ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, recorded at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi in February 2024, two sessions are featured- "Decluttering the Discourse: Women of Iran."The first panel features Mojgan Golchin, Head of Department at the International Educational Cooperation Centre for Political and International Studies, Iran, and Neda Raefipour, Diplomat at IPIS, Iran.The second session includes Zohreh Nosrat Kharazmi, Professor at Tehran University, Fariba Allasvand, Professor at the Women and Family Research Institute in Iran, and Masoomeh Seif Afjehee, Head of the Department of Human Rights and Women's Studies at the Centre for Political and International Studies, Iran.The experts delve into the women's lives in Iran, including the Mahsa Amini Hijab protests, the impacts of US sanctions on Iran, and the progress of women in post-revolutionary Iran. They also explore diplomatic relations between India and Iran, as well as cultural exchanges between the two nations.

Former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria defends the Agnipath scheme, emphasizing the need for a younger, tech-savvy military force. The podcast explores controversies around compensation, implications on armed forces, combat training under the scheme, conscription comparisons, transitioning from Air Force to politics, and BJP's stance on national security.

Bhavish Aggarwal is the Chairman and Managing Director of OLA. He is an experienced entrepreneur who founded Ola Cabs in 2010, which is now India’s most popular ride-hailing service with over 50% market share.In 2021, Bhavish started Ola Electric, a company focused on electric vehicles. Within three years, Ola Cabs and Ola Electric together are valued at over $13 billion.His latest venture, Krutrim, launched in April 2023, became India's first AI unicorn. Krutrim is developing a full AI computing stack, including cloud infrastructure, and advanced silicon for data centers.Bhavish graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, with a degree in Computer Science.In this edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Bhavish shared his vision for India's tech future, critiqued Western tech dominance, and advocated for greater autonomy and data sovereignty in India's AI efforts.With plans for an IPO and expansions into EVs, Bhavish envisions India leading in technology and societal change. He emphasized the importance of India developing its own tech and cultural paradigms to maintain national data and narrative control.(0:00) Introduction (1:17) Tech Giants’ Attire(3:54) Oats vs. Ice Salvo(9:13) Lithium Tech Sustainability(13:41) Supply Chain Importance(21:59) Taiwan: Computing Industry Hub(24:21) Krutrim: India’s Own AI(31:09) American CEO vs. Indian CEO(37:39) Who Owns Digital Data(42:01) Ola vs. Uber(44:21) Childhood Story(49:20) Working Hours Debate(53:27) Job Creation Business(56:21) India’s Startup Boom(58:09) From Ola Cabs to EVs(1:08:14) Women Workforce(1:10:29) Ola IPO Launch(1:12:09) Cost-Effective EVs(1:21:37) Ola Bikes(1:25:53) Krutrim Competitors(1:30:29) Govt Support to EV Industry(1:34:15) True & False Segment(1:46:07) Snap Reaction Segment

Chandrashekhar Azad has secured a seat in Parliament by garnering over 50% of the votes from the Nagina Constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Dalit leader clinched victory amidst stiff competition from opponents such as the SP, BSP, and BJP. This comes at a time when the national party BSP failed to win any seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. Chandrashekhar Azad is a lawyer, chief, and co-founder of the Bhim Army. He is also the national president of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram). In February 2021, Azad was featured in Time magazine's annual list of 100 Emerging Leaders who are Shaping the Future.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Azad explains what this victory means for his community and the future of Dalit politics in India. He also discusses why he chose to enter active politics and the challenges he faced to reach this point. Azad shares his views on BSP Supremo Mayawati and analyzes what went wrong for the BSP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.Azad claims to be the hope of the Dalit community and vows to advocate for their rights in Parliament. He strongly advocates for reservation in the private sector, emphasizing the need for adequate representation for the Dalit community. Azad also discusses why he is not part of the INDIA alliance and what strained his ties with the Samajwadi Party and Akhilesh Yadav.In 2020, Azad was arrested for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens in Delhi. He was previously arrested for allegedly inciting caste-based riots in Saharanpur in 2017. In this episode, he also recounts his ordeal in police custody.(0:00) Introduction(0:35) Journey to Parliament(4:09) Who's the Inspiration(6:120 Swearing-in as MP(10:15) Alliance & Nagina's Development(13:18) Bid to Defeat Azad(18:22) Dalits and Their Rights(19:51) Why Electoral Politics(21:57) Revolutionary Life(26:40) Minorities & Political Power(29:32) NSA Against Azad(36:14) NDA or INDIA?(44:10) Biggest Dalit Leader(52:28) Azad's Support Base(57:45) Controversies on Castes(1:05:50) Constitution(1:08:20) Equal Representation

In the old city of Hyderabad, child marriages remain a significant challenge even in the 21st century. What's even more shocking is the practice of multiple marriages of these girls in exchange for money, with a majority belonging to the Muslim community.Hyderabad-based poet and activist Jameela Nishat is the founder of the 'Shaheen Women's Resource & Welfare Association,' which aims to assist girls trapped in these customs and help them rebuild their lives.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jameela Nishat delves deeper into this issue and exposes an alleged 'child bride' racket running in Hyderabad. She reveals how young girls are married off to much older men using fake marriage certificates for short periods, only to be remarried to other older men later on.Additionally, she discusses how these girls often become victims of trafficking, predominantly to Gulf countries. Jameela also talks about the reasons why families choose to marry minor girls to sheikhs for the sake of money. She categorizes these marriages as fake, emphasizing the complicity of "qazis" who perform such marriages in violation of all rules. Jameela also explains the role of agents in this racket.(0:00) Introduction(1:40) Hyderabad's Child Marriages(6:03) Illegal Marriage Process(8:19) Taking Women to Gulf Nations(9:32) WhatsApp Marriages(10:32) Ameena Case(11:26) Young Girls Being Sold(13:58) Shaheen Women's Resource & Welfare Association(14:20) Domestic Violence(15:06) Triple Talaq & Polygamy(16:41) Attack on Jameela Nishat(19:09) Abandoned Muslim Women(21:08) Migration of Young Girls(23:47) Education is the Solution(24:47) Fatwa (26:54) Awareness & Poetry

Life for Dalits in India is often marked by significant challenges. Being a Dalit in India means facing discrimination and social exclusion based on their caste status. They encounter difficulties in various aspects of life such as employment, education, and social interactions. Rahul Sonpimple, a Dalit activist with a PhD in Sociology from JNU, and formerly a leader of the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association, hails from Nagpur and currently heads the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association.In the recent episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul Sonpimple discusses the lifelong struggles faced by Dalits in India. He emphasizes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's teachings and the effectiveness of reservations in fostering social harmony. Sonpimple highlights the severe underrepresentation of Dalits in politics and top national institutions. He advocates for extending reservations to the private sector.Sonpimple alleges that SC/ST reservations in government jobs have consistently gone unfilled since independence. He also discusses the impact of Uttar Pradesh's first Dalit Chief Minister, Mayawati, and her reforms for the Dalit community. Sonpimple proposes policy-level changes to improve the quality of life for Dalits.(0:00) Introduction (0:55) Activism vs Politics(9:50) Caste System in India(19:26) Caste Discrimination(24:20) Mayawati: An Icon of Dalits(29:25) Reservation in Private Sector(32:20) Lived Dalit Experience(36:25) Anti - Brahminism(40:30) Reservation in India vs USA(47:40) Dalits in Political Parties(52:30) Dalit Tokenism in Politics(56:25) Malnutrition Among Dalit Kids(1:00:22) Dalit Movements and Buddhism(1:02:46) Dalit Buddhist Movement(1:06:05) Hygiene & Attire in Dalits(1:11:50) Literature on Dalits(1:15:38) Caste Census(1:19:00) Terminologies for Dalits(1:25:20) Hope from Govt (1:28:42) Merit vs. Quota' Debate

The Wall Street Journal describes him as the "Henry Ford of heart surgery". In rural India, he is known as "bypass wale baba". Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty is a renowned heart surgeon who has brought high-tech healthcare to the financially challenged. In a country with over 12 lakh doctors, Dr. Shetty stands out. Over his three-decade career, he has performed more than 15,000 heart surgeries, including India’s first neonatal cardiac surgery in 1992, and has also served as Mother Teresa’s physician.He is the chairman and founder of Narayana Hrudayalaya, which provides heart surgeries at affordable prices in India. Narayana Health operates a network of 24 hospitals and 7 heart centers nationwide. Dr. Shetty has been honoured with the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, for his exemplary service and dedication.In an episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Shetty discusses the rising cases of heart attacks among young people. He addresses whether the COVID-19 vaccine is linked to heart attacks or not and shares tips for maintaining heart health. Dr Shetty advocates for an annual full-body check-up and outlines his plans to make health check-ups and heart surgeries more affordable.Dr. Shetty also highlights the shortage of female nurses in India and urges the government to take proactive measures to address it. As a top surgeon, he emphasizes how the Ayushman Bharat scheme is transforming healthcare and believes India will lead in decoupling health from wealth.(0:00) Introduction (1:26) Silent Heart Attacks(4:46) Preventive Checkup(11:32) Covid Vaccine & Heart Attacks(13:26) Impact of Pollution(16:19) Affordable Healthcare(22:21) Healthcare Insurance(28:04) Indian Healthcare Model(31:44) Nurses Shortage in India(41:28) Shortage of Doctors(45:06) Henry Ford of Heart Surgery(47:04) Treating Mother Teresa(51:02) Heart Attacks in Women(53:55) Need for a Healthy Diet(56:44) Importance of Yoga(57:52) Spirituality1:00:02Maintaining Family Life

Who were the Razakars? What was their role in the princely state of Hyderabad in the late 1940s? Were the Razakars engaged in violent activities against Hindus? What happened during 'Operation Polo' in 1948 that the Indian government launched to annex Hyderabad? What happened to the leader of the Razakars, Qasim Razvi?In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, two prominent journalists, Mir Ayoob Ali Khan and Syed Inam ur Rahman Ghayur, answer all these questions about the Razakars. The guests claim that the Razakars were formed as a volunteer force to support Nizam's rule and resist the integration of Hyderabad into newly independent India. They were organized and led by Qasim Razvi, who was a prominent leader of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) party.The Nizam's reluctance to accede to India and his desire to maintain Hyderabad's independence were key factors that led to the actions of the Razakars. The Razakars engaged in violent activities against Hindus causing widespread unrest and communal tension. In September 1948, the Indian government launched "Operation Polo" (also known as the Hyderabad Police Action) to annex Hyderabad. The Indian Army swiftly defeated the Razakars, and Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union. Qasim Razvi was arrested and later exiled to Pakistan.(0:00) Introduction(1:54) Who were Razakars?(4:55) Jinnah's meeting with Nizam(6:54) Operation Polo(7:35) Who created Razakars?(9:05) Razakars & Nizam(10:24) Types of Razakars(15:56) Hyderabad in late 1940s(20:04) Razakar leader Qasim Razvi(23:33) Qasim Razvi went to Pak(26:07) Minority rulers(27:18) Stories of Razakars' victims(30:41) Sufferers of Razakar movement(36:02) Remnants of trauma(38:04) Regions ruled by militias(39:01) Power of Nizam(43:11) AIMIM & MIM Connection(46:42) Teaching children about history(49:57) Rewriting History Books

Arnab Ray, also known as Greatbong, is one of India's most widely read bloggers, having won the publicly voted Indibloggies Blog of the Year in 2006 and 2008. He has written for The Washington Post, Outlook, and India Times. He is a Director of Cybersecurity and lives in the USA. Ray is known for his sarcastic takes on the Indian film industry, Indian politics, and society. Ray's book "Sultan of Delhi" has been adapted into a show on Hotstar. Another of his books, "The Mahabharata Murders," has been adapted into a series on Jio Cinema and Hoichoi. Arnab has now penned down a horror novel called "Shakchunni."In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Arnab Ray talks about his obsession with Mithun Chakraborty and his movie "Goonda." He also claims that publishing has a significant left-wing bias favouring left-wing authors. Ray also delves into the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, explaining the power of political messaging and how it helps a party win elections.Arnab also talks extensively about Donald Trump, claiming he is poised to win the upcoming presidential elections in the USA, and explains what makes him so popular. Ray also discusses the cultural differences between the USA and India.(0:00) Introduction(1:19) Blogger cum Author(3:02) Love for Mithun(5:37) Mamata Banerjee(7:23) Shakchunni' Book Story(13:40) Bengal Famine(15:14) Actors' Political Views(16:56) Pop Culture & Politics(19:20) SRK at Modi's Oath Taking(20:05) Left Wing vs. Right Wing(21:01) Who is a Liberal?(24:52) Bias in Publishing(26:57) Gunda' Movie32:59:0090s Hindi Movies(35:45) Social Media39:01:00Wokeism in the U.S.(44:14) Comedy & Cancel Culture(48:49) TV Journalists turned YouTubers(53:20) U.S.- Russia Conflict(56:47) Racism in the U.S.(1:00:19) Trump's hush money case(1:03:21) RSS and BJP(1:05:12) Marjorie Taylor(1:06:33) Bharat Jodo Yatra(1:09:12) Modi's Campaign Speeches(1:11:41) BJP's Loss in Bengal(1:13:36) EVMs & Rigging(1:14:49) Tech Giants' Monopoly

He is a chef, cookbook author, columnist, and educator. Chef Suvir Saran wears many hats and is being called "the true ambassador of Indian cuisine and culture to the world." He left India at the age of 20 and later opened a restaurant in New York called 'Devi'. It was the first Indian restaurant in America to receive a Michelin star. He further gained fame as the breakout star of the 3rd season of Top Chef Masters.Saran is the author of three books: Indian Home Cooking, American Masala, Masala Farm, and his latest, Instamatic, a book of prose and photos. Suvir is open about his sexuality and the hurdles he faced in the early stages of his career and life. He is now the culinary director of Bastian Hospitality Private Limited and behind the brands of some of their restaurants like Bastian and Bizza.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Suvir explains why he left India and what made him fall in love with cooking. He also recounts the challenges he faced as gay individual and reflects on the support he received from his family and friends throughout. The Michelin star chef further argues that Indian restaurants are not up to the mark and are restricted to limited dishes when Indian cuisine offers so much more.He also shares his experience as a guest judge on MasterChef India, one of the most popular and loved shows in India. He settles the debate about where one finds better food, whether in Mumbai or Delhi. Chef Suvir also talks about his latest projects and why he moved back to India after facing difficult times in New York regarding his health.(0:00) Introduction(2:12) Cooking Journey(5:57) Societal Pressures(8:42) Kitchen As A Safe Haven(11:47) School Experiences(15:12) Academic Achievements(17:57) Bonding With Siblings(20:37) About Sexuality24:27:00Mother's Acceptance(28:12) Role Models32:27:00Life In New York35:47:00Cooking In New York(41:27) Western Influence On Indian Diets(46:27) Coping With Health Issues(49:27) Dealing Father's Demise(52:27) Near - Death Experience(55:57) Michelin Star Achievement(59:27) Master Chef' Experience(1:02:27) Current Projects1:05:27Indian Cuisine & Global Perception(1:08:27) Embracing Cultural Identity & Cuisine(1:11:27) Future Aspirations