ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Ashish Chauhan is the MD & CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). A technocrat from IIT Bombay and IIM Calcutta, he was part of the founding team that built the NSE. He is credited with bringing several key innovations to India’s stock market. He also served as the MD and CEO of the Bombay Stock Exchange for 10 years.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the much-awaited NSE IPO, how the exchange handles cyberattacks, and how the NSE powers India’s stock market. He advises investors to stay away from social media “tips,” shares his views on India’s options market, and discusses the future of de-dollarisation and India’s growing number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).00:00 – Introduction00:42 – What Does NSE Do?06:35 – How NSE Earns Revenue09:16 – How NSE Powers India’s Stock Market15:18 – Regulations in Capital Markets20:02 – NSE IPO Coming Soon?27:56 – NSE Co-Location Scam33:12 – 1992 Harshad Mehta Scam39:23 – India’s Options Market44:55 – NSE’s Investor Awareness Initiatives47:29 – Why India Bans Prediction Markets50:45 – How NSE Survives Cyberattacks57:29 – Challenges as NSE MD1:02:09 – Future of De-Dollarisation1:06:55 – India’s FTAs1:16:04 – Modinomics vs Manmohanomics1:23:42 – NSE’s Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047

Abhinav Pandya is an author and scholar who has studied the concept of jihad in great depth. He has also advised the former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, on security matters.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the conversation focuses on the challenges India faces as a target of global jihad. With what appears to be an emerging axis involving Turkey, Pakistan, China and even Bangladesh, is India facing a larger strategic encirclement?Is Kashmir the central objective, or is the target much bigger, the whole of India? And most importantly, what must India do to counter this jihadist strategy?Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:15 – Balochistan Uprising05:15 – Pakistan’s Double Standards09:03 – How the ISI Controls Pakistan13:39 – The Core Issue of Kashmir15:46 – Pak’s Interference in Kashmir’s Politics21:53 – Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism25:08 – Entire India Pakistan’s Target?32:23 – Pakistan’s Foreign Relations35:11 – Pakistan–Bangladesh Ties40:12 – Global Superpower vs Civilizational Power43:06 – South Asia & the Ottoman Empire47:32 – Hybrid Militancy in Kashmir53:05 – Al-Falah University’s Terror Links1:00:47 – Militancy in Kashmir1:06:07 – How Should India Tackle Terrorism?1:15:25 – Satya Pal Malik’s “Fax Machine” Story1:23:34 – Kashmir After Article 3701:27:36 – How to Deal with Terrorism1:29:26 – West Asia Conflict Explained1:32:52 – Operation Sindoor1:34:52 – Khalistan

From OTP scams and phone data leaks to AI misuse and digital warfare, how safe are we really? Cybersecurity affects you, your family, your workplace, and even the country you live in. Amit Dubey is a national security expert and cybersecurity specialist. He has worked closely with Indian government agencies and police departments on cybercrime investigations. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he explains how AI is being misused for fraud and scams, and breaks down China’s digital warfare strategy and India’s cybersecurity reality in simple terms.00:00 – Introduction01:01 – U.S. Cyberattack on Venezuela05:38 – How to Stop Deepfakes12:58 – Legal Action on AI14:26 – A Great Firewall for India?17:43 – Deepfakes Influencing Elections22:10 – AI and Voter Fraud26:55 – Risks of Posting Personal Details32:24 – How Personal Information Is Exploited37:02 – Credit Card Scams40:58 – OTP Scams & Password Theft48:00 – Sancharsathi App Controversy58:14 – Protecting Private Photos Online1:01:20 – Can EVMs Be Hacked?1:07:49 – Hybrid War Threats1:10:44 – Gen Z Protests & Disinformation1:14:04 – Spreading Disinformation Online1:20:19 – Cyber Attacks During Op Sindoor1:22:47 – Foreign SIMs & Cyber Threats1:26:32 – Agniveer Protest & Fake SMS1:30:02 – AI Videos Targeting India1:35:08 – Influencers Spreading Fake Content

John Brittas wears many hats: parliamentarian, journalist, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Malayalam Communications Limited, which runs Kairali TV and Kairali News. He is currently the CPI(M) Parliamentary Party Leader in the Rajya Sabha.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the decline of communism in India and across the world, and why the Left struggles to connect with a wider audience today. He discusses the Kerala model, migration from the state, and Kerala’s social harmony.He argues that Hindutva politics will not click in Kerala and says the BJP is unlikely to become a major force there in the near future. He also speaks about the Congress and claims it continues to follow a “right-wing economic ideology.”The conversation also covers the India–US trade deal, the 2008 nuclear deal, the UPA era, Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership, and the strength of Malayalam cinema.00:00 – Introduction01:11 – Why Communism is Failing in India10:38 – Kerala’s Vibrant Culture12:28 – How CPI(M) Is So Powerful in Kerala23:55 – India–US Nuclear Deal26:15 – India–US Trade Deal33:08 – The Kerala Ecosystem36:16 – Why Kerala Supports the Left40:57 – Can Kerala Inspire a Left Revival?43:23 – BJP’s Prospects in Kerala52:55 – Religious Harmony in Kerala58:20 – BJP’s Mayoral Win1:05:14 – Life as a Journalist1:10:56 – Malayalam Cinema1:14:49 – Political Leadership in India1:15:56 – Pinarayi Vijayan’s Leadership Style

Karti Chidambaram is an Indian National Congress MP representing the Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Parliament Budget Session, DMK-Congress alliance, Actor Vijay, freebies politics, money laundering investigations against him, and BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu.He also addresses the Dhurandhar controversy and his alleged cameo in it, highlighting the absence of official records related to it.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction01:47 – Parliament Deadlock12:33 – Congress-DMK Alliance20:04 – Congress in Tamil Nadu25:30 – BJP-AIADMK Alliance31:09 – Anti-Incumbency Against DMK37:36 – Legal Cases & Investigations43:40 – Sonia’s Role in UPA47:27 – Sanatana Debate51:23 – Freebie Politics59:09 – Dhurandhar Controversy1:05:16 – KYC, Re-KYC & Citizen Rights1:11:13 – Family-Centric Politics1:15:31 – Relations with Rahul Gandhi1:16:26 – Snap Reactions1:23:47 – Bonding with Father1:32:09 – South Indian Food

Nayab Singh Saini, the Chief Minister of Haryana, led the BJP to win a third term in the state, despite predictions of anti-incumbency against the party.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Saini talks about the key issues shaping Haryana’s future, including farmers, job creation, and women’s safety. He also shares his vision for the development of Gurugram, focusing on better urban planning, improved drainage systems, and long-term growth for the city.00:00 – Introduction00:52 – No Anti-Incumbency in Haryana08:51 – Promises Made During the Polls13:27 – Farmers’ Protest18:08 – Crop Diversification in Haryana23:27 – Youth Skill Development & Women’s Safety26:06 – Gurugram’s Development28:28 – Punjab’s Drug Crisis35:49 – Jobs and Employment40:05 – Lado Lakshmi Yojana41:52 – Welfare Schemes44:38 – Yamuna Poison Controversy

Anshu Bedi, a veteran school teacher mentoring preteens for 32+ years, and Dr Bhavna Barmi, a child psychologist focused on emotional wellbeing, discuss children's mental health. They explore rising childhood stress, attention and sleep issues, classroom engagement tactics, parental expectations, bullying, social media harms, digital literacy, screen-time rules, and simple school/home practices to support kids.

Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of Delhi and senior BJP leader from Shalimar Bagh, talks governance priorities in the capital. She covers Delhi’s pollution challenge and plans for transport, EV buses and last-mile connectivity. She outlines waste management, biogas and landfill reforms. She discusses strengthening schools, healthcare capacity, sewage upgrades and improving civic sanitation and public toilets.

Neena Gupta, versatile National Award-winning actress and author, and Sanjay Mishra, celebrated comic and character actor, join to discuss craft and careers. They talk about typecasting, late success, theatre roots at NSD, loneliness moving cities, the evolution of Hindi cinema, memorable roles and the making of Vadh 2. Short, candid and full of warm anecdotes.

Dr Vikas Divyakirti, educator and founder of Drishti IAS, offers a concise take on the UGC Equity Regulations 2026. He examines protests in North India, concerns about implicit discrimination and complaint safeguards. He breaks down equity committee makeup, faculty representation challenges and how recruitment, AI and monitoring might reshape campus fairness.