ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Shaurya Doval is the founder of the RSS-affiliated ‘India Foundation’. He currently serves as a state executive committee member of the BJP in Uttarakhand. He is also the son of India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval. Shaurya is an economics graduate from Hindu College of Delhi University and holds two MBA degrees from the University of Chicago and the London Business School. Before establishing a think tank and entering politics, Shaurya worked with GE Capital and Morgan Stanley as an investment banker.In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shaurya Doval shares insights into how think tanks operate in India and where they receive funding. He discusses the multiplicity of views among think tanks in India. He also sheds light on how the battles of narratives between the left and right wings have evolved in India.He also addresses the widespread nepotism debate in the BJP and emphasizes the need for nationalism in a nation’s development. He also underscores the Hindutva influence in Uttarakhand state politics.

Lieutenant General Vinod G. Khandare, a distinguished former officer of the Indian Army, currently serves as the Principal Adviser in the Ministry of Defence. With a remarkable 38-year career, Gen. Khandare has worn many hats, including roles such as Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff for Intelligence from Nov 2015 to Jan 2018. His extensive experience in the Infantry involved operational tasks in Siachen, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, and the North East region.In the latest ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gen. Khandare (R) delves deep into the pivotal role of Information Technology in national security. He talks about the Israel-Hamas war, highlighting the impact of the attack as a significant 'blot' on Israel’s intel prowess. He talks about his book 'Data Sovereignty,' asserting that data is integral to national security, serving as a vital tool in identifying, analyzing, and responding to threats.He also sheds light on Pakistan's nefarious designs against India, revealing the real reasons behind the Kargil war. He addresses the challenges faced by jawans at the daunting Siachen Glacier. Additionally, he shares an untold story from the Indo-Pak War of 1965.

Shehla Rashid, an activist, researcher, and academician discusses her shift in perspective on the central government's handling of the J&K situation. Topics include polarization and labeling in society, growing up in a conflict zone, censorship and awareness in Kashmir, positive steps towards peace in Kashmir, and challenging discriminatory narratives.

Chhaya Sharma is a senior IPS officer, currently serving as Joint CP-Eastern Range in Delhi. With over 23 years of experience, she has served as DGI at the National Human Rights Commission and as the director of the Central Vigilance Commission. She is widely recognised for her pivotal role in apprehending the perpetrators of the infamous 2012 Nirbhaya rape and murder case.In the latest ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, IPS Chhaya Sharma shares insights into how she achieved the first breakthrough within 18 hours in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case, a shocking incident that deeply affected the nation. She explores the broader implications of the Nirbhaya case and its impact on changing rape laws in India.IPS Chhaya Sharma also criticises those policemen involved in extra-judicial killings, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law. She discusses navigating political pressure while solving a case and dispels myths about how real police officers operate, distinguishing it from the portrayal seen in movies like 'Singham.' She also commends the 'Delhi Crime' series for realistically depicting the challenges faced by officers while solving a case. The web series is based on her character and investigation into the brutal gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman.She underscores the need for a shift in societal mindset to promote women's empowerment. Additionally, she sheds light on the tactics used by Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar to entice female actors with luxury gifts.

Lt Col Pavithran Rajan (R) is a Military Veteran, Tech Entrepreneur, and Academic. He has served as an Advisor at the Ministry of Home Affairs and holds the position of Adjunct Faculty at the Cyber Security Research Centre at Punjab Engineering College. Additionally, he serves as an Advisor for the Cyber Peace Foundation. He is also the author of the book "Engaging China: Indian Interests In The Information Age".In the latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he provides insights into CBS' interview with "Five Eyes" intelligence leaders, where they issued warnings about China's global espionage campaign. Furthermore, he sheds light on India's preparedness, or lack thereof, to combat cyber attacks and information warfare. He also discusses the exploitation of data for electoral gains and underscores the importance of education in countering fake news and misinformation.

Karnal Singh is an IPS officer from the batch of 1984, who headed the Enforcement Directorate from 2015 to 2018. In his impressive 34-year career, Singh led the Special Cell of the Delhi Police and as ED Chief, Singh also took charge as the Director of India's Financial Investigation Unit (FIU), playing a key role in shaping the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.During his tenure, Singh led investigations related to white-collar crimes and was the driving force behind the Batla House encounter, a case that made national headlines.In our latest ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Singh takes you behind the scenes of the Batla House encounter, unveiling its role in dismantling the Indian Mujahideen and its far-reaching political consequences.He also delves into the cases of fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya. He addresses opposition allegations that ED is being ‘misused’ by centre to suppress dissent.Singh offers insights into the Indian justice system and the reasons behind delayed justice delivery. He also shares stories about the intricate relationship between politicians and criminals in our country.

Adil Hussain hails from Assam’s Goalpara, is renowned for his critically acclaimed performances in theater and movies like ‘Mukti Bhawan’ and ‘Othello - A Play in Black and White.’Adil has worked in more than 80 films, including a standout role in Ang Lee's Oscar-winning ‘Life of Pi,’. He won National Award for his lead roles in ‘Mukti Bhawan’ and ‘Maj Rati Ketaki.’He studied at the National School of Drama from 1990-1993, followed by a brief stint at the Drama Studio London through the Charles Wallace Trust Scholarship.In this episode of the Ani podcast with Smita Prakash, Adil opens up about his childhood, the inspirations that led him to pursue acting. He shared stories about his early days as a stand-up comedian mimicking Amitabh Bachchan.Adil delves into his unique experience of spending two and a half years on a river island in Karnataka, where he explored the art of acting alongside an international group of performing artists.Adil also shares his experiences working with icons like Sridevi, Tabu, and Manisha Koirala. He sheds light on the challenges faced by actors in breaking free from conventional character portrayals.He also shares his experience working as a teacher in Amsterdam and at the National School of Drama in Delhi.

Manoj Tiwari has worn many hats throughout his life, transitioning from an actor, singer, music director to becoming a Member of Parliament representing the North East constituency for the BJP.Regarded as one of the most successful and prominent stars in the world of Bhojpuri cinema, Tiwari gained recognition with a series of hit songs in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Fans of Bhojpuri music fondly remember his songs like ‘Rinkiya Ke Papa’ and ‘Bagalwali Jaan Mareli.’ From 2016 to 2020, Tiwari also held the position of Delhi BJP President.In this latest episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Tiwari doesn’t hold back as he critiques the Delhi AAP government, referring to them as ‘looters.’He also takes aim at Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for spending an ‘exorbitant’ amount of money on the CM house, calling it a ‘sheeshmahal.’Tiwari doesn’t shy away from addressing those who attack the essence of Sanatana Dharma. He asserts that those who attack Santana Dharma will ultimately harm themselves. He also credits Prime Minister Modi for inspiring his foray into politics. Tiwari claims his songs are not just meant for entertainment; they aim to highlight issues like unemployment and VIP racism in society.

Hardeep Singh Puri embodies a unique blend of technocratic expertise and political acumen. Over the course of 39 years as a civil servant, he held diverse roles, including Permanent Representative to the UN and Chair of the UN Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee. In 2014, Hardeep Puri joined the BJP, marking the onset of his political journey. In Sep 2017, he became the Minister with Independent Charge for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. He also served as the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation in PM Modi's cabinet. Puri presently serves as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs in PM Modi's Cabinet. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he underscores the pressing need for reform at the United Nations Security Council to better reflect current global realities and combat its 'paralysing' inefficiency. He shares his insights on the relationship between OPEC and consumer nations and doesn't shy away from attributing the deterioration of India-Canada ties to the Trudeau government. Puri also offers a glimpse into his experiences working with a diverse spectrum of Prime Ministers, from Rajeev Gandhi to Narasimha Rao to Narendra Modi. He sheds light on the progress of the Smart Cities Mission, initiated by the central government in 2015, and candidly assesses the opposition alliance 'India' dubbing it the 'Ghamandiya Alliance' and asserting their limitations in effectively addressing national issues.

Kalvakuntla Kavitha is a member of the Legislative Council from Nizamabad and the daughter of Telangana's Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao. Before returning to India, she worked as a software engineer in the USA. Her political journey began when she joined her father's movement for a separate state of Telangana. From 2014 to 2019, she served as the first woman parliamentarian from Telangana, representing the Nizamabad constituency. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Kavitha discusses how women's reservation law will open new opportunities and doors for women in the field of politics. She also addresses the Delhi excise policy case in which she faces scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate. She alleges that Central agencies are being 'misused' by the Centre to suppress the voices of the opposition. Furthermore, she comments on the remarks made by the Prime Minister, in which he claimed that K. Chandrashekar Rao wanted to join the NDA in 2020. Kavitha expresses her strong support for Sanatana Dharma and argues that anti-Sanatana remarks will not be constructive. Kavitha also shares insights into her life in the USA before entering politics and discusses the impact of being a politician on her children.