ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

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.

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.

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'. Sidhu is an internal security expert and has worked closely on the merger of the Sikkim with India. Sidhu 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.