Sonia Narang is one of Delhi's leading dietitians. She provides medication, healthy diet plans, weight loss programs, and workouts. Sonia advocates for realistic lifestyle changes that allow you to enjoy eating while achieving your health goals, rather than imposing strict diets. In this ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sonia Narang debunks many myths related to the Indian diet. She also explores the debate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets, addressing the notion that vegetarian food do...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Arjun Singh Kadian is an academic and author having expertise in Haryana's political and cultural landscape. Arjun has authored two insightful books: 'Land of the Gods: The Story of Haryana' and 'Neeraj Chopra: From Panipat to Podium'. He also worked in the policy communication department under the Haryana Chief Minister in 2018-19. His political leaning is with the BJP. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Arjun talks about the upcoming Haryana elections and shares his views o...
Aug 11, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin is a veteran gastroenterologist and hepatologist, renowned for his clinical research and reforms in medical education and health sciences. He is the director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), which aims to provide cost-effective solutions to liver problems. He has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India. Dr. Sarin is also credited with launching the Hepatitis B vaccination program in India. In this episode of the ANI Pod...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Harsh Vardhan Shringla was the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 and the former Foreign Secretary of India. He has also been India’s Ambassador to the United States, and High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Thailand. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amb. Shringla talks about the recent quota protests in Bangladesh. He looks into whether these protests are just the start of bigger problems for the Sheikh Hasina government and discusses if foreign influences...
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In 2009, following her father Sone Lal Patel's death, Anupriya Patel faced a significant challenge. She was pushed into the political arena to lead the party her father founded. Despite the subsequent party split, Anupriya Patel defied expectations. Now, a three-time MP, she leads Apna Dal (Soneylal) and holds the MoS Health & Family Welfare portfolio for the second time in the Modi government. Anupriya Patel is regarded as a vital player in Uttar Pradesh politics and is one of the key allie...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 26 min
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Naor Gilon, Israeli Ambassador to India, discusses the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. He provides insights into Israel's stance on a potential ceasefire against Gaza and the hostage release deal, as well as Qatar's role in mediating the conflict due to its influence over Hamas. He further addresses the issue of misinformation and propaganda from Hamas concerning casualty figures and examines the impact of Middle Eastern funding on the U.S. univer...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 24 min
In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, shares his journey from being a civil servant to becoming an educator. Dr. Divyakirti delves into several important issues affecting the education and examination system in India. He discusses the restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the controversies surrounding the NEET-UG. He offers his insights on the UPSC exams, highlighting biases in the selection of Hindi and Engli...
Jul 20, 2024•3 hr 44 min
In 2020, when his father Ram Vilas Paswan passed away, Chirag Paswan faced the biggest challenge of his political career. His uncle took charge of the party, and many thought Chirag's political journey was over. Sidelined by other leaders in his party, he was written off by many. But Chirag Paswan defied the odds. In 2021, he formed the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and now he has secured victory in all five seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Today, Chirag Paswan holds the same Food Proces...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min
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, Prof...
Jul 13, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria (retd.) is the former Chief of Air Staff, a highly decorated officer with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He previously served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) at Southern Air Command. During his tenure as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he played a pivotal role in the Rafale negotiations. He has joined the BJP right before the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls. In this edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadau...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 comput...
Jul 07, 2024•2 hr 1 min
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 ...
Jul 03, 2024•1 hr 14 min
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 Podca...
Jun 29, 2024•32 min
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...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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...
Jun 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min
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 Raz...
Jun 19, 2024•52 min
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 ...
Jun 16, 2024•1 hr 18 min
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...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 12 min
The recently concluded 2024 Lok Sabha polls in India have taken pollsters and political analysts by surprise. While Prime Minister Modi is set to begin his third term in office, his party, the BJP, fell short of securing a clear majority as it had in the past two terms. The BJP needs allies to form the government. In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, the much-awaited "Samosa Caucus" returns with its familiar lineup of guests. Joining the discussion are Sushant Sareen, sen...
Jun 09, 2024•2 hr 42 min
Polls just concluded in India—the world's largest democracy. Exit polls predict NDA's return, but what is the ground reality? What factors boosted BJP led NDA coalition? We will have all these answers and more from three seasoned ANI journalists, who extensively covered the Indian elections. Joining the discussion are Ashoke Raj, Siddharth Sharma, and Suchitra Mukherjee. Ashoke shares election insights from Punjab and Karnataka, Siddharth has covered polls in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, wh...
Jun 03, 2024•2 hr 9 min
Anurag Singh Thakur is a BJP MP in the Lok Sabha representing the Hamirpur constituency in Himachal Pradesh. He currently holds the positions of Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the Second Modi Ministry. His father, Prem Kumar Dhumal, was a former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. Previously, Thakur has also served as Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs. Additionally, he was the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in I...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 10 min
Elections are currently underway in India, the world's largest democracy. However, as the voting progresses, there's a noticeable shift in political discourse. The focus has moved away from core issues towards topics like identity, caste reservation, and the constitution. But why are political parties deviating? What lies beneath this shift? We'll delve into these questions to uncover the truth. Joining the podcast are Suhel Seth and Advaita Kala. Suhel Seth is a brand guru, author, and columnis...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 23 min
Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a former Indian diplomat who served as India's ambassador to the United States from 2020 to 2024. He played a key role in the establishment of the Indian embassy in Ukraine. He also served as the First Secretary in Washington, held the position of Consul General in Frankfurt, and was the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, he held various key positions within the Ministry of External Affairs in India. In March 2024, Ta...
May 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Elections are currently ongoing in the world's largest democracy. The outcome of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is of particular interest. Factors such as the influence of the Yogi administration, the electoral prospects of Congress in Raebareli, the performance of the SP, and the strategy of Mayawati's BSP regarding caste dynamics remain key points of interest. Joining the discussion are two senior journalists Ashutosh Shukla and Virendra Nath Bhatt. Ash...
May 25, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is an eminent diplomat who has been serving as the Minister of External Affairs for the Government of India since May 30, 2019. Dr. Jaishankar has played a pivotal role in shaping India's diplomatic strategies, particularly amidst the dynamic shifts in global geopolitics. A member of the BJP, Dr. Jaishankar also serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, representing Gujarat. Previously, he held the position of Foreign Secretary from January 2015 to January 2018. He is only the seco...
May 24, 2024•51 min
Social activist and politician Swati Maliwal currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, representing Delhi. She participated in the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement led by social activist Anna Hazare. Swati was the chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) from 2015 to 2024. During her tenure, she demanded greater accountability from the Delhi police, leading to frequent clashes between the commission and the police department. On May 13, Swati Maliwal alleged t...
May 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we bring you a perfect blend of humour, fun, and candid discussions. Joining the conversation are Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, and Author & 'The Cārvāka Podcast' host Kushal Mehra. The duo delves into discussions around the country's socio-political landscape amidst the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Abhijit and Kushal explore the rise of political Hindutva and the introduction of m...
May 22, 2024•2 hr 7 min
Kapil Sibal is an Indian lawyer and politician. A designated Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, Sibal earned the reputation as one of the country's prominent lawyers. He also serves as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Sibal served as a minister under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, holding various portfolios. In this role, he led Indian delegations at international forums. His tenure was marked by several controversies, including his attempts to regulate internet content. In...
May 20, 2024•57 min
From ABVP's national secretary to the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Jagat Prakash Nadda's journey is that of a commoner from Himachal Pradesh who rose through the ranks to the top. Nadda has served the organization while holding crucial positions at different levels in the party. Currently, he leads one of the biggest political parties globally, with over 10 crore members. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, JP Nadda outlines the challenges in leading a par...
May 18, 2024•50 min
Known for her fiery speeches, Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Amethi, Smriti Irani in the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash revealed dark side of ‘Parivarvad’ politics in the constituency. Without mincing words, Smriti Irani attacked Gandhi siblings (Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi) and levelled startling allegations. With shocking claims, Irani recounted alleged insult and humiliation faced by BJP leader Maneka Gandhi when she contested from Amethi. In the podcast, the Union M...
May 17, 2024•57 min
