Abhijit Chavda Podcast

Dr. Bhagat Oinam is professor and Chairperson, Centre for Philosophy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is also the Chairperson, Special Centre for the Study of North East India at JNU. He specializes in existentialism and phenomenology, philosophical anthropology, social & cultural philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, contemporary Indian philosophy, indigenous knowledge traditions, religion, ethnicity, identity politics, conflict, and gender.

Professor Gautam R. Desiraju is a renowned Indian chemist and educationist who has contributed substantially to the themes of crystal engineering and weak hydrogen bonding. He is one of the most highly cited Indian scientists with over 450 research papers, 60000+ citations and an h-index of 100. He is also a trained Carnatic singer. In this podcast we discuss denigration of Carnatic music, vilification of Hindu spirituality and Hinduphobia - in the context of the ongoing TM Krishna controversy.

Surya Roy is a Heritage Conservationist, explorer & an independent Indic History researcher whose research spans across the History & Culture of Vraj Mandal, Kurukshetra, Odisha, Bengal, Mewar & the Maratha history. He is a keen student of archaeology & focuses on the enlistment of Heritage properties & preservation of ancient manuscripts. A Life Member & Researcher with INTACH New Delhi HQ, he is also an Associate Member of ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments & Sites) which is an UNESCO body formed under the Geneva Council of 1974 for the preservation & conservation of Archaeological sites. Most recently he has also been appointed as Director of North India Operations with IHAR (Indian History & Research) a Houston US, based NGO which engages in research, preservation & practising of Indian Heritage & also provides scholarship to bright Indian students engaged in the field of Indian Heritage & History Research. By profession he is a Supply Chain & Logistics professional who has been into SC/Logistics Operations for the past 22 years now & is based out of New Delhi.

Sumeer Bhasin is a noted Indian geopolitical expert specializing in international relations and strategic affairs. He has a significant background in analyzing the geopolitical dynamics of the Indian Subcontinent and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Bhasin’s expertise is often sought by think tanks and policy institutes where he contributes through incisive research and policy recommendations. He frequently appears as a commentator on national and international media platforms, providing insights on security, diplomacy, and economic implications of regional conflicts and alliances. His work also includes advising governmental and non-governmental organizations on foreign policy and defense strategies, enhancing understanding of complex international issues.

Rakeshh Gupta is the founder, chairman and CEO of SayeNvest Group, a British conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The group provides consulting and advisory services across sectors, i.e. Automotive, Asset & Wealth Management, Energy including Renewables, Healthcare, Information Technology and Enabled Services, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Wealth Management, Oil and Gas including speciality Chemicals, Real Estate, Telecom, Media and Entertainment with its global team operating out of 12 locations across the globe. The group owns SayeNvest Caps Advisory, SayeNvest Asset Management, SayeNvest Real Estate Advisory, SayeOne Media Corporation and SayeTech Technologies.

Rashmi Samant is an Indian student who came into the spotlight during her time at Oxford University. In 2021, she made history as the first Indian woman elected as President of the Oxford Student Union. However, her tenure was short-lived due to controversy surrounding past social media posts, which led to her resignation. Samant holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, India, and was pursuing a Master’s in Energy Systems at Oxford. Despite the challenges, she continues to be an advocate for inclusivity and diversity in education. Rashmi’s story highlights the complexities of cultural context and public scrutiny in leadership roles.

Pradeep Bhandari is a well-known Indian psephologist, political analyst, and the founder of Jan Ki Baat, a people’s platform that conducts opinion polls and surveys in India. His expertise lies in electoral analysis, leveraging grassroots data to predict election outcomes. Bhandari gained prominence with his accurate predictions in several key Indian elections, which have often challenged mainstream media forecasts. His method involves a blend of on-ground surveys, demographic research, and data analytics. Besides his work in psephology, Pradeep is a regular contributor to various media outlets where he discusses politics and election strategies, influencing public discourse in India.

Dr. Surya Prakash Upadhyay is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) who specializes in sociology of religion, urban sociology, and post-reform India. He received his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2011 and is from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Ashwini Upadhyay is an Indian lawyer and activist, widely recognized for his extensive involvement in public interest litigation (PIL). Often referred to as the "PIL Man of India," Upadhyay has filed numerous cases addressing a wide range of issues including electoral reforms, environmental protection, and anticorruption measures. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he has also served as its spokesperson. Upadhyay's legal initiatives often focus on enforcing existing laws more effectively and advocating for legal reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in Indian governance. His work has significantly impacted legal and public policy discourse in India.

Anshul Jubli is an emerging mixed martial artist from India, making his mark in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born in Uttarakhand, India, Anshul began his professional MMA career in 2019 and quickly distinguished himself with an undefeated record in the regional circuits. Known for his striking skills and grappling ability, he earned a spot in the UFC through the "Road to UFC" tournament, a platform designed to discover and nurture talents from Asia. Anshul's fighting style, marked by aggression and technical finesse, has garnered him a growing fanbase and positioned him as a promising talent in the lightweight division of UFC.