ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Social media has greatly transformed the skincare industry. People are constantly searching for the best sunscreen, ways to get rid of acne and pimples, and tips for flawless skin. This obsession with skincare is at an all-time high, especially among the youth. In the latest episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Delhi-NCR's top dermatologist, Dr. Ankur Sarin, joins to clear up common myths about skincare products and explain the difference between European and Indian beauty products. Dr Sarin shares a simple three-step routine for healthy skin and discusses the effectiveness of traditional home remedies. He also highlights why teenagers might be experiencing hair loss, pointing to stress, weight issues, and environmental factors as common causes. Watch this episode to learn more about skincare, hair care, and ways to manage hair loss and baldness. 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Most Asked Questions to Dermatologists 02:55 – Male Pattern Baldness 04:50 – Pigmentation 07:50 – When to Use Sunscreen 12:00 – Demand for Fair Skin 13:54 – How to Get Rid of Acne & Pimples 19:20 – What’s Best for Your Skin 21:40 – European vs. Indian Products 25:50 – How to Take Care of Your Skin & Body 30:54 – Male and Female Pattern Baldness Treatment 35:30 – Chemotherapy and Hair Loss 37:55 – 'Ghar Ke Nuskhe' for Skin & Hair Oiling 39:57 – True & False Segment 45:35 – This & That Segment 49:59 – Impact of Social Media on Choosing Skin Care

Avinash Dharmadhikari is a renowned Indian bureaucrat, author, and educator, celebrated for his contributions to public service and youth empowerment. A former IAS officer from Maharashtra, Dharmadhikari resigned from his prestigious post in 1996, choosing to dedicate his career to educating and mentoring the next generation of civil service aspirants and social leaders. Known for his deep commitment to societal transformation, he founded the Chanakya Mandal Pariwar, an institution aimed at nurturing aspiring civil servants through a blend of values-based education and rigorous training. Dharmadhikari is also an accomplished writer, and his works include Aswastha Dashakanchi Diary, a popular Marathi book chronicling his journey and reflections on India's social and administrative challenges. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Avinash Dharmadhikari opens up about the challenging realities of the UPSC exams and shares why he left the civil services to focus on politics and education. Reflecting on his role in Anna Hazare's Anti-Corruption Movement, he discusses his subsequent disillusionment with the Aam Aadmi Party and later with the Shiv Sena. Dharmadhikari also gives his perspective on the current political landscape in Maharashtra, analyzing why the Mahayuti alliance struggled to create a more significant impact in the state in the 2024 General Elections. In this candid conversation, Avinash Dharmadhikari further explores Vir Savarkar's role in India’s independence movement, and explains Savarkar's vision of Hindutva. 0:00 - Introduction 0:45 - Quitting Civil Services 6:22 - Contesting Elections 9:00 - Anna Hazare's Anti-Corruption Movement 14:30 - Corruption in UPSC Selection Process? 17:03 - Importance of 'Character Building' for UPSC Aspirants 21:40 - Disillusion with Shiv Sena 26:10 - Savarkar's Role in Indian Freedom Struggle 32:49 - Where Does Loyalty of Civil Servants Lie? 35:27 - Mahayuti's Poor Performance in 2024 Lok Sabha Polls 41:43 - Foreign Interference in 2024 General Elections? 44:30 - Indian Youth Disillusioned with Media & Governance? 47:10 - Increasing Tolerance for Corruption Among Politicians 51:13 - Flaws in Indian Democracy? 54:15 - Reservation Protests & Farmer Suicides in Maharashtra 59:00 - Importance of Rural Development Projects 1:00:43 - Rising Trend of Civil Servants Entering Politics 1:03:13 - Dark Side of UPSC Coaching Institutes

Manisha Koirala is a renowned Nepali-Indian actress known for her exceptional talent and versatility in Hindi, Nepali, and South Indian cinema. Born in Kathmandu, she comes from a prominent Nepali political family. Manisha has delivered some powerful performances in iconic films like Bombay, 1942: A Love Story, Dil Se, and Khamoshi: The Musical. Known for her skill in portraying deep and complex characters, she returned to the spotlight with the OTT series Heeramandi, earning significant critical acclaim. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, veteran actress Manisha Koirala opens up about her journey in Bollywood, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from her acclaimed films such as 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi, Dil Se, Bombay, and Heeramandi. She reflects on her experiences within the industry, discussing the ways Bollywood has evolved over the years. A cancer survivor, Manisha speaks on her advocacy for cancer awareness, emphasizing the importance of timely treatment. She also shares her thoughts on spirituality and the central role of family in her life. 0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - The Cult of '1942: A Love Story' 5:25 - The Story Behind 'Khamoshi' 7:35 - Behind the Scenes of 'Heeramandi' 10:50 - How Bollywood Changed Over the Years 16:18 - The 'Bombay' Controversy 19:27 - The Original 'Dil Se' Plot 24:50 - The Making of 'Heeramandi' 30:00 - Battling with Cancer 37:12 - The Legacy of Koirala Family 45:10 - Navigating Through Bollywood 49:25 - Friendships & Relationships 51:33 - A Director's Actor 53:43 - Political Volatility in Nepal 58:22 - The Massacre of Nepal’s Royal Family 1:00:38 - Role of Spirituality 1:01:41 - Raising Cancer Awareness 1:05:17 - The Importance of Therapy 1:07:00 - Speaking Up on Women's Issues 1:09:38 - Nepal's Human Trafficking Crisis 1:10:50 - Mantra & Goals 1:11:46 - The Importance of Family

Get ready for the much-awaited episode of the 'Real' Samosa Caucus! Edition 4.0 is here and it's all about raw, uncensored, no-holds-barred discussions. Joining the chat are: Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst Anand Ranganathan, author and scientist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies This episode dives into some heated topics, including: The India-Canada spat over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar The rise of Khalistani elements under Trudeau’s watch Did India send an agent to take out Khalistani separatist Pannun in the USA? The panel also digs into why exit polls keep missing the mark on voter sentiment and Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu's call for more babies—what's behind it? And much more. Don't miss the witty banter in this episode! 00:00 - Introduction & Message to Viewers 03:14 - Samosa Caucus Returns 08:43 - Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar Killing 15:40 - Israel-Iran War Escalation 16:45 - Impact of Cancel Culture 19:06 - Canada-India Diplomatic Crisis 27:14 - Canada Harbouring Criminals? 33:42 - U.S. Sheltering 'K-Backer' Pannun 36:54 - Did India Disown Vikas Yadav over 'Kill Pannun' plot? 46:39 - BRICS 2024 & India-China Relations 55:00 - Pakistan's Bid to Join BRICS 1:01:25 - Exit Polls' Flop Show 1:07:34 - Mainstream Media Losing Credibility? 1:15:34 - Ola's Business Model 1:23:38 - Samosa Caucus 5.0 in Goa? 1:25:04 - J&K Assembly Elections 2024 1:31:29 - Stalin Demands 'Tamil Name' for Kids 1:33:39 - Aging Population Issue in South India 1:40:34 - Inter-State Migration 1:50:11 - 'Batenge to Katenge' Row 2:06:14 - Uber's MOU with IAF 2:19:48 - Maharashtra Assembly Polls 2:28:14 - Why Congress Lost Haryana 2:31:34 - 'Flop' Exit Poll 2:32:47 - Favorite OTT Shows 2:38:14 - Luxury Apartments 2:43:52 - Resolutions for 2025

In recent months, Jammu and Kashmir has seen a surge in attacks, with police encountering new strategies from terrorists. Who is fueling this renewed terror, and how can armed forces respond? To answer all these questions, we have former top cop Shesh Paul Vaid, who has witnessed the rise of militancy firsthand and the evolving landscape of J&K. He shares insights from his personal experiences, including surviving an attack, the release of Masood Azhar, and attributing recent violence to Pakistan’s influence. Shesh Paul Vaid, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, has served as one of Jammu and Kashmir's most respected top cops. Known for his dedication and resilience, Vaid led the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) as Director General (DGP) during a critical period marked by heightened militancy and security challenges. His tenure saw numerous counter-insurgency operations aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. He also worked to strengthen community policing initiatives to foster trust with local communities. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, former Jammu and Kashmir top cop Shesh Paul Vaid discusses the recent surge in terror attacks in the region. He shares insights into the terrorists' modus operandi and the strategies they use to incite violence in the Valley. Vaid also reflects on the release of Masood Azhar during his tenure, describing it as an embarrassing moment for the country. Additionally, he recounts a near-death experience when his convoy was ambushed by 17 terrorists, as well as the circumstances surrounding the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. 00:00 - Introduction 00:45 - IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack 08:44 - Masood Azhar's Release 22:20 - Kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed 25:14 - 'First' Wave of Militancy in Kashmir 30:36 - Aftermath of Burhan Wani Killing 39:44 - Public Safety Act 42:44 - Operation All-Out in J&K 44:26 - Hanging of Afzal Guru 51:09 - Hurriyat hypocrisy 57:24 - When 17 Terrorists Attacked SP Vaid 1:04:54 - 'Special' Treatment for Syed Ali Shah Geelani 1:07:07 - Mast Gul's Escape from Charar-e-Sharief Shrine 1:10:32 - J&K Security Situation in the '90s 1:12:18 - Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits 1:22:34 - Contribution & Sacrifices of J&K Police 1:29:26 - Modus Operandi of Recent Terror Attacks in J&K 1:38:05 - J&K Assembly Elections 2024

New Delhi-Ottawa relations have reached an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian government officials and diplomats in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a figure who was designated as a terrorist in India and placed on Canada’s no-fly list. Both countries have since expelled top envoys and other diplomats as tensions over Nijjar's killing escalate. Trudeau accused India of interfering in Canada’s sovereignty, while India dismissed his claims as baseless and absurd. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Kumar Verma, the recalled Indian High Commissioner to Canada, shares his perspective on Canada’s handling of Sikh extremist elements, which he believes is influenced by vote-bank politics. Verma also explains why Trudeau has refrained from taking action against Khalistani figures who are wanted in India for serious crimes. He shares personal accounts of the challenges he and his family faced in Canada. Verma stresses that a small group of Khalistani elements has hijacked the narrative and that the majority of Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement. Watch this episode to understand how the Canadian government addresses Khalistani extremism and why some believe it has given them a free hand. 0:00 - Coming Up 1:12 - Introduction 2:02 - India-Canada Diplomatic Row 8:40 - What Canadians Think of India 12:00 - Nijjar Killing Probe 16:44 - Bishnoi Gang Link to Nijjar Killing 21:07 - Trudeau's Allegations Against New Delhi 23:56 - MEA's Strong Response to Canada 27:00 - Threats & Attacks against Envoy Sanjay Verma 35:34 - Attacks on Diplomats in Western Countries 39:47 - Indian Journalists Accused of Foreign Interference 45:22 - Lawrence Bishnoi 51:00 - Trudeau Harbouring Khalistani Elements 55:33 - 'Fake' Asylum Claims in Canada 59:06 - India: A 'Rogue' Nation? 1:01:30 - Will India-Canada Ties Improve? 1:04:05 - Pakistan-Khalistan Ties? 1:05:05 - What's Next for Envoy Sanjay Verma

Annu Kapoor is an entertainer who has worn many hats—actor, singer, director, producer, radio jockey, and television presenter—earning immense respect and recognition worldwide. He became a household name through iconic television shows like Antakshari and Wheel Smart Srimati. Known for speaking his mind, Annu Kapoor has appeared in over 100 films and numerous television shows. He has been honoured with two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and two Indian Television Academy Awards. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Annu Kapoor delves into his thoughts on nationalism. He expresses his belief that most Indians do not truly love their country and also opens up on atheism. Kapoor shares anecdotes about legends from the film industry, including a vivid recount of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar’s wedding, and reflects on a spat with Amitabh Bachchan. He also reveals an intriguing episode from the sets of 7 Khoon Maaf, alleging that Priyanka Chopra refused to kiss him because he wasn’t a 'hero.' Tune in to this episode as Kapoor shares his flair for 'shayari' and performs a 300-year-old rap in his signature style. 00:00 - Introduction 01:44 - Upcoming projects 04:37 - Early life struggles 16:42 - Patriotism vs. Nationalism 21:37 - Early days in Bollywood 33:10 - Why he avoids watching films & news 34:33 - National Awards 37:05 - Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita 39:19 - True meaning of 'Deshbhakti' 43:59 - Publicity stunts 46:30 - Punctuality & Discipline 49:02 - Why was Wheel Smart Srimati scrapped? 53:40 - Learning discipline from Islam 55:27 - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad teachings 58:52 - Love, religion, and honour killings 1:02:14 - The story of 'Bharat' 1:04:34 - Annu 'Google' Kapoor 1:10:14 - Relationship with parents 1:13:48 - 'Kiss' controversy with Priyanka Chopra 1:20:14 - Shabana Azmi & Javed Akhtar's wedding 1:22:14 - Darr shoot 1:25:14 - Story behind India's independence 1:29:58 - World's 'oldest' rap song

Krishnamurthy Venkata Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021, becoming the youngest to hold this prestigious position. Subramanian's tenure as the Chief Economic Adviser was marked by his contributions to shaping India's economic policies during crucial years, including the Covid-19 pandemic. He is now India's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he continues to represent India on global economic matters. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prof. Subramanian delves into the critical role of wealth creators in driving India’s economic progress, explaining why they are the backbone of a thriving economy. He emphasizes the importance of balancing economic policies to encourage entrepreneurship while also addressing income inequality. Subramanian doesn’t shy away from discussing the systemic challenges facing the country, including the pressing need for judicial reforms to address backlogs that hamper business operations and economic efficiency. He also touches on the impact of India's increasing digital transactions on economic transparency and efficiency. Additionally, he discusses how spirituality and mindfulness can serve as tools for personal growth, especially in the fast-paced world of economics. 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - India @100 Book 05:41 - India's Projected Economic Growth 10:35 - Wealth Creators 15:25 - Slow Growth of Small Businesses 25:03 - India's Agricultural Policies 32:55 - Importance of Economic Reforms 41:27 - Signs of a Good Economy 47:23 - The Willful Defaulter Phenomenon 51:45 - Need for Judicial Reforms 1:00:02 - India's Digital Boom 1:06:29 - Lessons from Demonetisation 1:11:32 - India's Job Market 1:18:25 - Responsibility of State Govts. in Job Creation 1:21:35 - The Politics of Freebies 1:34:22 - Snap Reaction Segment 1:45:39 - Remembers His Father & Family 1:57:04 - Economic Challenges During the Pandemic 2:05:39 - Spirituality & Mindfulness 2:08:45 - Importance of Reading

John Chambers is the Chairman of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the former CEO of Cisco. Under his leadership, Cisco became one of the world’s largest and most successful technology companies. Dr. Mukesh Aghi is the President and CEO of USISPF. He works closely with business and government leaders in both the U.S. and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two nations. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the evolution of India-U.S. relations over the past 15 years. John Chambers expresses strong confidence in India, saying that this decade and century belong to New Delhi. Dr. Mukesh Aghi shares a similar view, noting that the ties between India and the U.S. are on an upward trajectory, unaffected by changes in political leadership. They also address the recent tensions between India and Canada over the Khalistan issue and its potential impact on businesses and students. Both guests praise Prime Minister Modi for fostering an environment in which entrepreneurship and startups have flourished in the past decade. 00:00 - Introduction 00:44 - India’s Century 03:49 - India: Then vs. Now 04:55 - India-Canada Spat 10:00 - U.S. Presidential Election 12:08 - India vs. China Economy 14:10 - India: A Tough Negotiator 16:54 - The Future of AI 20:15 - U.S.-China Tensions 22:30 - Middle East Conflict 25:00 - Tariffs & Migration in the USA 29:34 - India’s Chip Ambitions 33:34 - Business Prospects in India 37:31 - Indian vs. U.S. Investors

Conrad Sangma is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a leader of the National People's Party (NPP). He began his political career as a campaign manager for his father, P.A. Sangma, a former Cabinet minister. After serving as an MLA and the Opposition Leader, he became the NPP President in 2016. Sangma was first elected Chief Minister in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Conrad Sangma discusses his alliance with the BJP, despite having the numbers to run the government independently. He addresses the beef ban issue, stating that people should not interfere with others' eating habits. He also talks about the border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya in Mukroh. Further, Meghalaya CM Sangma shares his thoughts on the Uniform Civil Code and its potential impact on the region. He also discusses the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and One Nation, One Election. He explains Meghalaya's economy and a government lottery scheme designed to increase revenue. Additionally, he highlights the drug problem in the Northeast and how tourism can contribute to economic growth. He also compares the Look East policy, which was upgraded to the Act East policy in 2014 by the Modi government. 00:00 - Introduction 01:25 - Legacy of P.A. Sangma 02:55 - Congress sidelined P.A. Sangma? 08:28 - Formation of NPP 11:12 - BJP-NPP Alliance 15:14 - Beef Ban Row 20:25 - Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute 26:50 - UCC 28:50 - CAA-NRC Impact in NE States 31:17 - One Nation, One Election 33:36 - NPP to Expand in Other States? 35:05 - UPA's Neglect of the NE 40:04 - Bangladesh Crisis: Security Risks for Meghalaya 43:20 - Meghalaya's Economy 47:36 - Government Lottery Scheme 53:38 - Northeast's Drug Problem 1:02:05 - Tourism in Meghalaya 1:10:28 - Manipur Crisis Impact on Meghalaya 1:15:10 - Snap Reaction 1:33:25 - CM 'Cool'