Battle
20:30 – Corruption Issue in Polls
23:22 – The Modi Factor in J&K Polls
29:52 – Will BJP Sweep Jammu?
32:12 – Yana's Tweets Controversy
38:50 – Role of Media in Elections
47:38 – Foreign Diplomats' Visit to J&K
52:00 – People Upset with BJP in J&K?
53:32 – Congress' Prospects in J&K
58:07 – Rahul vs. Modi in Popularity
1:04:58 – Separatists in J&K Polls
1:09:17 – Labeling Media as the Villain
1:12:22 – Hindu-Muslim Issues in Polls
1:14:42 – 'Samvidhan Badal Denge' Row
1:22:52 – Is Media Still Powerful in India?
1:25:52 – Can AAP Spring a Surprise in Haryana?
1:27:52 – The Next CM of Jammu & Kashmir
1:31:43 – Impact of Election Results on NDA 3.0
Ajay Chrungoo is a prominent Kashmiri Pandit and the Chairman of Panun Kashmir, an organization advocating for the rights and rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits. He is known for speaking about the challenges faced by the Pandit community in the 1990s due to the insurgency in the Valley.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajay Chrungoo discusses the demand for a separate homeland, 'Panun Kashmir,' for Kashmiri Pandits in Jammu & Kashmir. He asserts that what happened in 1989-90 was a genocide against Kashmiri Pandits, not just a wave of migration.
He shares his personal story of being attacked by terrorists and fleeing the valley, leaving everything behind. Chrungoo also explains why many Pandits are calling for a boycott of the 2024 J&K Assembly Polls. He holds the BJP, Congress, and National Conference responsible for the attacks against Pandits, accusing them of playing a key role during that time.
(Thumbnail Picture Courtesy: Reuters)
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Kashmir: Then vs. Now
03:42 - What is Panun Kashmir
10:54 - Separate Territory for Pandits Demand
12:42 - What Kashmiri Pandits Want
15:25 - Politics Over Pandits
19:29 - Election 'Boycott' Call
26:00 - Pandits and Political Party
29:51 - Exodus Horror of 1989-1990
35:06 - Pandits Returning After Article 370
37:38 - Land for Panun Kashmir
39:05 - Who Can Help Kashmiri Pandits
43:12 - NC's Role in Pandits' Exodus
49:44 - How Many Pandits Were Killed in 90s
54:54 - Why Pandits Choose NOTA in Voting
Tarun Chugh is a senior BJP leader, currently serving as the party's National General Secretary and in charge of Jammu & Kashmir. He has been strengthening the party's presence in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 30 years. His role in overseeing the BJP's activities in the region has made him an important figure in J&K's political landscape.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tarun Chugh expresses confidence that the BJP will form the government in Jammu & Kashmir without any support from regional parties like the NC or PDP. He sees the rise of independent candidates as a sign of changing times in the region and suggests that the end of militancy has been a turning point in the valley’s journey towards stability and growth.
Chugh also highlights how Prime Minister Modi’s development agenda has reshaped J&K after the abrogation of Article 370. He also talks about the party's commitment to Agniveers and assures that statehood will be restored, as promised by both PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The discussion also covers the challenges faced by Kashmiri Pandits, the return of peace and democracy to the region, and the BJP’s position on important issues like the Darbar Move and the controversial 1987 election rigging.
Mir Junaid is a Kashmiri politician and social activist widely recognized for his strong support of the abrogation of Article 370 and his advocacy for peace and development in Jammu and Kashmir. As the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, Mir Junaid has actively engaged in grassroots politics, with a focus on enhancing stability and fostering economic growth in the region. He is often seen as a strong supporter of India's sovereignty and integration of Jammu and Kashmir, and he has been instrumental in raising awareness about the challenges faced by the people in the valley. He is set to contest the upcoming J&K Assembly elections from the Langate constituency in Kupwara district.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mir Junaid opens up about his decision to support the abrogation of Article 370 and aims the National Conference and People's Democratic Party, the two dominant political forces in Jammu and Kashmir. He accuses them of fueling violence in the region, claiming they exploited the emotions of the Kashmiri people for political gains. He also charges them with colluding with militants, often calling off military operations to protect insurgents, and blames them for the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits during the 1990s. Junaid emphasizes that his party, the Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party, is committed to fighting for the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir.
Junaid also highlights the BJP's recent move to grant reservations to the region's ethnic minorities, fulfilling a longstanding demand. He also adds that this decision prompted his wife, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai's decision to join the BJP. He also recalls the incident when he was attacked by Pakistani nationals at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Firmly opposed to any dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, Junaid argues that a country responsible for decades of bloodshed in the valley should not be welcomed to the negotiating table.
00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Supporting Abrogation of Article 370
05:25 - Exposing PDP & NC
09:44 - Rahul Gandhi's J&K Campaign
11:36 - NC-PDP Supported Militants?
13:30 - Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus
16:40 - Promise of 'Naya' Kashmir
17:59 - Politics of the Abdullahs
20:23 - BJP's Entry in J&K
22:47 - Fight for Statehood
24:23 - Who Will Form Govt. in J&K?
32:31 - Rise of Engineer Rashid
34:58 - ISI's Attack on Mir Junaid in USA
36:23 - Kashmir's Youth Voters
39:12 - Ethnic Minorities in J&K
43:32 - BJP Supporting Independent Candidates?
45:47 - Mir Junaid's Vision for Kashmir
48:12 - Election Promises
55:19 - Dr. Shehnaz Ganai's Move to Join BJP
57:27 - Should India Hold Dialogue with Pakistan?
59:07 - Security Situation in J&K
Raman Bhalla is currently serving as the working president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee. A senior leader in the Jammu region, Raman Bhalla has been elected twice to the J&K Legislative Assembly from the Gandhinagar constituency and has also served as the revenue minister in the J&K government.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Raman Bhalla talks about who has the upper hand in the Jammu region and what has changed since the abrogation of Article 370. He also highlights key differences between the Congress and NC manifestos, NC's stance on Article 370, and the role of the PDP in the INDIA Bloc.
Bhalla alleges that the BJP is backing independent candidates in the Jammu and Kashmir elections. He also discusses the halting of the Darbar Move, a practice of shifting government offices between Jammu and Srinagar, and the impact this decision has had on the region. The conversation also covers security concerns, including the rise of terror attacks in Jammu and the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits.
00:00 - Introduction
00:39 - Political Situation in Jammu South
04:47 - Congress Manifesto Delayed
09:38 - Delimitation
13:34 - Congress vs NC Manifestos
16:35 - Normalcy Post Article 370
17:29 - 'Parivarvaad' in J&K Politics
21:22 - PDP's Role in the INDIA Bloc
23:55 - Independents in J&K Polls
25:47 - Halting of the Darbar Move
28:36 - Pak Interference in J&K
29:41 - Terror Attacks in Jammu Division
30:26 - Kashmiri Pandit Rehabilitation
38:20 - Who Will Win the J&K Polls?
Devender Singh Rana is a prominent BJP leader from Jammu and Kashmir, and the BJP candidate from the Nagrota constituency in the upcoming J&K elections. Formerly a close aide of Omar Abdullah, Rana also served as the Provincial President of the Jammu wing of the National Conference and held several influential roles in public service. But in 2021, he made a strategic shift to the BJP. Since then, he has been instrumental in expanding the BJP's influence in Jammu, especially by addressing long-standing regional disparities. He is an outspoken advocate for Jammu’s political, economic, and cultural aspirations, continuously working to bridge the region’s development gap.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Devender Singh Rana explains his decision to leave the National Conference and join the BJP. He sheds light on Jammu & Kashmir's evolving political landscape and highlights the growing popularity of PM Modi, particularly in Jammu. Rana also talks about the restoration of peace in the region under PM Modi’s leadership. He also refutes NC’s claims that the BJP is backing 'independent' proxies from the Kashmir valley. Additionally, he accuses the NC-Congress alliance of seeking to abolish reservations in Jammu & Kashmir.
In this candid interview, Rana also addresses key issues in J&K, such as the effects of the Governor’s Rule, the rise in terror attacks in the Jammu region, the halt of the winter 'Darbar Move' from Srinagar to Jammu, and efforts to rehabilitate the Kashmiri Pandit community.
0:00 - Introduction
0:49 - Devender Rana Remembers Smita Prakash's Father
3:36 - NC Offered Support To BJP in 2014?
11:41 - Kashmir's Changing Political Landscape
17:11 - BJPs Alleged B-Teams in Kashmir
18:11 - Peace Restored in Kashmir Under PM Modi?
21:09 - Soft-Separatism in 'Naya Kashmir'
22:58 - Internal Dissatisfaction in Jammu BJP
26:21 - Modi Effect in Jammu
29:21 - Ram Madhav's Re-entry in J&K Politics
34:55 - Darbar Move
37:48 - Narrative Shift with Abrogation of Article 370
42:26 - Terror Attacks in Jammu Division
48:07 - Should India Open Talks with Pakistan?
49:31 - Jammu's Marginalization within J&K
55:01 - NC-Congress to Scrap Reservation in J&K?
57:13 - Problems with Governor's Rule
1:01:58 - Outsiders Getting Contracts in J&K?
1:08:34 - Kashmiri Pandits' Rehabilitation
1:11:41 - BJP Fielding Proxies in Kashmir?
1:14:15 - Dynamics in Political Families
1:17:01 - 'Real' Reason Behind Quitting NC
This is a historic election in Jammu and Kashmir, the first assembly polls since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. With more than 40% of the candidates running as independents, could they play the role of spoiler? Will any party secure a full majority? Who holds the real power in Kashmir? What are the prospects for the PDP and NC? And how has the abrogation of Article 370 changed the valley? Most importantly, what do the people of Kashmir want?
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by two seasoned journalists from Kashmir who have covered the valley extensively for decades. Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, a senior journalist, and Rashid Rahil, Editor-in-Chief of Asian Mail.
Ahmed Ali Fayyaz sees an edge for the NC, predicting a hung assembly, and believes government formation is unlikely without Congress or NC's help. Rashid Rahil believes the PDP is gearing up and could perform well. Both journalists also discuss how elections in Kashmir have evolved and how people vote.
They dive into the rigging of the 1987 elections and how it changed the valley forever. The conversation also touches on former Jamaat leaders contesting in these elections and what Engineer Rashid's party might achieve in the polls.
00:00 - Introduction
01:07 - Kashmir’s Political Dynamics
06:45 - NC’s Advantage in J&K Polls?
08:57 - NC-Congress Alliance
14:47 - Gupkar Alliance Collapse
20:52 - Kashmir’s Complex Alliances
26:18 - J&K Past Elections Rewind
37:10 - Farooq's Entry into J&K Politics
41:30 - Ex-Militants in Electoral Process
45:05 - Politics of Power
48:06 - Why is Omar Contesting from 2 Seats?
53:45 - Why is Mehbooba Mufti Not Contesting?
56:42 - From ‘Azadi’ to Democracy
01:04:14 - Pakistan’s Interference in J&K Polls
01:07:06 - Farooq Abdullah’s Legacy
01:08:30 - Why Omar Removed His Skull Cap
01:12:03 - Role of the LG in J&K
01:14:14 - Ram Madhav’s Gameplan
01:16:30 - Impact of Jammu Terror Attacks
01:19:30 - Anti-Modi Sentiment in J&K?
01:24:03 - Will Pandits Return to the Valley
Talat Majid, an independent candidate from Pulwama backed by Jamaat-e-Islami, is emerging as a significant political figure in Jammu and Kashmir. With deep connections to the local community, Majid has been advocating for the people of Pulwama, pushing for solutions to key issues like unemployment, education, and the disenfranchisement of Kashmiri youth. His candidacy reflects Jamaat's continued influence in the region, particularly in its focus on socio-economic progress for the valley.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Talat Majid discusses why Jamaat-e-Islami has shifted its long-standing stance of boycotting elections and is now opting to engage in the electoral process. He points to Engineer Rashid's electoral win as a pivotal moment that influenced Jamaat’s decision and notes that he remains open to forming political alliances in the future.Majid also emphasizes the urgent need for improved education and employment opportunities in Kashmir, stressing that the region's youth are ready to take part in the upcoming elections. In addition, he tackles critical topics like the abrogation of Article 370, explaining the prevailing sentiment around it. He further addresses the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, asserting that only Jamaat-e-Islami can successfully bring Kashmiri Hindus back to the valley.
00:00 - Coming Up 01:16 - Introduction 02:42 - Pulwama Terror Attack 05:24 - Independent Candidates in J&K Elections11:58 - Omar Abdullah vs. Jamaat 17:02 - Election Boycotts in J&K19:40 - Moderates in Jamaat-e-Islami 24:24 - Ban on Jamaat-e-Islami 30:28 - Abrogation of Article 370 31:30 - Political Parties Uneasy with Engineer Rashid? 32:24 - Majid's Vision for Change 34:40 - BJP's Kashmir Narrative38:52 - Majid's Election Promises 44:02 - The 'Azadi' Sentiment 48:43 - Kashmiri Pandits Exodus51:40 - Politics of Fear in Kashmir54:13 - Which Party Will Jamaat-e-Islami Support?
Waheed ur Rehman Para is the PDP's candidate from the Pulwama constituency and currently serves as the Youth Wing President of the PDP. He is considered a close aide of former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Para spent 19 months in jail on allegations of terror links. In 2020, young PDP leader won the DDC elections while being in NIA's custody.
In an episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Para discusses the changes in the valley since the abrogation of Article 370. He mentions that Kashmiri youth are seeking a dignified place in Indian democracy.
Para also addresses PDP's prospects in the J&K polls and the entry of former Jamaat members into the electoral fray. Additionally, he speaks out about the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and the influence of Pakistan in the valley. He also speaks about his jail time and how it has changed his perspective towards politics.
(00:00) Introduction
(00:47) Time in Jail Under UAPA
(03:37) What Changed After 5th Aug 2019
(05:33) Family Ties with Muftis
(09:00) Kashmiri Identity
(14:45) What Kashmiris Want
(17:56) Kashmiri Leaders' Detention
(20:09) Mainstream Politics
(22:59) Article 370 Abrogation
(24:32) Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus
(28:36) Yale University Program
(29:01) Contest in Pulwama
(30:02) Mehbooba Mufti's Plan
(35:55) Gupkar Alliance Collapse
(40:44) Mehbooba vs. Omar
(42:10) Engineer Rashid's Win in LS
(44:22) How 1987 Rigged Polls Changed J&K
(46:49) Independents in J&K Polls
(51:29) Pak Interfering in J&K Polls?
(53:17) What Does Pulwama's Youth Want
(56:12) Hung Assembly Situation
Lieutenant General PC Nair (Retd.) is a distinguished retired officer of the Indian Army with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the Director General of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, where he played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region.
Lt Gen Nair (Retd) has extensive expertise in dealing with insurgency, tribal dynamics, and border security. He is also known for his deep understanding of India’s internal security challenges, especially in volatile regions like Manipur, Nagaland, and Jammu & Kashmir,
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. PC Nair discusses the tribal dynamics in Manipur, explaining how the Meitei, Kuki, and Naga communities each have their armed factions. He describes how the unrest in Manipur started over land rights, triggered by the High Court's decision to grant tribal status to the Meiteis, and how the violence grew.
Lt. Gen. Nair also condemned the looting of police armouries in the state and highlighted the Assam Rifles’ critical role in managing the unrest, noting their efforts helped prevent the situation from getting worse. He further explained how instability in Myanmar has contributed to the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
(00:00) Introduction
(01:14) Manipur's Current Situation
(02:58) Looted Arms in Manipur
(04:50) Origins of the Manipur Violence
(08:31) Kuki-Meitei Divide
(12:29) Reasons Behind Manipur Crisis
(14:22) Security Forces' Role
(16:37) Violence Despite Heavy Security
(18:45) Assam Rifles Under Fire
(23:27) Assam Rifles vs. Manipur Police
(25:34) Myanmar's Role in the Violence
(29:23) Scale of Violence
(32:27) Illegal Poppy Cultivation
(39:02) Arms Import into India
(41:02) What Fueled the Violence
(43:57) Solutions to Stop the Violence
(48:52) Has Manipur Been Ignored?
(49:59) Assam Rifles' Role in China Border Conflict
(53:19) Bangladesh Security Situation
(55:15) Bangladesh Crisis
(56:22) Bangladesh Crisis & Indian Borders
(58:07) Elections in J&K
(59:17) Insurgency in J&K
Sajad Gani Lone leads the Jammu and Kashmir People's Conference. He has served as an MLA for the Handwara constituency and was a minister in the PDP-BJP government. He is the youngest son of the Kashmiri separatist leader, Abdul Gani Lone.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Sajad Lone contested from the Baramulla constituency but lost to independent candidate Engineer Rashid. Now, Sajad's party is contesting the Jammu & Kashmir assembly polls and He is running from Handwara and Kupwara, the only two seats his party won in the 2014 elections.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sajad Gani Lone talks about 'Naya Kashmir' and what the upcoming elections mean for the valley after the abrogation of Article 370. He believes the current peace in the valley is 'superficial' and that the 'Azadi' sentiment has just gone underground.
Sajad welcomes ex-Jamaat members running as independents in the J&K elections, which will be held after a decade. He also insists that Yasin Malik did not receive a fair trial. Additionally, he blames the Abdullah family for rigging the 1987 elections, which he says triggered instability and militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
(00:00) Introduction
(01:01) Elections in J&K
(02:40) Sajad's Twitter Bio
(03:43) Article 370 & 35A
(07:30) Abdul Gani Lone Assassination
(11:05) Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus
(13:31) Pakistan's Support to Hurriyat
(14:35) Pakistani Wife Facing Visa Issues
(19:08) India-Pakistan Talks
(21:15) Ties with PDP & NC
(25:34) Ex-Jamaat Leaders in J&K Polls
(28:11) Independents in J&K Polls
(31:14) Arrest Post Article 370 Abrogation
(33:02) Ties with Yasin Malik
(35:42) Days Before Article 370 Abrogation
(39:02) Peace in Kashmir
(41:32) Federalism in India
(47:33) Public Safety Act
(49:18) On Abdullah Family
(51:18) Kashmiri Pandits
(56:38) Azadi Sentiment in Kashmir
(57:50) Engineer Rashid's LS Win
(59:29) What Should the Centre Do in J&K
(1:02:06) Meeting with Father in Jail
(1:06:28) Being a Kashmiri in Delhi
(1:07:45) Yasin Malik's Trial
(1:12:56) Statehood for J&K
Omar Abdullah, an Indian politician and former Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, has led the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference since 2009. He was the last Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly before its dissolution in 2018. He has served twice as an MP for Srinagar and was briefly a Union Minister of State for External Affairs in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government, resigning in 2002 to focus on party matters. Omar was detained under the Public Safety Act in February 2020, with the order revoked in March of the same year.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Omar Abdullah discusses his decision to contest two seats in the upcoming J&K Assembly elections. He also talks about his party's alliance with Congress and explains why the Gupkar Alliance with the PDP failed. He claims that the current J&K Legislative Council is compromised, though he believes it will be strengthened.
The former J&K CM criticizes the abrogation of Article 370 and calls Kashmir's domicile laws the weakest in India. He also accuses the BJP of failing to prevent terror attacks in the South of Pir Panjal. Additionally, Omar shares his views on Afzal Guru's execution, opposing capital punishment. He also emphasizes his party's commitment to bringing Pandits back to the valley.
(0:00) Coming Up
(1:27) Introduction
(2:14) Omar Contesting in Two Seats
(7:55) J&K Assembly: Empowered or Compromised?
(10:00) 'Independent' Candidates in Kashmir
(11:25) Where Does The BJP Stand?
(13:15) Should India Normalize Relations with Pak?
(15:15) Separatism in 'Naya Kashmir'
(20:31) Congress-NC Alliance
(24:50) The Battle For Jammu
(26:48) Kashmir's Domicile Laws
(34:00) Will Pandits Go Back To Kashmir?
(35:22) The IC-814 Saga
(37:40) Afzal Guru's Execution
(39:50) Terror Attacks in Jammu
(44:30) J&K Floods 2014
(46:00) Will NC 'Undo' Article 370?
(49:00) NC-PDP Alliance Split
(53:55) Omar Abdullah's Detention
(57:380 Lunch With the Gandhis
(1:01:00) US Making Inroads in Kashmir?
(1:03:16) Farooq Abdullah's Role Within NC
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is a prominent Indian actor recognized for his contributions to Hindi cinema. He has delivered notable performances in films like Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), The Lunchbox (2013), Raman Raghav 2.0 (2016), and Manto (2018) among others. His work has earned him significant acclaim, with eight of his films being showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. Nawazuddin has also received several prestigious awards, including a National Film Award, a Filmfare Award, and two Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Nawazuddin Siddiqui opens up about his journey in Bollywood, sharing the struggles he faced in getting roles and how people often doubted he would ever become a hero. The acclaimed actor also talks about the challenges his films face in securing screenings and his interest in producing movies in the future. Nawaz also reflects on his experiences working on the cult classic role of Faizal Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur and shares how he met with followers of the 'real' Faizal Khan to perfect the role. He also offers his perspective on why the second season of Sacred Games fell short of audience expectations.
In this candid interview, Nawazuddin Siddiqui shares his thoughts on the actors and directors who inspire him. He discusses the contrast between commercial and artistic films in Bollywood and how conflict often influences art. He also reflects on his rural upbringing and his mother's reaction to seeing him on the big screen.
(00:00) Introduction
(01:20) Nawazuddin's Definition of Success
(08:40) Nawazuddin's Cinema & Struggles
(16:55) NSD Days
(21:55) Commercial Cinema vs. Alternate Cinema
(26:44) Film Promotions
(28:25) Conflict Reflects in Art
(30:23) Rural Background
(31:39) Gangs of Wasseypur
(36:02) Nawaz's Favourites
(42:17) Films That Impacted Nawazuddin Siddiqui
(43:19) Small Roles
(45:34) Favourite Co-Actors
(46:44) Sacred Games
(51:52) Unexplored Human Emotions in Performance
(55:57) Upcoming Projects
(01:00:50) Family's Role in Life
(01:02:13) Nawaz's Love for Desert
(01:03:52) New Filmmakers That Inspire
Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), is a former Commandant of the Army War College, Mhow, and an ex-Commander of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps (XV). He previously served as the first Director General of the Territorial Army of the Indian Army.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. Pandey discusses Jammu & Kashmir's current security and political landscape. He talks about how Kashmiris are increasingly rejecting terrorism and addresses the challenges that lay ahead in the upcoming assembly elections. The general also touches on the potential for Pakistani interference in the electoral process and considers how the abrogation of Article 370 could become a key election issue.
Additionally, Lt. Gen. Pandey shares his perspective on the recent terror attacks in Jammu, highlighting the difficulties that the region's tough terrain presents for security forces. This conversation offers valuable insights into the evolving situation in Jammu & Kashmir and its broader implications for India's security.
(00:00) Coming Up
(01:31) Introduction
(02:12) Upcoming J&K Assembly Elections
(04:13) Abrogation of Article 370
(09:39) Terror Attacks in South Pir Panjal
(20:10) Security Challenges In J&K
(29:09) Stone Pelting in Lal Chowk
(33:45) Corps Commander Responsibilities
(37:02) How Integrated Security Works in J&K
(43:30) Article 370 as a Political Issue?
(48:15) India-Pakistan Dialogue
(55:20) Army's Communication Strategy
(58:23) Media Engagement Rules
(01:02:53) Near-Death Experience
(01:06:48) Going Back to Civilian Life
(01:09:15) Agnipath Scheme Controversy
(01:15:55) Has Peace Returned in the Valley?
From fitness trainer to podcaster, Ranveer Allahbadia, known as 'BeerBiceps,' has become a major figure in the digital world. He hosts 'The Ranveer Show,' one of India’s most-watched podcasts, and recently won the "Disruptor of the Year" award from PM Narendra Modi at the National Creators Awards 2024.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ranveer talks about his journey from gym sessions to podcast fame. He openly discusses his challenges, including criticism of his interviewing style and issues with cancel culture.
Ranveer addresses claims that he oversimplifies topics and explains his approach to making content relatable and easy to understand. He also talks about his business venture, ‘Monk Entertainment,’ and the importance of content creators exploring business opportunities.
He explores the changing world of content creation and the future of India’s creator economy. Ranveer also touches on mental health, noting the burnout that many young content creators face.
Additionally, Ranveer shares how former Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has inspired him and why interviewing Kohli is still a top goal for him.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:12) Ambani Wedding
(6:09) Lowest Phase in life
(8:37) When Views Don't Come
(12:05) Being a Fitness Trainer
(14:02) BeerBiceps' as a Name
(16:35) The Influence of Trolling
(18:34) Aamir Khan Controversy
(19:58) John Abraham's Controversy
(25:37) Ranveer's Podcast Reach
(29:17) Content
(30:55) Guests from Different Fields
(36:12) Brand Building
(39:17) How to Break Monotony in Content?
(41:07) Trust Factor with Brands
(43:52) Political Podcasts
(48:22) Favourite Guest to Interview
(51:35) Rejected Podcasts
(57:37) Fanboy Moment Over Guests
(1:01:07) Congressmen Rejecting Invites
(1:02:15) Competitions and Learnings
(1:04:07) Nikhil Kamath
(1:06:19) Celebrity Interviewers
(1:08:42) Young Actors
(1:09:43) Influencer as a Career
(1:14:39) Childhood
(1:21:00) Celebrityhood
(1:24:37) Appearing in a Music Video
After the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, Dushyant Chautala's newly formed Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) emerged as a kingmaker. He allied with the BJP and was sworn in as Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister. However, just before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP snapped ties with the JJP, and Dushyant Chautala was shown the exit door.
The Lok Sabha poll results also brought no joy for the JJP, as the party lost its deposits in all 10 seats it contested. With the Haryana elections due in October, the question arises: Is this the end of the road for Dushyant Chautala, or can he become a kingmaker once again?
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the former Hisar MP goes on record to state that he will not ally with the BJP again. He explains what went wrong with the JJP-BJP alliance after four and a half years.
The former Haryana Deputy CM expresses confidence that his party will become the most important political force in the state and supports the decision to contest all 90 seats in Haryana.
He also criticizes former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, alleging his involvement in the land mafia and claiming that Hooda and Congress were behind the arrest of his grandfather, Om Prakash Chautala, in the JBT scam.
More on the India Alliance, Jat Quota Protests, and former Deputy PM Chaudhary Devi Lal.
Introduction (0:00)
The Chautala Clan (1:08)
Memories with Ch. Devi Lal (2:55)
Memories with Om Prakash Chautala (4:09)
Youngest MP in 16th Lok Sabha (6:33)
Why Dushyant Joined Politics (6:58)
JJP's Prospects in Upcoming Haryana Polls (7:54)
History of Farmers' Protests in India (9:44)
JJP & INLD Performance in Polls (15:47)
Jat Politics in Haryana (18:01)
BJP-JJP Alliance Breakup (21:22)
Exodus in JJP (22:01)
Will JJP Align with BJP Again? (23:42)
Vision for Haryana (27:24)
Role of Sentiments in Elections (30:48)
Infra Collapse & Land Mafia (33:30)
Can JJP Be a Kingmaker? (35:39)
Nayab Singh Saini's Tenure (36:41)
AAP & BSP in Haryana Polls (41:26)
Expulsion from INLD (44:42)
Om Prakash Chautala's Jail Time (48:40)
JJP to Join Hands with INLD? (52:36)
Parivarvaad Politics (53:17)
Influence of Haryana (56:09)
Headlines about Dushyant Chautala (58:32)
Women Wrestlers in Haryana Politics? (1:04:23)
Women's Safety in India (1:07:55)
From an engineer to 'Haseen Dilruba' of the Hindi film industry, Taapsee Pannu has carved out a niche in Bollywood over the past decade. Starting with roles in South Indian movies and working her way up to collaborating with Bollywood’s ‘Badshah,’ Shah Rukh Khan, the ‘Thappad’ actor has come a long way. Known for her candidness, Taapsee is not one to shy away from speaking her mind.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Taapsee discusses her latest projects, including 'Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba' and 'Khel Khel Mein'. The 'Pink' actor dives into the nepotism debate and also explains why many actors avoid discussing their political views.
She talks about attending the Paris Olympics, where her husband was the coach of the Indian badminton players. Taapsee also reveals why she chooses not to share details about her personal life on social media and addresses the Imane Khelif gender row at the Paris Olympics.
Additionally, Taapsee explores the differences between Southern and Hindi film audiences, recalls her family’s experience during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and explains why she chose a career in films over-engineering. Taapsee also criticizes the paparazzi for breaching privacy and invading actors' personal space.
Eknath Shinde is Maharashtra's Chief Minister and a key leader in the Mahayuti Alliance, which includes his party, the Shiv Sena (Shinde), along with the NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction and the BJP. He rose to prominence after leading a significant split within the Shiv Sena, marking a new chapter in the party's history. Eknath Shinde is a staunch follower of Sena founder Bal Thackeray and often invokes his legacy in his political journey.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Eknath Shinde delves into the ongoing issue of Maratha reservation and shares insights on Maharashtra's Ladli Behna Yojana, a scheme aimed at empowering women at the grassroots level. The Maharashtra CM also reflects on the Shiv Sena split and explains how fleeing to Guwahati was a crucial strategy.
CM Shinde remembers Bal Thackeray's enduring influence on Maharashtra's politics and reflects on the Sena's founding Hindutva ideology. He speaks confidently about the upcoming Maharashtra elections, expressing a strong belief that the Mahayuti alliance, will emerge victorious.
Introduction (0:00)
Fake Narratives' in 2024 LS Polls (2:02)
Maratha Reservation (4:58)
Uddhav Thackeray as a Competitor (9:27)
Maha Vikas Aghadi (14:17)
CM Eknath Shinde (18:07)
Shiv Sena Suffered Due to Pawar? (23:37)
Shiv Sena Split (31:12)
NCP(Ajit Pawar): A Reliable Ally? (33:47)
Shinde's Developmental Schemes (36:32)
Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra (39:25)
Freebie Politics in Maharashtra (40:42)
Eknath Shinde's Early Life (45:40)
Family Tragedy (47:25)
Real Reason Behind Shiv Sena Split (52:29)
Shiv Sena's Hindutva Ideologue (56:12)
Who Will Win Maharashtra? (1:01:33)
Raj Thackeray: Balasaheb's 'Real' Successor? (1:05:08)
Mahayuti's CM Candidate (1:09:07)
Ajit Pawar is Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and a partner in the Mahayuti Alliance, which includes the BJP and the Shiv Sena Shinde faction. He is the nephew of Sharad Pawar, who has served as Maharashtra's Chief Minister four times. In July 2023, Ajit Pawar split the NCP, a party founded by his uncle. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Ajit Pawar faced a setback when his wife lost the election against Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar's daughter.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ajit Pawar calls fielding his wife against Supriya Sule in Baramati a bad decision. He also explains why his party and its alliance partners didn't perform well in the Lok Sabha polls. He declines to comment on the possibility of returning to his uncle's party.
The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister also discusses the farmers' crisis and the state of infrastructure in Pune and Mumbai. He advocates for a caste census, stating that the real numbers of every community should be revealed.
Introduction (0:00)
Pawar vs. Pawar (0:35)
Ajit Pawar with Mahayuti? (9:57)
Maharashtra Assembly Polls (17:15)
Civic Polls (22:07)
Ajit Pawar's Vision (25:44)
Maha Farmers' Crisis (32:10)
Water Management Issues (36:05)
City Infrastructure Issues (40:15)
Voters on Mahayuti Government (49:15)
Jan Samman Yatra (50:53)
Pawar’s Family & Politics (54:52)
Ajit Pawar on 'Waqf Board' (1:01:12)
CM if Mahayuti Wins? (1:05:35)
Ajit Pawar's Future Plans (1:12:15)
Caste Census (1:15:28)
Sonia Narang is one of Delhi's leading dietitians. She provides medication, healthy diet plans, weight loss programs, and workouts. Sonia advocates for realistic lifestyle changes that allow you to enjoy eating while achieving your health goals, rather than imposing strict diets.
In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sonia Narang debunks many myths related to the Indian diet. She also explores the debate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets, addressing the notion that vegetarian food doesn't provide enough protein. Sonia explains what a balanced diet should include and how much carbohydrates, protein, and fat it should contain.
She discusses whether skipping breakfast is a good way to lose weight, how to eat for effective weight loss, and the ideal timeline for losing weight. Sonia also talks about the popularity of Sattu and whether it can replace whey protein for gym-goers. She shares 10 tips for maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.
Introduction (0:00)
Dietitian vs. Nutritionist (1:07)
Myth vs. Fact Segment (5:55)
Plant vs. AnimalBased Protein (13:22)
8 Glasses of Water a Day (17:51)
Supplements for Nutritional Needs? (20:03)
Supplements for Children (24:52)
Dairy Products for Bone Health (29:14)
Is Juicing Healthy? (31:15)
Is Ghee Healthy? (33:09)
Papaya & Menstrual Cycle (41:39)
Seasonal Veggies (53:27)
Junk Food (55:57)
Yay or Nay Segment (1:03:45)
Tea Intake1:13:57Weight Loss (1:16:17)
Sattu vs. Whey Protein (1:26:09)
Arjun Singh Kadian is an academic and author having expertise in Haryana's political and cultural landscape. Arjun has authored two insightful books: 'Land of the Gods: The Story of Haryana' and 'Neeraj Chopra: From Panipat to Podium'. He also worked in the policy communication department under the Haryana Chief Minister in 2018-19. His political leaning is with the BJP.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Arjun talks about the upcoming Haryana elections and shares his views on the importance of fostering a unified Haryanvi identity in a region often divided by caste and community lines.
He also discusses what went wrong for the Haryana BJP and why they lost 5 seats to the Congress in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, mentioning the "Hooda Factor" giving Congress an edge in this election. Arjun also talks about the power shift from Manohar Lal Khattar to Nayab Singh Saini and whether it will benefit the BJP.
He also highlights Haryana's cultural significance as the land of the gods, reflecting on the historical presence of the Saraswati River and the state's role as the birthplace of Bharat.
Introduction (0:00)
Lok Sabha Polls 2024 BuildUp (1:27)
Jat Agitation & Farmer Protests (8:52)
The 'Satrap' System of Haryana (12:10)
The '400 Paar' Effect (17:34)
The Jat Votebank (20:54)
The 'Hooda' Factor (29:44)
Manohar Lal Khattar's Legacy (36:28)
Why Haryana Matters for BJP (39:14)
The Congress Narrative (45:54)
The 'Agniveer' Sentiment (53:22)
Haryana's Chautala Clan (56:14)
Growth Slowing Down in Haryana? (1:01:14)
Gurugram's Crumbling Infrastructure (1:04:51)
The 'Neeraj Chopra' Phenomenon (1:08:14)
Saraswati River: Myth & Facts (1:09:50)
The Haryanvi Identity (1:14:21)
Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin is a veteran gastroenterologist and hepatologist, renowned for his clinical research and reforms in medical education and health sciences.
He is the director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), which aims to provide cost-effective solutions to liver problems. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India. Dr. Sarin is also credited with launching the Hepatitis B vaccination program in India.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Sarin explains why India may become the 'fatty liver' capital of the world, with 40% of the population suffering from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. He shares tips on keeping the liver healthy and identifies products to avoid.
Dr. Sarin calls the liver 'the real heart' of the body, explaining how every function of the body is directly or indirectly dependent on it. He also delves into the dangers of alcohol and how it is slowly killing people.
Introduction (0:00)
Significance of Liver in Ancient Cultures (1:22)
Liver: The Boss of the Body (5:17)
Fatty Liver & Diabetes (8:13)
Liver & Cholesterol: What's the Link? (12:58)
Obesity on the Rise? (14:10)
Sugar: A Silent Killer (19:42)
Alcohol & Liver Health (20:54)
Anyone Can Have Cirrhosis (24:32)
True & False Segment (25:52)
Know What You Eat (41:08)
Reversing Fatty Liver (45:24)
Can Diabetes Be Fixed? (51:07)
Tips for a Healthy Life (52:47)
Importance of the Bile System (56:56)
How to Identify Fatty Liver (59:33)
Everything About Hepatitis (1:00:49)
Dangers of Alcoholism (1:09:26)
Lack of Health Awareness (1:11:52)
Are You Healthy? (1:13:45)
Ozempic: Yay or Nay? (1:15:45)
Train Your Mind to Adopt Healthy Habits (1:18:12)
Harsh Vardhan Shringla was the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 and the former Foreign Secretary of India. He has also been India’s Ambassador to the United States, and High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Thailand.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amb. Shringla talks about the recent quota protests in Bangladesh. He looks into whether these protests are just the start of bigger problems for the Sheikh Hasina government and discusses if foreign influences played a role. Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called the protests "almost a terrorist attack" aimed at overthrowing the government.
Ambassador Shringla also shares his views on the U.S. Presidential race. He talks about the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life, Joe Biden’s decision to step down, and why Biden supporting Kamala Harris as his successor is important.
He also covers the political issues in Nepal, focusing on the frequent leadership changes and how they affect India, especially because Nepal shares borders with five Indian states.
Introduction (0:31)
Trump vs. Harris (1:16)
U.S. Campaign Funding (5:42)
Indian Community in the U.S. (9:52)
Biden's Legacy (13:58)
U.S. Afghan Withdrawal (16:04)
Biden's Foreign Policy (19:49)
Bangladesh Quota Protests (25:18)
Who's Behind Bangladesh Protests? (32:05)
1971 B'desh War Against Pakistan (34:33)
Economic Crisis in Bangladesh (36:44)
Sheikh Hasina's China Visit (39:28)
Sheikh Hasina's India Visit (41:25)
Bangladesh-Bengal Connection (45:18)
End of Sheikh Hasina's Rule? (51:13)
Nepal Power Struggle (52:38)
India's Stance on KP Oli (59:32)
KP Oli's 4th Term (1:05:29)
Modi's Russia Visit (1:07:26)
In 2009, following her father Sone Lal Patel's death, Anupriya Patel faced a significant challenge. She was pushed into the political arena to lead the party her father founded. Despite the subsequent party split, Anupriya Patel defied expectations. Now, a three-time MP, she leads Apna Dal (Soneylal) and holds the MoS Health & Family Welfare portfolio for the second time in the Modi government.
Anupriya Patel is regarded as a vital player in Uttar Pradesh politics and is one of the key allies of the BJP.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Anupriya Patel discusses the need for a caste census to uplift marginalized communities and the importance of moving beyond caste lines for India's advancement. She also addresses NDA's poor performance in Uttar Pradesh, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, alleging that the opposition capitalized on false narratives like the abrogation of reservation and changing of the constitution. She also speaks about the challenges of being a woman in Indian politics.
Anupriya Patel also recounts her responsibilities during the G20 summit and hosting Former French President Emmanuel Macron. She debunks myths about her constituency, Mirzapur, highlighting the contrast between its reality and its OTT portrayal.
Introduction (0:00)
MoS Health & Family Welfare (1:21)
Accidental Politician? (5:00)
Apna Dal Split (8:21)
The 'Real' Mirzapur (11:20)
UP BJP's Debacle (13:15)
Letter to CM Yogi (16:33)
Opposition's Reservation 'False Narrative' (23:01)
Challenges as a Woman Politician in UP (26:19)
Reply to SP's Allegations (29:20)
Caste Census & OBC Reservation (33:11)
Importance of Uplifting Minorities (37:26)
Instability in UP? (44:00)
NDA Ally Experience (46:15)
Revival of Congress in UP (48:45)
Importance of Social Diversity (50:25)
Reservation in Private Sector (53:45)
Snap Reactions (56:15)
Women in Politics (1:15:15)
Anupriya Patel's Ambition (1:16:37)
Mother's Contribution (1:18:00)
Personal Lives of Politicians (1:19:45)
Maintaining Physical & Mental Health (1:21:23)
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Naor Gilon, Israeli Ambassador to India, discusses the ongoing Israel-Hamas War.
He provides insights into Israel's stance on a potential ceasefire against Gaza and the hostage release deal, as well as Qatar's role in mediating the conflict due to its influence over Hamas.
He further addresses the issue of misinformation and propaganda from Hamas concerning casualty figures and examines the impact of Middle Eastern funding on the U.S. universities and its influence on perceptions of Israel.
Ambassador Gilon also shares the trade ties between India and Israel, highlighting the significance of their bilateral relationship.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, shares his journey from being a civil servant to becoming an educator.
Dr. Divyakirti delves into several important issues affecting the education and examination system in India. He discusses the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the controversies surrounding the NEET-UG. He offers his insights on the UPSC exams, highlighting biases in the selection of Hindi and English candidates.
Dr. Divyakirti also addresses the reservation system in India, pointing out the loopholes and how they are being exploited. He also shares his views on the Puja Khedkar case.
Dr. Divyakirti also talks about the 2024 Lok Sabha results and how they are going to shape India and what reforms NDA 3.0 can bring.
In 2020, when his father Ram Vilas Paswan passed away, Chirag Paswan faced the biggest challenge of his political career. His uncle took charge of the party, and many thought Chirag's political journey was over. Sidelined by other leaders in his party, he was written off by many. But Chirag Paswan defied the odds. In 2021, he formed the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and now he has secured victory in all five seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
Today, Chirag Paswan holds the same Food Processing Industries ministry that his father once looked after under the Modi government. Chirag calls himself "Modi's Hanuman" and is seen as the future of Bihar politics. The BJP also views him as a ''valuable asset''.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Chirag Paswan discusses the importance of Bihari identity and the need to rise above caste lines for a progressive Bihar. He also recalls the tough time when he lost his father and how he navigated his personal and political life.
Chirag also talks about his vision for Bihar, one of India's poorest states. He delves into the nepotism debate and explains why his Bollywood debut failed. Chirag also discusses his friendship with Kangana, who is also a member of Parliament in the 18th Lok Sabha.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:07) Chirag Paswan on Religion
(3:17) The Split in LJP
(7:35) NDA - LJP Alliance in 2014
(11:37) 2024 LS Polls Victory
(14:42) Dalit Politics in Bihar
(17:14) Caste Politics in Bihar
(20:33) Bihar First, Bihari First
(27:08) Bihar Infrastructure Mess
(30:20) Vidhan Sabha Polls in Bihar
(34:29) First 100 Days Plan
(39:11) Pride in Being a Bihari
(40:56) Nepotism Debate
(44:18) Chirag & Tejashwi Spat
(48:01) Why Tejashwi Failed
(51:20) Agnipath Scheme
(54:55) NDA & Its Allies
(56:29) Chirag & Kangana's Friendship
(59:04) Snap Reaction Segment
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, recorded at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024, two sessions are featured- "Decluttering the Discourse: Women of Iran."
The first panel features Mojgan Golchin, Head of Department at the International Educational Cooperation Centre for Political and International Studies, Iran, and Neda Raefipour, Diplomat at IPIS, Iran.
The second session includes Zohreh Nosrat Kharazmi, Professor at Tehran University, Fariba Allasvand, Professor at the Women and Family Research Institute in Iran, and Masoomeh Seif Afjehee, Head of the Department of Human Rights and Women's Studies at the Centre for Political and International Studies, Iran.
The experts delve into the women's lives in Iran, including the Mahsa Amini Hijab protests, the impacts of US sanctions on Iran, and the progress of women in post-revolutionary Iran. They also explore diplomatic relations between India and Iran, as well as cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (retd.) is the former Chief of Air Staff, a highly decorated officer with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He previously served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) at Southern Air Command. During his tenure as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he played a pivotal role in the Rafale negotiations. He has joined the BJP right before the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls.
In this edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (retd.) defends the Agnipath schemes introduced by the NDA government in 2022. He emphasises that the Agnipath scheme was the result of extensive discussions among the armed forces, government departments, and paramilitary forces over two years.
He asserts that the scheme is not merely about reducing pension liabilities but about adapting to evolving technology and combat threats. He explains that the scheme aims to create a younger, more technologically adept force, with 25% of Agniveers being retained for permanent service.
Bhavish Aggarwal is the Chairman and Managing Director of OLA. He is an experienced entrepreneur who founded Ola Cabs in 2010, which is now India’s most popular ride-hailing service with over 50% market share.
In 2021, Bhavish started Ola Electric, a company focused on electric vehicles. Within three years, Ola Cabs and Ola Electric together are valued at over $13 billion.
His latest venture, Krutrim, launched in April 2023, became India's first AI unicorn. Krutrim is developing a full AI computing stack, including cloud infrastructure, and advanced silicon for data centers.
Bhavish graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, with a degree in Computer Science.
In this edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Bhavish shared his vision for India's tech future, critiqued Western tech dominance, and advocated for greater autonomy and data sovereignty in India's AI efforts.
With plans for an IPO and expansions into EVs, Bhavish envisions India leading in technology and societal change. He emphasized the importance of India developing its own tech and cultural paradigms to maintain national data and narrative control.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:17) Tech Giants’ Attire
(3:54) Oats vs. Ice Salvo
(9:13) Lithium Tech Sustainability
(13:41) Supply Chain Importance
(21:59) Taiwan: Computing Industry Hub
(24:21) Krutrim: India’s Own AI
(31:09) American CEO vs. Indian CEO
(37:39) Who Owns Digital Data
(42:01) Ola vs. Uber
(44:21) Childhood Story
(49:20) Working Hours Debate
(53:27) Job Creation Business
(56:21) India’s Startup Boom
(58:09) From Ola Cabs to EVs
(1:08:14) Women Workforce
(1:10:29) Ola IPO Launch
(1:12:09) Cost-Effective EVs
(1:21:37) Ola Bikes
(1:25:53) Krutrim Competitors
(1:30:29) Govt Support to EV Industry
(1:34:15) True & False Segment
(1:46:07) Snap Reaction Segment
Chandrashekhar Azad has secured a seat in Parliament by garnering over 50% of the votes from the Nagina Constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Dalit leader clinched victory amidst stiff competition from opponents such as the SP, BSP, and BJP. This comes at a time when the national party BSP failed to win any seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. Chandrashekhar Azad is a lawyer, chief, and co-founder of the Bhim Army. He is also the national president of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). In February 2021, Azad was featured in Time magazine's annual list of 100 Emerging Leaders who are Shaping the Future.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Azad explains what this victory means for his community and the future of Dalit politics in India. He also discusses why he chose to enter active politics and the challenges he faced to reach this point. Azad shares his views on BSP Supremo Mayawati and analyzes what went wrong for the BSP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Azad claims to be the hope of the Dalit community and vows to advocate for their rights in Parliament. He strongly advocates for reservation in the private sector, emphasizing the need for adequate representation for the Dalit community. Azad also discusses why he is not part of the INDIA alliance and what strained his ties with the Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav.
In 2020, Azad was arrested for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens in Delhi. He was previously arrested for allegedly inciting caste-based riots in Saharanpur in 2017. In this episode, he also recounts his ordeal in police custody.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:35) Journey to Parliament
(4:09) Who's the Inspiration
(6:120 Swearing-in as MP
(10:15) Alliance & Nagina's Development
(13:18) Bid to Defeat Azad
(18:22) Dalits and Their Rights
(19:51) Why Electoral Politics
(21:57) Revolutionary Life
(26:40) Minorities & Political Power
(29:32) NSA Against Azad
(36:14) NDA or INDIA?
(44:10) Biggest Dalit Leader
(52:28) Azad's Support Base
(57:45) Controversies on Castes
(1:05:50) Constitution
(1:08:20) Equal Representation
In the old city of Hyderabad, child marriages remain a significant challenge even in the 21st century. What's even more shocking is the practice of multiple marriages of these girls in exchange for money, with a majority belonging to the Muslim community.
Hyderabad-based poet and activist Jameela Nishat is the founder of the 'Shaheen Women's Resource & Welfare Association,' which aims to assist girls trapped in these customs and help them rebuild their lives.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jameela Nishat delves deeper into this issue and exposes an alleged 'child bride' racket running in Hyderabad. She reveals how young girls are married off to much older men using fake marriage certificates for short periods, only to be remarried to other older men later on.
Additionally, she discusses how these girls often become victims of trafficking, predominantly to Gulf countries. Jameela also talks about the reasons why families choose to marry minor girls to sheikhs for the sake of money. She categorizes these marriages as fake, emphasizing the complicity of "qazis" who perform such marriages in violation of all rules. Jameela also explains the role of agents in this racket.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:40) Hyderabad's Child Marriages
(6:03) Illegal Marriage Process
(8:19) Taking Women to Gulf Nations
(9:32) WhatsApp Marriages
(10:32) Ameena Case
(11:26) Young Girls Being Sold
(13:58) Shaheen Women's Resource & Welfare Association
(14:20) Domestic Violence
(15:06) Triple Talaq & Polygamy
(16:41) Attack on Jameela Nishat
(19:09) Abandoned Muslim Women
(21:08) Migration of Young Girls
(23:47) Education is the Solution
(24:47) Fatwa
(26:54) Awareness & Poetry
Life for Dalits in India is often marked by significant challenges. Being a Dalit in India means facing discrimination and social exclusion based on their caste status. They encounter difficulties in various aspects of life such as employment, education, and social interactions. Rahul Sonpimple, a Dalit activist with a PhD in Sociology from JNU, and formerly a leader of the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association, hails from Nagpur and currently heads the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association.
In the recent episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul Sonpimple discusses the lifelong struggles faced by Dalits in India. He emphasizes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's teachings and the effectiveness of reservations in fostering social harmony. Sonpimple highlights the severe underrepresentation of Dalits in politics and top national institutions. He advocates for extending reservations to the private sector.
Sonpimple alleges that SC/ST reservations in government jobs have consistently gone unfilled since independence. He also discusses the impact of Uttar Pradesh's first Dalit Chief Minister, Mayawati, and her reforms for the Dalit community. Sonpimple proposes policy-level changes to improve the quality of life for Dalits.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:55) Activism vs Politics
(9:50) Caste System in India
(19:26) Caste Discrimination
(24:20) Mayawati: An Icon of Dalits
(29:25) Reservation in Private Sector
(32:20) Lived Dalit Experience
(36:25) Anti - Brahminism
(40:30) Reservation in India vs USA
(47:40) Dalits in Political Parties
(52:30) Dalit Tokenism in Politics
(56:25) Malnutrition Among Dalit Kids
(1:00:22) Dalit Movements and Buddhism
(1:02:46) Dalit Buddhist Movement
(1:06:05) Hygiene & Attire in Dalits
(1:11:50) Literature on Dalits
(1:15:38) Caste Census
(1:19:00) Terminologies for Dalits
(1:25:20) Hope from Govt
(1:28:42) Merit vs. Quota' Debate
The Wall Street Journal describes him as the "Henry Ford of heart surgery". In rural India, he is known as "bypass wale baba". Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty is a renowned heart surgeon who has brought high-tech healthcare to the financially challenged. In a country with over 12 lakh doctors, Dr. Shetty stands out. Over his three-decade career, he has performed more than 15,000 heart surgeries, including India’s first neonatal cardiac surgery in 1992, and has also served as Mother Teresa’s physician.
He is the chairman and founder of Narayana Hrudayalaya, which provides heart surgeries at affordable prices in India. Narayana Health operates a network of 24 hospitals and 7 heart centers nationwide. Dr. Shetty has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, for his exemplary service and dedication.
In an episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Shetty discusses the rising cases of heart attacks among young people. He addresses whether the COVID-19 vaccine is linked to heart attacks or not and shares tips for maintaining heart health. Dr Shetty advocates for an annual full-body check-up and outlines his plans to make health check-ups and heart surgeries more affordable.
Dr. Shetty also highlights the shortage of female nurses in India and urges the government to take proactive measures to address it. As a top surgeon, he emphasizes how the Ayushman Bharat scheme is transforming healthcare and believes India will lead in decoupling health from wealth.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:26) Silent Heart Attacks
(4:46) Preventive Checkup
(11:32) Covid Vaccine & Heart Attacks
(13:26) Impact of Pollution
(16:19) Affordable Healthcare
(22:21) Healthcare Insurance
(28:04) Indian Healthcare Model
(31:44) Nurses Shortage in India
(41:28) Shortage of Doctors
(45:06) Henry Ford of Heart Surgery
(47:04) Treating Mother Teresa
(51:02) Heart Attacks in Women
(53:55) Need for a Healthy Diet
(56:44) Importance of Yoga
(57:52) Spirituality1:00:02Maintaining Family Life
Who were the Razakars? What was their role in the princely state of Hyderabad in the late 1940s? Were the Razakars engaged in violent activities against Hindus? What happened during 'Operation Polo' in 1948 that the Indian government launched to annex Hyderabad? What happened to the leader of the Razakars, Qasim Razvi?
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, two prominent journalists, Mir Ayoob Ali Khan and Syed Inam ur Rahman Ghayur, answer all these questions about the Razakars. The guests claim that the Razakars were formed as a volunteer force to support Nizam's rule and resist the integration of Hyderabad into newly independent India. They were organized and led by Qasim Razvi, who was a prominent leader of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) party.
The Nizam's reluctance to accede to India and his desire to maintain Hyderabad's independence were key factors that led to the actions of the Razakars. The Razakars engaged in violent activities against Hindus causing widespread unrest and communal tension. In September 1948, the Indian government launched "Operation Polo" (also known as the Hyderabad Police Action) to annex Hyderabad. The Indian Army swiftly defeated the Razakars, and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union. Qasim Razvi was arrested and later exiled to Pakistan.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:54) Who were Razakars?
(4:55) Jinnah's meeting with Nizam
(6:54) Operation Polo
(7:35) Who created Razakars?
(9:05) Razakars & Nizam
(10:24) Types of Razakars
(15:56) Hyderabad in late 1940s
(20:04) Razakar leader Qasim Razvi
(23:33) Qasim Razvi went to Pak
(26:07) Minority rulers
(27:18) Stories of Razakars' victims
(30:41) Sufferers of Razakar movement
(36:02) Remnants of trauma
(38:04) Regions ruled by militias
(39:01) Power of Nizam
(43:11) AIMIM & MIM Connection
(46:42) Teaching children about history
(49:57) Rewriting History Books
Arnab Ray, also known as Greatbong, is one of India's most widely read bloggers, having won the publicly voted Indibloggies Blog of the Year in 2006 and 2008. He has written for The Washington Post, Outlook, and India Times. He is a Director of Cybersecurity and lives in the USA. Ray is known for his sarcastic takes on the Indian film industry, Indian politics, and society.
Ray's book "Sultan of Delhi" has been adapted into a show on Hotstar. Another of his books, "The Mahabharata Murders," has been adapted into a series on Jio Cinema and Hoichoi. Arnab has now penned down a horror novel called "Shakchunni."
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Arnab Ray talks about his obsession with Mithun Chakraborty and his movie "Goonda." He also claims that publishing has a significant left-wing bias favouring left-wing authors. Ray also delves into the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, explaining the power of political messaging and how it helps a party win elections.
Arnab also talks extensively about Donald Trump, claiming he is poised to win the upcoming presidential elections in the USA, and explains what makes him so popular. Ray also discusses the cultural differences between the USA and India.
(0:00) Introduction
(1:19) Blogger cum Author
(3:02) Love for Mithun
(5:37) Mamata Banerjee
(7:23) Shakchunni' Book Story
(13:40) Bengal Famine
(15:14) Actors' Political Views
(16:56) Pop Culture & Politics
(19:20) SRK at Modi's Oath Taking
(20:05) Left Wing vs. Right Wing
(21:01) Who is a Liberal?
(24:52) Bias in Publishing
(26:57) Gunda' Movie32:59:0090s Hindi Movies
(35:45) Social Media39:01:00Wokeism in the U.S.
(44:14) Comedy & Cancel Culture
(48:49) TV Journalists turned YouTubers
(53:20) U.S.- Russia Conflict
(56:47) Racism in the U.S.
(1:00:19) Trump's hush money case
(1:03:21) RSS and BJP
(1:05:12) Marjorie Taylor
(1:06:33) Bharat Jodo Yatra
(1:09:12) Modi's Campaign Speeches
(1:11:41) BJP's Loss in Bengal
(1:13:36) EVMs & Rigging
(1:14:49) Tech Giants' Monopoly
He is a chef, cookbook author, columnist, and educator. Chef Suvir Saran wears many hats and is being called "the true ambassador of Indian cuisine and culture to the world." He left India at the age of 20 and later opened a restaurant in New York called 'Devi'. It was the first Indian restaurant in America to receive a Michelin star. He further gained fame as the breakout star of the 3rd season of Top Chef Masters.
Saran is the author of three books: Indian Home Cooking, American Masala, Masala Farm, and his latest, Instamatic, a book of prose and photos. Suvir is open about his sexuality and the hurdles he faced in the early stages of his career and life. He is now the culinary director of Bastian Hospitality Private Limited and behind the brands of some of their restaurants like Bastian and Bizza.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Suvir explains why he left India and what made him fall in love with cooking. He also recounts the challenges he faced as gay individual and reflects on the support he received from his family and friends throughout. The Michelin star chef further argues that Indian restaurants are not up to the mark and are restricted to limited dishes when Indian cuisine offers so much more.
He also shares his experience as a guest judge on MasterChef India, one of the most popular and loved shows in India. He settles the debate about where one finds better food, whether in Mumbai or Delhi. Chef Suvir also talks about his latest projects and why he moved back to India after facing difficult times in New York regarding his health.
(0:00) Introduction
(2:12) Cooking Journey
(5:57) Societal Pressures
(8:42) Kitchen As A Safe Haven
(11:47) School Experiences
(15:12) Academic Achievements
(17:57) Bonding With Siblings
(20:37) About Sexuality24:27:00Mother's Acceptance
(28:12) Role Models32:27:00Life In New York35:47:00Cooking In New York
(41:27) Western Influence On Indian Diets
(46:27) Coping With Health Issues
(49:27) Dealing Father's Demise
(52:27) Near - Death Experience
(55:57) Michelin Star Achievement
(59:27) Master Chef' Experience
(1:02:27) Current Projects1:05:27Indian Cuisine & Global Perception
(1:08:27) Embracing Cultural Identity & Cuisine
(1:11:27) Future Aspirations
The recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha polls in India have taken pollsters and political analysts by surprise. While Prime Minister Modi is set to begin his third term in office, his party, the BJP, fell short of securing a clear majority as it had in the past two terms. The BJP needs allies to form the government.
In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the much-awaited "Samosa Caucus" returns with its familiar lineup of guests. Joining the discussion are Sushant Sareen, senior fellow at ORF; Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst; Anand Ranganathan, an author and scientist; and Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
This episode will delve into the factors behind the BJP's failure to secure a majority and analyze the success of the opposition INDIA alliance, as well as the resurgence of Rahul Gandhi in the Indian political arena. Guests also discuss who the biggest losers and winners are in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
How will a coalition government look with Narendra Modi at the helm? Will the BJP be able to take big decisions as it has promised in its manifesto? Will Modi be able to carry allies with their own demands and political ambitions? What lessons should the BJP learn?
(0:00) Introduction1:00Samosa Caucus 3.0
(3:31) Election Results6:50Development Vs. Local Issues
(10:20) 2024 Lok Sabha Results
(16:20) Exit Polls21:00Nitish Kumar Memes
(22:26) What Went Wrong for BJP?
(28:20) BJP's 'Mistakes'31:12:00Jail' Experience35:12:00Tamil Nadu Politics
(37:10) RSS Involvement in Elections
(40:20) Manish Tiwari Controversy
(41:40) Smriti Irani's Defeat
(44:20) Wealth Redistribution' Row
(47:30) Constitution Row
(52:44) Rahul Gandhi's Resurgence
(53:50) Akhilesh's Game Plan
(55:15) JD(U) & TDP Legacy
(58:00) Agniveer Scheme
(1:00:06) Future of 'Welfarism'
(1:02:00) Temple Politics & Reforms
(1:05:15) Dalits in India1:07:20Consumption Patterns & Data
(1:12:40) Malnourishment in India
(1:17:50) Priyanka Gandhi Factor
(1:20:45) Modi 3.0 Foreign Policy
(1:22:52) Khalistan1:28:10Kashmir Politics1:33:40India's 'Drug' Problem
(1:36:50) Indian Police System
(1:40:00) Solutions for Kashmir
(1:47:14) Counter-Insurgency in India
(1:48:30) BJP's Bengal Failure
(1:56:59) YouTubers Influencing Elections?
(2:01:40) Legacy Media Becoming Irrelevant?
(2:06:49) Sanatana Row2:08:30BJP's Political Ethics
(2:13:35) YouTubers Impact
(2:15:10) Rigged Exit Polls?
(2:17:04) Abhijeet's Peacock Dance
(2:22:00) Pune Porsche Row
(2:24:00) Need for Judicial Reforms?
(2:28:28) Closing Remarks
Polls just concluded in India—the world's largest democracy. Exit polls predict NDA's return, but what is the ground reality? What factors boosted BJP led NDA coalition? We will have all these answers and more from three seasoned ANI journalists, who extensively covered the Indian elections.
Joining the discussion are Ashoke Raj, Siddharth Sharma, and Suchitra Mukherjee. Ashoke shares election insights from Punjab and Karnataka, Siddharth has covered polls in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, while Suchitra reported on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the three ANI journalists delve into their experiences covering the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They offer insights into the successes and challenges of the NDA and INDIA alliances and discuss the ground realities in the states they covered.
(0:00) Introduction
(0:28) North-South Divide
(3:44) Who'll win Karnataka?
(7:38) Siddaramaiah Schemes
(13:10) BJP's '400 Paar' Slogan
(14:39) Political Rallies Truth
(19:30) SP-Congress Alliance
(21:02) Why Priyanka didn't fight
(26:30) INDIA VS NDA in UP
(29:30) Rahul's Nyay Yatra
(33:17) Kanhaiya's future in Congress
(38:32) Mood in Punjab44:15:00The Modi Factor47:30:00K-Backer Amritpal
(53:30) Punjab's Chitta economy
(57:30) Odisha Exit poll1:00:50Cong Himachal govt to go?
(1:05:20) Rae Bareli & Amethi
(1:11:30) Personal Attacks in Polls
(1:15:20) Piyush Goyal 'Blushing' Story
(1:17:50) Main Issues in Bengal
(1:28:13) Maharashtra politics
(1:34:41) Exit Polls fallout1:45:30BJP vs Congress Cadres
(1:48:20) Reporter Challenges
(1:58:06) No interviews by Rahul
(2:05:10) Exit polls or exact polls?
Anurag Singh Thakur is a BJP MP in the Lok Sabha representing the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. He currently holds the positions of Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Second Modi Ministry. His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
Previously, Thakur has also served as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. Additionally, he was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from May 2015 to February 2017.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Anurag Thakur discusses the development in Himachal Pradesh during the NDA rule. He also criticized Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, stating that Congress promises in the state remain unfulfilled and accusing him of politicizing the Himachal flood situation.
Thakur also emphasizes PM Modi's popularity, particularly among women voters, and highlights the benefits of the Agnipath scheme for the country's youth, discussing its potential impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
(0:00) Introduction1:00Fifth Term MP?3:31Amit Shah's Appreciation
(5:47) Popularity Among Voters
(7:15) Modi Developing HP?
(12:58) Agnipath Scheme
(16:58) Gandhis Took Chinese Money?
(19:24) Atmanirbhar in Defence...
(22:32) Modi's Women Voters
(27:45) HP Congress Govt. is a Laughing Stock
(32:13) Kargil War35:11:00Himachal is Veerbhumi
(36:49) We Can Raze Pak Down To Dust
(40:05) Who Will Win LS Polls 2024?
(45:05) Foreign Media's Election Coverage
(47:13) INDIA Alliances's Ban List
(49:28) Social Media Influencing Elections?
(50:50) Personal Attacks in Election Campaigns
(52:22) Constitution Amendment Row
(54:30) Sansad Mobile Swasthya Seva
(58:42) Cricket Career0:59:43I Will Win...1:01:10PM Modi's Commitment
(1:04:42) Family is My Asset
Elections are currently underway in India, the world's largest democracy. However, as the voting progresses, there's a noticeable shift in political discourse. The focus has moved away from core issues towards topics like identity, caste reservation, and the constitution. But why are political parties deviating? What lies beneath this shift? We'll delve into these questions to uncover the truth.
Joining the podcast are Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala. Suhel Seth is a brand guru, author, and columnist. Advaita Kala is an author, columnist, and screenwriter, best known for her work on the critically acclaimed film 'Kahaani.'
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala discuss the election narrative for the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. They delve into legacy media's coverage of the elections, with Kala claiming that there is a general level of distrust towards mainstream media. She also suggests that social media platforms may be controlling the narrative through their extensive systems. The conversation also touches on PM Narendra Modi, his farsightedness, and his immense popularity among the masses, with Seth claiming that 'brand Modi' is more popular than that of RSS and BJP combined. Tune in for an episode filled with jibes, sarcasm, and satire.
(0:00) Intro1:47Summer Elections
(2:42) Seth's Jibe at Kala
(5:20) Legacy Media's Election Coverage
(6:45) Indian Electorate
(10:30) Brand Modi15:30Toothless Election Commission?
(17:44) Hindu Identity Politics
(26:20) Laws Have Exonerated Modi
(29:20) 1984 Sikh 'Genocide'
(30:50) Congress Controlled Media?
(32:45) Lutyens' Gang'34:50:00Distrust in Legacy Media
(39:14) Hate Economy is Thriving
(43:40) Seth's Meeting with Modi
(45:10) Sensational' Campaigns
(48:00) Western Media's Agenda
(51:35) Primetime Debates
(54:10) Indian Political Discourse
(1:00:12) Tech Platforms Controlling Narrative?
(1:02:30) Politics Affecting Relationships?
(1:04:14) Swati Maliwal Row
(1:06:00) The AAP Campaign
(1:10:40) AAP's Punjab Connection
(1:13:16) Election Reforms?
(1:15:20) Digital Activism
(1:17:17) The Labharthi Factor
Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a former Indian diplomat who served as India's ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2024. He played a key role in the establishment of the Indian embassy in Ukraine. He also served as the First Secretary in Washington, held the position of Consul General in Frankfurt, and was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he held various key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs in India.
In March 2024, Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined the BJP and was selected as the party's candidate for the religiously important Amritsar constituency in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu discusses the law and order situation in Punjab, addressing the drug crisis affecting the state's youth.
He criticizes the Aam Aadmi Party for failing to manage the situation and provide jobs for Punjab's younger generation. According to Sandhu, there is widespread dissatisfaction with AAP's performance, leading to a strong anti-incumbency sentiment in the northern state.
Additionally, Taranjit Singh Sandhu outlines his vision for transforming Amritsar into a tourism and start-up hub to boost the city's economy.
(0:00) Introduction0:35Diplomat Turned Politician
(2:52) Why Joined Politics
(4:20) Family Roots to Amritsar
(9:53) SGPC Connection with Family
(15:00) Parents' Legacy17:53Higher Education in Delhi
(18:35) BJP's Amritsar Jinx
(20:58) Problems in Amritsar
(23:25) Unemployment in Amritsar
(26:51) Startup Culture in Punjab
(29:30) VFS & U.S. Consulate in Amritsar
(31:25) Agriculture in Punjab
(36:16) Punjab Cargo Facility
(41:15) PM Modi's Policies
(42:13) Punjab's AAP Sarkar
(45:48) On Sukhpal Khera Row
(48:19) Amritpal Singh Poll Debut
(51:02) SAD-BJP Breakup
(52:17) Friendship with Sukhbir Badal
(56:19) PM's Sikh Diaspora Connect
(58:35) India-U.S. Ties
Elections are currently ongoing in the world's largest democracy. The outcome of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is of particular interest. Factors such as the influence of the Yogi administration, the electoral prospects of Congress in Raebareli, the performance of the SP, and the strategy of Mayawati's BSP regarding caste dynamics remain key points of interest.
Joining the discussion are two senior journalists Ashutosh Shukla and Virendra Nath Bhatt. Ashutosh Shukla works as Dainik Jagran's state editor in Uttar Pradesh. Beside that, Shukla is also the author of four books. Virendra Nath Bhatt is a senior journalist based in Uttar Pradesh.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the two senior journalists delve into the electoral landscape of Uttar Pradesh. According to Virendra Nath Bhatt, the opposition's narrative suggesting Yogi's potential removal from the CM's position is contributing to a polarization of votes in favor of the BJP. He also asserts that the power struggle within the Congress between Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is widely known in Uttar Pradesh. Ashutosh Shukla highlights that women serve as silent supporters of PM Modi, and the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is expected to influence these elections. Additionally, the journalists also explore Mayawati's strategies to maintain her Dalit vote bank.
(0:00) Introduction0:57Has Yogi Delivered UP?
(3:18) UP Voters' Pattern
(7:52) Reservation Row
(14:53) The Labharthi Factor
(18:03) Caste Politics in 2024 Polls
(23:26) Mahila' Voters & Women Quota
(28:36) Bundelkhand Development
(31:10) Akhilesh & Rahul's Bond
(36:45) Congress' Nostalgia Push
(38:59) Ayodhya Ram Temple
(43:02) Will Mayawati Rise Again?
(48:22) Arvind Kejriwal's Claims
(50:20) Muslim Votes55:08:00Gandhis Giving Up Amethi
(59:08) Congress' Shift To Leftism1:01:17Election Predictions
(1:05:55) Congress' Dynasty Politics
(1:08:33) Farm Laws & UCC
(1:13:07) Development in UP
(1:16:22) Influence of Western Media
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is an eminent diplomat who has been serving as the Minister of External Affairs for the Government of India since May 30, 2019. Dr. Jaishankar has played a pivotal role in shaping India's diplomatic strategies, particularly amidst the dynamic shifts in global geopolitics. A member of the BJP, Dr. Jaishankar also serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, representing Gujarat.
Previously, he held the position of Foreign Secretary from January 2015 to January 2018. He is only the second Indian diplomat to be appointed as India's External Affairs Minister.
Over his extensive 38-year diplomatic tenure, he has held various positions both in the country and abroad. He was involved in negotiating the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Jaishankar speaks about foreign media's influence in the 2024 Indian general elections, referring to them as the 'International Khan Market Gang.' He also talks about his journey from diplomat to politician and praises PM Modi for his farsighted policies.
Dr. Jaishankar also opens up about the Prajwal Revanna passport row, saying that the MEA acted promptly on the matter. He questions whether legal processes should be stalled to protect politicians. The External Affairs Minister also discusses 'Parivarvaad' (dynastic politics) in Indian politics, adding that it is fundamentally anti-democratic.
(0:00) Introduction0:52Election Campaigning
(1:43) Bureaucrat Turned Politician
(4:00) The 'India Story'7:18Expectation from EAM
(12:07) PM Modi's Work Culture
(17:27) BJP's '400 Paar' Target
(21:23) Is BJP Winning South?
(22:40) Mamata Banerjee
(25:51) Reservation Row
(28:51) Parivarvaad' & INDIA Alliance
(31:34) International Khan Market Gang'
(35:52) Farooq Abdullah’s Warning
(38:10) India's Reaction Post 26/11
(40:44) CMs Facing Agencies' Heat
(43:24) Prajwal Revanna Passport Row
(45:07) Nirav Modi & Mehul Choksi
(46:17) Humanitarian Aid
(49:09) Modi 3.0
Social activist and politician Swati Maliwal currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing Delhi. She participated in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by social activist Anna Hazare. Swati was the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) from 2015 to 2024. During her tenure, she demanded greater accountability from the Delhi police, leading to frequent clashes between the commission and the police department.
On May 13, Swati Maliwal alleged that she was assaulted by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's aide PS Bibhav Kumar. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Maliwal recounts her ordeal on what exactly happened on May 13. Swati expresses her belief that the truth will come to light once the original version of the videos is released. She feels betrayed by the AAP, noting that her friends and colleagues aren't standing by her. Swati also questions what this means for an ordinary person if it can happen to a Rajya Sabha MP.
Swati also mentions that the AAP leadership never asked her to resign and that some party members have become arrogant due to being in power. She complains that Arvind Kejriwal hasn't called her since the incident came to light and is protecting Bibhav Kumar. Swati asserts that she won't give a clean chit to anyone, emphasizing that the Delhi CM was present at his residence when the incident occurred.
(0:00) - Introduction
(2:55) - Assault Row
(7:45) - 'Doctored' Videos
(9:00) - Kejriwal's Role
(11:30) - Who is the culprit?
(14:20) - Who is Bibhav Kumar?
(16:35) - Leaked Videos
(20:40) - Victim Shaming
(25:10) - Police Complaint
(28:30) -'AAP leaders pressured' claim
(33:30) - AAP's stand on Swati's case
(36:30) - Did AAP Betray Swati?
(40:00) - Who is protecting Bibhav Kumar?
(43:00) - "I Will Fight Till The End"
(45:30) - Rajya Sabha Seat
(50:20) - Betrayal in AAP
(51:40) - Two Versions of the story
(55:30) - "I Will Try To Fix The Party"
(59:40) - Women in Politics
(1:02:00) - "I Feel Broken Inside"
(1:06:00) - Swati Maliwal case Probe
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we bring you a perfect blend of humour, fun, and candid discussions. Joining the conversation are Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, and Author & 'The Cārvāka Podcast' host Kushal Mehra. The duo delves into discussions around the country's socio-political landscape amidst the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Abhijit and Kushal explore the rise of political Hindutva and the introduction of monotheism in India through Islam. Abhijit criticizes the rise of 'woke' philosophy in the West and its impact in India. The duo also talks about the pro-Palestine protests sweeping through Western universities, mainly in the United States.
In this podcast, they discuss the BJP-led Modi government, with Abhijit and Kushal questioning Rahul Gandhi and his leadership style. The duo also criticizes the Indian political system for its lack of space for free speech. Kushal also talks about his book 'Nastik: Why I Am Not an Atheist' and the thought process behind it.
Tune in! This podcast is also filled with fun, laughter, witty jibes, and playful banter.
(0:00) Introduction
(2:26) Rise of Hindutva
(11:26) Constitution Row
(14:41) Indian Muslims
(18:56) Western Media's Hypocrisy
(21:12) Rise of Wokeism
(33:26) Pro-Palestine Stir in U.S.
(40:26) Wokeism a Threat to India?
(42:51) Riddhi Patel Row
(44:46) Rahul Gandhi 'Merit' Controversy
(48:46) The Woke Narrative
(52:41) Rahul Gandhi is Dangerous
(0:59:16) Hypocrisy of Modi Critics1:03:56Veganism1:07:16Hindutva as a 'Disruptor'
(1:09:56) The Modi Factor1:12:46Pluralism in Indian Society
(1:25:26) Indian Secularism
(1:31:26) Mutual Respect & Tolerance
(1:36:56) Hindu Population
(1:44:06) YouTube & Hate Speech
(1:47:56) Freedom of Speech in India
(1:57:26) Muslims in Modi's India
Kapil Sibal is an Indian lawyer and politician. A designated Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, Sibal earned the reputation as one of the country's prominent lawyers. He also serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Sibal served as a minister under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, holding various portfolios. In this role, he led Indian delegations at international forums. His tenure was marked by several controversies, including his attempts to regulate internet content.
In 2022, Sibal left the Indian National Congress to independently file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha, with support from the Samajwadi Party. He was subsequently re-elected as President of the Bar Association in the Supreme Court for the 2024–25 term.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Kapil Sibal alleges that "democracy is under threat" in India, and questions the credibility of mainstream media in the country. The Senior Supreme Court Advocate also emphasized the need for judicial reforms in India.
From ABVP's national secretary to the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jagat Prakash Nadda's journey is that of a commoner from Himachal Pradesh who rose through the ranks to the top. Nadda has served the organization while holding crucial positions at different levels in the party. Currently, he leads one of the biggest political parties globally, with over 10 crore members.
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, JP Nadda outlines the challenges in leading a party like the BJP and discusses his plans for further expansion. Without mincing words, he asserts that '400 Paar' is a reality, and the NDA led by the BJP will surpass this mark. He also addresses major issues like the Constitution and reservation, which are central to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Nadda vehemently opposes reservation based on religion, labelling it 'appeasement politics.'
The BJP Chief also strongly criticizes Arvind Kejriwal over the alleged assault of AAP MP Swati Maliwal at the Delhi CM's house. He questions the Delhi CM's silence on the matter. In a no-holds-barred conversation, JP Nadda takes a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of spreading lies about the Constitution.
Nadda also lashes out at Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee regarding the law and order situation in the state. He refers to her as 'unstable' and alleges that the TMC supremo has compromised the nation for the sake of votes. Nadda accuses Mamata Banerjee of providing shelter to infiltrators and misleading people about the CAA.
Known for her fiery speeches, Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani in the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash revealed dark side of ‘Parivarvad’ politics in the constituency. Without mincing words, Smriti Irani attacked Gandhi siblings (Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi) and levelled startling allegations. With shocking claims, Irani recounted alleged insult and humiliation faced by BJP leader Maneka Gandhi when she contested from Amethi. In the podcast, the Union Minister also accused Congress and Gandhi siblings of booth capturing. BJP leader who wrested the Amethi seat from Rahul Gandhi in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has been challenged by Congress’ loyalist KL Sharma this time. Rahul Gandhi is contesting Lok Sabha polls 2024 from Raebareli.
Piyush Vedprakash Goyal is an Indian politician and chartered accountant who serves as a cabinet minister in the Government of India. He oversees portfolios including the Minister of Textiles, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. He is currently a Member of Parliament for Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra and serves as the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha.
In his 35-year political career, Piyush Goyal has reached several significant milestones. As Minister of Railways, he helped India achieve a safety record with zero passenger deaths in rail accidents. During his tenure as Power, Coal, and New & Renewable Energy Minister, he successfully implemented UJALA, the world's largest LED bulb distribution program. Earlier, he has also been the National Treasurer of the BJP.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajya Sabha Leader Piyush Goyal speaks about his Mumbai roots and comments on the splits within Maharashtra's NCP and Shiv Sena.
The senior BJP leader also talks about the party's contribution to India's development. He also attacks the Congress for playing devisive politics and dividing India on caste and religion lines for votes.
The world's biggest festival of democracy is underway in India. Drama, spectacle, colour, jibes, and exuberant noise—India is witnessing everything. But what about its neighbours? How are they watching the Indian Election 2024? Who do they want in power: a strong independent government or a coalition one? How will the 2024 India General election shape neighbours' foreign policies? We will get all the answers.
Joining this podcast are two esteemed experts, Ajay Bisaria and Tilak Devasher. Bisaria is a Distinguished Fellow at ORF. He served as the Indian High Commissioner to Canada and India's envoy to Pakistan, Poland, and Lithuania. He also authored the book "Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship Between India and Pakistan," which is discussed in the show.
Tilak Devasher is the author of three widely acclaimed books on Pakistan. He retired as Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India in October 2014. He is currently a member of the National Security Advisory Board.
In this episode, experts discuss how China is extending its trade ties with Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar, which pose high-risk points for Indian territories. They further talk about dealing with the Taliban government, terrorism of insurgent groups in Myanmar, and relations with the Pakistan government. And how should India deal with the New Maldivian government, which ran an 'India Out' Campaign.
Nara Chandrababu Naidu, also known as Chandrababu Naidu or CBN, is a veteran Indian politician who currently holds the position of the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and has been the president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since 1995.
Chandrababu Naidu also served as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 1995 to 2004 and is acknowledged for his role in the development of Hyderabad and for successfully conceptualizing the city's IT hub, Cyberabad. The veteran south Indian politician has also served as the opposition leader in the Andhra assembly from 2004 to 2014.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the senior Telegu leader tears into Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, blaming him for leaving the southern state bankcrupt and without a capital city.
CBN also opened up about his party's alliance with the BJP, his take on reservation for Muslims, and freebie politics in Andhra Pradesh. He also reminiscences his time in the United Front alliance back in 1996, when senior leaders across the country urged him to step up as the Prime Minister.
Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, widely recognized as KTR, is a Member of the Telangana Legislative Assembly and the son of K Chandrashekar Rao, the first Chief Minister of Telangana, created after bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.
Previously, he served as cabinet minister for IT, Municipal Administration & Urban Development in Telangana's second assembly. He continues to represent the Sircilla assembly constituency since 2009 and holds the position of working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, KTR alleges that the ruling government has captured the country's institutions and there is no space for dissent. The former Telangana minister expressed his dislike for the Congress and its current leadership. He also dismisses the Delhi Liquor 'Scam' and adds that his sister K Kavitha is being wrongly accused in it and Central agencies are working at the behest of the Central government.
He also questioned Telangana's Congress CM Revanth Reddy's ties with the RSS. KTR also dismissed the idea of dynasty politics, contending accomplishments and merits over familial ties. This exclusive interaction offers a closer look into the functioning of politics in the state of Telangana.
Sachin Pilot is a senior Congress leader and former Union Minister who has also served as Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan. He also held the position of President of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee and played a major role in building the Congress Party's cadres in the state. Coming from a political family, his father, Rajesh Pilot, was a senior Congress politician and Union Minister as well.
Pilot made history as the first Union minister of India to be commissioned as an officer in the Territorial Army. Currently, he serves as the Congress General Secretary for Chhattisgarh and is an MLA from Rajasthan's Tonk constituency.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sachin Pilot discusses the Congress' and India Alliance's prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. Without mincing words, Pilot addresses issues such as the Caste Census, Reservation, and the Constitutional row that are dominating the General elections.
Sachin Pilot also reflects on the 2020 'revolt' and why he was not happy with the then-state government of Rajasthan. Pilot sheds light on his father's legacy and replies to allegations of dynasty politics. Pilot also speaks on the mass exodus that Congress is facing amidst the mega polls.
Hardeep Singh Puri, a former diplomat and current Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in the Modi Government. He is also the longest-serving Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs in India's history.
An Indian Foreign Service officer from the 1974 batch, Puri served as Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013. During this time, he also chaired the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee from January 2011 to February 2013. Subsequently, in June 2013, he joined the International Peace Institute as a senior advisor.
In a recent episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Hardeep Singh Puri made startling revelations about leaders of the Congress Party planning a presidential form of government during the peak of the Emergency. He also alleged that Sanjay Gandhi had a sinister plan to suspend elections for three to four decades.
Puri also discussed the evolution of dynasty politics within the Congress Party over the years. Furthermore, he criticized foreign media for their biases towards the Narendra Modi government. Additionally, Puri shared insights on the BJP's prospects in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Prof. Dilip Mandal is anauthor and a seasoned journalist. He is the former managing editor of India Today Hindi Magazine, and has authored books on media and sociology.
Often known for talking about the plight of dalits in India, Mandal has often seen himself in controversies for voicing out strong opinions on social media sites like X.
In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the senior journalist speaks up about the ongoing Muslim Reservation Row, and why, reservation should not be on the basis on religion. He also speaks up on the important of a caste census in India. He also alleges that Congress has never acted in the intererst of the country's Dalit community.
Asaduddin Owaisi, a barrister and four-time Member of Parliament, is the Chief of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM). He ranks among the 500 most influential Muslims globally. Representing the Hyderabad constituency in the Lok Sabha, Owaisi is campaigning for re-election against BJP's Madhavi Latha, known for her outspokenness.
In the latest episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Owaisi discusses the controversy over Muslim reservations, following the PM's statement against religion-based quotas. Owaisi boldly advocates for addressing the social and educational challenges faced by Muslim communities through reservations. He criticizes PM Modi for labeling Muslims as 'infiltrators', condemning it as a new low in political discourse.
AIMIM chief Owaisi counters PM Modi's claim on Muslim fertility rates, citing government data showing a decline. He questions BJP's slogan '400 Paar', suggesting it aims to alter the constitution. Owaisi also explains why he compared PM Modi to Hitler and claims Muslims in today's India are in a situation similar to that of the Jews during Hitler's era.
Addressing Madhavi Latha's 'Bow-Arrow' gesture, Owaisi asserts she has been exposed and accuses BJP of diverting attention from development to religious divisions. He also responds to allegations of AIMIM's association with Razakars, dismissing them as baseless.
Praful Patel is a Rajya Sabha MP, former Union Aviation Minister, and the working president of the NCP. He is also a former president of the All India Football Federation and also served as a member of the FIFA Council. Patel inherited his passion for politics from his father Manoharbhai Patel, who was a senior leader of the Congress in Maharashtra.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Praful Patel sheds light on the exact reason behind the split of the NCP, and whether Sharad Pawar was aware of or in the dark about Ajit Pawar's swearing-in ceremonies in 2019 and 2023. Patel mentions PM Modi's vision and development projects and justifies Ajit Pawar's decision to join hands with the BJP.
Praful Patel also addresses his alleged involvement in the Air India leasing case, which was closed by the CBI eight months after he joined the NDA. He also responds to the opposition's jibe about the BJP being a "washing machine."
He also shares some untold stories behind the formation of the NCP and what led Sharad Pawar to break away from the Congress and form another party. He also shares stories about how Sharad Pawar was close to obtaining the top job in the country and blamed his indecisiveness for not achieving it. He asserts that the Gandhi Family would never trust Sharad Pawar and has backstabbed him many times.
Patel also takes on Uddhav Thackeray and claims that Raj Thackeray had the potential to take the Shiv Sena to greater heights had he not been a lazy politician.
Shashi Sekhar is the former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India's public broadcaster. He assumed office in 2017 and served a five-year term till 2022. An alumnus of IIT-Bombay, he was the youngest and first non-bureaucrat to hold the public office since its creation in 1997.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former CEO of Prasar Bharati opens up about the Western media's 'obsession' with Prime Minister Modi, often calling him an 'authoritarian leader' – a direct attack on India's democratic setup.
He also explains why Global media is ‘biased’ against PM Modi and continues to defame India’s democracy.
Shashi Shekhar speaks up about how these foreign media outlets have repeatedly attacked India's majority population, the Hindus, and their sentiments around the newly inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
He also advises foreign journalists not to cross a line and hype up India's internal issues, which in turn may create a security situation in the country.
28-year-old Akash Anand is the National Coordinator of the Bahujan Samaj Party. Nephew of BSP supremo Mayawati, Akash joined the party in 2016 and rose through the ranks, to become the the second most important leader in the party. In December 2023, Mayawati also known as 'Behenji' named him as her political successor at a party meeting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Anand speaks about the current state of politics in Uttar Pradesh. He also speaks up about why his party had to split ways with their earlier rival the Samajwadi Party, and why his party wouldn't allign with Dalit leader and Bhim Army Chief Chandrasekhar Azad.
The young Dalit politician with a foreign MBA, also opens up for the first time about being discriminated against for his caste by a senior in school, despite being the CM's nephew.
Dr. Cholenahally Nanjappa Manjunath, known as Dr. C N Manjunath, is a renowned cardiologist, who was the director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research for 18 years, the largest Heart Care Centre in Southeast Asia. Under his leadership, the institute introduced 'Treatment First and Payment Next', praised by former U.S. President Barack Obama for providing high-quality cardiac care at affordable rates.
Recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, Dr Manjunath is also the son-in-law of HD Deve Gowda, former Prime Minister of India. He is now contesting in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls on a BJP ticket against DK Suresh, brother of Karnataka's Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, from the Bengaluru Rural seat. This election is seen as a battle for leadership within the Vokkaliga community, to which both candidates belong.
In an episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Manjunath explains his delayed entry into politics despite his close ties to the JD(S) family and why he decided to contest on a BJP ticket. He discusses policies like Ayushman Bharat, aiming to provide healthcare to those below the poverty line, and the potential impact of the BJP-JD(S) alliance on his campaign against DK Suresh, the incumbent Congress MP from Bengaluru Rural.
Dr Manjunath also addresses the concerning rise of sudden heart attacks among young individuals, answering if COVID-19 vaccines play a role. He also shares insights on leading a healthy lifestyle.
HD Kumaraswamy, known as the 'kingmaker' of Karnataka politics, served as Chief Minister of Karnataka from 2018 to 2019 and from 2006 to 2007. He is contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mandya constituency, which his son Nikhil lost to actor Sumalatha in 2019.
The son of former Indian Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, HD Kumaraswamy is also a Kannada film producer and actor. He has produced several successful Kannada films, including 'Chandra Chakori', which ran for an impressive 365 days in theatres. In 2016, his banner also produced his son's debut movie, 'Jaguar'.
In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, HDK sheds light on his alliance with the BJP and his past connections with the Gandhi family. He dismisses Congress' accusations of being the BJP's 'B-team'. He also talks about his father's relationship with PM Modi and how it influenced both parties to ally.
HDK touches on the topic of succession within the party and who will lead after Deve Gowda. The former Chief Minister of Karnataka denies allegations of JD(S) merging with the BJP after the 2024 polls. The upcoming Lok Sabha elections are crucial for JD(S), which is facing decline and setbacks in its Vokkaliga stronghold.
Rajeev Gowda wears many hats - he is an academician, spokesperson, professor, and social worker. Formerly a Rajya Sabha MP, he is now a Congress candidate for the Bengaluru North Lok Sabha constituency, a Vokkaliga stronghold. He is contesting against BJP's Shobha Karandlaje, also a Vokkaliga.
Currently, Rajeev serves as Chairman of the Congress Research Department. Previously, he was the Director of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India and chaired the Centre for Public Policy at IIM Bangalore, teaching various courses.
In a recent episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev discusses Congress' prospects in Karnataka for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He dismisses the existence of a 'Modi wave' in the state and predicts that Congress will secure double-digit seats.
Rajeev proposes a 'National Election Fund' scheme to replace electoral bonds, which have been banned following a Supreme Court verdict. He accuses the BJP of engaging in divisive politics in Karnataka, emphasizing religious polarization of vote banks.
Additionally, he highlights the water crisis and traffic issues in Bengaluru. Rajeev responds to allegations that Congress is anti-majoritarian and expresses concern about the state of democracy in the country. He believes that an opposition alliance in India will help safeguard democracy.
Tejasvi Surya, the dynamic BJP MP representing Bengaluru South in the 17th Lok Sabha is also the President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha since September 26, 2020. At just age 33, the youngest BJP MP in the 17th Lok Sabha is a captivating speaker, and a fitness enthusiast.
Tejasvi holds a Bachelor of Academic Law and an LLB from Bangalore Institute of Legal Studies and is proficient in Carnatic music. His NGO, Arise India, is dedicated to enhancing school education.
In this episode of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tejasvi delves into the hot topics of the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, the political landscape of South India, the pressing Bengaluru water crisis, and the BJP's stance on preserving local languages and cultures. For the very first time he also speaks on airplane emergency door opening row.
As he marches towards the 18th Lok Sabha, Tejasvi faces challenge from Congress's Sowmya Reddy.
China's global influence has expanded rapidly, not only economically but also through its extensive networks of technology, and information dissemination, triggering street protests across the world, like Black Lives Matter in the US and pro-Palestine protests in Europe.
This episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash was recorded at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024. The expert panel discusses how China's influence extends to regions where street protests have erupted over social justice issues or geopolitical tensions.
The expert panel for this episode includes James Carafano, Vice President of Davis Institute for National Security & Foreign Policy, USA and Gladden Pappin, President of Hungarian Institute of International Affairs.
The two foreign policy experts also discuss how international media by and large is also succeptible to these networks.
Rajnath Singh is serving as the 29th Defence Minister of India since 2019. He is also the Deputy Leader of the House of the BJP since May 30, 2019. Singh also held the post of BJP President from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2013 to 2014. Additionally, He served as the 19th Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2000 to 2002.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajnath Singh discusses the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls and whether the INDIA alliance will make any difference or not. The Defence Minister also addresses India’s relations with its neighbours, Pakistan and China, highlighting the ongoing border disputes.
Rajnath Singh also became emotional recalling his experiences during the 1975 Emergency period when he was imprisoned for 18 months for voicing dissent. He mentions being denied bail to visit his mother, who was on her deathbed due to a brain haemorrhage.
The Defence Minister expressed his belief in fostering good relations with Pakistan only if they take effective measures to combat terrorism, offering assistance to Islamabad in this regard. He also responds to reports suggesting India’s involvement in alleged plots to carry out assassinations on foreign soil, specifically in Pakistan and Canada.
Rajnath Singh further reflects on his tenure as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, noting the challenges during a period when no Chief Minister was able to complete their term in the state of U.P
Ashwin Sanghi is among India’s highest-selling English fiction authors. He has written several bestsellers in the Bharat Series (including The Rozabal Line, Chanakya’s Chant, The Krishna Key, The Sialkot Saga, Keepers of the Kalachakra, The Vault of Vishnu, and The Magicians of Mazda) and two New York Times bestselling crime thrillers with James Patterson.
He has been included by Forbes India in their Celebrity 100 and by The New Indian Express in their Culture Power List. He is also a winner of the Crossword Popular Choice Award 2012, the Atta Galatta Popular Choice Award 2018, and the Lit-O-Fest Literature Legend Award 2018.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ashwin Sanghi explores the essence of Sanatana Dharma and its importance in promoting harmony in today's diverse world. He uncovers the stories of mythology and historical events, sharing insights that could resonate with people from all cultures and across generations.
Ashwin also discusses the truth behind the Aryan Invasion theory and offers insights into the art of storytelling, emphasizing how to keep readers engaged. He candidly addresses the challenges he faces in publishing and reveals details about his upcoming project in the Bharat series and new Book 'Razor Sharp - A Kutta Kadam Thriller'
Sujan R. Chinoy is a former Indian diplomat with over 37 years of experience. He currently serves as the Director General at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), India's top think-tank focusing on defense, security, and international relations, located in New Delhi. He also chaired the Think20 engagement group during India’s G20 Presidency.
During his career, Ambassador Chinoy specialized in various diplomatic areas, including China, East Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, National Security, as well as the U.S. and Latin American region.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Sujan Chinoy provides insights into India's stance and its role in the crises involving Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza.
Ambassador Chinoy explains India's approach, which involves maintaining balanced relations with both Russia and Ukraine while advocating for peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Regarding Israel-Gaza, he discusses India's historical ties with Israel, its support for Palestinian aspirations, and the careful balancing act needed to uphold regional stability.
Additionally, Ambassador Chinoy discusses the transformative impact of technological advancements on modern warfare. He emphasizes the revolutionary role of drones, which have changed military strategies and tactics, offering new capabilities in surveillance and targeted strikes.
Gopal Bedi, popularly known by his screen name Ranjeet, has worked in over 200 films. He embarked on his journey in 1970 and carved a niche for himself as a versatile character actor, excelling in villainous roles. Some of his notable performances include appearances in films such as 'Sharmeelee', 'Bandhe Haath', and 'Namak Halal'. He continues to leave his mark, as evidenced by his roles in 'Behen Hogi Teri', 'Housefull 2', and 'Housefull 4'.
In the Mumbai Edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ranjeet talks about his journey into Bollywood without having a godfather. He shares insights into the changes that have occurred in Bollywood over the last 50 years, noting a lack of camaraderie among actors. Without mincing words, he shares the insider secrets of Bollywood late-night parties in the 70s and 80s.
Ranjeet also discusses his experiences working with legends such as Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, and Sunil Dutt. He explains why he opted to portray back-to-back negative characters in movies. Ranjeet reveals that he is a teetotaler and a pure vegetarian, a lifestyle choice starkly contrasting with the roles he portrayed in films.
Ranjeet, one of Bollywood's beloved villains, now enjoys retired life in Juhu. He has significantly reduced his film commitments in the last 5 years, focusing instead on minimal work. However, he remains quite active on Instagram with nearly 2 lakh followers.
China has set an ambitious 5% GDP growth target for 2024 and vowed to 'transform' the economy. Beijing has signalled that stability and transforming its economy will continue to be a priority. This comes at a time when China's economy has performed weaker than expected post-pandemic.
This episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash was recorded at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024. The expert panel examines where China's economy is headed in 2024. What are the growth prospects and challenges ahead for Xi Jinping's government?
The expert panel for "The Year of the Dragon" includes Jorge Quiroga, Former President of Bolivia; Noah Barkin, Senior Advisor, China Practice, Rhodium Group, USA; Philippe Le Corre, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute, France; Velina Tchakarova, Founder, FACE, and Visiting Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, Austria.
The panel will evaluate the state of China's economy and whether it is still making friends across the world or not. Does it inspire the same confidence in investors that it did pre-pandemic? How is Beijing's influence projected to evolve globally, particularly in regions like Russia and Latin America? Will it expand or diminish in the upcoming year?
Eric Garcetti, currently serving as the U.S. Ambassador to India, stands out as the sole U.S. envoy to have toured 22 states of India within just 12 months since his appointment in March 2023.
He also served as the Mayor of Los Angeles, where he held the position of City Council President, becoming one of the city’s youngest mayors. Garcetti announced he would not run for president in 2020, opting to finish his term as mayor.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the U.S. stance on the Khalistan issue and addresses whether Washington is ‘protecting’ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist in India, or not.
Ambassador Eric also speaks on why the U.S. keeps ‘meddling’ in India’s internal affairs, whether it’s the Delhi CM being arrested by a Central agency or the Congress party’s account being frozen over income tax ‘evasion.’
He defends his comments on the CAA implementation in India and talks about the lengthy waiting procedure for getting a Visitor Visa for the U.S.
He also discusses the rise in attacks on Indian students in the U.S. and delves into topics such as India-U.S. ties, military exercises between both countries. Additionally, he shares his experience on the India tour, Bollywood, and Cricket.
China's ambitions are clear: it wants to gain control over Taiwan, but at what cost? The Chinese President Xi Jinping stated, "It is up to the Chinese people to resolve the Taiwan issue," affirming that Beijing will never renounce the right to use force but will strive for a peaceful resolution. The future of Asia's security—and perhaps the world's—is inextricably linked to Taiwan's future.
This episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash was recorded at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024. The expert panel examines how Taiwan and the region perceive threats to the island and the consequences for global instability in East Asia.
The expert panel for "The Asian Matrix: Taiwan's Road Ahead" includes Alan Yang, Executive Director of the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and Distinguished Professor at National Chengchi University; Sana Hashmi, Fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation; and Saturo Nagao, Non-Resident Fellow at the Hudson Institute, Japan.
The panel discusses: How has the 2024 Taiwan presidential election changed the dynamics between Taipei and Beijing? How are Taiwan's own internal conversations on its identity evolving over time? How can Taiwan's partners in the region, from Japan to India, integrate Taiwan further into the global systems and their plans for regional security?
The 39-year-old Annamalai Kuppusamy is making his parliamentary poll debut in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, contesting for the Coimbatore seat. Known for his aggressive style of politics, K. Annamalai is credited with the rise of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. Unafraid to speak his mind, he confronts the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu directly and doesn't spare his former ally, the AIADMK. Some even attribute the breakup between AIADMK and BJP to his influence.
An engineering graduate, Annamalai pursued management studies at IIM-Lucknow. Hailing from Karur in western Tamil Nadu, he served as an IPS officer in the Karnataka cadre from 2011 to 2019. Joining the BJP in 2021, he was elevated to become the party’s state president, making him the youngest president of the Tamil Nadu unit.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, K. Annamalai discusses the BJP's prospects in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming polls. He confidently predicts that the BJP will secure double-digit seats in the state. Furthermore, he criticizes DMK's A. Raja and Udhayanidhi Stalin for their anti-Sanatan remarks.
Annamalai also delves into topics such as tax devolution to Southern states, delimitation, and his reasons for transitioning into politics. He also addresses the longstanding Cauvery water conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and shares his insights on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on society.
He is a trusted lieutenant of the Gandhi family, an eight-time MLA and considered a 'troubleshooter' for the Congress party. DK Shivakumar is one of the tallest Vokkaliga leaders of the Congress, who lost out in the race to Siddaramaiah and became his deputy.
Shivakumar started his political career as a student leader in the 1980s and gradually rose through the ranks of the Congress party. Some even tout him as the next 'Chanakya' of the Congress party after Ahmed Patel.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, DK Shivakumar talks about the Bengaluru Cafe Blast and alleges that some anti-social elements are behind it, emphasising that the safety of Kannadigas remains the utmost priority.
He also shares why Sonia Gandhi chose not to contest the Lok Sabha polls and took the Rajya Sabha route to become an MP. Shivakumar further states that only the Congress party can keep the Congress united and that the Gandhi Family has sacrificed a lot.
Shivakumar hits out at the centre and claims injustice to Karnataka in tax devolution, claiming 'stepmotherly' treatment. He also delves into the Cauvery water wars and the Bengaluru water crisis.
Additionally, Karnataka Deputy CM speaks on the preparation of the party for the Lok Sabha polls and shares his plans for the state in the upcoming years.
It's BJP's Madhavi Latha versus AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi. A long time RSS worker against a prominent Muslim leader will be taking on each other in Hyderabad. Madhavi Latha is not an active politician and does not belong to any political family. She is the first female candidate fielded by the BJP in Hyderabad. She is a social activist, Bharatnatyam dancer, and former NCC cadet, who is also running a Gaushala. She campaigned against Triple Talaq, while Owaisi claimed it to be unconstitutional, alleging that it demonizes Muslims.
AIMIM Chief has been winning the Hyderabad constituency since 2004, with the last victory margin being over 3 lakh votes. Is fielding Madhavi Latha from Hyderabad a lost cause? Or is this move part of the preparation for the 2029 election?
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Madhavi Latha claims that children in Madrasas in Hyderabad are not getting food and they have become child laborers, with no future. She also alleges that bogus voting exists in the electoral rolls of the Hyderabad LS constituency.
She hits out at Owaisi, claiming that there has been no development in the area in the last 40 years and that temples and Hindu homes are being illegally occupied under Owaisi's nose. She also refutes the allegations of BJP being the 'B Team' of AIMIM.
Jagadish Vasudev better known as "Sadhguru," is the founder of the Isha Foundation. He dons many hats as a yoga guru, mystic, philanthropist, author, and podcaster. Sadhguru defies stereotypes by actively engaging in various activities beyond meditation. He sings, dances, rides a bike, and drives vehicles for causes that impact humanity, such as "Save The Soil." In recognition of his spiritual teachings and humanitarian efforts, Sadhguru was honoured with India’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2017.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sadhguru addresses the debate of Ayurveda versus Allopathy, offering insights into their roles in healthcare. Additionally, he shares wisdom on mental health and explores the ancient teachings of Sanatana Dharma.
Sadhguru discusses whether India is a secular country or not and contemplates its potential to become a "Vishwaguru" or world leader. He bats for one nation one election and elaborates on why frequent elections could be harmful for democracy.
Sadhguru also addresses the question of how chronic diseases may stem from the thoughts and emotions we generate, which can ultimately taint the chemical balance within our bodies. He suggests exploring a holistic approach to well-being.
Shehzad Poonawalla is a well-known face of the BJP on TV debates, with fiery puns and takes on the Congress. His debates often go viral on social media. Aditi Singh is a BJP MLA from Raebareli Sadar, the bastion of Sonia Gandhi, which now stands vacated as the former Congress president has moved to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Aditi and Shehzad get candid and share why they switched to the BJP from the Congress, and whether anyone from the Gandhi family tried to stop them. Furthermore, both talk extensively about the functioning of Congress and the BJP, and how internal democracy works.
Without mincing words, Shehzad takes on the Congress, stating that everyone caters to 'one parivar' in Congress and the party never gives chances to grassroots workers. Instead, it chooses people who are and were close to the Gandhi-Nehru Family.
Aditi Singh also makes a sensational claim that Rahul Gandhi was aloof to the situation of the U.P when she was a Congress MLA. Aditi cites Congress' 'anti-Hindu' stance as one of the reasons to quit the party. She also claimed that the Congress high command only shows up in Amethi and Rai Bareli at the time of elections and doesn't want to hit the ground.
Shehzad also answers the most sought-after question: why the ruling BJP doesn't have a single Muslim MP. Both of them also discuss their future prospects in politics.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we bring you a perfect mix of humour, masti, and unapologetic conversation. Joining us are Anand Ranganathan, an author, scientist, and social commentator, alongside Ranvir Shorey, a former VJ who works in the Hindi film industry and is known for his candid political commentary on social media.
From the vibrant realms of Bollywood to the corridors of politics, they fearlessly explore a wide array of topics. Ranvir Shorey provides insights into his association with the Aam Aadmi Party back in 2014. Ranvir shares his experience of 'Sacred Games' and 'Khosla ka Ghosla', and also sheds light on his latest projects ‘Sunflower2 ’ & ‘Godhra’.
Anand and Ranvir also delve into PR 'campaigns' by actors and their role in supporting movements such as the JNU protests. They share their views on the evolving landscape of OTT platforms.
Additionally, Anand Ranganathan discusses his criminal contempt case, which was dismissed by the Delhi High court.
Just ahead of the mega 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, the Centre has notified the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was passed by Parliament four years ago. Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserts that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has fulfilled another commitment after Article 370 and Triple Talaq. The opposition labels the CAA as 'anti-Muslim' and 'unconstitutional'.
The CAA facilitates the process for Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi immigrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India legally or illegally before Dec 31, 2014, and have resided in the country for at least five years, to obtain Indian citizenship.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dispels all 'confusion' and 'misconceptions' surrounding the CAA. Home minister asserts that CAA seeks to offer refuge to persecuted religious minorities from neighboring countries and does not impact the citizenship status of Indian Muslims.
HM Shah also explains why the CAA excludes Muslims, arguing that this move is a gesture to protect those fleeing religious persecution, while highlighting that Muslims from neighboring countries can still pursue Indian citizenship through other legal avenues.
HM Shah explains why the implementation of CAA does not extend to tribal areas in the Northeast, stating that the tribal composition will remain unaffected by the CAA. Additionally, he clarifies all confusion surrounding the relationship between CAA and NRC.
After two years of political turmoil and an economic crisis, Pakistan held elections on 8th Feb 2024. As the results were being announced, accusations surfaced that the Pakistan military had assisted the coalition led by Nawaz Sharif's PML-N in winning the polls. This unfolded amidst former Prime Minister Imran Khan languishing in jail and being barred from contesting polls, with his party symbol, 'the bat,' also banned.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, held at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024, experts delved into the question: Can Pakistan emerge from its economic crisis, or is it on the brink of becoming a failed state? The discussion also explored the continued influence of the Pakistan army in politics.
The expert panel for the "Pakistan Poser" session includes Geoffrey Van Orden, Former Member of the European Parliament; Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the US and Americas Programme at Chatham House and Professor of International Relations at SOAS University of London, UK; and Ajay Bisaria, Distinguished Fellow at ORF and ex-envoy to Pakistan and Canada.
Following the swearing-in of Shehbaz Sharif as Pakistan's 24th Prime Minister, the question arises: Can a change in leadership help the country overcome its crisis? How Pakistan's dysfunction poses risks to its neighbors and the global community. The episode also raises questions about the Anglo-American alliance's continued interest in Pakistan or if patience with Islamabad has run out.
Rajat Sharma has been a prominent figure in Indian media and journalism for the last three decades. He is best known for his show, 'Aap Ki Adalat', 'Aaj Ki Baat’ and his role as the Editor-in-Chief of India TV. Before joining television, he was the Editor of Onlooker, Sunday Observer, and The Daily. He pursued higher studies at SRCC and was part of ABVP. In 1977, he was elected as General Secretary of the Delhi University Students Union.
In the latest episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajat Sharma talks about his childhood, family background, and his journey to the top. He also delves deep into his friendship of over 45 years with Arun Jaitley and recalls their first meeting at Delhi University. He also discusses the JP Movement and his arrest during the emergency in 1975, explaining why he chose journalism over politics.
Rajat Sharma further shares insights into his relationships with former Prime Ministers Morarji Desai, P.V Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also sheds light on his hit show, "Aap Ki Adalat," and how its format was developed. Additionally, he addresses allegations of being labeled as 'Godi media.'
The world is currently witnessing two major war fronts: one between Israel and Hamas and the other involving Russia and Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has entered its third year, with no potential 'stalemate' or breakthrough in sight. In the aftermath of Hamas-led attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, intense bombing and ground campaigns in Gaza have ensued. U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed hope for a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, held at Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024, two sessions were featured: "24 Months: Deconstructing the Battlefield" and "Dousing the Flames: A New Framework against Terror."
In this Raisina IdeasPod with ANI, the expert panel on the Israel-Hamas war war comprises Max Abrahms, Professor at Northeastern University in the USA, Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Dr. Oshrit Birvadker, Foreign Policy Expert at the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security.
The second session, focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war, includes Alexander Gabuev, Director at Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center in Berlin, Nico Lange, Senior Fellow at Munich Security Conference, and Theresa Fallon, Founder and Director of the Centre for Russia, Europe, Asia Studies (CREAS).
The experts explore key questions such as: Does the West-East narrative battle impact facts on the ground? Can we improve intelligence sharing about the global networks of finance and personnel that support such actors? Is the Global War on Terror over, or did it never end? To what extent do ground realities align with Moscow's and Kyiv's economic positions and global support?
Atul Keshap is a former U.S. diplomat, now serving as the president of the of the U.S-India Business Council. He also serves as the senior vice president at U.S chamber of commerce. He also held the position of Chargé d'affaires of the United States mission to India.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Atul Keshap shares his experience as a U.S. diplomat to India and recalls the time he spent in India.
He discusses the circumstances surrounding his resignation, including his meeting with RSS Chief, and his decision to step away from diplomacy.
Being a close observer of India-U.S. relations, Keshap shares his insights to growing India-U.S. ties, how the United States perceives India as a potential ally and areas where the relationship can further develop.
He shares the backroom events during the India-U.S. Nuclear deal, highlighting former U.S. President George W. Bush's early support for India.
Keshap also talks about his Indian roots and how he embraces Hinduism.
Prem Chopra was born into a Hindu Punjabi family in Lahore in 1935. Following the partition of India, his family relocated to Shimla, where he was raised. Despite his father's aspirations for him to become a doctor or an IAS officer, he embarked on a journey to become an actor. He was a trailblazer in introducing the concept of handsome villains, deviating from the stereotype of venom-spewing characters with expected dialogues.
After completing his graduation, he moved to Mumbai and initially worked in the circulation department of The Times of India. He made his debut film in the Punjabi movie 'Chaudhary Karnail Singh' which won the National Film Award for Best Punjabi Film in 1961.
Prem Chopra was a prominent villain in Hindi films, peaking from 1967 to 1994. During the '70s, he secured notable villainous roles, alongside actors like Sujith Kumar and Ranjeet.
In the recent ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prem Chopra reflects on his experiences during the partition days and how he ventured into theatre after moving to Shimla. He shares insights into landing his first hit movie and discusses why he gravitated towards villain roles.
Being in the industry for six decades, Prem Chopra took on fewer villainous roles post-1999, transitioning to positive character roles and increasingly received such roles from 2005 onwards. However, his screen time in films was reduced after 2005. He recently appeared in Ranbir Kapoor's film 'Animal.'
Richard R. Verma is the first American of Indian descent to serve as the US Ambassador to India from 2014 to 2017. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served on active duty as a Judge Advocate. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Richard R. Verma discusses the aim behind his visit to India and shares the cooperation between the two states for strengthening India-US ties. He also talks about his experience in India during his tenure as the US Ambassador to India.
Additionally, he discusses pro-Khalistani protests in the U.S. and how Washington D.C. is planning to deal with them. He also speaks on defence relations between India and the US, calling the relationship robust and as diverse as it is today. He also talks about the US defence relationship with Pakistan.
Samir Saran is the President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India’s premier think tank headquartered in New Delhi. Saran is a well-known figure in the field of diplomacy and serves as the curator of the Raisina Dialogue. He has authored four books, focusing his research on global governance, climate and energy policy, technology policy, and India’s foreign relations.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses India's role in shaping a new world order and emphasises why India's success matters globally, not just to Indians. Saran also shares insights into Raisina Dialogues 2024, India’s annual flagship platform on geopolitics and geo-economics, and provides reasons behind its inception.
Samir extensively talks about India-U.S. relations and their implications for New Delhi, particularly in the event of Donald Trump returning to power. Without hesitation, he notes that there is a growing sense in the West that Prime Minister Modi will secure a third consecutive term.
He also delves into the topic of the Ram Mandir and its impact not only in India but around the world. Samir criticises Western media for harbouring preconceived notions about India and consistently portraying it in a negative light.
Smita Thackeray is a social activist and film producer. As the daughter-in-law of Bal Thackeray, she wielded significant influence, often regarded as his confidante and advisor. She never officially joined Shiv Sena.
Smita is also the chairperson and founder of Rahul Productions and Mukkti Foundation. She has produced several Hindi and Marathi films like ‘Sandwich’ and ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi.’
In the latest edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, she talks about her personal dynamics with her father-in-law, Bal Thackeray, shedding light on her marriage to Jaidev Thackeray and subsequent divorce.
She also talks about the fight over Balasaheb’s legacy and Uddhav Thackeray’s political alliances with the Congress party & NCP.
Prakash Jha’s knack in editing, storytelling, and dialogue writing has consistently earned him various awards and accolades, including 8 National awards.
As a master of direction, Jha’s work in renowned films like 'Damul,'Gangajal,' 'Apaharan,' 'Raajneeti,' and 'Mrityudand' speaks volumes about his strength.
In the latest edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Jha discusses his journey from Bihar's Champaran to Bollywood, sharing how his initial dream of being a painter led him to become a filmmaker.
Having contested 3 Lok Sabha polls in 2004, 2009 and 2014, Jha explains why he entered the world of politics and later decided to quit.
He also provides insights into Bihar's changing political landscape, emphasising the roles of Nitish Kumar, Prashant Kishor, and PM Modi.
Talking about his upcoming project "Janadesh," Jha explores the ‘exploitation’ of Santana Dharma by a few self-proclaimed godmen.
He was considered the 'most powerful bureaucrat' in the state of Odisha, often referred as the right hand of CM Naveen Patnaik. Kartik Pandian served as the private secretary to the Odisha CM for 12 years before joining his party, Biju Janata Dal in 2023. After taking voluntary retirement, which was approved in less than 3 days, one of the fastest ever, Pandian was appointed the Chairman of 5T (Transformational Initiatives) with the rank of Cabinet Minister.
A native of Tamil Nadu, Pandian began his career in 2002 as the sub-collector of Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district. Addressing the elephant in the room, he discusses whether he will take political reins from Naveen Patnaik and become his successor or not.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pandian also reflects on his journey and talks about his first meeting with Odisha CM, calling him the boss, and stating that he works only under the direction of CM Patnaik. Pandian delves into Naveen Patnaik's health and predicts that BJD is poised to sweep the 2024 polls. He also discusses the Puri Jagannath Heritage Corridor project, dubbed as a once-in-a-century temple development initiative in the state.
Pandian also addresses the allegations of a BJP and BJD nexus, stating that Odisha CM engages in politics only during elections and believes in the overall growth of the state. He shares some untold stories of former CM of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, and talks about devolution to states from the Centre, emphasizing that Odisha needs more funds but acknowledges systematic improvements.
Lt. Gen Dr. S.L. Narasimhan (R) was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1977. Holding a Ph.D. in India-China relations, he has received four awards from the President of India for his contributions to the Indian Army. A specialist in the Chinese language, he studied China and its history for eighteen years. Additionally, he served as the Defense Attaché at the Indian Embassy in China and held positions as a former member of the National Security Advisory Board and DG of the Centre for Contemporary China Studies.
In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses China's economic growth and Xi Jinping's ambitions for global dominance. He elaborates on Xi Jinping's objectives through the Belt and Road Initiative and its potential implications for India and the world.
Dr. Narasimhan suggests that India must exercise caution in handling border disputes with China, as faceoffs might occur along the Line of Actual Control with Beijing. He also delves into China's interests in the Indian Ocean region and provides insights into China's demographic transition.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are honouring the dynamic musical partnership of Subramaniam Lakshminarayana and Kavita Krishnamurti, a couple who have elevated Indian Classical music to unprecedented heights.
Subramaniam Lakshminarayana, an accomplished Indian violinist, composer, and conductor, has been steeped in the traditions of classical Carnatic music and Western classical music. His discography, highlighted by the release of albums like "Global Fusion" in 1999, has garnered widespread critical acclaim. With over 200 recordings, Subramaniam has not only produced numerous solo albums but has also collaborated with renowned musicians such as Yehudi Menuhin, Stéphane Grappelli, Ruggiero Ricci, and Jean-Pierre Rampal.
Joining her is Kavita Krishnamurti, an acclaimed Indian playback and classical singer who has left an indelible mark on the music industry with a staggering 50,000 recorded songs in 45 different Indian languages. Recognized for iconic tracks like "Hawa Hawaii," "Bole Chudiyan," "Kay Sera Sera," and "Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast," she was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2005.
In this conversation with Smita Prakash, the duo reflects on their 25 years of musical partnership and its integral role in their love story. Kavita Krishnamurti delves into her journey from being a jingle singer to becoming one of Bollywood's leading playback singers. Meanwhile, Subramaniam Lakshminarayana shares insights into his unconventional path, obtaining an MBBS degree and later forsaking a medical career to pursue his passion for the violin. They also delve into the implications of artificial intelligence in the realm of music and singing. Subramaniam shares anecdotes of collaborating with legends like Yehudi Menuhin and Gangubai Hangal, while Kavita Krishnamurti reminisces about her experiences with stalwarts like Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar, and Manna Dey.
Renowned filmmaker Subhash Ghai, a maestro in the world of Indian cinema, has left an indelible mark with his exceptional contributions as an actor, scriptwriter, and director.
In a captivating episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ghai takes us on a riveting journey through his transformative career. He shares intriguing anecdotes, revealing how he orchestrated the collaboration between legendary actors Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, dispelling rumors of their supposed rivalry. Ghai also provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his relationships with actors Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, narrating how he played a pivotal role in shaping their careers.
The discussion delves into the challenges faced during the filming of 'Khal Nayak,' addressing Sanjay Dutt's legal issues and navigating protests against the iconic song 'Choli Ke Peeche.' Ghai candidly addresses misconceptions about his choices of 'M' actresses and opens up about the dynamics with Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Sanjay Dutt, expressing his views on chemistry with the trio.
Lobsang Sangay served as the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile from 2011 to 2021. He is the first person without a monastic background to hold this position. He was born in 1968 in a refugee community in Darjeeling, India. Sangay earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Delhi. Later, he studied international law and democracy at Harvard University, eventually becoming an American citizen.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lobsang Sangay explains how China invaded Tibet and forced the 14th Dalai Lama to take refuge in India. He insists that for India to understand China, it must comprehend Tibet's situation. Sangay also describes Beijing as an expansionist country and details how Tibet sought India's assistance before China's invasion. He also sheds light on the role of Tibetans in the Indian Special Forces, taking on China.
Sangay recounts his parents' struggle for survival and their journey to seek refuge in India amid the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He speaks about China's overarching strategy to assert itself as the sole superpower and its tactics in claiming territories. He also predicts that, under Xi Jinping's rule, Taiwan is susceptible to a potential attack from China in 2024.
The films 'Golmaal,' 'Singham,' 'Chennai Express,' and 'Dilwale' have established Rohit Shetty as the undisputed king of action and comedy in the Hindi film industry. The director of 'Dilwale' has now made his OTT debut with 'Indian Police Force,' an action thriller currently streaming on an OTT platform.
In the latest edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rohit reveals the influence of his father, a prominent stunt director, and shares details about his mother, who made her mark as a stuntwoman.
Rohit shares his thoughts on the evolving taste of the audience and why people are drawn to larger-than-life movies. He also decodes the magic behind the appeal of grand cinematic experiences and why he is committed to crafting laughter-filled comedies and high-octane action films. Rohit also spills the beans on his upcoming movie, 'Singham Again.' He explains why the 'Singham' franchise holds a special place in his heart and opens up about dealing with rejection in the industry.
Dr. Vinay Prabhakar Sahasrabuddhe served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2016 to 2022 and held the position of Vice President in the BJP from 2014 to 2020. He also assumed the role of President at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, a government organization fostering cultural exchanges between India and other nations. He is recognized as a key figure in the BJP's think tank. He had spearheaded training initiatives for ministers hailing from BJP-governed states.
In the recent episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses how India can exercise its soft power and emphasizes the necessity for the country to engage in this practice. He suggests India should leverage its rich traditions and heritage, exemplified by Bollywood movies and yoga.
He also highlights Prime Minister Modi's leadership skills. He addresses critics of Sanatana, asserting that the term is eternal, and those who criticize it often lack a proper understanding of its meaning. Dr. Sahasrabuddhe contends that the perception of many is still heavily influenced by Western civilization and storytelling.
He also addresses 'Hindi imposition' allegations against the central government. Furthermore, He argues that the Centre has no intention to rewrite or revise history but rather to revisit it with a fresh perspective.
Konkona Sen Sharma is a versatile actress, director, and writer renowned for her ability to depict a wide range of characters. She gained recognition for her role in the critically acclaimed film 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer' (2002), directed by her mother, Aparna Sen. Her outstanding performances have earned her several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.'
In addition to her acting career, Konkona has ventured into filmmaking, making her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film "A Death in the Gunj" in 2016. She further showcased her directorial skills in the anthology Lust Stories 2, contributing a short film titled "The Mirror," which explores the female gaze and challenges stereotypes about women's desires.
In a recent ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Konkona delves into the role of her mother, veteran director and actor Aparna Sen, in shaping her life as an actor. She candidly discusses the comparisons drawn between her and her mother, emphasizing her journey as an accidental actor.
Konkona also shares insider stories about her casting in "Mr. and Mrs. Iyer," for which she won a National Award. She talks about her experiences working with Manoj Bajpayee in the Netflix comedy series 'Killer Soup' and reflects on her directorial venture in Lust Stories 2, which garnered critical acclaim.
She addresses the depiction of violence and sex in movies, highlighting the crucial role of a director's intention. Additionally, she talks about the love and experiences she gained from "Wake Up Sid" and also provides insights into her upcoming projects.
Pankaj Tripathi is often considered one of the few actors in cinema with zero haters. Known as a method actor, he is widely recognized for his unconventional choices. He has received two National Awards: one for Best Supporting Actor in 'Mimi' and a Special Mention for 'Newton'. From 'Gangs of Wasseypur' to 'Mirzapur' to 'OMG 2,' Tripathi's flawless performances have earned him massive popularity and acclaim. Born in a village in Bihar's Gopalganj, he has carved a niche for himself in the Hindi film industry.
In the latest edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he explains how he prepares for a role before hitting the sets. Tripathi also talks extensively about his upcoming film, 'Main Atal Hoon,' a movie based on the life and political journey of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also delves into what keeps him grounded and how he dealt with his struggle period, often getting smaller roles or just one-two scenes in a movie. Tripathi also sheds light on his upcoming projects, 'Mirzapur 3', 'Murder Mubaraka'.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Manjul is the Additional Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India. He has made significant contributions to Indian Archaeology, leading excavations in Rakhigarhi, Bijnor, Rajasthan, Barnawa, Sinauli, and Baghpat.
The Sinauli findings, including the earliest known chariot, were highlighted as the "Discovery of the Century" at the National Museum of Modern Art, New Delhi, for the G20 Summit.
In this latest edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Manjul discusses indigenous techniques and the development of Indian urban society from the pre-Harappan to the early Harappan era.
He explores new excavation techniques, the Indus settlement, and his perspective on the Mahabharata in an archaeological context.
Dr Manjul delves into how culture, tradition, and belief systems impact cultural amalgamation and affinity towards the Mahabharata.
He narrates the discovery of Sinauli, emphasizing the indigenous chariot's significance. He also touches upon conflicts between political and traditional scholars, critiques modified theories of Western scholars on Indian history.
He also discusses the Aryan invasion theory, contemporary civilization changes, surveys, and mythology.
In the special year-end 2023 edition of our podcast, dive into insightful discussions covering everything from the sizzle of political dynamics to the crunch of cricket excitement – where every topic is seasoned with a pinch of wit and a dash of intrigue!
In the special edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, The guests include Sushant Sareen, an analyst on Pakistan affairs; Tehseen Poonawalla, a political analyst; Anand Ranganathan, an author and scientist; and Abhijit Iyer Mitra, a defense expert and researcher in political ideologies.
Together, they delve into topics such as the 2024 polls and will Mallikarjun Kharge be declared as the prime ministerial face of the ‘India’ alliance.
They also share their views on TMC Neta Mahua Moitra, who was expelled from Parliament over cash-for-query allegations.
Additionally, the controversy surrounding the North-South political ‘divide’ issue is discussed, addressing who initiated it and the reasons behind it. The podcast also explores the ongoing rift between India, Canada and U.S over Khalistani threats.
Niyaz Khan is an IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who is known for his views on cow protection, Sanatana Dharma, and Bollywood. He has authored over half a dozen books, including one on Gangster Abu Salem's 'love story', triple talaq, and Brahmins. Khan has stirred numerous controversies in the past due to his progressive thinking and pro-Hindu writings.
Khan has blamed Bollywood for religious conversions in India and also criticizes the Hindi film industry for portraying Brahmins in a negative light in movies. He was at the centre of controversy when his novel criticizing triple talaq was burned by clerics at mosques in Bhopal and Guna.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Niyaz advocates for cow protection in India and says Muslims should respect the sentiments of Hindus. He says the biggest treasure of Sanatana Dharma is the Vedic scriptures and also urges Muslims to adopt vegetarianism, keeping climate change in mind.
Additionally, He speaks his mind on religious conversion, stating that non-Muslims should not be forced to convert. Khan is open about his admiration for Brahmins. He has written a book, 'Brahmin the Great,' claiming that they have superb intellect. If given intellectual leadership, things can improve within the country.
From being a television star for eight consecutive years to becoming a Union Cabinet minister, Smriti Irani has come a long way, carving a niche for herself in every field
Currently, she holds the portfolios of the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs in PM Modi's cabinet. Smriti is known for not mincing her words when expressing her thoughts. After facing numerous struggles in Mumbai and trying various jobs, she entered the world of pageants, becoming a finalist in Miss India 1998.
She gained fame with the role of 'Tulsi' in the daily soap "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi." In 2003, Smriti joined the BJP, making her mark in politics.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Smriti Irani discusses the Parliament security breach. She alleges that the Opposition is trying to politicize this sensitive matter. She also mentions Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recording mimicry on his phone, of TMC MP Banerjee, who conducted a mockery of Vice President Dhankar.
Smriti Irani also addresses every single controversy, including her child being dragged into politics, and the menstrual leave debate.
Vikrant Massey is known for leaving a lasting impact with his compelling performances. This is evident in the success of the '12th fail' movie, which received acclaim from both critics and audiences, establishing itself as a box office hit.
He is fondly known as 'Bablu Bhaiya' for his role in the 'Mirzapur' series. Beginning his career in TV, Vikrant has successfully transitioned to carve a niche for himself in Bollywood.
In the recent ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Vikrant candidly shares his journey from being a trained modern contemporary dancer to securing his breakthrough in Bollywood.
He discusses landing the lead role in the '12th fail' movie, his preparation for roles, and the impact of box office success on actors.
Vikrant delves into broader issues, expressing views on the 26/11 attacks and the Israel-Hamas war, asserting that war is not an option in the 21st century.
He also opens up about his struggles in Bollywood, addressing the ongoing nepotism debate.
Vikrant also expresses a desire to work in the southern film industry and discusses the influence of social media and trolling on actors.
Suniel Shetty is an actor, film producer, and entrepreneur, fondly known as Bollywood's 'Anna'. With a career spanning almost 30 years, he has acted in over 100 films and is the owner of the production house Popcorn Entertainment Private Limited.
The black belt kickboxer entered the Hindi Film Industry in 1992 at the age of 31 with "Balwaan." In 2001, he clinched the Filmfare Award for Best Villain in 'Dhadkan'. Shetty has gracefully evolved in terms of fitness, becoming an inspiration for those seeking a healthier lifestyle.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Suniel Shetty shares his journey from the small town of Mulki in Mangalore to Bollywood. He reveals how he secured his breakthrough without influential connections in the industry. He also discusses his transition from action to comedy films, opting for a more selective filmography.
Shetty delves into his relationship with his father, shedding light on its profound impact on his life. He passionately talks about his love for cricket, addressing the social media trolling faced by his son-in-law, KL Rahul.
The actor also spills the beans on the secret to his physical fitness and reflects on how social media has affected the mental well-being of actors and strategies to cope with it.
Gautam Gambhir is a former cricketer, who is known for his candid demeanor and calling a spade a spade. He currently serves as a Member of Parliament for the BJP from East Delhi Constituency. He played a crucial role in India’s victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 Cricket World Cup. Gambhir also led the Kolkata Knight Riders to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014. His foundation also runs ‘Jan Rasoi,’ providing food at a symbolic cost of 1 rupee.
In the latest edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gambhir openly discusses his cricketing and political journey. He argues that Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan were underappreciated in Indian cricket for their contributions.
Gambhir talks about his return to the Kolkata Knight Riders after mentoring the Lucknow Super Giants and shares insights into his relationship with Shah Rukh Khan.
Without mincing words, he criticises broadcasters for favoring certain cricketers and neglecting others. He also addresses the Naveen Ul Haq controversy and his clash with Virat Kohli, stating he would go to any extent to defend his players, once the game is over.
He also hits out at Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, over ‘freebies politics’, Ghazipur landfill conditions, and the pollution issue in the national capital.
Gambhir also provides insights into his role as an MP, discussing challenges and expressing a sense of betrayal by his own party members.
He also shares details about his foundation’s social work and reflects on the factors that led to the start of his cricketing career, with glimpses into what his childhood was like.
Amish and Bhavna have once again joined forces, following the tremendous success of their collaborative venture, 'Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life,' which boasts a remarkable 6 million copies in print. Their latest book, 'Idols: Unearthing the Power of Murti Puja,' serves as a companion volume to 'Dharma'. It explores the profound reasons behind idol worship. Amish is one of the best-selling authors in India, renowned for his works such as the 'Shiva Trilogy' and 'Ram Chandra Series'.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the brother-sister duo delves into questions surrounding the enduring practice of idol worship. They unravel the mystery of why people continue to embrace this form of worship despite centuries of violence against it.
Amish and Bhavna also discuss the benefits of bhakti and explore the role of religion in individual lives and society. They ponder whether such worship can guide individuals towards discovering their true purpose and ultimately lead to peace and prosperity.
They also share their views on the ongoing debate over Sanatana Dharma. Amish and Bhavna also talk about the impact of foreign invasions on society and reflect on their own family background, and how it nurtured and shaped their careers as authors.
Nripendra Misra, an IAS officer of the 1967 batch, boasts a career spanning over 52 years with diverse roles. He served as the former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and currently chairs the committee overseeing the construction of the Grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. This move is perceived as part of the Centre's strategy to closely monitor the temple's construction. He also held the position of Chairperson at the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and was honoured with India's third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, in 2021.
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the challenges faced by the committee in building the Ram Temple and delves into the project's timeline. He shares insights into the dedicated efforts of the workers, working day and night, and reveals details about the placement of the 'Ram Lalla' idol. He narrates the story of how he was chosen by the PM to lead the construction panel for the Ram Mandir.
Having worked closely with Prime Minister Modi from 2014 to 2019, He sheds light on the PM’s working style, highlighting what distinguishes him from other leaders. He also reveals the reasons behind stepping down as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and discloses the first person to be informed about demonetisation.
Shaurya Doval is the founder of the RSS-affiliated ‘India Foundation’. He currently serves as a state executive committee member of the BJP in Uttarakhand. He is also the son of India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Shaurya is an economics graduate from Hindu College of Delhi University and holds two MBA degrees from the University of Chicago and the London Business School. Before establishing a think tank and entering politics, Shaurya worked with GE Capital and Morgan Stanley as an investment banker.
In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shaurya Doval shares insights into how think tanks operate in India and where they receive funding. He discusses the multiplicity of views among think tanks in India. He also sheds light on how the battles of narratives between the left and right wings have evolved in India.
He also addresses the widespread nepotism debate in the BJP and emphasizes the need for nationalism in a nation’s development. He also underscores the Hindutva influence in Uttarakhand state politics.
Lieutenant General Vinod G. Khandare, a distinguished former officer of the Indian Army, currently serves as the Principal Adviser in the Ministry of Defence. With a remarkable 38-year career, Gen. Khandare has worn many hats, including roles such as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Intelligence from Nov 2015 to Jan 2018. His extensive experience in the Infantry involved operational tasks in Siachen, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, and the North East region.
In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gen. Khandare (R) delves deep into the pivotal role of Information Technology in national security. He talks about the Israel-Hamas war, highlighting the impact of the attack as a significant 'blot' on Israel’s intel prowess. He talks about his book 'Data Sovereignty,' asserting that data is integral to national security, serving as a vital tool in identifying, analyzing, and responding to threats.
He also sheds light on Pakistan's nefarious designs against India, revealing the real reasons behind the Kargil war. He addresses the challenges faced by jawans at the daunting Siachen Glacier. Additionally, he shares an untold story from the Indo-Pak War of 1965.
Shehla Rashid is an activist, researcher, and academician who gained prominence in 2016 for advocating the release of then JNU President Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on sedition charges. Recently, she made headlines for a notable shift, applauding the central government for the 'improved' situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Previously critical of human rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir, Shehla faced sedition charges over tweets against Indian army. She served as the vice-president of JNUSU in 2015–16, was a member of AISA, and completed her graduation from NIT Srinagar.
In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shehla Rashid commends the Modi government and J&K L-G Sinha for the 'improved situation' in the valley. She also discusses what changed her perspective on the central government and why she altered her stance on human rights in Jammu and Kashmir. She also delves into her brief foray into mainstream politics with the party founded by Shah Faesal in March 2019, which she left within six months.
Chhaya Sharma is a senior IPS officer, currently serving as Joint CP-Eastern Range in Delhi. With over 23 years of experience, she has served as DGI at the National Human Rights Commission and as the director of the Central Vigilance Commission. She is widely recognised for her pivotal role in apprehending the perpetrators of the infamous 2012 Nirbhaya rape and murder case.
In the latest ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, IPS Chhaya Sharma shares insights into how she achieved the first breakthrough within 18 hours in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case, a shocking incident that deeply affected the nation. She explores the broader implications of the Nirbhaya case and its impact on changing rape laws in India.
IPS Chhaya Sharma also criticises those policemen involved in extra-judicial killings, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law. She discusses navigating political pressure while solving a case and dispels myths about how real police officers operate, distinguishing it from the portrayal seen in movies like 'Singham.' She also commends the 'Delhi Crime' series for realistically depicting the challenges faced by officers while solving a case. The web series is based on her character and investigation into the brutal gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman.
She underscores the need for a shift in societal mindset to promote women's empowerment. Additionally, she sheds light on the tactics used by Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar to entice female actors with luxury gifts.
Lt Col Pavithran Rajan (R) is a Military Veteran, Tech Entrepreneur, and Academic. He has served as an Advisor at the Ministry of Home Affairs and holds the position of Adjunct Faculty at the Cyber Security Research Centre at Punjab Engineering College. Additionally, he serves as an Advisor for the Cyber Peace Foundation. He is also the author of the book "Engaging China: Indian Interests In The Information Age".
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he provides insights into CBS' interview with "Five Eyes" intelligence leaders, where they issued warnings about China's global espionage campaign. Furthermore, he sheds light on India's preparedness, or lack thereof, to combat cyber attacks and information warfare. He also discusses the exploitation of data for electoral gains and underscores the importance of education in countering fake news and misinformation.
Karnal Singh is an IPS officer from the batch of 1984, who headed the Enforcement Directorate from 2015 to 2018. In his impressive 34-year career, Singh led the Special Cell of the Delhi Police and as ED Chief, Singh also took charge as the Director of India's Financial Investigation Unit (FIU), playing a key role in shaping the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
During his tenure, Singh led investigations related to white-collar crimes and was the driving force behind the Batla House encounter, a case that made national headlines.
In our latest ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Singh takes you behind the scenes of the Batla House encounter, unveiling its role in dismantling the Indian Mujahideen and its far-reaching political consequences.
He also delves into the cases of fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya. He addresses opposition allegations that ED is being ‘misused’ by centre to suppress dissent.
Singh offers insights into the Indian justice system and the reasons behind delayed justice delivery. He also shares stories about the intricate relationship between politicians and criminals in our country.
Adil Hussain hails from Assam’s Goalpara, is renowned for his critically acclaimed performances in theater and movies like ‘Mukti Bhawan’ and ‘Othello - A Play in Black and White.’
Adil has worked in more than 80 films, including a standout role in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning ‘Life of Pi,’. He won National Award for his lead roles in ‘Mukti Bhawan’ and ‘Maj Rati Ketaki.’
He studied at the National School of Drama from 1990-1993, followed by a brief stint at the Drama Studio London through the Charles Wallace Trust Scholarship.
In this episode of the Ani podcast with Smita Prakash, Adil opens up about his childhood, the inspirations that led him to pursue acting. He shared stories about his early days as a stand-up comedian mimicking Amitabh Bachchan.
Adil delves into his unique experience of spending two and a half years on a river island in Karnataka, where he explored the art of acting alongside an international group of performing artists.
Adil also shares his experiences working with icons like Sridevi, Tabu, and Manisha Koirala. He sheds light on the challenges faced by actors in breaking free from conventional character portrayals.
He also shares his experience working as a teacher in Amsterdam and at the National School of Drama in Delhi.
Manoj Tiwari has worn many hats throughout his life, transitioning from an actor, singer, music director to becoming a Member of Parliament representing the North East constituency for the BJP.
Regarded as one of the most successful and prominent stars in the world of Bhojpuri cinema, Tiwari gained recognition with a series of hit songs in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Fans of Bhojpuri music fondly remember his songs like ‘Rinkiya Ke Papa’ and ‘Bagalwali Jaan Mareli.’ From 2016 to 2020, Tiwari also held the position of Delhi BJP President.
In this latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tiwari doesn’t hold back as he critiques the Delhi AAP government, referring to them as ‘looters.’
He also takes aim at Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for spending an ‘exorbitant’ amount of money on the CM house, calling it a ‘sheeshmahal.’
Tiwari doesn’t shy away from addressing those who attack the essence of Sanatana Dharma. He asserts that those who attack Santana Dharma will ultimately harm themselves. He also credits Prime Minister Modi for inspiring his foray into politics. Tiwari claims his songs are not just meant for entertainment; they aim to highlight issues like unemployment and VIP racism in society.
Hardeep Singh Puri embodies a unique blend of technocratic expertise and political acumen. Over the course of 39 years as a civil servant, he held diverse roles, including Permanent Representative to the UN and Chair of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee. In 2014, Hardeep Puri joined the BJP, marking the onset of his political journey. In Sep 2017, he became the Minister with Independent Charge for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. He also served as the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation in PM Modi's cabinet. Puri presently serves as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in PM Modi's Cabinet. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he underscores the pressing need for reform at the United Nations Security Council to better reflect current global realities and combat its 'paralysing' inefficiency. He shares his insights on the relationship between OPEC and consumer nations and doesn't shy away from attributing the deterioration of India-Canada ties to the Trudeau government. Puri also offers a glimpse into his experiences working with a diverse spectrum of Prime Ministers, from Rajeev Gandhi to Narasimha Rao to Narendra Modi. He sheds light on the progress of the Smart Cities Mission, initiated by the central government in 2015, and candidly assesses the opposition alliance 'India' dubbing it the 'Ghamandiya Alliance' and asserting their limitations in effectively addressing national issues.
Kalvakuntla Kavitha is a member of the Legislative Council from Nizamabad and the daughter of Telangana's Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao. Before returning to India, she worked as a software engineer in the USA. Her political journey began when she joined her father's movement for a separate state of Telangana. From 2014 to 2019, she served as the first woman parliamentarian from Telangana, representing the Nizamabad constituency. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kavitha discusses how women's reservation law will open new opportunities and doors for women in the field of politics. She also addresses the Delhi excise policy case in which she faces scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate. She alleges that Central agencies are being 'misused' by the Centre to suppress the voices of the opposition. Furthermore, she comments on the remarks made by the Prime Minister, in which he claimed that K. Chandrashekar Rao wanted to join the NDA in 2020. Kavitha expresses her strong support for Sanatana Dharma and argues that anti-Sanatana remarks will not be constructive. Kavitha also shares insights into her life in the USA before entering politics and discusses the impact of being a politician on her children.
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is a minister in PM Modi's cabinet currently heading the department of Jal Shakti. He is a two-time parliamentarian representing Jodhpur constituency in the Lok Sabha. Shekhawat, like many other BJP leaders, started his political journey as a karyakarta of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad during his student days and was elected as student union president at JNVU University, but he formally joined BJP in 2014 and went on to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Jodhpur which he won by a record margin of over 4 lakh votes.
In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about the upcoming Rajasthan polls and doesn't mince words, putting the blame on Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot for making the state a corruption hotspot. He also takes the Rajasthan government head in over the deterioration of law and order in the state and the government's failure in stopping crime against women. He argues that the people of Rajasthan have paid the price of 'infighting' between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot. Many in political circles term him as the dark horse in Rajasthan politics as the BJP hasn't announced a CM candidate for the polls. Shekhawat also talks about the Red Diary incident which stirred up political drama in Rajasthan. Shekhawat also hails the Namami Gange mission as a success and underlines the mission's positive impact on cleaning Ganga. He also countered Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal's claims blaming the Haryana government for opening the Hathnikund Barrage as the national capital battled floods.
Tensions between Israel and Palestine continue to escalate with the conflict entering its sixth day, which started after militants from the Hamas group infiltrated southern towns of Israel last Saturday. The terrorists, which came on motorcycles, SUVs and paragliders, have claimed over 1500 lives and taken hundreds of hostages whose fate remains uncertain. While Israel is committed to ending Hamas once for all and is getting international support from superpowers like the US and the UK among others, the Palestinian cause is also getting support from countries like Iran, Lebanon, Turkey and Pakistan. To decode all aspects of the conflict, we bring you a special episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, wherein security experts Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.) former GOC of Army Training command who is also an expert on counter-insurgency operations, along with former commanding officer of TSD, Indian Army Col. Hunny Bakshi deciphers the unprecedented and surprise attack by Hamas on Israel. Watch or listen in to this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, to understand how these new developments will affect geopolitics and what it means for Netanyahu, who was called Mr Security. The distinguished guest panel talks about the reasons behind the intel failure by the so-called invincible Mossad and what will be the next step for the Israelis who have been fighting this unending war for around five decades now.
Akshay Kumar is an actor and producer with a career spanning over 150 films who also has two national awards to his name. He has also been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2009 for his contribution to the field of arts. He is affectionately known as the 'Khiladi Kumar' of Bollywood due to his fearless portrayal of action-packed roles, often performing his stunts without the use of body doubles. He is a trained martial artist who started his career as a stuntperson in Bollywood. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about his admiration for films that convey meaningful social messages and stories of individuals who have made a difference through their acts. He also talks about his latest movie Mission Raniganj, which has hit theatres and is based on the rescue of miners by an engineer from an underground mine situated in eastern India. The Airlift actor also explains about his fitness regime and his strong belief in Hinduism. He also talks about the recent controversy over a new advertisement for a tobacco product brand and opens up on the controversy surrounding his Canadian citizenship.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (Retd.) is the former Chief of Air Staff and is a decorated officer with a career spanning over four decades. He also served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC) at Southern Air Command. He is the man who spearheaded the Rafale negotiations during his tenure as vice chief of the Air Staff. In his four-decade career, Bhadauria has the distinction of logging more than 4,250 flight hours across 26 different types of fighter jets and transport aircraft. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he shares insights on India's Balakot strike against Pakistan following the Pulwama attack. He applauds the political will that led to action against terrorists. He talks about the importance of the Rafale's induction into the Indian Air Force and terms it a game-changer for the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces and also talks about expediting indigenous aircraft production. Bhadauria also shares details on the escalation in the Indo-China border post Galwan clash and how the Indian Air Force's deployment acted as a deterrent to China's intentions.
Om Prakash Rawat is a former Chief election commissioner and an IAS officer of the 1977 batch of Madhya Pradesh cadre. He served in Madhya Pradesh as well as at the Centre in various capacities before moving to Election commission in 2015 as an election commissioner and went in to become 22nd Chief Election in 2018 during which he supervised nine state assembly elections took place. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rawat talks about challenges faced by the Election Commission in conducting free and fair elections across the nation. He also talks about the why EVMs cannot be used in local body polls and risks attached to it and the controversy around EVMs and VVPAT. He also talks about the dark side of elections and the intricate money and muscle power which is used in elections and how AI and social media is going to emerge as a bigger challenge for poll body in future.
Jyotiraditya Scindia is a third generation politician currently serving as Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel in PM Modi’s cabinet since 2021. He is a member of the upper house of parliament from his home state of Madhya Pradesh and has also represented Guna parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha for more than 17 years. Scindia is an economics graduate from Harvard University and has an MBA from Stanford University. Prior to entering politics, Jyotiraditya also worked with Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch as an investment banker. He is also a cricket enthusiast and has served as president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Scindia talks about how he joined mainstream politics after the sudden demise of his father Madhav Rao Scindia in 2002. He also recollects his memories of his grandmother Vijaya Raje Scindia, who was one of the founding members of Jan Sangh. He also talks about his relationship with the Gandhi family and reveals reasons why he left Congress to join the BJP. Scindia also talks about the INDIA alliance and terms it as a group of political entities who want to serve their own interests instead of serving the people. He also talked about initiatives taken by the civil aviation ministry and exuded confidence that the BJP will win the upcoming state elections in Madhya Pradesh.
Embark on an exhilarating journey of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash as we present to you the 'Best of 100' episodes. Brace yourself for riveting conversations with eminent personalities from various spheres of life, delving into topics that resonate with you and society as a whole. This podcast takes you through thought-provoking discussions with influential voices from the realms of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. With this episode, 'Best of 100', we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our amazing listeners, viewers, and subscribers who have made this podcast a success. Watch out for more mind-blowing episodes that shed light on crucial subjects. We promise to keep you hooked with our captivating content. So, don't miss out! Keep watching, keep listening, and join us on this incredible journey of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash.
Nambi Narayanan is an Indian aerospace scientist who worked for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and headed the cryogenic engine development project at ISRO. Narayanan is also a recipient of Padma Bhushan, for his contribution to space technology. Nambi is also credited for the making of the VIKAS engine, which is a liquid fuelled rocket engine and continues to power most of the space launch missions, including the Chandrayaan-3. Narayanan has lived an extraordinary life and, from being regarded as one of the best brains in space technology to being labelled as a traitor and accused of espionage charges, he has lived an extraordinary life which has been depicted in the 2022 movie ‘Rocketry’, which is a biopic, on him. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Nambi talks about his association with the likes of Vikram Sarabhai, APJ Abdul Kalam and Professor Sathish Dhawan. He also talks about how the lack of funds derailed the Indian space program in the 1970s and 80s. He also draws a connection between fake cases against him and a geopolitical conspiracy to delay India’s aspirations in space. He also talks about his family and how it changed them during trial and tribulations and much more.
Shiv Khera is an author, motivational speaker, business consultant and an educator who is best known for his book You Can Win. Life wasn’t easy for Khera even after being born into a business family. He had to work as a car washer, a life insurance agent before becoming a motivational speaker. Today, he is a much sought after speaker for his inspiring speeches and his clientele include companies like Lufthansa, HP, Mercedes, HSBC, Nestle, Philips and many more, among others. Khera is also a political enthusiast and contested the 2004 and 2009 general elections from South Delhi constituency as an independent candidate and also launched a political outfit, Bharatiya Rashtravadi Samanata Party, in 2008. In this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Khera talks about his early life and his journey from being a car washer in Canada to a motivational speaker. He also talks about India’s partition, the 1971 war with Pakistan and how mistakes of the past have contributed to today's problems. He also advocates bringing a uniform civil code in the country and has critical views on freebie politics. Khera also spoke about India's growth story and awareness among the global community about it. He also explains how superstition and faith system are intertwined in our country and how religious gurus mislead people in the name of religion.
Sudhanshu Trivedi is an Indian Politician who represents the BJP in the Rajya Sabha as a member from Uttar Pradesh. Trivedi is an engineer by education and holds a PhD. in mechanical engineering. The national spokesperson of the BJP is known for oratorial skills in both English and Hindi. His sharp wit is often enhanced with poetry and couplets.
Trivedi is one of the best debaters in the country on Indian history, culture mythology and politics and has a huge fan following in Indian households be it through live television debates or through clips on social media.
Trivedi has been handling the media interaction for the BJP for years and had worked with the media team of BJP during 2014 elections. Prior to that, Trivedi worked as an information advisor to the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Rajnath Singh and was also political advisor to Rajnath Singh when he served as BJP's national president.
In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sudhanshu Trivedi talks about the opposition INDIA alliance and accuses the Congress party of having an entitled attitude that forced the opposition to boycott certain News Anchors. He also speaks about the Sanatana Dharma controversy and explains Dharma, Hindutva, and Hinduism. He also clarifies on there being no difference between India and Bharat and how the constitution speaks of both in the same breath.
Trivedi explains how the British used Caste to divide Indian society that had existed peacefully in a homogenised way for centuries. He comes down heavily on dynasts in politics alleging that they have been just ensuring their own good instead of serving the people.
Muttiah Muralitharan is a Sri Lankan cricket coach, former cricketer and is regarded as one of the most successful and greatest bowlers in the history of the sport. He is the only bowler to take 800 wickets in test cricket and 530 One Day International (ODI) wickets and continues to hold a record of maximum wickets altogether in international cricket. Muralitharan, who is also known as Murali among friends and colleagues, is the first wrist-spinning off-spinner in the history of the game and his bowling action has landed him in controversy on numerous occasions throughout his career spanning over decades. Murali has been called out for his bowling action on three different occasions and was also cleared by the ICC after subsequent tests. He also had to face criticism from cricketers as well as noted personalities for his bowling action. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Murali talks about his two-decade cricket career, his love for the game and the controversies and criticism which came along the way. Murali also talks about his relations with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who released the trailer of a biopic which is made on his life. He also says that he is a proud Tamilian and answers controversy around his political connections with former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa and his party. He also terms the IPL as a platform to filter talent, which is going to prove a boon for Indian cricket.
A political slugfest erupted soon after Udhayanidhi Stalin, a Tamil Nadu minister and son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, made a controversial statement comparing ‘Santana Dharma’ to diseases like Malaria, dengue and corona as he called for eradication of the faith. The statement by the Tamilnadu minister has led to registration of FIRs against him as well as a seer from Ayodhya announcing a bounty on his head. But the question remains why someone sitting in a high seat of power would say something like that and what are the reasons behind the uproar by political parties. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, noted author and engineer turned litigator J Sai Deepak, who has written two voluminous well-researched books on Indian civilisation, decodes all aspects of Dravidian Politics, its history and the conflict with Sanatana Dharma and explains the reasons behind the statement by Udhayanidhi. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak talks about the origins of Dravidar Kazhagam and Justice party founded by E. V. Ramasamy and how these organisations led the foundation of Dravidianism in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sai also talks about the secessionist activities undertaken by a few Dravidian organizations and how they opposed home rule for India.
Shri Thanedar is an Indian American business person, author, and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan’s 13th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party in the US, Thanedar also served as a state representative in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. During his recent visit to India as part of a US Congress delegation, Thanedar, along with the delegation, attended the Independence day celebrations at Red Fort and met Prime minister Narendra Modi, with whom he shares a personal relationship. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Thanedar talks about his meeting with PM Modi and how political advice from the PM has helped him. The Congressman also talks about growing bipartisan support for India in the US Capitol and how the US now considers India as a strategic partner to counter China and Russia's aggression. Thanedar also talks about his personal life and his journey from a Belagavi boy who had to work odd jobs at the age of 14 to support his family to becoming a lawmaker in the United States.
Sheena Bora Murder Case- A mystery that baffled every interrogator and captured the attention of entire country in 2015 continues to remain unsolved to date. The more informed you become, more intricate the story appears. Indrani Mukerjea- one of the prime accused and mother of Sheena, who was in Mumbai’s Byculla jail before getting a bail in 2022 has made some shocking revelations. Watch or listen in to this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash to know what revelations has Indrani Mukerjea made in her memoir ‘Unbroken’. How she grew past her traumatic childhood to make it big in her life and how things took a turn for worse and just kept getting worse. Also, how former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram are connected with the case.
As elections draw near in the Naxal-affected Central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, the third and incumbent Chief Minister of the state, speaks candidly about the state’s distinct politics, its issues and his approaches to tackle them. Bhupesh Baghel keeps a low profile in national politics and maintains his focus on his home state. Among many of his accomplishments he claims to have effectively controlled Naxalism through non-violent means. Watch or listen in to this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, to understand how the politics in Chhattisgarh has its own twists, what Bhupesh Baghel did differently than his predecessors and how prepared he is for the upcoming state election. The discussion touches upon a wide range of political spectrum including what he refers to as “petty politics of BJP”. The discussion also delves into politically hot topics such as ED, IT raids in the state, Hindutva politics, religion conversion, INDIA alliance. While Bhupesh Baghel was refreshingly candid and straightforward on all questions posed to him, he also addressed queries that have captured everybody’s attention these days like ‘Is Priyanka Gandhi jumping in the election game this time around? And who is going to be leading the pack in INDIA alliance?
Prime Minister Modi and President Xi came face to face at the BRICS summit at Johannesburg last week, but there was no bilateral meeting scheduled. The freeze remains. Pakistan could not get into the grouping though it had China’s backing. Battling economic crisis and political instability Pakistan has been offered respite from UAE which has decided to invest in assets of Pakistan. But there are going to be strings attached this time. Former Indian Ambassador to China who has also served as Indian high commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale and C. Raja Mohan, senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute explain China and UAE’s relationship with Pakistan and where the US fits into this new jigsaw puzzle. Watch or listen in to this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, to understand how these new developments will affect geopolitics in the Indo-pacific region. During the conversation the experts analyse different aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative, China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the violent attacks in Balochistan. The panel also discusses "Gulf Route to Pakistan” a paper authored by Raja Mohan which provides deep insights on the economic affairs of Pakistan and how Pak Army has now decided to get UAE to bail them out. The panel also talks about Imran Khan’s arrest, protest against Pak Army, U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and India’s growing stature in the world stages with Pakistan losing its importance in West as well as China.
Here's the link of 'Gulf Route to Pakistan' by C Rajamohan - https://twitter.com/MohanCRaja/status/1683980429873889280?t=FxcXfi1BJ224uBn4ToGIjw&s=19
Pushkar Singh Dhami is the 10th chief minister of Uttarakhand and also has the distinction of becoming the youngest CM of the state. Dhami started his political career as an MLA after he was elected to Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly from Khatima constituency in 2012, which he represented till 2022 and currently represents Champawat assembly constituency. Dhami rose to prominence after he was chosen by the BJP leadership to replace Tirath Singh Rawat as chief minister of the state, six months ahead of legislative elections. Riding high on his promise of implementing a uniform civil code in the hill state, Dhami was able to break the trend of revolving door policy in the state of Uttarakhand and returned victorious in state assembly elections of 2022, and was sworn in as Chief minister for the second time. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pushkar Singh Dhami speaks about how he has ensured fulfillment of promises made to the people of the state with the draft of UCC in its final stage. He also talks about his government's crackdown on enemy properties and against illegal encroachment. Dhami also talks about the Joshimath tragedy and reveals his plans to conduct detailed research on the load bearing capacity of cities to check rapid and uncontrolled urbanization in order to protect the ecology of the Himalayan region. He also talks about Love-Jihad and the anti-conversion law which he has implemented in the state. Talking about the opposition's INDIA alliance, Dhami terms it as a new version of UPA and says that Rahul Gandhi continues to be an immature person.
The election fever has already started in the country with five states going to poll before general elections are held in the country. The high stakes states include Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh. Apart from that Mizoram too will go to polls by the end of this year. Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh have become interesting as the grand old party in Madhya Pradesh led by veteran Congress leader Kamal Nath is trying to repeat the 2018 performance while incumbent CM Shivraj Chouhan is trying seeking re-election after ruling the central Indian state for 17 years.
This episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash features two sessions which include one with former education minister of Madhya Pradesh and two-time Congress MLA Jitu Patwari and a doctor-turned-politician and one time MLA Dr Hiralal Alawa and were recorded in Bhopal, capital city of Madhya Pradesh.
The first part features Jitu Patwari who rose to fame after he took Rahul Gandhi on a bike ride to reach Mandasaur in 2017 to meet kin of deceased farmers who were shot in police firing, while Alawa is a first time MLA and a tribal leader who heads Jai Adivasi Yuva Shakti, an influential tribal organization which is going to hold key to more than 40 assembly segments this election. In a conversation with Smita Prakash, Patwari talks about his style of politics and Congress's startegy for upcoming assembly elections, he exuded confidence that Congress will return to power in the state. He also talks about Scindia's exit and accuses Shivraj Chouhan of pushing Madhya Pradesh into debt.Alawa also talks about his plans for the upcoming elections and thanks Congress for providing him an opportunity for raising tribal voices in the assembly and accuses BJP as a party of announcements.
Ricky Kej is a three-time Grammy Award-winning Indian music composer and environmentalist. Apart from being a professional musician, he is a trained dentist and also serves as the United Nations Refugees "Goodwill Ambassador", UNCCD “Land Ambassador”, UNESCO “Global Ambassador for Kindness”, UNICEF “Celebrity Supporter” & Ambassador for “Earth Day Network. He has composed 16 albums and over 3500 jingles for commercials and has also composed music for four feature films, including the natural history documentary ‘Wild Karnataka’ narrated by Sir David Attenborough. He has done live concerts at venues spread across over 30 countries, including performing at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva. Kej is a self-taught musician but has also taken formal music education and studied Indian classical music. To commemorate the 75th year of Indian Independence, Ricky conducted a 100-piece British orchestra at The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to record India’s National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London, which is the largest orchestra ever to record India's National Anthem and released it on the occasion of Independence Day 2023. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Ricky talks about his childhood,his love for the Indian national anthem and his journey from a dentistry student to a Grammy award winning composer. He also talks about his struggles with Dyslexia during his growing years and how he developed an interest in Indian classical music. He also shares his life-changing experience of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which led to him taking up environmental causes through his music. He also talks about noted music maestro Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar and his love for sweet delicacy Mysore Pak.
Link for Quick Take episode on Conjunctivitis - https://youtu.be/gF_HofYxXUc
Link for Quick Take episode on Delhi Ordinance Bill - https://youtu.be/wGfu1TMqspM
Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the 19th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and also has the distinction of longest serving chief minister of the state. Chouhan started his political career as an MLA after he was elected to Madhya Pradesh state assembly from Budhni Constituency in 1990. However, he was elected to Lok Sabha and represented Vidisha constituency in the lower house of parliament till 2005. He became chief minister of the state for the first time in 2005, replacing Babulal Gaur, after which there was no looking back. Chouhan has earned the title of ‘Mama’ among his supporters for his populist schemes for women of state, which include MP Kanya Vivah Yojana, Mukhyamantri Laadli Lakshmi Yojana. Taking another step in that direction, Chouhan has now launched 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana' to provide financial assistance to every woman in Madhya Pradesh, which is touted to strengthen BJP's poll prospects in upcoming elections. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash recorded in the city of Bhopal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaks about the transformation of Madhya Pradesh from one of the Bimaru states to one of the leading states in the country. He also talks about his special focus on empowering women in the state through self-help groups, populist schemes and government assistance. He also talks about the Congress split in Madhya Pradesh and the reasons behind Jyotiraditya Scindia switching sides to BJP. He also accuses Congress leader Kamal Nath of corruption and terms Rahul Gandhi as an immature leader. He also calls out the newly formed opposition’s I.N.D.I.A alliance as an act of opportunism by parties in opposition.
Punjab is long known for its rich heritage, food, tradition and culture, but in recent times the frontier state has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, from Amritpal Singh (the self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistan supporter who was arrested on April 23 after being on the run for 35 days and is currently lodged in Dibrugarh central jail) to drug menace among youth. This edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash which was recorded in the city of Amritsar, co-hosted by FICCI Flo, Amritsar chapter brings you a distinguished set of panelists which include Professor Sarabjot Behl, Dean of academic affairs at Guru Nanak Dev University, Dr Pushpinder Walia, Prinicipal, BBK DAV College for women. Apart from that, we also have noted Punjabi Author Dr. Arvinder Kaur and senior faculty at The Art of Living Paulomi Mukherjee. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, the panelists discussed the NEP 2020 and how it is going to benefit the future generation with vocational courses and additional skills. Apart from that, the panelists also discussed the role of theatre and art in Punjab, migration among youth, NRI marriages and solutions to stress management.
Dharmendra Pradhan is a second generation politician and currently serving as a minister in PM Modi’s cabinet looking after Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. He also has the feat of being the longest serving minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, a role which he donned for seven years between 2014-2021. Pradhan is also known as ‘Ujjwala Man’ after he successfully implemented Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana providing LPG connections to over 8 million families from Below Poverty Line (BPL). Pradhan started his political career as an ABVP karyakarta and has donned several hats in the organisation too, including serving as national president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, the youth wing of BJP, between 20024-2006 to becoming national secretary of BJP in 2007. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pradhan talks about National Education Policy in detail and provides a detailed insight into the changes in curriculum, structure and its implementation across the country. He also talks about resistance and opposition to the NEP by a few state governments. He also talks about the Balasore rail tragedy, the Manipur issue, the opposition's I.N.D.I.A alliance and BJP-BJD relations in Odisha with Naveen Patnaik sharing a close bond with PM Narendra Modi.
Yogi Adityanath is the two-time chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and head seer of the Gorakhnath Math. Prior to this, he also had the feat of becoming the youngest MP at the age of 26 after he was elected to the lower house of parliament from Gorakhpur parliamentary constituency of the state of Uttar Pradesh in 1998 after his Guru Mahant Avaidyanath chose to retire from active politics and declared Adityanath as his successor. He is also termed as an undefeated parliamentarian as he won consecutive parliamentary elections from 1998 to 2014. Unlike other politicians, he is always dressed in a saffron dress and wears his Hindu identity as pride and is projected as a Hindutva hardliner by his political opponents. However, he is also termed as a firebrand CM for his government model and actions against the mafia, which have been adopted by many other chief ministers in other parts of the country. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash recorded in the city of Lucknow, Yogi Adityanath speaks about his early days and his transformational journey from Ajay Singh Bisht to head seer of the Gorakhnath Math of Nath community situated in the city of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. In this enlightening conversation, the monk turned politician also talks about religion, spirituality and how it helps one in the path of divine pursuit through service to people. He also talks about his family and how a young science student decided to become a Sanyasi. Yogi Adityanath also talks about his governance model and explains how he has been able to successfully ensure peace in Uttar Pradesh by acting against mafias in his little more than six years of tenure. He further talks about the I.N.D.I.A alliance, Kashi Vishwanath temple – Gyanvapi row, violence during polls in the state of West Bengal and raises his suspicion behind Manipur violence.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is an Indian politician serving as the leader of the Indian National Congress in the 17th Lok Sabha and a Member of Parliament from Baharampur constituency in the state of West Bengal. He also heads the Public Accounts Committee as chairperson and is current president of the West Bengal Congress Committee. In his three-decade political career, Chowdhury has been an MLA in the West Bengal assembly and has also served as union minister of state for railways in the Manmohan Singh government. He was made leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha by Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi in 2021, as he was one of the most vocal MPs of the party and has been raising political as well as party issues inside as well as outside the house. Chowdhury stoked controversy on July 28, 2022 after he referred to President Droupadi Murmu as "Rashtrapatni" instead of "Rashtrapati" for which he was attacked by political opponents and he apologized for the same by writing a letter to President Murmu. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Chowdhury talks about the newly formed coalition of opposition parties INDIA, which is all set to contest against the incumbent NDA. He also accused the ruling dispensation of discrimination over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as the member of the Lok Sabha and said that he is ready to offer his seat to Gandhi siblings if they wish to contest next general elections. Chowdhury also talks about how poll violence has become a part and parcel in his home state under TMC’s rule and exuded confidence that the Congress party will win upcoming state elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.
Punjab is long known for its rich heritage, food, tradition and culture, but in recent times the frontier state has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, from Amritpal Singh (the self-styled Sikh preacher and Khalistan supporter who was arrested on April 23 after being on the run for 35 days and is currently lodged in Dibrugarh central jail) to drug issues among youth. This edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash which was recorded in the city of Amritsar, co-hosted by FICCI Flo, Amritsar chapter brings you a distinguished set of panelists which include Mrs. Rajni Bector, who has made a name for herself in the food industry by converting her hobby into a successful business. We also have the giant Slayer Jeevanjyot Kaur, a social worker turned politician who defeated political heavyweights Navjot Singh Sidhu and Bikram Singh Majithia in her first election and is currently MLA from Amritsar East constituency. Apart from that, we also have Dr H P Singh, former medical director of Fortis Escorts hospital and Lt. Col. H P Singh (retd) who served as general manager at the War Memorial and Museum of Amritsar post his military stint. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, the panelists discussed the entrepreneurship journey of Mrs. Bector in making Cremica one of the leading brands in the food industry. Apart from that, the panelists also discussed the reason behind youth migration in the state of Punjab and how the drug menace is plaguing the state and its harmful effect on society as a whole.
Jatinder Brar is the founder of Punjab Naatshala, a live performance theatre in the city of Amritsar which gave numerous actors, directors and playwrights a platform to showcase their talent, earn a livelihood and make a name for themselves in the television and film industry. Mr Brar is a trained mechanical engineer and worked in factories before starting as a full-time playwright and a theatre artist. Apart from being an actor and a playwright, he is also an expert sound engineer. Comedians like Kapil Sharma, Bharti Singh, Rajeev Thakur and a dozen others who made a name for themselves in the Bombay film industry are a product of Naatshala and were mentored by Brar. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash which was recorded in Amritsar, Brar talks about his journey from being an engineer to establishing his own theatre. Brar also talks about his association with theatre personalities from across the border, including Madeeha Gauhar, Uzra Butt of Pakistan, and his relationship with Kapil Sharma and Bharti Singh and how his students have continued to be in touch with him. Apart from that, the veteran playwright also talks about Punjab’s society, youth migration and how the audience continues to be the king.
Lt. Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd), popularly known as 'Tiny Dhillon', is a decorated officer with a career spanning over 39 years. He has served as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence). He earned widespread appreciation for initiating unconventional, people-friendly operations during his tenure as head of XV Corps in Kashmir. He has authored ‘Kitne Ghazi aaye kitne Ghazi gaye’ in which he recounts tales of his military journey and his experiences in Kashmir during the toughest era of the region during the militancy period of 90s till abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. In this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash Lt. Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) talks about Pakistan’s economic turmoil, Imran Khan’s arrest and how the ISI and Pakistan’s military continue to rule the roost in the rogue nation. He also talks about his active involvement in the abrogation of Article 370 and his meeting with home minister Amit Shah. Dhillon also provides us with excerpts from his book ‘Kitne Ghazi aaye kitne Ghazi Gaye’ and mentions the importance of Army wives and their untold stories.
With 2023 being the penultimate year before the general elections of 2024, domestic as well as international developments are going to affect the outcome of elections which will determine whether the incumbent Modi government will get a mandate for continuing in office as they seek a third term from the electorate. This special edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash hosts four special guests from different backgrounds who discuss Indian politics as well as international developments which affect India. So we bring you an analyst on Pakistan affairs Sushant Sareen, a political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla, an author and scientist Anand Ranganathan and a defence expert and researcher in political ideologies Abhijit Iyer Mitra together who discussed UCC, Manipur issue to drone deal and much expected technology transfer on aircraft engines from the United States to India. This special edition also adds flavours to its guests with a variety of food which is served during the episode as food for thought is what brings our guests together as they decode various issues related to people and politics.
Sheela Bhatt is a veteran journalist with a career spanning over four decades and has covered a host of beats as a field reporter and has also donned the roles of an editor and publisher. Sheela is known for her work as a crime journalist and she has interviewed all mafia dons of Mumbai’s underworld, which include Karim Lala to Vardarajan Mudaliar and Chhota Shakeel to Dawood Ibrahim. She is one of the few journalists who has interviewed Dawood in-person at his Dubai home and is known to have had access to the mafia don for years. Recently, a picture posted by Sheela on her Twitter account went viral on social media in which she can be seen sitting with Dawood interviewing him. Apart from field journalism, Sheela has covered all general elections since 1979 and continues to write on politics, international affairs, among others. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sheela talks about her entry into journalism, her personal life and marriage to Kanti Bhatt and the transition from being a revenue reporter to running a magazine of her own. She also talks about the Godhra riots and how religion is being used for defining politics.
Mansukh Mandaviya is a minister in PM Modi’s cabinet and is known for his proactiveness and being a problem solver. Mandaviya like many other BJP politicians is known for his RSS background and started his political journey as a karyakarta of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Born in a small village named Hanol in Palitana taluk of Bhavnagar district in Gujarat Mandaviya's political career took a jump when the then chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi decided to field him in Gujarat assembly polls of 2002 from Palitana which he won and became youngest member of the state assembly, a position he held till 2012 when he was elected to the upper house of parliament from Gujarat. Mandaviya's political rise saw another jump when he was made union health minister in 2021 when the country and the world was battling COVID pandemic but his management skills and attitude of getting things done led to successful implementation of world's largest vaccination program which has earned him laurels from the country as well as from the world. Mandaviya is also credited for sucessful roll out of Jan Aushadi Kendras which aims at providing generic medicines at affordable prices to poor. He has been honoured by UNICEF for his contribution towards women health care initiatives by distributing 10 crore sanitary pads through Jan Aushadi Kendras.
In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mandaviya talks about his mission on providing affordable quality healthcare to 1.4 billion people of this country. He also talks about the story of COVID vaccine research and how it was implemented amid criticism from different quarters. He also talks about challenges from Big Pharma and his passion for cycling and health routine. On the political front, he slams Rahul Gandhi for showing indifference over COVID protocols and opposition parties campaign for doing politics during COVID.
Splits, switchovers, broken alliances and political drama have become a part and parcel of Maharashtra politics since the day results of 2019 assembly elections were announced, the latest addition being NCP leader Ajit Pawar taking oath as deputy chief minister in Eknath Shinde led government on Sunday. Soon after Ajit Pawar along with eight other NCP MLAs were administered an oath at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, many saw it as a revenge to NCP Supremo Sharad Pawar who had gone back on his alliance promise with BJP after sealing a deal for making an alliance government led by Devendra Fadnavis in 2019. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash recorded on June 29, 2023 Fadnavis reveals the betrayal of one of their oldest allies, Shiv Sena, led by Uddhav Thackrey. He also talks about how Sharad Pawar allegedly manipulated both the camps by assuring them support for forming a stable government in the state and how he became the kingbreaker of Maha politics from kingmaker.
Piyush Goyal is a second generation politician and currently serving as a minister in PM Modi’s cabinet looking after Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Textiles. He is also leader of the upper house of Parliament and plays a key role in ensuring smooth passage of legislation in Rajya Sabha. Goyal is a trained chartered accountant, holds a law degree and has worked as an investment banker. He is one of the BJP leaders who has seen the transition of BJP from the Vajpayee-Advani to the Modi-Shah era. Under the leadership of Goyal, India achieved its highest ever exports and is credited for bringing in newer reforms to quality control, domestic manufacturing and ease of doing business in the country. Before taking charge as union minister in 2014, Goyal donned several hats in the organisation and has served as national treasurer of BJP. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Goyal talks about the unprecedented rise in exports from India, he also talks about how the 'Make In India' is helping achieve better and quality manufacturing by domestic manufacturers and how government is committed towards making India top three economies of the world. He also explains the reason behind the messy Maharashtra politics and exuded confidence on getting the Delhi Ordinance bill passed in Rajya Sabha.
Nitin Gadkari is a Minister in PM Modi’s cabinet and is always termed as the Highway man of India due to the transformational change which he has brought to the country’s infrastructure and connectivity in the last nine years as minister of road transport and highways. Gadkari, like many other BJP politicians, has a RSS background and comes from the city of Nagpur where he started his political career as a Karyakarta of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Gadkari is also credited for being the man behind the first ever expressway (Mumbai-Pune) by bringing in new technologies in the country and helping private companies to ensure quality work in creating modern infrastructure. Gadkari is also a strong advocate of sustainable development and his eco-friendly initiatives in road construction have led to the use of garbage in road construction as a raw material. Before taking charge as union minister, Gadkari donned several hats in organisation as well as governance and has served as BJP national president from 2009 to 2013 and PWD Minister from 1995-1999 in Maharashtra. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gadkari talks about big ticket projects being constructed by his ministry, he also talks about the developmental push in the north-east and future projects for the country. He also highlights the importance of sustainable development and how he plans to reduce the dependency of automobiles on traditional fuel to alternative sources of energy. He further talks about how the transformational change in infrastructure is helping grow the country’s economy and is reducing poverty. On the political front, he also slams the opposition for attacking Savarkar and claims that the BJP will be sweeping in upcoming legislative elections in states as well as the general elections in 2024.
GBS Sidhu is a former official of India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, and has authored two books, 'Sikkim Dawn of Democracy" & 'The Khalistan Conspiracy'. Sood is an internal security expert and has worked closely on the merger of the Sikkim with India. Sood has also served at various stations of R&AW abroad and has tracked the Khalistan movement very closely, which he terms as a conspiracy by political masters which was meant for electoral gain. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, Sidhu talks about how people close to the political establishment sowed the seeds of Khalistan & recruited Bhindrawale for political gains. He also discusses how top politicians of the Congress party nurtured Khalistan, which resulted in Operation Blue Star in 1984, also resulting in the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi all set to travel to the United States for his first state visit in the next couple of days, people on both sides are expecting an all-time high in India-US relations. The visit has become significant with both countries working together on ICET, who have recently concluded a UAV drone deal and are collaborating on defence technology. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we discuss the significance and importance of PM Modi’s visit with foreign policy expert and President of India’s premier think tank, Observer Research foundation Samir Saran. Saran is a known face in the arena of diplomacy and is curator of Raisina Dialogue. In this episode, Saran talks about how India-US relations have evolved over the last two decades, threats from China and how India has emerged as a natural ally for the world’s most powerful country.
Shashi Shekhar is a technocrat, and a leader in the media and technology space as well as a regular columnist and has authored ‘Collective Spirit, Concrete Action’, a book based on Mann Ki Baat - Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship communication program for connecting with people of the country. Shekhar is also a member of Team Modi and worked in the 2014 campaign for the general elections. Shekhar has also been CEO of national broadcaster Prasar Bharati and is credited with having brought change in the working style of the national broadcaster. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shekhar talks about how Narendra Modi has rewritten the rules of communication with the use of technology and ‘Mann Ki Baat’. He also spoke about the hostility by the media towards Modi before he became Prime Minister of the country. Shekhar also spoke about the reasons behind technocrats joining Modi’s campaign, PM’s connection with the Indian diaspora, and his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also shares his experience of working along with Rajesh Jain on ‘Niti Digital’ and creation of a volunteering platform ‘India272.com’ in 2013 and much more.
Anu Malik is an Indian music composer and a playback singer who is known for his out of the box compositions and songs. Malik, who has a career spanning over four decades, started working at the age of 14 and has composed music for more than 350 movies and has been accorded the national award for best music direction for the movie Refugee in 2001. Apart from music composition, Malik has also given his voice to some of the all-time hits of Bollywood, like Sandese Aate Hain, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Oonchi Hai Building and East or West, among others. He has also donned the hat of judge on musical reality shows, including Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on TV, for more than a decade. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Anu Malik talks about his struggles and entry into Bollywood. He recalls how he fought depression and started working at an early age to support his family. He also talks about the Highs and lows in his career, from ruling Bollywood in the 90s to going without work for a decade. Apart from that, the Border fame music composer talks about accusations of plagiarism, nepotism in the Bombay film industry, his family, and much more.
Milinda Moragoda is a Sri Lankan politician who is currently serving as the 22nd High Commissioner to India since 2020. In his decade-long political career, Mr. Moragoda served as principal government negotiator in the peace talks of 2002-2004. He has also served as cabinet minister for economic reform, science and technology, tourism, justice and law reform in the Sri Lankan government. Mr Moragoda played an important role in getting financial assistance from New Delhi after Sri Lanka plunged into an economic crisis in 2022. Apart from being a diplomat and politician, Mr Moragoda is also a successful entrepreneur and also has experience of over two decades in the media industry. He currently serves as chairman of the MMBL-Pathfinder Group, a privately held investment group, and has hosted television and radio shows in both Sinhala and English. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash and Naveen Kapoor, Moragoda talks about his close ties with top officials of the Indian government and how India went all out to provide timely assistance to the island nation during the economic crisis. He also talks about Indian concern over Hambantota port, which is run by the Chinese, and how it has affected India-Sri Lanka ties. He also talks about the inheritance of debt which pushed the tourism-dependent nation into crisis.
Gurcharan Singh Grewal is the general secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, which is the largest Sikh organisation tasked with managing over 280 Gurudwaras in the state of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. Grewal is a known face among the Sikh community and has been associated with Akalis and Sikh politics for around four decades. He considers Bhindranwale a martyr and says that Bhindranwale never demanded Khalistan. In an enlightening conversation with Smita Prakash, Grewal talks about the history of SGPC and its inception and his association with Bhindranwale since the 80s. Grewal also explains the reason behind Akali Dal's dominance in the SGPC elections and why other political parties haven't been able to make their way into the elections. He also talks about Amritpal and the drama over his arrest as a conspiracy by state government and central agencies and youth migration from Punjab.
A wise man once said, “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it' - this line exactly defines the stories of our special guests in this episode as they conquered their disabilities to achieve success. This episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash features two sessions which include one shot in Mumbai in January 2023 and the other recorded in Amritsar in May 2023. The first part features Shubham Vanmali, an international open water swimmer who overcomes his mental disability to conquer the seas, while the second story is about Dr. Shefali Chauhan who didn’t allow her physical disability to become a roadblock in her way to success. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Shubham narrates his journey from being a child suffering from Dyslexia to swimming past the English Channel while Dr. Shefali narrates her struggles and difficulties she had to face after a kitchen accident in her college days led to the amputation of her left hand. She narrates how she took the unfortunate incident as a blessing in disguise and went on to get her PhD and now is a professor at GNDU, Amritsar.
With the Reserve Bank Of India announcing the withdrawal of Rs 2000 notes from circulation as part of a currency management exercise and allowing people to exchange or deposit them in their accounts by September 30, 2023. People are in a fix over the procedure, the number of notes which can be exchanged by a person per day among others and what will be the fate of notes after the central bank's deadline. In this special edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash, the RBI's decision of Rs 2000 note withdrawal and its impact are discussed in detail with Monika Halan who is a financial expert and chairperson of the SEBI advisory committee for Investor Protection and Education Fund. Monika also talks about the controversy around TCS and LRS and the social media outrage which happened after a government decision came to fore.
Lt Col Pavithran Rajan is a former intelligence operative, academician and tech entrepreneur who is also an adjunct faculty at the Cyber Security Research Centre, Punjab Engineering College and is an advisor to Cyber Peace Foundation. He also serves on the board of two private companies currently and has authored a book Engaging China-Indian Interest in the information age. He was commissioned into the Sikh Light infantry but he transitioned into the Intelligence Corps after 10 years of service. He is credited with being one of the first officers to use cybercraft and internet to apprehend a Pakistani operative in India. Pavithran is considered a thought leader in Cyber Intelligence and Information Warfare in India and has also served as an advisor to Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI. In an illuminating conversation with Smita Prakash, he talks about counter-intelligence, foreign relations, information warfare and national security. Pavithran also spills the beans on the vulnerabilities India as a nation faces from its neighboring countries due to digitization and cyberspace. He also talks about 26/11 and how personal data on digital devices will change wars in the future.
With the war of narratives picking pace like anything after Modi coming to power in 2014, the left vs. right divide has only escalated, and now it is being claimed that history is being rewritten for political benefits. As the long push of the conservative right wing is finally being heard, this war of narratives has flown down from many places to India, where it now finds space. Is this an attempt to divide Indian society? In this episode of Podcast with Smita Prakash, we bring two experts to discuss the subject with their in-depth knowledge. Author and journalist Hindol Sengupta has penned 10 books on history, mythology, among others, and is the first Indian to win the Wilbur Award for his book ‘Being Hindu’. He is accompanied by Podcaster and social commentator Kushal Mehra. In this articulated podcast with Smita Prakash, the panel discusses whether or not the transition in history writing is bringing a divide in Indians, examines the western bias against India by foreign academia and India’s growth story.
A trove of talent, Divya Dutta is a noted actor and author of two books- The Stars in My Sky: Those Who Brightened My Film Journey and Main Aur Maa. She has been awarded with the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. With her debut in 1994, Divya Dutta has marked place with her unconventional roles in films like Shaheed-e-Mohabbat Boota Singh, Veer-Zaara, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, etc. Not just Hindi films, she has also acted in many regional films and international films. In this heart-to-heart conversation with Smita Prakash, Divya Dutta talks about challenges faced in her early days of acting career. She recalls the hardships of living in the conflict zone during the 1980s, when the Punjab separatist movement was raging. She also mentions how Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan taught and helped her as a newcomer.
Afroz Shah is a lawyer by profession and an environmentalist by passion. He became a household name after organizing the world’s largest beach clean-up project at Versova Beach, Mumbai. For his efforts to make beaches garbage free and organising the world's largest beach clean-up, Shah was named by the UN as a Champion of the Earth in 2016 and was also awarded Eco warrior and Indian of the year in subsequent years. However, the feather in the cap came for him when Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Shah for transforming Versova beach from filth and garbage to clean and beautiful during his radio programme 'Mann ki baat' on 28 May 2017. In an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash, Shah narrates the story of how his personal endeavor of cleaning beaches and restoring ecology became a mass movement. He also talks about the support he received from the likes of Amitabh Bachhchan and the Dawoodi Bohra community which helped him restore the ecosystem which led to the return of Ridley turtles to Mumbai beach. Afroz also talks about his ongoing partnerships to educate people on garbage reduction and sanitation in the slums of Mumbai and his future plans on cleaning the Mithi river and Dana Pani beach in Mumbai.
Hours after the dramatic arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, huge protests intensified in several cities in Pakistan with Imran’s supporters thronging the streets of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, and Mardan. PTI supporters also stormed the Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and also burnt down the residence of the corps commander in Lahore. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash, the recent developments and what they mean for India and how they impact geopolitics in the region and globally are discussed in detail with Tilak Devasher, author of four widely acclaimed books on Pakistan and a member of the National Security Advisory Board. The panel was also joined by senior fellow, ORF and an analyst on Pakistani affairs, Sushant Sareen, who also discussed the recent trip of Pakistani FM Bilawal Bhutto to India for attending SCO meeting in Goa and what it means for India-Pak bilateral relations in the near future.
Professor Salvatore Babones is an American sociologist, academician and higher education commentator who is currently an associate professor at the University of Sydney and an adjunct scholar at the Centre for Independent Studies. He has authored over a dozen books and academic articles and writes about Asia’s role in the global political economy with special focus on China and India. Babones criticized democracy indices for downgrading India’s ranking under the Modi government in 2022, which won him followers among Indian conservatives, while liberals grew suspicious of him. Babones is also a social media buff and has a huge fan following in India. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash shot in February 2023, Babones talks about western biases against India and how a handful of intellectuals vilify India on the global stage in connivance with western media outlets. He also talks about Islamophobia in Indian politics, the RSS, and New India.
With the last US troops leaving Afghanistan in August 2021 as a result of the Doha Agreement between Taliban and United States has led to a tragic future ahead of Afghans. From banning the media to curbing women's rights, Taliban has backtracked on everything they promised, leading to one of the worst refugee crisis. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash held at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, March 2023, the panel discussed US withdrawal from Afghanistan after over two decades and the consequences of a Taliban takeover in the central Asian country which has had a history of war, instability leading to tragic humanitarian crisis. The expert panel, comprising of senior fellow at Atlantic Council, Scowcroft Center for Strategy & Security, USA Dr. Kaush Arha; Former Policy Advisor to the UK Minister for Refugees and Minister for Afghan Resettlement Shabnam Nasimi and an Afghan migrant and a Partner in EY, Germany Younes Ouaqasse also evaluated the probability of new political dynamics in the war-torn country, US engagement with Pakistan and the role of regional as well as global community including India and EU on humanitarian relief and security aspects.
Anupam Kher is more than just a talented actor and not only has two national awards to his name, but has been accorded Padma Shri in 2004 and Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contribution to the field of arts. Kher has acted in more than 500 movies, which include appearances in Indian as well as international movies, including the likes of Bend It Like Beckham. He has also donned the hat of an administrator and has served as Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, Film and Television Institute of India as well as of his alma mater, National School of Drama. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Anupam Kher talks about his struggles and entry into Bollywood. He recalls how Saaransh's success in 1984 helped him to get a foothold in the film industry and established him as an actor. He also takes us on a journey of his filmography and shares his experiences working with different co-stars. The Khosla Ka Ghosla actor also spoke about his family, politics, fitness regime, critics and much more.
Jagadish Vasudev, founder of Isha Foundation who is better known as 'Sadhguru' by his millions of followers and fans across the world, is a multifaceted personality who has broken the stereotype of being a Yogi. Sadhguru dons many hats and is a Yoga-Guru, mystic, philanthropist, author as well as a podcaster. He has broken the myth that a yogi has to live in a cave meditating and he sings, dances, rides a bike, drives vehicles for causes which affect humanity, like ‘Save The Soil’. Sadhguru was also awarded India’s second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, in 2017 for his contribution to spirituality and humanitarian services. In an enlightening conversation with Smita Prakash, Sadhguru talks about his tryst with Yoga and spirituality and the incident which led to his spiritual awakening. Further, Sadhguru also talks about the controversies surrounding the Isha Foundation, concepts of enhancing our lives by awakening one’s inner intelligence and protecting the planet and much more.
Vikram Sood, is a former chief of India's external intelligence agency the Research and Analysis Wing and an advisor to the Observer Research Foundation, an independent public policy think tank in New Delhi. Sood’s entry to R&AW was very accidental but he went on to become spymaster in 2000 in his over three-decade-long service. Sood also has the distinction of being the lone chief of R&AW who came from a non- police background. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, Sood talks about Kargil, Pakistan’s misadventures on the border as well as on mainland through terror attacks. Sood also reveals Musharraf’s role in Kargil and how they exposed his lies, importance of intelligence system for strategic and security interests of the country. Further, Sood also narrates the story behind Pakistan’s nuclear story and the assassination of former Prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, his relations with former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his take on spy movies.
On the 39th anniversary of Operation Meghdoot which was launched by Indian Army to take control of the world’s highest battlefield Siachen Glacier, we bring to you a special episode on the story of how our defence forces captured the important peaks of Siachen Glacier against all odds in 1984. In an informative conversation with Smita Prakash, Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd.) who as a 28-year-old captain in April 1984 was among the first to be heli-dropped on the Lolofond Glacier recalls the operation and stories on how they pre-empted Operation Ababeel by Pakistani Army.
Shefali Shah, one of the most talented women actors today, has had a long and enduring career spanning over two decades, which saw her transition from an actress to every character she played. She was awarded the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the movie ‘The Last Year’ in 2007. In a candid conversation in ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shefali Shah opens up about her journey in the Mumbai film industry to OTT, which brought her into the spotlight in 2019, portraying her as a 'strong woman' on Indian screens. Shefali also talks about her filmography and shares her experiences working with different co-stars as well as contrasting roles and how she ended up choosing them.
With China aggressively laying sole claim on the entire South China Sea, which facilitates over $3 trillion worth of maritime trade annually, leading to conflict and impasse between countries including Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, the South China Sea has become a very important topic globally. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash at the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi, March 2023, the panel discussed QUAD’s strategy to counter China’s aggression, bilateral security mechanisms for the region, security challenges due to sovereign claims by Beijing in South China Sea and the road ahead. The expert panel, comprising of senior fellow for Asia-Pacific security at International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore Dr Lynn Kuok; Non-resident fellow at Hudson Institute USA, Dr Satoru Nagao and Head of National Security College at Australian National University Professor Rory Medcalf; came together with Smita Prakash and discussed various aspects of disputes arising due to Beijing’s aggressive territorial policies and claims over South and East China Sea. The panel also evaluated security challenges posed by China, US and India’s interest in the region and world’s view on India-China conflict.
Gaurav Gogoi, is a second generation Congress politician from the state of Assam and is currently serving as the deputy leader of the Indian National Congress in Lok Sabha since 2020. Gaurav represents Kaliabor parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha since 2014 and is taking forward the legacy of his father Tarun Gogoi, longest serving chief Minister of Assam. Gaurav, an alumnus of New York University is said to be a family man and maintains a low profile, but happens to be very close to former Congress President Rahul Gandhi and defends his recent speech in London. In an animated conversation with Smita Prakash, Gaurav talks about his entry into politics, Himanta Biswa Sarma and accuses BJP of misusing central agencies. He also talks about NEDA, role of regional parties in the North East, opposition unity and Bharat Jodo Yatra.
Sanjeev Sanyal is a noted historian and economist turned writer who has written seven books on India’s history, geography and freedom struggle. His latest book, Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom, talks about the story of armed resistance which wasn’t individual heroism as it has been portrayed in our history books, but was part of a wider movement towards colonial occupation. Sanjeev is a recipient of an Eisenhower fellowship, has been named young global leader by WEF and is a visiting scholar at Oxford University and an adjunct fellow at National University of Singapore. Currently, Sanyal serves as a member of the economic advisory council to the Prime Minister of India. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash, author-cum-economist talks about armed resistance against the British, his family’s contribution to the freedom struggle, Savarakar, the source of the Khalistani movement and how collaborators and the Nehruvian Congress wiped out the actual history of the Revolutionaries.
With India all set to host SCO in May and G20 later in September this year, India-US relations have become a very important topic with strategic partnerships reaching an all-time high between the two largest democracies of the world. This episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash features two sessions, which includes one at Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi, March 2023 and the other recorded in January 2023. The expert panel comprises former Indian Ambassador to the United States Arun Kumar Singh and Former US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, who discuss various aspects of India-US relations in a revitalised Quad era, China’s resistance to Quad and Russia-Ukraine war during the first session, while in the second session foreign policy expert and executive director of Observer Research Foundation, USA, Dhruva Jaishankar and senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute, C Raja Mohan comes together with Smita Prakash to discuss the topic on a broader aspect by decoding the strengthened relationship in the light of a rejuvenated NATO, acceptance of Indo-Pacific, Ukraine War and upcoming elections in both countries.
General V K Singh, former chief of Army staff, donned many hats before turning to be a full-time politician. Coming from a family of soldiers, Singh served 42 years in the Indian Army, which saw him on the front lines of combat, in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and also in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. During his four-decade-long military service, he has seen it all from being awarded prestigious medals, which include Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Yudh Seva Medal, to being a controversy child with accusations of a military coup, falsified birth certificate and snooping of government servants, all of which was never proven. General Singh also joined India Against Corruption movement with Anna Hazare but moved on to the BJP and currently serves as Minister of State in the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and Ministry of Civil Aviation in the second term of the Modi government. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, General Singh reveals the truth about the ‘coup’, the creation of the TSD, brutalities by Pakistani Army during the Indo-Pak War of 1971, Galwan and other untold stories.
With the US and India going for elections in 2024 this topic is very pertinent as there is a general consensus in both capitals and a bipartisan consensus in Washington that, despite significant differences, bilateral cooperation is beneficial to both countries. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash at the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi, March 2023, the panel discussed the India-US relationship- from national security to trade, the perspective of Democrats and Republicans towards India, the Ukraine conflict, the misinformation campaign and the role of Indian diaspora in American politics. The expert panel, comprising of senior fellow and Director, Technology and National Security Program of Centre for a New American Society, USA Martijn Rasser; Director, US and the Americas Programme and Dean Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs, Chatham House, UK Leslie Vinjamuri; and Distinguished fellow, Council on Foreign Relations, USA and former US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster came together with Smita Prakash and discussed various aspects of US-India relations in the view of a Democrat or Republican President in The White House in November 2024.
A Punjabi by birth, Sonu Sood’s career in films began in the Tamil and Telugu film industry, but he gradually moved to the Bombay film industry when interesting offers came his way. In this heart to heart chat with Smita Prakash, the vagaries of the film industry are discussed at length. In 2020 when there was a nationwide lockdown during the pandemic, Sood helped thousands of migrants return home. He speaks about this life altering mission of his in this podcast. Many thought that his social work was a stepping stone into politics, but Sood says he isn’t ready as yet though many offers have come his way. Sood also talks about physical and mental fitness regimes that he follows.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during the 17th edition of the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum in Slovakia last year said, "Europe has to get out of the mindset that Europe's problem is the world's problem but the world's problem is not Europe's problem." The remark led to discussions and debates over Europe's perspective of the world. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash at the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi, March 2023, the panel discussed Europe's stand on geo-political developments- from migration of refugees to European countries, to the China-Taiwan conflict, to Russia-Ukraine War, to Covid-19 pandemic. The expert panel, comprising of Portugal's Director General for Foreign Policy Rui Vinhas; Founder of Austria-based For A Conscious Experience Velina Tchakarova; and Finland's Tomi Huhtanen, the Executive Director of Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, came together with Smita Prakash and discussed various issues thread by thread.
Young politician Poonam Mahajan, daughter of veteran BJP leader, Pramod Mahajan, has carved a niche for herself in Bharatiya Janata Party. A two-time MP from Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, she has held many important positions in the BJP. She is known more as her father's daughter, who in a candid conversation with Smita Prakash talks about her life, vision for her party and her state- Maharashtra. She recalls her entry into politics after her father's horrific murder in 2006 and the legal battle that ensued the killing of her father by his brother. She also hits out at the Congress party, the Gandhi family and Bharat Jodo Yatra. Talking about Maharastra politics, she explains the history of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the changed scenario of alliances in the stat
Alakh Pandey, an entrepreneur also known as Physics Wallah was in the 11th grade when he began teaching younger children to supplement his family income. Later he dropped out of college to pursue his passion of teaching physics. Now his unicorn business is said to have a net worth of Rs 4000 crore. Alakh found a different way of communicating complex physics problems to get through to children. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, Alakh Pandey sheds light on the struggle he faced early in life before he established Physics Wallah. Free physics lessons on YouTube was the stepping stone. He also shares the nuances in education sector & future of ed-tech business.
Manoj Bajpayee, one of the most talented actors today has three national awards and six Filmfare trophies to his name. He has also been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts. In a candid conversation in ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Manoj Bajpayee opens up about his family, initial struggles and entry into Bollywood. He recalls how Satya’s success in 1998 helped him to get a foothold in the film industry and established him an actor. He takes us on a journey talking about his filmography and shares his experiences working with different co-stars. The Zubeidaa actor explains his fitness regime and how spiritualism has helped him to keep going in the City of Dreams, Mumbai. He recalls the proudest moment of his life when he saw the joy in his father's eyes when the boy from Bihar’s Belwa village received one of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma award.
Dr Satheesh Reddy headed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is currently Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri dealing with the programme which spearheads India's indigenous development of defence systems and technologies. In this informative conversation with Smita Prakash, Dr Reddy talks extensively about India’s strategic missile programme and the impact it has on India’s defence system. He sheds light on different developmental programmes undertaken by DRDO for radars, sonar, drones, tanks, aircraft and their contribution during Covid pandemic. He emphasises the growth of the defence industry in India and the start-up movement in the country. He also recalls his years as a young scientist working under the leadership of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar's illustrious career as a Diplomat spans 38 years including tenures as India's Ambassador in China, the Czech Republic, the USA, Singapore and finally, as Foreign Secretary. He was picked by Prime Minister Modi himself, to be part of his cabinet in 2019 as External Affairs Minister. The articulate Dr S. Jaishankar, in an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash shares his journey from being a diplomat to entering politics. He talks about his father whose career growth as a Cabinet Secretary was halted by Indira Gandhi due to internal politics. He slams the opposition over allegations of being accommodative of China and explains the steps taken by the government to strengthen the security at the LAC. He also reveals how some foreign powers are collaborating to create a false narrative against India as the election approaches.
Noted journalist Rubika Liyaquat made a name for herself in the field of TV journalism with her fiery style of anchoring news bulletins. Whether in Zee TV or now in ABP News she continues with the same style of picking up contentious topics and getting all sides of the debate on her shows. Rubika does on-the-ground reporting and is often criticized for editorialising news. She is active on social media where true to her style, her posts are fearless and bold. Being a progressive Muslim woman professional, she finds herself at odds with those who want to box her in. In a candid interview with Smita Prakash, Rubika talks about her life, her family and her reason for becoming a journalist. She speaks her mind on the Hijab controversy and other issues related to the Muslim community. She, without hesitation, shares about her struggle to break stereotypes and explains the many trials she had to go through.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, a medical doctor by training decided to join politics and fought an election from Udhampur in Jammu & Kashmir in 2014 defeating political stalwart Ghulam Nabi Azad. He holds many portfolios in PM Modi's cabinet like Minister of State Independent Charge for the Ministry of Science & Technology & Minister of State Independent Charge for the Ministry of Earth Science and Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, Personnel Public Grievances & Pensions, Department Of Atomic Energy & Department Of Space. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarifies the government's position on the ongoing controversy over the Hindenburg report. He talks about the situation on the ground in Jammu & Kashmir and the measures taken by the government for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. He explains in length the history of the Kashmir issue and the roles played by previous regimes in the misadventure. He also gives us a brief glimpse into his life and career as a doctor and his journey in politics.
Kailash Kher, noted singer and songwriter emerged from being a folk singer singing devotional songs on the Ganga ghats to lending his voice to the stars of Bollywood. He has been awarded Padma Shri for his exceptional and distinguished contribution to Indian music. In a soul-stirring conversation with Smita Prakash, Kailash Kher talks about his life in penury, his time singing jingles for ad films and his break into Bollywood. He credits his success to the almighty and expresses his desire to do more for society. He also reveals about phases in his life when he tried to commit suicide and faced rejection before becoming a music sensation.
The ‘Mast Mast girl’ of Bollywood, Raveena Tandon set the screen on fire in the 1990s with her hit songs and movies. In a candid interview with Smita Prakash just days before being conferred with Padma Shri, Raveena Tandon opens up about her family life, her entry into Bollywood and her friends in the industry. She shares her experiences with adoption in her 20s and talks about the other causes that are close to her heart. She goes on to talk about her relationship with Akshay Kumar and how toxic entertainment magazines were during the 90s. Being someone who never shies away from speaking her mind she explains her views on nepotism and the cancel culture impacting Bollywood.
Aruna Irani, a versatile actress who has acted in more than 500 films still brims with enthusiasm as she recollects her experience as a child actress, and her time in theatre and language films. In a candid interview with Smita Prakash, Aruna Irani describes her life, her entry into Bollywood, her struggles and how she dealt with the issue of typecasting. She goes on to speak about her relationship with Mehmood and why she feels he was responsible for her downfall. She recounts some incidents on the sets with Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan. She also reveals for the first time the poignancy of being ‘married’ to an already married man, Kuku Kohli.
Lt Gen Kuldip Singh Brar is a veteran of the 1971 India-Pakistan War and the liberation of Bangladesh. He was also the commanding officer of Operation Blue Star and to this day, he remains on the hit list of Khalistani terrorists. In an informative conversation with Smita Prakash, 89-year-old Lt Gen Brar explains the preparations that went behind Operation Blue Star and the situation in Punjab during that time. He describes, in gripping detail, the operation and the events that followed. He recalls the assassination attempt on him by Khalistani terrorists ten years ago in London and how he fought back. He goes on to narrate his experience during the 1971 India-Pakistan War and the inside story of Pakistan’s surrender.
Annamalai Kuppusamy, the Tamil Nadu state president of BJP is one of the sharpest young politicians in the country at present. An engineer who holds a master's degree in Business Administration from the Indian Institutes of Management, Annamalai enlisted himself in the police force in 2011. Not satisfied with what he had achieved after eight years in the Indian Police Service, he joined the BJP in 2020 and was named the state unit president a year later. In an engaging interview with Smita Prakash, Annamalai talks about Tamil Nadu politics, BJP’s inroads and the stature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He explains the challenges and opportunities for BJP in Tamil Nadu and the way forward. He also slams the DMK and Chief Minister MK Stalin for creating a rift between Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country. Annamalai reveals what exactly happened with the Governor inside the assembly and clarifies the reason behind using a watch which was in news recently.
It has been a tumultuous year in the United Kingdom as it saw three prime ministers in less than two months, and the fifth in six years. Rishi Sunak, in October, became the first Indian-origin politician to head the United Kingdom. In this ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, British High Commissioner Alexander Ellis tells how the UK, after leaving the European Union, is looking up to India for cooperation in diverse fields like climate change, trade and business, pharmaceuticals among others. He is also in favour of more skilled Britishers coming to India. While terming India as a powerful country, the High Commissioner supports India's candidacy for a permanent seat in the UNSC. The British High Commissioner also sings an SRK number in the podcast.
Lt Gen Anil Bhatt (Retd), DG, Indian Space Association served for 40 years in the Army in various capacities. He handled major operations in Kashmir as Chinar Corps Commander and was Director General of Military operations during the Doklam crisis with China in 2017. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he shares his experience of bringing in normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir which led to the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019. He elaborates how the Indian Army eliminated three nephews of designated global terrorist Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar in Kashmir within days of them setting their foot on the Indian soil. In a candid conversation Lt Gen Bhatt (Retd) tells how forces dealt with the Doklam crisis as China brought forces in the Chumbi Valley- much closer to the LAC. In his current role as the DG of Indian Space Association, India opened the space to non-government private entities benefiting the Indian Space Industry.
J. Sai Deepak is an engineer turned litigator turned author. His two books India that is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution and India, Bharat and Pakistan: The Constitutional Journey of Sandwiched Civilisation are two voluminous well-researched books on the Indian civilisation. His views are hugely popular among a cross-section of the Indian population which believes that the way Indians have read and perceived the history of their own civilisation is through the prism of their colonial masters and that Indians constantly seek validation. On the other hand, some historians feel that J. Sai Deepak and other historians are whitewashing history through an unnecessary debate of native versus colonial prism. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak busts historical myths which have been propagated by historians for decades. From Wahhabism to Sufism to the origins of the Two-Nation Theory he explains each topic meticulously. Throughout the conversation, he emphasises the fact that there is a need for more proponents of the alternate narrative.
Four-time Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrasekhar currently serves in the Narendra Modi Cabinet as Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and also as the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Besides being a politician, Rajeev is an entrepreneur and technocrat. He doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind on matters that mean much to him like administrative reforms, national security and the welfare of Veterans. In an informative interview with Smita Prakash he opens up about his life, his time in the United States, his entry into politics and the opportunities that followed. He explains in detail the nuances of the internet and the need for better regulatory measures. He highlights the important parts of the Digital India Act that is poised to replace IT Act, 2000. He further talks about how the policies of the current government have boosted the growth of the Indian Electronics Industry and uplifted India’s workforce through the Skill India Mission.
Four-time Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi is considered one of the most influential Muslims in the world. A barrister by profession, it’s hard to pin him down in debates; something that even his greatest opponents admit. Hence most of the criticism against him is rhetorical by nature. His views veer towards being radical and regressive on some occasions and on others, nationalistic and progressive. In an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash, he opens up about his life, entry into politics, and political legacy. He speaks his mind with great conviction and shares his views on controversial issues like Love Jihad, the Triple Talaq law, and the Hijab ban. He slams both the BJP and the Congress with the same vigour for ignoring the Muslim community and for polarising the society. Through the interview, he emphasises his faith in Indian Democracy and insists that he doesn’t need a certificate of Nationalism from anyone.
India formally assumed the Presidency of the G20 or the Group of 20 developed or developing nations on November 2022. This will last for a period of one year and this one year is packed with events with several heads of state and governments visiting India. Is this just a talking forum or can this powerful group find solutions to global issues? To discuss this and more Smita Prakash spoke with Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency Harsh Vardhan Shringla. He was previously the Foreign Secretary of India and Ambassador to the United States of America. In this conversation, he explains in detail the logistics behind holding such a massive event and the immense opportunities to showcase different parts of the country. He speaks about issues impacting the World and India's role in resolving them. Through the conversation, he empasises on how the global perception of India has changed in recent times and the respect it commands on the global level. He also opens up about his personal life and encourages the youth to join the Indian Foreign Services.
What happens when an analyst on Pakistani affairs, an author and scientist, a political analyst and a researcher who speaks on political ideologies and social issues, come together on a Podcast with an Editor? Let’s tune in to the year ender edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash where in a free-wheeling conversation they discuss wide-ranging issues including Punjabi supremacy, Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress party, India’s G-20 presidency, Pakistani narrative, Nupur Sharma, calls for Sar Tan Se Juda, controversy surrounding Pathan movie and the unforgettable romance in the 1981-released movie Silsila.
You don’t laugh at her but you laugh with her. If you are an avid social media user, you must have come across the saree-clad ‘Raju Ki Mummy’ passing unabashed judgment on other people’s fashion or the ‘Chanayi Kapoor’ who messes with her housekeeper in a pretentious South Delhi accent. The face behind all these characters is a single versatile entertainer and social media content creator Dolly Singh. Hailing from Nainital, Dolly is a force of talent, who effortlessly commands the screen by moulding into a variety of characters we love and often relate to. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dolly takes us on a laughter ride and a stroll down memory lane, sharing how she stepped into the world of content creation after moving to Delhi for higher studies. The young artiste, who defines herself as introvert in real life, talks about her characters, content and challenges.
Bhupender Yadav, the Union Cabinet Minister of Labour and Employment, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is also the BJP’s election strategist. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the Union Cabinet Minister speaks about the victory of the recently held Gujarat Assembly polls and the party’s defeat in Himachal Pradesh state elections. From COP 27 Egypt to carbon emissions in India, from Kalyan Singh to Kejriwal, and from Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra to BJP’s pledge for various state elections in 2023, the party’s war room strategist parries a volley of questions in this freewheeling conversation.
Dr Vikram Sampath is the author of eight books including two-volume biography of VD Savarkar. In 2021, the Bengaluru-based historian was chosen as a fellow for the Royal Historical Society of the United Kingdom. In this edition of Podcast with Smita Prakash, the young author-cum-historian talks about India's glorious history; the unsung heroes including civilisational warriors. He elaborates how Lalitaditya Muktapida in the 7th century not only stopped the Arabs from entering India but also conquered parts of Afghanistan and extended his kingdom upto Tibet and China. Dr Sampath speaks about the heroic queens Rani Abakka and Ahilyabai Holkar and explains how the notion that Arab invaders plundered Hindu temples in India only for economic considerations is “bunkum”. He also delves into details about Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan while explaining why Indian Muslims should be inspired by Dara Shikoh and not Ghazni and Ghori. The discussion on the origin and ownership of Mysore Pak serves as a dessert in the podcast.
China's recent attempt to forcefully alter the status quo on the LAC in Yangtse in Tawang Sector was thwarted by the Indian Army. As the soldiers of People's Liberation Army (PLA) came with clubs, the Indian soldiers did not back down and responded in kind, beating back the belligerent Chinese forces. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane (Retd), Former Army Chief, tells how the PLA received a "Jhatka" in Galwan in 2020. As Indian side also suffered casualities, did it break the Army's morale? How is the situation similar or different this time? Is PLA really a modernised army or is it actually “regressive”? How was Col B Santosh Babu’s death at the hands of the aggressive Chinese forces avenged? On a gamut of wide-ranging issues, including Balakot Air Strike, Gen Naravane (Retd) answers every question with military precision.
Mental health is a state of emotional, psychological, physical, and social well-being. One's holistic health is considered incomplete without good mental health. However, mental health often takes a back seat as people still hesitate to talk about it. India has one of the world’s largest population of people with mental issues with more than 80% of people not having access to care services for a multitude of reasons, ranging from lack of knowledge, stigma and high cost of care. To have a better understanding of mental health issues in detail, Smita Prakash spoke with Kamna Chhibber who is the Head of Mental Health at the Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences at Fortis Healthcare. In an informative conversation, Kamna explained how individuals can take care of their well-being and manage emotional distress. She also talks about ways in which mental health can affect anyone regardless of age, intelligence, or social class, emphasising how a child’s mental health is just as crucial as their physical health. Throughout the conversation, she busts myths and taboos related to mental health.
Traditional folk songs are an integral part of Indian culture. Malini Awasthi has beautifully managed to capture the essence of Indian Folklore and has been able to connect the urban audience to the traditional Indian roots through her music. She has been awarded the Padma Shri and is a recipient of several other awards and recognitions. Her special connection is with her home state Uttar Pradesh and she is completely in tune with the folklore and folk music of the state. In a conversation with Smita Prakash, she opens up about her life, her achievements and her path to reach the pinnacle of folk music in the country. She emphasises on the importance of being rooted in our culture and tradition and not being swept by Western cultures. In the podcast Ms Awasthi discusses gender discrimination and women empowerment.
He doesn’t have an MBA degree, yet Prafull Billore is known as MBA Chai Wala. He flipped burgers before wads of cash made way into his hands. Prafull started the MBA Chai Wala in 2017 in pursuit of making big. Soon the young entrepreneur had his cash register ringing and the humble “thela” on a highway soon transcended into a big business. The chain now has nearly 200 outlets in India and abroad. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the 26-year-old tells how he made it big without taking “jugaad” route, what challenges he faced, how he overcame “log kya kahenge?”, how from being called Billo Rani he became a millionaire, and how he is an epitome of the youth of today’s India.
Israeli envoy Naor Gilon has been in the news recently for taking on Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid for his comments at the International Film Festival of India. In this podcast, that was recorded earlier Ambassador Naor Gilon talks with Smita Prakash on India–Israel relations which is on a very strong footing with both the nations looking at each other as strategic partners in all spheres of life. From defence to agriculture, from cyber security to start-up culture, India and Israel have been able to set up a system of cooperation that has been a cause for envy for India’s neighbours. He focuses on the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel in 2017 was a game-changer for both countries. Ambassador Naor Gilon also opens up about his life, growing up in a family which had Holocaust survivors, serving in the Israeli Army, and having kids who are currently serving officers.
Shraddha Walkar’s murder by her boyfriend Aftab Poonawalla has transfixed the country. The gruesome details that are emerging everyday have, once again, brought to focus the issue of crimes against women in the country and especially in the city of Delhi. To shed further light on the issue Smita Prakash spoke with a former police officer who knows Delhi like the back of her hand. She was the first woman officer of the Indian police service. Kiran Bedi has worked tirelessly to reduce crimes against women. In this conversation she talks about the mentality of criminals, the need for reforms in the system and the way forward. She shares her opinions on Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and what she feels he should do to make Delhi better. She also opens up about her tenure in the police force, her political stint, and her most cherished days as Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
14 years have passed since the terror attacks of 26/11 in Mumbai by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. For the first time ever hear from the man who led an elite covert counter-terror unit that took the fight to the enemy. Colonel Hunny Bakshi, Ex-Commanding Officer of Technical Support Division (TSD), a Military Intelligence unit set up in 2010 in the aftermath of 26/11. In an illuminating conversation with Smita Prakash, he talks about the idea behind the unit, his investigation that led to the unearthing of the Adarsh Housing Society scam, the operations conducted, and the politics that resulted in controversies for him and the unit. The survivor of three IED attacks shares about the role the media played and the consequences the nation had to face. Throughout the conversation, he talks about the discipline of the Indian Army and how it stands with the democratic principles of the country.
Palki Sharma has been a TV reporter and anchor for over two decades. She was the face of Wion before she joined Network 18 as Managing Editor and is now building a team for a new venture. In an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash, she talks about her life, tackling trolls, breaking stereotypes and the challenges of International News. She opens up about her reasons for moving from Wion and her plans for the next venture of the Network 18 Group. Through the conversation she also highlights the issues faced by women journalists and how she managed it throughout her career.
Yatinder Singh, a bodybuilder and fitness expert, is also a social media influencer through his Youtube channel on which he guides youngsters who want to take up bodybuilding as a profession or as a lifestyle. He is a three-time Mr. India title-holder and this year at an age when most bodybuilders retire, he won the title of Asia Champion silencing his critics for good. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Yatinder talks about his humble beginnings, his potentially career-ending injury, his comeback and future goals. He shares his diet which has remained the same for years and has helped him win tournament after tournament. Through the conversation, he emphasises the importance of having a proper trainer for anyone who is keen on hitting the gym.
Padyatra which translates to ‘journey by foot' has been used as an agent of social change by religious and social reformers from ancient times. Even politicians have used it to gain political mileage, the most impactful one being the Salt March undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi against the British tax regime. Currently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on a padyatra from South to North India called the Bharat Jodo Yatra which he says is to unite the nation divided by the divisive policies of the BJP government. But are padyatras relevant in an age where even those residing in villages have access to mobile networks and television reaches every corner of the country? Will Rahul Gandhi be able to convert the crowd into votes and will it impact the next elections? To discuss these questions, we have veteran politician Sudhindra Bhadoria of the Bahujan Samaj Party who played an essential role in the Bharat Yatra of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekar in 1983. Also joining the podcast is Shantanu Gupta, founder of Yuva Foundation. He is author and biographer of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The recent happenings in Pakistan have taken a new turn after the assassination attempt on former Prime Minister Imran Khan. For the first time in history, people are openly protesting against the Pakistan Army and anti-American sentiments are at an all-time high. What do these developments mean for India and how does it impact geopolitics on the global stage to discuss more on it Smita Prakash spoke with Tilak Devasher who is the author of three widely acclaimed books on Pakistan and retired as Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat Government of India. He is currently a member of the National Security Advisory Board. Major Gaurav Arya is an Indian Army veteran and founder of the Chanakya Forum. He is a public speaker who is seen on television debates and is popular on social media in India and Pakistan.
Sarbananda Sonowal, the former Chief Minister of Assam is one of the tallest political leaders from North East India. He is currently the Cabinet Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Cabinet Minister of AYUSH in the Government of India. In a detailed conversation with Smita Prakash, he talks about his journey in politics from being a student leader to now being the only politician from the North East to be part of the BJP Parliamentary Board. Sonowal sheds light on the workings of the Ministry of AYUSH and its achievements at the global level. He further goes on to explain the latest developments in the field of shipping under the current government. In this conversation, Sonowal also slams the Congress for betraying the people of North East for many years and focuses on the changes brought about after 2014.
Priyanka Chaturvedi is a Member of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha and holds the post of Deputy Leader in the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray faction). A former Congress spokesperson, Priyanka has been a voice for gender equality both inside and outside of parliament. She has been strident in her criticism of the BJP and does not hesitate to take on the government even on issues outside of her home state of Maharashtra. She is known to speak straight from the heart and in this episode with Smita Prakash, she does just that as she talks about issues ranging from woman empowerment to dealing with trolls, from personal life to her political journey. She opens up on why she quit the Congress and joined the Shiv Sena and what changes it brought to her political career. Through the conversation, she emphasizes the issue of stereotyping of women, especially in the field of politics
Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) popularly known as 'Tiny Dhillon' is a decorated officer with a career spanning 39 years. He has served as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence). He earned widespread appreciation for initiating unconventional, people-friendly operations during his tenure as head of XV Corps in Kashmir. His line ‘Kitne Ghazi aaye kitne Ghazi gaye’ has become legendary in the social media circuit. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (Retd) talks about Army life, operations undertaken and the social media plunge. He goes on to talk about what happened behind the scenes of the Balakot air strike and the implementation of Article 370. On a lighter note, he shares about his retired life, family, and love for food.
Is the Covid pandemic over? Are the Covid vaccines and boosters enough to keep us safe in the event of another wave? What are the after effects of Covid that we are living with? What about random tests doctors seem to be prescribing these days? How do doctors function under intense stress that comes with the profession? To answer these questions Smita Prakash spoke with Dr. Arjun Dang, CEO of Dr. Dangs Lab which is the busiest diagnostic laboratory in New Delhi and Dr Dhiren Gupta who is a Paediatrician and Senior Consultant at Sir Ganga Ram hospital, New Delhi.
Air pollution is one of the biggest issues faced by mankind, causing serious lung-related disorders. Research has shown that 80% of lung care patients these days are non-smokers who are exposed to air pollution. Covid has further worsened the matter with recovered persons having compromised lungs which is leading us towards a lung cancer epidemic. To discuss this important issue Smita Prakash spoke with Dr Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery at Medanta Hospital. He is a leading voice when it comes to lung-related issues and has been an advocate for better lung health through his organisation the Lung Care Foundation.
Arnab Goswami needs no introduction; he has been the face of Indian television news for more than a decade. Rightly called controversy’s favourite child, Arnab doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind. In an elaborate conversation with Smita Prakash, Arnab Goswami opens up about his life, humble beginnings, rise in the media industry and how he launched Republic TV Group. For the first time ever hear Arnab Goswami talk about his ordeal inside the Taloja Central Jail and how he dealt with the wrath of it. He also shares some inside stories that are sure to raise many eyebrows.
Navika Kumar is a household name when it comes to television news. She has been a flag bearer for women journalists, one of the few woman editors of a news channel. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Navika Kumar opens up about her family, her transition from print to television news, and the struggles of multitasking as a mother and an editor. For the first time, she narrates about what happened that evening during the controversial episode which included Nupur Sharma which drew a lot of flak. Without mincing any words she sheds light on the feud between her and friend-turned-adversary Arnab Goswami. We also come across her Zen-like persona while dealing with trolls and other critics.
Despite BJP being in power since 2014, the right-wing narrative remains fractured. BJP is seen as ‘right wing’ due to its leanings, however, when it comes to the economy, the party’s own supporters call it more left-inclined than the left liberals ever have. Is the left actually liberal and is the right not? To discuss these political connotations and much more, Smita Prakash spoke with Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. He is someone who has a radical take on these things and is considered to be an ‘extreme liberal’ - someone who believes in total freedom of expression. He has written on military affairs - a researcher par excellence who speaks on political ideologies and social issues. Often, he is attacked by both the left and the right-wing in India for his opinions but continues to remain unfazed towards criticism.
Pavan Varma is a former diplomat, an author and a politician who wears each hat with equal ease. He remains grounded inspite of being part of Delhi’s elite for decades. In an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash he talks about his relationship with Nitish Kumar, his days as an ambassador and the current political climate in the country. He passionately envisions a united opposition that could pose a serious challenge to the BJP bandwagon. He also sheds light on the class culture of Lutyen
Suhel Seth is a man of many talents - a brand strategist, writer, author and a television pundit who can speak uninterrupted on literally any topic under the sun. A no holds barred speaker who believes in what he say and doesn’t shy away from taking on the opponent in most television debates, Suhel has become a household name.In an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash the Marketing Maven talks about his life, passions, and interactions with the stalwarts from different walks of life. He also explains his views on politics and the current happenings in the country without mincing any words. You wouldn’t want to miss this one!
The Indian Government on September 23 released an advisory asking Indian Nationals and students in Canada to exercise due caution and remain vigilant. This came after a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities in Canada. Also gangs and criminal organisations within the Punjabi Canadian community have expanded their activities into Indian soil which came into focus with the killing of Sidhu Moose Wala. Another long standing problem is that of the Khalistani groups in Canada. To understand more about India-Canada relationship, how both countries can move forward? Should India escalate this to Prime Ministerial level? Smita Prakash spoke with Indrani Bagchi who is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a think tank based in Delhi. Indrani was the Diplomatic Editor for the Times of India for several years and covered the Ministry of External Affairs as well as interpreted it and analysed global trends with an Indian perspective.
Himanta Biswa Sarma is not just the Chief Minister of Assam but also the most influential political figure in the whole of North East India. Called controversy’s favourite child by many, he doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind. Switching sides to the BJP in 2015 has seen his popularity grow tenfold – whether it's at the Centre or amongst the masses in the Hindi heartland. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, the witty politician talks about his days in the Congress and the stark differences he witnessed between the cultures of the BJP and the Congress. In this conversation, he doesn’t leave a stone unturned to slam the Gandhi family and even ends up calling them “expired Drugs”. He takes on Rahul Gandhi over his “feudal mindset”, referring to him as someone “not fit for politics”. He sheds light on issues of his home state Assam varying from Bangladeshi immigrants to unauthorised Madrasas and how the BJP government has helped in integrating North Eastern states with the rest of India.
Jairam Ramesh is more than a media incharge of the largest opposition party in India. He is an author, a former Minister and a TV anchor. So much so that one critic called him the "Aishwarya Rai of TV" when he used to anchor a TV show. In an animated conversation with Smita Prakash, the maverick politician was sharp in his criticism of the media which he says is biased against the Congress. He defends the Bharat Jodo Yatra of Rahul Gandhi and says it is rejuvenating the cadres. About his past avatars, in the party and government, Jairam speaks about his interactions with Rajiv Gandhi, Dr Singh, Sitaram Kesri, Narasimha Rao and others. He gets animated when he speaks about other political parties claiming to be the real opposition as opposed to the Congress. A South Indian by birth, Jairam has learned to speak fluent Hindi and switches between English and Hindi in the interview. On who will be president of the party, Jairam hums and haws.