SparX by Mukesh Bansal

Peyush Bansal, Co-founder and CEO of Lenskart, shares his journey from Microsoft to revolutionizing eyewear in India. He discusses the alarming vision crisis, how Lenskart combats cultural stigmas around glasses, and the vital need for accessible eye care. Listeners learn about his strategic focus on manufacturing, impressive growth metrics, and the challenges of offline retail. Peyush also reflects on valuable lessons from a near-fatal funding crisis and his experiences on Shark Tank, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal talks with Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and former Director of IIT Kanpur. They break down how India can build core technology at home, move research from labs to real products, and grow deep tech in AI, quantum, space, biotech, energy and medical tech.They speak about:How capital will be deployed through trusted second-level fund managers like AIFs, DFIs, TDB, BIRAC and IIT research parksPriority areas, from energy transition to biotech, quantum, robotics, space and defence techThe path from basic research to product, including the TRL 4 to 6 valley of deathIndia’s AI plan, including language models, curated datasets and GPU infrastructureThe national quantum mission across computing, communication, sensing and materialsIf you are building deep tech in India or tracking where the next breakthroughs may come from, this conversation is a must-watch.

Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, shares his insights on the future of AI and India's innovation landscape. He emphasizes the importance of tackling fundamental 'root node' scientific challenges to unlock breakthroughs. A heated discussion reveals why Indian CEOs should invest more in R&D to foster a culture of ambition and acceptance of failure. Gupta also foresees AI transforming sectors like healthcare and agriculture, calling for India to transition from merely using AI to becoming a creator of it.

Roopa Kudva, former head of CRISIL and leader at Omidyar Network India, shares her insights from her book, Leadership Beyond the Playbook. She discusses the importance of crafting a personal leadership identity based on values and experiences. Roopa highlights the challenges women face in leadership roles and the need for more female representation in India. She emphasizes the significance of mental health in leadership, advocating for vulnerability and open conversations. Her journey and reflections offer valuable lessons for aspiring leaders.

The discussion highlights India's deep tech ecosystem and its struggle between being tech consumers versus creators. Mukesh points out the risks of dependence on foreign technology and the importance of investing in deep science. He addresses shifting VC interests and geopolitical challenges impacting access to technology. The conversation emphasizes the need for curiosity-driven research to spark innovation, with historical lessons showing how breakthroughs arise from long-term scientific pursuits. India's ambition and R&D funding are crucial for a prosperous future.

Rana Adhikari, an experimental physicist at Caltech and a key player in gravitational-wave research, discusses the fascinating world of LIGO and its groundbreaking detections of black hole mergers. He shares how LIGO measures tiny space-time distortions and the significance of the upcoming LIGO-India project, expected to challenge Einstein's theories. Rana also explores the intersection of quantum entanglement and AI in measurement science, while emphasizing India's potential to lead in global scientific advancements through mentorship and innovative infrastructure.

Raghuram Rajan, the Former RBI Governor, shares his insights on India's economic challenges as it navigates a complex global landscape. He discusses the impact of US tariffs, questioning their effect on India’s GDP growth and job market. Rajan highlights the necessity for human capital investment and the urgent need for education reform. He also addresses the disruption caused by AI and emphasizes the importance of ambition and adaptability for the youth. His views prompt a rethink on how India can secure its economic future amidst shifting geopolitics.

In a compelling conversation, Sharad Sharma, a technology policy expert and key architect of Aadhaar and UPI, shares his journey from corporate success to nation building. He emphasizes India's potential to capitalize on deep tech and innovation to evade dependency on global powers. The discussion dives into the origins of India Stack, the scaling of UPI, and the pressing need for robust R&D ecosystems. Sharma highlights the necessity for new research institutions and the importance of tailored AI solutions to foster India's unique path towards growth.

Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, is on a mission to transform India’s research landscape. He discusses the urgent need for India to innovate rather than merely adopt foreign technologies. With plans to unlock substantial funding for R&D, he emphasizes collaboration across sectors. The conversation spans critical areas like AI, quantum tech, and energy, while Kalyanaraman shares insights from his own journey as an inventor with over 75 patents. A wake-up call for India's innovation future!

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank, to unpack the chaos behind Trump’s tariff wars and what it means for the global order.They explore why these moves aren’t just about trade, but about four bigger objectives. Covering various topics from stagnant U.S. wages and life expectancy gaps to America’s renewed manufacturing drive for national security, this episode talks about the forces influencing today’s shifting geopolitical landscape.They discuss whether tariffs can deliver on revenue goals, the risks of a trade war, and how a “might is right” continues to dominate global economics. Neelkanth dives into why a dollar devaluation may be inevitable, what history teaches us, and why China as a near-equal opposer changes the game.Whether you’re an investor, policy enthusiast, or curious about the future of money, power, and global stability, this episode offers a lens into the economic strategies that could rewrite the world order.