ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, during the 17th edition of the GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum in Slovakia last year said, "Europe has to get out of the mindset that Europe's problem is the world's problem but the world's problem is not Europe's problem." The remark led to discussions and debates over Europe's perspective of the world. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash at the Raisina Dialogue held in New Delhi, March 2023, the panel discussed Europe's stand on geo-political developments- from migration of refugees to European countries, to the China-Taiwan conflict, to Russia-Ukraine War, to Covid-19 pandemic. The expert panel, comprising of Portugal's Director General for Foreign Policy Rui Vinhas; Founder of Austria-based For A Conscious Experience Velina Tchakarova; and Finland's Tomi Huhtanen, the Executive Director of Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, came together with Smita Prakash and discussed various issues thread by thread.

Young politician Poonam Mahajan, daughter of veteran BJP leader, Pramod Mahajan, has carved a niche for herself in Bharatiya Janata Party. A two-time MP from Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, she has held many important positions in the BJP. She is known more as her father's daughter, who in a candid conversation with Smita Prakash talks about her life, vision for her party and her state- Maharashtra. She recalls her entry into politics after her father's horrific murder in 2006 and the legal battle that ensued the killing of her father by his brother. She also hits out at the Congress party, the Gandhi family and Bharat Jodo Yatra. Talking about Maharastra politics, she explains the history of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the changed scenario of alliances in the stat

Alakh Pandey, an entrepreneur also known as Physics Wallah was in the 11th grade when he began teaching younger children to supplement his family income. Later he dropped out of college to pursue his passion of teaching physics. Now his unicorn business is said to have a net worth of Rs 4000 crore. Alakh found a different way of communicating complex physics problems to get through to children. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, Alakh Pandey sheds light on the struggle he faced early in life before he established Physics Wallah. Free physics lessons on YouTube was the stepping stone. He also shares the nuances in education sector & future of ed-tech business.

Manoj Bajpayee, one of the most talented actors today has three national awards and six Filmfare trophies to his name. He has also been awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts. In a candid conversation in ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Manoj Bajpayee opens up about his family, initial struggles and entry into Bollywood. He recalls how Satya’s success in 1998 helped him to get a foothold in the film industry and established him an actor. He takes us on a journey talking about his filmography and shares his experiences working with different co-stars. The Zubeidaa actor explains his fitness regime and how spiritualism has helped him to keep going in the City of Dreams, Mumbai. He recalls the proudest moment of his life when he saw the joy in his father's eyes when the boy from Bihar’s Belwa village received one of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma award.

Dr Satheesh Reddy headed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is currently Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri dealing with the programme which spearheads India's indigenous development of defence systems and technologies. In this informative conversation with Smita Prakash, Dr Reddy talks extensively about India’s strategic missile programme and the impact it has on India’s defence system. He sheds light on different developmental programmes undertaken by DRDO for radars, sonar, drones, tanks, aircraft and their contribution during Covid pandemic. He emphasises the growth of the defence industry in India and the start-up movement in the country. He also recalls his years as a young scientist working under the leadership of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar's illustrious career as a Diplomat spans 38 years including tenures as India's Ambassador in China, the Czech Republic, the USA, Singapore and finally, as Foreign Secretary. He was picked by Prime Minister Modi himself, to be part of his cabinet in 2019 as External Affairs Minister. The articulate Dr S. Jaishankar, in an interesting conversation with Smita Prakash shares his journey from being a diplomat to entering politics. He talks about his father whose career growth as a Cabinet Secretary was halted by Indira Gandhi due to internal politics. He slams the opposition over allegations of being accommodative of China and explains the steps taken by the government to strengthen the security at the LAC. He also reveals how some foreign powers are collaborating to create a false narrative against India as the election approaches.

Noted journalist Rubika Liyaquat made a name for herself in the field of TV journalism with her fiery style of anchoring news bulletins. Whether in Zee TV or now in ABP News she continues with the same style of picking up contentious topics and getting all sides of the debate on her shows. Rubika does on-the-ground reporting and is often criticized for editorialising news. She is active on social media where true to her style, her posts are fearless and bold. Being a progressive Muslim woman professional, she finds herself at odds with those who want to box her in. In a candid interview with Smita Prakash, Rubika talks about her life, her family and her reason for becoming a journalist. She speaks her mind on the Hijab controversy and other issues related to the Muslim community. She, without hesitation, shares about her struggle to break stereotypes and explains the many trials she had to go through.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, a medical doctor by training decided to join politics and fought an election from Udhampur in Jammu & Kashmir in 2014 defeating political stalwart Ghulam Nabi Azad. He holds many portfolios in PM Modi's cabinet like Minister of State Independent Charge for the Ministry of Science & Technology & Minister of State Independent Charge for the Ministry of Earth Science and Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, Personnel Public Grievances & Pensions, Department Of Atomic Energy & Department Of Space. In an in-depth conversation with Smita Prakash, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarifies the government's position on the ongoing controversy over the Hindenburg report. He talks about the situation on the ground in Jammu & Kashmir and the measures taken by the government for the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits. He explains in length the history of the Kashmir issue and the roles played by previous regimes in the misadventure. He also gives us a brief glimpse into his life and career as a doctor and his journey in politics.

Kailash Kher, noted singer and songwriter emerged from being a folk singer singing devotional songs on the Ganga ghats to lending his voice to the stars of Bollywood. He has been awarded Padma Shri for his exceptional and distinguished contribution to Indian music. In a soul-stirring conversation with Smita Prakash, Kailash Kher talks about his life in penury, his time singing jingles for ad films and his break into Bollywood. He credits his success to the almighty and expresses his desire to do more for society. He also reveals about phases in his life when he tried to commit suicide and faced rejection before becoming a music sensation.

The ‘Mast Mast girl’ of Bollywood, Raveena Tandon set the screen on fire in the 1990s with her hit songs and movies. In a candid interview with Smita Prakash just days before being conferred with Padma Shri, Raveena Tandon opens up about her family life, her entry into Bollywood and her friends in the industry. She shares her experiences with adoption in her 20s and talks about the other causes that are close to her heart. She goes on to talk about her relationship with Akshay Kumar and how toxic entertainment magazines were during the 90s. Being someone who never shies away from speaking her mind she explains her views on nepotism and the cancel culture impacting Bollywood.