

Bharatvaarta
Bharatvaarta
Bharatvaarta podcast is a commentary on politics, policy and culture focused on India. The podcast brings together people from different walks of life who have varied and interesting perspectives on what's happening around us.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 31, 2021 • 35min
Bharatvaarta Weekly #26 | Republic Day Parade, Padma Awards, Israeli Embassy Incident, and more...
The Bharatvaarta Weekly is our reaction to the news headlines of the week that was. This week, we'll be talking about the Republic day parade, the Republic Day protests, Padma award recipients, Power Grid InvIT, and more. If you liked this episode, then don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share this content. You can stay updated with everything at Bharatvaarta by following us on social media: we're @bharatvaarta on Twitter, facebook.com/bharatvaarta.in on Facebook, and @bharatvaarta on Instagram). #Bharatvaarta #BVWeekly

Jan 30, 2021 • 43min
#088 - Wall Street Bets v/s Hedge Funds: Short Selling & more | Bharatvaarta
Social media has been abuzz about Redditors on a forum called “WallStreetBets”, banding together and buying up stock in a gaming merchandise retailer called GameStop. They are orchestrating a “short squeeze” against hedge funds that had taken a short position on the stock. Melvin Capital, one of the prime targets, lost over 30% of it’s AUM and required an emergency infusion of $2.75 billion from fellow hedge funds Citadel and Point72. This is being seen as a triumph of the retail investors against institutions that purport to manipulate markets at the cost of smaller investors. To give us an insider’s perspective on what is happening, we are joined by experienced traders, Rajiv and Dhiraj (anon), who speak about the significance of these events while also explaining concepts related to short selling, how it is different in India, what retail investors should beware of, and much more. This is a must listen episode for those interested in diving deeper on recent events and developing an understanding of markets and finance. The Bharatvaarta podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, Google, Spotify, Breaker, Stitcher, and other popular platforms. If you like this episode, then please rate, subscribe and share! For more information, do check out www.bharatvaarta.in.

Jan 26, 2021 • 1h 10min
#087 - Political Debate in India | Anand Ranganathan
Anand Ranganathan is a professor, scientist, author, and also, among the most popular television commentators, renowned for his articulate and forthright views on social and political matters. In this free-wheeling conversation, we talk about the state of debate in the country, the impact of television and social media, ideologies and frames of references, criticism of the government, and much more. This podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, Google, Spotify, Breaker, Stitcher, and other popular platforms. If you like this episode, then please rate, subscribe and share! For more information, do check out www.bharatvaarta.in.

Jan 24, 2021 • 33min
Bharatvaarta Weekly #25 | Biden's Executive Actions, Mallya Seeks Asylum, Biden's Executive Actions
The Bharatvaarta Weekly is our reaction to the news headlines of the week that was. This week, we'll be talking about the Serum Institute fire, Mallya applying for asylum in the UK, RBI's discussion paper on NBFC's, Reliance's 5G tests, and more... If you liked this episode, then don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share this content. You can stay updated with everything at Bharatvaarta by following us on social media: we're @bharatvaarta on Twitter, facebook.com/bharatvaarta.in on Facebook, and @bharatvaarta on Instagram). #Bharatvaarta #BVWeekly

Jan 23, 2021 • 52min
#086 - The Life & Times of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose | Vivek Khaitan, Abhishek Bannerjee
Subhas Chandra Bose was an Indian nationalist whose defiant patriotism made him a hero in India, but whose attempt during World War II to rid India of British rule with the help of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan left a troubled legacy. The honorific Netaji, first applied in early 1942 to Bose in Germany by the Indian soldiers of the Indische Legion and by the German and Indian officials in the Special Bureau for India in Berlin, was later used throughout India. On the occasion of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, we put together a special panel of guests to remember Netaji's impact on nascent India. In this special episode of the Bharatvaarta podcast, Vivek Khaitan and Abhishek Bannerjee deconstruct the life and deeds of Subhash Chandra Bose, from his relationship with the Indian National Congress to his death, which is shrouded in mystery to this day. We also explore some interesting counterfactuals, such as Bose holding on to the INC's leadership position or him returning to India after his death. We also look into Bose's infamous relationship with the Axis powers, the formation of the INA and the role it played in the freedom struggle, and his significance in modern India. We end by exploring the current effort to resurrect his legacy by the ruling BJP party. This podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, Google, Spotify, Breaker, Stitcher, and other popular platforms. If you like this episode, then please rate, subscribe and share! For more information, do check out www.bharatvaarta.in. #Bharatvaarta #BVPolitics #SubhashChandraBoseJayanti

Jan 23, 2021 • 1h 35min
Bharatvaarta Sports | Ind.-Aus. Series, Ind.-Eng. Series, IPL Squad Changes, and more...
Bharatvaarta Sports is our reaction to the latest in the world of sports. In this episode, we'll be talking about the India-Australia Test series results, the India-England series recap, and IPL squad changes. This episode features Mahek Vyas and Rajesh Tiwary. If you liked this episode, then don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share this content. You can stay updated with everything at Bharatvaarta by following us on social media: we're @bharatvaarta on Twitter, facebook.com/bharatvaarta.in on Facebook, and @bharatvaarta on Instagram).

Jan 21, 2021 • 60min
#085 - "Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life" - Amish Tripathi & Bhavna Roy
In this episode, We are joined by by the authors of the book "Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life", Amish Tripathi and Bhavna Roy. In this book, the first of a series, Amish and Bhavna dive into the ncient Indian epics, as well as some of Amish's stories to explore some important ideas of Indian philosophy. We start off by understand how the idea of the content and structure of the book came about. We then get into a deep dive into the different concepts such as Karma, Dharma and Swadharma. We explore the interplay between thought and action, understand the difference between wanting and having, anger and rage and how dichotomies such as right/ wrong aren't applicable in the Indian context. We then discuss how envy is at the root of driving us away from Dharma and how traits such obedience and loyalty that are considered virtues can take us away from Dharma. We end by asking the authors about their view on how they see the coming decade is something to look forward for India. This podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, Google, Spotify, Breaker, Stitcher, and other popular platforms. If you like this episode, then please rate, subscribe and share! For more information, do check out www.bharatvaarta.in.

Jan 19, 2021 • 1h 24min
#084 - India In The Foreign Press | Ruchir Sharma, Vishal Ganesan
India’s coverage in the foreign media is subject to much debate – we often cringe or complain about the vast divergence between reality and perception. Is this a recent phenomenon or is there a historical precedence? What is the impact of this coverage? Are there state policies invested in what is seen and heard about India? Will we move away from the motifs of “caste, cows, and curry”? What can India do to control its narrative? How can “reverse the gaze”? Joining us for this fascinating conversation are Ruchir Sharma (Media Critic, Popular Commentator) and Vishal Ganesan (Curator of @HindooHistory), who take us through the depths and nuances of the matter. While Ruchir brings in contemporary references of how and why foreign media covers India the way it does, Vishal retraces back to how India has been portrayed in the West over hundreds of years and draws upon philosophical and theological references. This is a rich, insightful discussion about India that is a must listen for everyone. This podcast is available on YouTube, Apple, Google, Spotify, Breaker, Stitcher, and other popular platforms. If you like this episode, then please rate, subscribe and share! For more information, do check out www.bharatvaarta.in.

Jan 17, 2021 • 31min
Bharatvaarta Weekly #24 | Tesla in India, Air Force Procures Tejas Jets, Whatsapp's Privacy...
The Bharatvaarta Weekly is our reaction to the news headlines of the week that was. This week, we'll be talking about the RBI committe on digital lending platforms, the Indian Air Force acquiring Tejas jets, Tesla's subsidiary in India, WhatsApp's privacy issues, and more. If you liked this episode, then don’t forget to subscribe to our channel and share this content. You can stay updated with everything at Bharatvaarta by following us on social media: we're @bharatvaarta on Twitter, facebook.com/bharatvaarta.in on Facebook, and @bharatvaarta on Instagram). #Bharatvaarta #BVWeekly

Jan 15, 2021 • 59min
#083 - "Vajpayee: The Years That Changed India" - Shakti Sinha | Rajeev Mantri
Former prime minister of India and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an understated and a singular politician of the kind rarely seen in contemporary times. His patriotism was uncompromising, forged out of the paradoxes of his life: The sensitive poet who summoned nerves of Steel to conduct the Pokhran-ii nuclear tests; the man from humble beginnings who envisioned a project as Titanic as the Golden quadrilateral highway network. Devoid of any political pedigree or patronage, he harnessed his diplomatic acumen to transform India's relations with the United States, which had long been mired in misunderstandings rooted in the Cold War. His calculated decisions led to key strategic and economic policy achievements. in this book, Shakti Sinha, a close Associate of Vajpayee, helps us understand Vajpayee as a decision-maker. The narrative focuses on the political challenges Vajpayee faced, and on his key initiatives in the strategic and economic fields during his first Term as prime Minister, which have had a lasting impact. 'Vajpayee' fleshes out not only Vajpayee's political philosophy but also provides an insider's account of how the former PM thought and worked. In this episode, we will be discussing the book "Vajpayee: The Years That Changed India" with the author, Shakti Sinha. This episode will be hosted by Srivatsa Subbanna and Rajeev Mantri and will also include an audience Q&A.