ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Asian News International (ANI)
ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.

  1. EP-231 | Trudeau's Pro-Khalistan Agenda Exposed | India-Canada Tensions | Sanjay Kumar Verma

    4 HR AGO

    EP-231 | Trudeau's Pro-Khalistan Agenda Exposed | India-Canada Tensions | Sanjay Kumar Verma

    New Delhi-Ottawa relations have reached an all-time low after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian government officials and diplomats in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a figure who was designated as a terrorist in India and placed on Canada’s no-fly list. Both countries have since expelled top envoys and other diplomats as tensions over Nijjar's killing escalate. Trudeau accused India of interfering in Canada’s sovereignty, while India dismissed his claims as baseless and absurd. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Kumar Verma, the recalled Indian High Commissioner to Canada, shares his perspective on Canada’s handling of Sikh extremist elements, which he believes is influenced by vote-bank politics. Verma also explains why Trudeau has refrained from taking action against Khalistani figures who are wanted in India for serious crimes. He shares personal accounts of the challenges he and his family faced in Canada. Verma stresses that a small group of Khalistani elements has hijacked the narrative and that the majority of Sikhs do not support the Khalistan movement. Watch this episode to understand how the Canadian government addresses Khalistani extremism and why some believe it has given them a free hand. 0:00 - Coming Up 1:12 - Introduction 2:02 - India-Canada Diplomatic Row 8:40 - What Canadians Think of India 12:00 - Nijjar Killing Probe 16:44 - Bishnoi Gang Link to Nijjar Killing 21:07 - Trudeau's Allegations Against New Delhi 23:56 - MEA's Strong Response to Canada 27:00 - Threats & Attacks against Envoy Sanjay Verma 35:34 - Attacks on Diplomats in Western Countries 39:47 - Indian Journalists Accused of Foreign Interference 45:22 - Lawrence Bishnoi 51:00 - Trudeau Harbouring Khalistani Elements 55:33 - 'Fake' Asylum Claims in Canada 59:06 - India: A 'Rogue' Nation? 1:01:30 - Will India-Canada Ties Improve? 1:04:05 - Pakistan-Khalistan Ties? 1:05:05 - What's Next for Envoy Sanjay Verma

    1h 8m
  2. EP-230 | Unseen, Unfiltered, Uncensored | Annu Kapoor's Explosive Podcast

    3 DAYS AGO

    EP-230 | Unseen, Unfiltered, Uncensored | Annu Kapoor's Explosive Podcast

    Annu Kapoor is an entertainer who has worn many hats—actor, singer, director, producer, radio jockey, and television presenter—earning immense respect and recognition worldwide. He became a household name through iconic television shows like Antakshari and Wheel Smart Srimati. Known for speaking his mind, Annu Kapoor has appeared in over 100 films and numerous television shows. He has been honoured with two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and two Indian Television Academy Awards. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Annu Kapoor delves into his thoughts on nationalism. He expresses his belief that most Indians do not truly love their country and also opens up on atheism. Kapoor shares anecdotes about legends from the film industry, including a vivid recount of Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar’s wedding, and reflects on a spat with Amitabh Bachchan. He also reveals an intriguing episode from the sets of 7 Khoon Maaf, alleging that Priyanka Chopra refused to kiss him because he wasn’t a 'hero.' Tune in to this episode as Kapoor shares his flair for 'shayari' and performs a 300-year-old rap in his signature style. 00:00 - Introduction 01:44 - Upcoming projects 04:37 - Early life struggles 16:42 - Patriotism vs. Nationalism 21:37 - Early days in Bollywood 33:10 - Why he avoids watching films & news 34:33 - National Awards 37:05 - Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita 39:19 - True meaning of 'Deshbhakti' 43:59 - Publicity stunts 46:30 - Punctuality & Discipline 49:02 - Why was Wheel Smart Srimati scrapped? 53:40 - Learning discipline from Islam 55:27 - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad teachings 58:52 - Love, religion, and honour killings 1:02:14 - The story of 'Bharat' 1:04:34 - Annu 'Google' Kapoor 1:10:14 - Relationship with parents 1:13:48 - 'Kiss' controversy with Priyanka Chopra 1:20:14 - Shabana Azmi & Javed Akhtar's wedding 1:22:14 - Darr shoot 1:25:14 - Story behind India's independence 1:29:58 - World's 'oldest' rap song

    1h 37m
  3. EP-229 | Job Crisis, Indian Economy, Start-up Culture & Wealth Creators | Krishnamurthy Subramanian

    5 DAYS AGO

    EP-229 | Job Crisis, Indian Economy, Start-up Culture & Wealth Creators | Krishnamurthy Subramanian

    Krishnamurthy Venkata Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India from 2018 to 2021, becoming the youngest to hold this prestigious position. Subramanian's tenure as the Chief Economic Adviser was marked by his contributions to shaping India's economic policies during crucial years, including the Covid-19 pandemic. He is now India's Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), where he continues to represent India on global economic matters. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Prof. Subramanian delves into the critical role of wealth creators in driving India’s economic progress, explaining why they are the backbone of a thriving economy. He emphasizes the importance of balancing economic policies to encourage entrepreneurship while also addressing income inequality. Subramanian doesn’t shy away from discussing the systemic challenges facing the country, including the pressing need for judicial reforms to address backlogs that hamper business operations and economic efficiency. He also touches on the impact of India's increasing digital transactions on economic transparency and efficiency. Additionally, he discusses how spirituality and mindfulness can serve as tools for personal growth, especially in the fast-paced world of economics. 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - India @100 Book 05:41 - India's Projected Economic Growth 10:35 - Wealth Creators 15:25 - Slow Growth of Small Businesses 25:03 - India's Agricultural Policies 32:55 - Importance of Economic Reforms 41:27 - Signs of a Good Economy 47:23 - The Willful Defaulter Phenomenon 51:45 - Need for Judicial Reforms 1:00:02 - India's Digital Boom 1:06:29 - Lessons from Demonetisation 1:11:32 - India's Job Market 1:18:25 - Responsibility of State Govts. in Job Creation 1:21:35 - The Politics of Freebies 1:34:22 - Snap Reaction Segment 1:45:39 - Remembers His Father & Family 1:57:04 - Economic Challenges During the Pandemic 2:05:39 - Spirituality & Mindfulness 2:08:45 - Importance of Reading

    2h 18m
  4. EP-228 | India-Canada Spat, Biden Vs Trump, Future of AI & Tesla in India | John Chambers & Dr. Aghi

    16 OCT

    EP-228 | India-Canada Spat, Biden Vs Trump, Future of AI & Tesla in India | John Chambers & Dr. Aghi

    John Chambers is the Chairman of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and the former CEO of Cisco. Under his leadership, Cisco became one of the world’s largest and most successful technology companies. Dr. Mukesh Aghi is the President and CEO of USISPF. He works closely with business and government leaders in both the U.S. and India to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two nations. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the evolution of India-U.S. relations over the past 15 years. John Chambers expresses strong confidence in India, saying that this decade and century belong to New Delhi. Dr. Mukesh Aghi shares a similar view, noting that the ties between India and the U.S. are on an upward trajectory, unaffected by changes in political leadership. They also address the recent tensions between India and Canada over the Khalistan issue and its potential impact on businesses and students. Both guests praise Prime Minister Modi for fostering an environment in which entrepreneurship and startups have flourished in the past decade. 00:00 - Introduction 00:44 - India’s Century 03:49 - India: Then vs. Now 04:55 - India-Canada Spat 10:00 - U.S. Presidential Election 12:08 - India vs. China Economy 14:10 - India: A Tough Negotiator 16:54 - The Future of AI 20:15 - U.S.-China Tensions 22:30 - Middle East Conflict 25:00 - Tariffs & Migration in the USA 29:34 - India’s Chip Ambitions 33:34 - Business Prospects in India 37:31 - Indian vs. U.S. Investors

    40 min
  5. EP-227 | Beef Ban Debate, 'Rocky' Alliance with BJP, Act East Policy & Border Issues | Conrad Sangma

    14 OCT

    EP-227 | Beef Ban Debate, 'Rocky' Alliance with BJP, Act East Policy & Border Issues | Conrad Sangma

    Conrad Sangma is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and a leader of the National People's Party (NPP). He began his political career as a campaign manager for his father, P.A. Sangma, a former Cabinet minister. After serving as an MLA and the Opposition Leader, he became the NPP President in 2016. Sangma was first elected Chief Minister in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Conrad Sangma discusses his alliance with the BJP, despite having the numbers to run the government independently. He addresses the beef ban issue, stating that people should not interfere with others' eating habits. He also talks about the border dispute between Assam and Meghalaya in Mukroh. Further, Meghalaya CM Sangma shares his thoughts on the Uniform Civil Code and its potential impact on the region. He also discusses the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and One Nation, One Election. He explains Meghalaya's economy and a government lottery scheme designed to increase revenue. Additionally, he highlights the drug problem in the Northeast and how tourism can contribute to economic growth. He also compares the Look East policy, which was upgraded to the Act East policy in 2014 by the Modi government. 00:00 - Introduction 01:25 - Legacy of P.A. Sangma 02:55 - Congress sidelined P.A. Sangma? 08:28 - Formation of NPP 11:12 - BJP-NPP Alliance 15:14 - Beef Ban Row 20:25 - Assam-Meghalaya Border Dispute 26:50 - UCC 28:50 - CAA-NRC Impact in NE States 31:17 - One Nation, One Election 33:36 - NPP to Expand in Other States? 35:05 - UPA's Neglect of the NE 40:04 - Bangladesh Crisis: Security Risks for Meghalaya 43:20 - Meghalaya's Economy 47:36 - Government Lottery Scheme 53:38 - Northeast's Drug Problem 1:02:05 - Tourism in Meghalaya 1:10:28 - Manipur Crisis Impact on Meghalaya 1:15:10 - Snap Reaction 1:33:25 - CM 'Cool'

    1h 40m
  6. EP-226 | Foods That Are 'KILLING' You | Misleading Ads Exposed | Revant Himatsingka | Food 'pharmer'

    11 OCT

    EP-226 | Foods That Are 'KILLING' You | Misleading Ads Exposed | Revant Himatsingka | Food 'pharmer'

    Revant Himatsingka is on a mission to encourage Indians to read food labels. His goal is to educate people about what they're consuming and to protect them from 'misleading' marketing tactics. By challenging FMCG giants, he aims to improve the quality of food products available in India. Originally from Kolkata, Revant moved to New York to study finance. He later earned an MBA from Wharton and completed a course in nutrition. In the latest episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Revant explains his decision to return to India to raise awareness about the importance of reading food labels before making purchases. He has initiated the campaign 'Label Padhega India' to inform people about the effects of processed and packaged foods on their health. He also discusses what the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) can do to improve public awareness. Revant's mission is to spark a health revolution in India by revealing how FMCG companies often sell substandard products domestically while providing higher-quality goods in European markets. Additionally, he shares personal anecdotes about the sacrifices he is making in his battle against these large corporations. 00:00 - Introduction 00:52 - Conscious Capitalism Meaning 02:08 - What is FMCG? 08:02 - 'Label Padhega India' Campaign 11:38 - Food Labels 26:20 - Baby Food in India vs. Europe 31:14 - Biscuits vs. Chocolates 41:18 - India: Food 'Dumping Ground' 46:20 - India vs. Singapore: Food Product Regulations 47:57 - What should FSSAI do? 55:13 - How to Read Food Labels 58:28 - Health Literacy in India 1:10:23 - Frozen Dessert vs. Ice Cream 1:14:28 - Choosing Food Products 1:25:02 - Next Goal

    1h 27m
  7. EP-225 | Israel-Iran War, 'Nuclear Option', USA Role with Lt Gen Shukla (Retd) & Lt Col Rajan (Retd)

    7 OCT

    EP-225 | Israel-Iran War, 'Nuclear Option', USA Role with Lt Gen Shukla (Retd) & Lt Col Rajan (Retd)

    It has been one year since Hamas launched a significant attack against Israel, which was one of the deadliest incidents in recent history. Over 1000 were killed, and over 250 people were taken hostage. In response, Israel initiated ground operations in Gaza, resulting in hundreds of casualties and continuing strikes. Amid this conflict, Israel has opened two new fronts in the war. They have targeted the entire Hezbollah leadership, including its chief, Hassan Nasrallah. This move has provoked a strong reaction from Iran, which launched over 180 missiles toward Israel. How Israel will respond and whether it will consider attacking Iran’s oil and nuclear facilities. The outcome of these events could significantly alter the landscape of the Middle East. In this episode of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.), former General Officer Commanding of the Army Training Command and an expert in counter-insurgency operations, along with Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence operative, academician, and tech entrepreneur. They discuss whether the U.S. will support Israel in attacking Iranian facilities and what lessons India can learn from the Israel-Iran conflict. They also delve into Israel's unique Pager Attack and how AI is transforming modern warfare. They also talk about the role of Russia and China in the Middle East. 00:00 - Introduction 02:35 - Israel’s 3-Front War 04:35 - Israel's Pager Attack 11:25 - Killing of Hassan Nasrallah 20:50 - Russia’s Role in the Middle East 30:25 - Persian Civilization 37:32 - China’s Stand on the Israel War 41:42 - China vs. Taiwan 44:39 - Regime Change in Iran 59:17 - India's Role in the Middle East 1:02:50 - How AI is Changing Warfare 1:10:43 - What is AI Assassination 1:20:45 - Weaponization of Social Media 1:26:24 - Private Players in Defence Sector 1:30:44 - Lessons for India 1:40:10 - China Leading in Manufacturing 1:44:54 - Should India Embrace AI?

    1h 51m
  8. EP-224 | Jammu's Role in J&K Polls: Kingmaker or Spectator? | Manoj Kaul & Arun Joshi

    5 OCT

    EP-224 | Jammu's Role in J&K Polls: Kingmaker or Spectator? | Manoj Kaul & Arun Joshi

    The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are taking place for the first time in a decade, following the abrogation of Article 370. What role will Jammu play—can it be a kingmaker in government formation? How do the people of Jammu feel about the abrogation of Article 370? Is there a possibility for J&K to have a Hindu Chief Minister? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by two seasoned journalists from Jammu, Manoj Kaul and Arun Joshi, who have extensively covered the region for decades. They predict an edge for the National Conference (NC), forecasting a hung assembly where government formation is unlikely without the support of Congress or NC. The journalists highlight how Jammu can play a key role as a kingmaker in the upcoming elections. They discuss the issue of restoring statehood, which remains a major concern for voters. Additionally, the two journalists examine the participation of former Jamaat leaders in these elections and consider the potential success of Engineer Rashid's party in the J&K polls. Watch the episode for an in-depth discussion on the future of Jammu and Kashmir politics. 00:00 - Introduction 00:50 - J&K Polls: Now vs Before 09:11 - Jamaat Factor in J&K Polls 14:54 - Engineer Rashid's Role 24:27 - Jammu Being Neglected 30:13 - Altaf Bukhari & Ghulam Nabi Azad 35:36 - Will BJP Sweep Jammu? 43:40 - Reporting on J&K Polls 48:58 - Reporting on Stone Pelting 52:24 - Jammu vs. Kashmir Development 57:27 - Is Jammu a Kingmaker? 1:02:56 - Impact in Jammu: Modi vs. Rahul 1:09:16 - Dynasties in J&K Politics 1:13:33 - Ethnic Communities in J&K 1:17:48 - Post-Poll Alliances 1:22:15 - Article 370 in Jammu 1:25:55 - Outsiders in J&K Polls 1:30:43 - Jammu Statehood

    1h 35m
4.4
out of 5
218 Ratings

About

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.

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