SparX by Mukesh Bansal

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.

In this episode of Sparx, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Tejasvi Surya, one of India’s youngest Members of Parliament for an unfiltered conversation on leadership, purpose, and building a stronger nation. From his early days as a student activist to becoming a Member of Parliament at 28, Tejasvi shares the defining moments, risks, and unwavering convictions that shaped his journey.They dive deep into themes of taking initiative without waiting for permission, the power of youth in nation-building and lessons from icons like Swami Vivekananda on mental strength, physical fitness, and resilience. Tejasvi reveals how a grassroots campaign over coffee shop meetings grew into a statewide movement, why consistency beats intensity in every pursuit, and how a 14-day solo trip to Bhutan helped him rediscover his purpose.The conversation also spans fitness, governance reforms, Bengaluru’s urban challenges, the future of public transport, and the disruptive force of AI along with a bold vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. 

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal dives deep into something that we do all the time - breathing - one of the most integral part of our lives. He explores all the different styles of breathing and shares actionable steps to master breathing.

Naresh Krishnaswamy, CEO of Cult, shares insights on India's burgeoning fitness scene. He discusses the company's resilience through challenges and the cultural shifts needed in leadership. The power of AI in fitness is a major topic, with visions of intelligent coaching and wellness integration in the workplace. Naresh also highlights the rising trend of women-only gyms and the disruptive potential of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. His passionate approach inspires a community-driven fitness revolution, aiming for a healthier future for all.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Shamik Sharma, SVP Product at Atlassian and former Head of Technology at Myntra, to explore how AI is radically transforming software development, programming, and enterprise workflows.They unpack how natural language is becoming the new code, how tools like Lovable are reshaping developer productivity, and why the future of software engineering may not need traditional programmers at all.Shamik shares bold ideas on the rise of vibe coding, why SaaS as we know it is dying, and the untapped potential of multi-agent collaboration, AI-powered IT services, and humanoid robots in the next decade. Mukesh and Shamik also dive into India’s opportunity in this AI wave and what students, engineers, and entrepreneurs must learn now to stay ahead.Whether you're a founder, developer, product leader, or just AI-curious, this conversation will change how you think about technology, work, and learning in the age of AI.

Discover the surprising ways AI is reshaping our world. Voice AI agents are moving beyond mere novelty to redefine communication in businesses. The concept of 'vibe coding' is making app development accessible to everyone. Massive investments from tech giants signal a golden opportunity for AI-native startups. Topics include the automation of industries and the importance of prompt engineering for maximizing AI potential. This discussion is a must for anyone eager to navigate the future landscape of technology and innovation.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal explores the fast-growing world of Pilates with Rishabh Telang, Business Head at CULT, and Kavitha Srinivasan, one of India’s foremost Pilates educators. Together, they dive into how this century-old practice is becoming a modern-day fitness essential.Rishabh shares why CULT is going all-in on Pilates, the incredible reception from users, and how the brand plans to scale from a single studio to 100+ across India. Kavitha breaks down the science and history of Pilates.They discuss how Pilates improves posture, builds deep core strength, prevents injury, and helps people move better for life. Whether you’re a gym-goer, a fitness beginner, or someone struggling with back pain or burnout, this conversation will make you rethink how you train.A refreshing take on movement, longevity, and India's evolving fitness culture.

In this episode of SparX, Mukesh Bansal sits down with Subrata Mitra, legendary venture capitalist and Partner at Accel, to unpack what it really takes to back iconic startups from day zero. From being the first institutional investor in Flipkart to shaping India’s startup DNA over two decades, Subrata shares rare insights on pattern recognition, founder-market fit, and why ambition often matters more than pedigree.They talk about the evolution of the Indian VC ecosystem, how to spot high-agency founders, and the art of building trust at the earliest stages of company building. For founders, operators, or anyone interested in the mindset behind India’s startup revolution, this episode offers a masterclass in long-term thinking, conviction-led investing, and the human side of venture capital.