ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Muttiah Muralitharan is a Sri Lankan cricket coach, former cricketer and is regarded as one of the most successful and greatest bowlers in the history of the sport. He is the only bowler to take 800 wickets in test cricket and 530 One Day International (ODI) wickets and continues to hold a record of maximum wickets altogether in international cricket. Muralitharan, who is also known as Murali among friends and colleagues, is the first wrist-spinning off-spinner in the history of the game and his bowling action has landed him in controversy on numerous occasions throughout his career spanning over decades. Murali has been called out for his bowling action on three different occasions and was also cleared by the ICC after subsequent tests. He also had to face criticism from cricketers as well as noted personalities for his bowling action. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Murali talks about his two-decade cricket career, his love for the game and the controversies and criticism which came along the way. Murali also talks about his relations with cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, who released the trailer of a biopic which is made on his life. He also says that he is a proud Tamilian and answers controversy around his political connections with former Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa and his party. He also terms the IPL as a platform to filter talent, which is going to prove a boon for Indian cricket.

A political slugfest erupted soon after Udhayanidhi Stalin, a Tamil Nadu minister and son of Chief Minister MK Stalin, made a controversial statement comparing ‘Santana Dharma’ to diseases like Malaria, dengue and corona as he called for eradication of the faith. The statement by the Tamilnadu minister has led to registration of FIRs against him as well as a seer from Ayodhya announcing a bounty on his head. But the question remains why someone sitting in a high seat of power would say something like that and what are the reasons behind the uproar by political parties. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, noted author and engineer turned litigator J Sai Deepak, who has written two voluminous well-researched books on Indian civilisation, decodes all aspects of Dravidian Politics, its history and the conflict with Sanatana Dharma and explains the reasons behind the statement by Udhayanidhi. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak talks about the origins of Dravidar Kazhagam and Justice party founded by E. V. Ramasamy and how these organisations led the foundation of Dravidianism in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sai also talks about the secessionist activities undertaken by a few Dravidian organizations and how they opposed home rule for India.

Shri Thanedar is an Indian American business person, author, and politician serving as the U.S. representative from Michigan’s 13th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party in the US, Thanedar also served as a state representative in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. During his recent visit to India as part of a US Congress delegation, Thanedar, along with the delegation, attended the Independence day celebrations at Red Fort and met Prime minister Narendra Modi, with whom he shares a personal relationship. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Thanedar talks about his meeting with PM Modi and how political advice from the PM has helped him. The Congressman also talks about growing bipartisan support for India in the US Capitol and how the US now considers India as a strategic partner to counter China and Russia's aggression. Thanedar also talks about his personal life and his journey from a Belagavi boy who had to work odd jobs at the age of 14 to support his family to becoming a lawmaker in the United States.

Sheena Bora Murder Case- A mystery that baffled every interrogator and captured the attention of entire country in 2015 continues to remain unsolved to date. The more informed you become, more intricate the story appears. Indrani Mukerjea- one of the prime accused and mother of Sheena, who was in Mumbai’s Byculla jail before getting a bail in 2022 has made some shocking revelations. Watch or listen in to this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash to know what revelations has Indrani Mukerjea made in her memoir ‘Unbroken’. How she grew past her traumatic childhood to make it big in her life and how things took a turn for worse and just kept getting worse. Also, how former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram are connected with the case.

As elections draw near in the Naxal-affected Central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel, the third and incumbent Chief Minister of the state, speaks candidly about the state’s distinct politics, its issues and his approaches to tackle them. Bhupesh Baghel keeps a low profile in national politics and maintains his focus on his home state. Among many of his accomplishments he claims to have effectively controlled Naxalism through non-violent means. Watch or listen in to this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, to understand how the politics in Chhattisgarh has its own twists, what Bhupesh Baghel did differently than his predecessors and how prepared he is for the upcoming state election. The discussion touches upon a wide range of political spectrum including what he refers to as “petty politics of BJP”. The discussion also delves into politically hot topics such as ED, IT raids in the state, Hindutva politics, religion conversion, INDIA alliance. While Bhupesh Baghel was refreshingly candid and straightforward on all questions posed to him, he also addressed queries that have captured everybody’s attention these days like ‘Is Priyanka Gandhi jumping in the election game this time around? And who is going to be leading the pack in INDIA alliance?

Prime Minister Modi and President Xi came face to face at the BRICS summit at Johannesburg last week, but there was no bilateral meeting scheduled. The freeze remains. Pakistan could not get into the grouping though it had China’s backing. Battling economic crisis and political instability Pakistan has been offered respite from UAE which has decided to invest in assets of Pakistan. But there are going to be strings attached this time. Former Indian Ambassador to China who has also served as Indian high commissioner to Pakistan Gautam Bambawale and C. Raja Mohan, senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute explain China and UAE’s relationship with Pakistan and where the US fits into this new jigsaw puzzle. Watch or listen in to this edition of ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, to understand how these new developments will affect geopolitics in the Indo-pacific region. During the conversation the experts analyse different aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative, China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the violent attacks in Balochistan. The panel also discusses "Gulf Route to Pakistan” a paper authored by Raja Mohan which provides deep insights on the economic affairs of Pakistan and how Pak Army has now decided to get UAE to bail them out. The panel also talks about Imran Khan’s arrest, protest against Pak Army, U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and India’s growing stature in the world stages with Pakistan losing its importance in West as well as China.Here's the link of 'Gulf Route to Pakistan' by C Rajamohan - https://twitter.com/MohanCRaja/status/1683980429873889280?t=FxcXfi1BJ224uBn4ToGIjw&s=19

Pushkar Singh Dhami is the 10th chief minister of Uttarakhand and also has the distinction of becoming the youngest CM of the state. Dhami started his political career as an MLA after he was elected to Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly from Khatima constituency in 2012, which he represented till 2022 and currently represents Champawat assembly constituency. Dhami rose to prominence after he was chosen by the BJP leadership to replace Tirath Singh Rawat as chief minister of the state, six months ahead of legislative elections. Riding high on his promise of implementing a uniform civil code in the hill state, Dhami was able to break the trend of revolving door policy in the state of Uttarakhand and returned victorious in state assembly elections of 2022, and was sworn in as Chief minister for the second time. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pushkar Singh Dhami speaks about how he has ensured fulfillment of promises made to the people of the state with the draft of UCC in its final stage. He also talks about his government's crackdown on enemy properties and against illegal encroachment. Dhami also talks about the Joshimath tragedy and reveals his plans to conduct detailed research on the load bearing capacity of cities to check rapid and uncontrolled urbanization in order to protect the ecology of the Himalayan region. He also talks about Love-Jihad and the anti-conversion law which he has implemented in the state. Talking about the opposition's INDIA alliance, Dhami terms it as a new version of UPA and says that Rahul Gandhi continues to be an immature person.

Madhya Pradesh polls, BJP Vs Cong & Tribal voters. Jitu Patwari talks about Congress's strategy and confidence to return to power in the state. Dr. Hiralal Alawa discusses the importance of tribal voters in over 40 assembly segments. Chapters cover determination, unclear conversation, passport issue, diversifying workforce, role of individuals in society, plans for the day, staying strong, and reservation in India.

Ricky Kej is a three-time Grammy Award-winning Indian music composer and environmentalist. Apart from being a professional musician, he is a trained dentist and also serves as the United Nations Refugees "Goodwill Ambassador", UNCCD “Land Ambassador”, UNESCO “Global Ambassador for Kindness”, UNICEF “Celebrity Supporter” & Ambassador for “Earth Day Network. He has composed 16 albums and over 3500 jingles for commercials and has also composed music for four feature films, including the natural history documentary ‘Wild Karnataka’ narrated by Sir David Attenborough. He has done live concerts at venues spread across over 30 countries, including performing at the United Nations headquarters in New York and Geneva. Kej is a self-taught musician but has also taken formal music education and studied Indian classical music. To commemorate the 75th year of Indian Independence, Ricky conducted a 100-piece British orchestra at The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to record India’s National Anthem at the legendary Abbey Road Studios, London, which is the largest orchestra ever to record India's National Anthem and released it on the occasion of Independence Day 2023. In a candid conversation with Smita Prakash, Ricky talks about his childhood,his love for the Indian national anthem and his journey from a dentistry student to a Grammy award winning composer. He also talks about his struggles with Dyslexia during his growing years and how he developed an interest in Indian classical music. He also shares his life-changing experience of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which led to him taking up environmental causes through his music. He also talks about noted music maestro Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar and his love for sweet delicacy Mysore Pak.Link for Quick Take episode on Conjunctivitis - https://youtu.be/gF_HofYxXUcLink for Quick Take episode on Delhi Ordinance Bill - https://youtu.be/wGfu1TMqspM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the 19th chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and also has the distinction of longest serving chief minister of the state. Chouhan started his political career as an MLA after he was elected to Madhya Pradesh state assembly from Budhni Constituency in 1990. However, he was elected to Lok Sabha and represented Vidisha constituency in the lower house of parliament till 2005. He became chief minister of the state for the first time in 2005, replacing Babulal Gaur, after which there was no looking back. Chouhan has earned the title of ‘Mama’ among his supporters for his populist schemes for women of state, which include MP Kanya Vivah Yojana, Mukhyamantri Laadli Lakshmi Yojana. Taking another step in that direction, Chouhan has now launched 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana' to provide financial assistance to every woman in Madhya Pradesh, which is touted to strengthen BJP's poll prospects in upcoming elections. In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash recorded in the city of Bhopal, Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaks about the transformation of Madhya Pradesh from one of the Bimaru states to one of the leading states in the country. He also talks about his special focus on empowering women in the state through self-help groups, populist schemes and government assistance. He also talks about the Congress split in Madhya Pradesh and the reasons behind Jyotiraditya Scindia switching sides to BJP. He also accuses Congress leader Kamal Nath of corruption and terms Rahul Gandhi as an immature leader. He also calls out the newly formed opposition’s I.N.D.I.A alliance as an act of opportunism by parties in opposition.