Indian Business Podcast

Varun Dua, founder and CEO of Acko, a digital insurance pioneer in India. He explains how a ₹1 micro-policy scaled into an ₹800 crore business. Short takes cover insurance math, D2C distribution, data-driven underwriting, claims control, and Buffett/GEICO-style low-cost growth.

Ansh Mehra, founder and AI educator who trains enterprises and teaches for OpenAI Academy. He breaks down AI agents vs single tools. He explains agentic workflows, the SHAPE framework for safe deployment, and which business functions gain most. He demos building outreach agents and gives a 7-day adoption playbook to get teams started.

Mayank Agarwal, land aggregator and founder of Edstate Learning, breaks down land investing in India with clear, practical tips. He explains reading zoning maps, key revenue documents, and how to spot unusable plots from afar. He highlights three Maharashtra hotspots — Alibag, Panvel/Naina and Karjat — and why proximity, supply constraints and infrastructure execution drive huge returns.

Ankit Agarwal, a Harvard grad and co-founder of Mesa School of Business, shares a practical six-step playbook to reach ₹1 Cr/year before 30. He explains why startups beat MNC back-office roles. Short, tactical advice covers where hiring is shifting, how to find high-leverage startup roles, craft cold outreach with proof, and negotiate for ESOPs and role scope.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s minister spearheading railways, communications and the semiconductor push. He frames chips as a strategic, geopolitical must-have. Discussion covers the wafer-to-packaging value chain, India’s design talent edge, node selection strategy and supply challenges for materials and minerals. Fast approvals and infrastructure risks round out the conversation.

Divakar Vijayasarathy, a chartered accountant and international tax strategist, breaks down why wealthy individuals legally pay very little tax. He discusses taxes as tools that shape behavior. Hear explanations of tax frameworks, how entrepreneurs exploit policy incentives, and real-world cases like Trump and corporate reinvestment. Practical structuring rules and country choices feature prominently.

Rajiv Talreja, founder of QuantumLeap and longtime coach for Indian MSMEs and family firms, explains why many family businesses fail. He contrasts the Lala mindset with the need for systems, leadership and professional teams. Short takes cover succession, merit-based roles, clear compensation, hiring practices, inventory and accounting modernization, and how to scale stores with documented processes.

Pawan Kumar Rai, co-founder of Ditto Insurance and health-insurance practitioner, shares practical wisdom on buying and claiming medical cover. He unpacks insurer reliability, how to pick the right cover amount, when intermediaries help, and why full disclosure and record-keeping matter. Short, clear guidance on network hospitals, top-ups, and spotting mis-selling.

Video IntroductionAfter 40 years of discussions, delays, and political battles, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project in Mumbai is finally moving forward.But is this the right model for Dharavi?In this episode of Indian Business Debate, two experts go head-to-head on one of India’s most controversial urban decisions. Meet Ghulam Zia, Senior Executive Director at Knight Frank India. He believes this model is the most practical solution to a long-standing human crisis.Opposing him is Hussain Indorewala, urban planning professor and columnist. He argues that this redevelopment model could lead to serious long-term consequences for the city. One project. Two visions. You decide which model is right and which model is wrong!

Today, we are joined by Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India.As the country’s top economic policymaker, he brings deep, first-hand insight into India’s growth story at a time of global uncertainty and shifting economic cycles.In this episode of the Indian Business Podcast, we discuss India’s macroeconomic trajectory, global conflicts, inflation, inequality & unemployment, and what truly drives long-term national prosperity.This is a must-watch conversation to understand how India is navigating a complex global economy and what it will take to sustain growth over the next decade.