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-260 | Parenthood, Retirement, Bond with Virat & Rohit, Team Politics | Shikhar Dhawan

    3 DAYS AGO

    EP-260 | Parenthood, Retirement, Bond with Virat & Rohit, Team Politics | Shikhar Dhawan

    Shikhar Dhawan, fondly known as 'Gabbar' by his fans, has had a remarkable cricket career. He won the Golden Bat twice at the ICC Champions Trophy, and holds the record for the fastest Test century by a debutant, In August 2024, he announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket. In this podcast with Smita Prakash, Dhawan talks about the pressure social media creates in team selection and shares his views on the controversial Yo-Yo test. He also recalls his Test debut alongside the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He opens up about his mindset during the Champions Trophy, the challenges of sledging, friendships off the field, and why India can't play in Pakistan. Dhawan also talks about his bond with his son, how spirituality has shaped his life, and his journey from being dropped in 2022 to his thoughts on the future of Indian cricket. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:21 - The Pressure of Social Media 05:37 - Champions Trophy 2025 08:11 - Dressing room conversations 11:07 - Yo-Yo test 18:11 - Story behind selection in Indian Team 19:33 - Playing with Sachin in his debut Test 21:14 - Sachin Tendulkar's retirement 22:41 - Timing, fate, and hard work 26:34 - Breaking Gundappa Viswanath's record 29:57 - A captain’s advice for openers 33:35 - Understanding the opponent’s abilities 35:22 - Champions Trophy records & Mindset 40:51 - Bid to upskill cricket coaches in India 47:35 - Sledging in cricket 49:33 - Should Team India travel to Pakistan? 50:43 - BCCI's new rulebook for players 52:06 - IPL success story 54:16 - Dhawan as captain 58:27 - Getting dropped from Team India 01:00:43 - Having a godfather in cricket 01:04:36 - Relationship with his son 01:10:38 - Spirituality in life 01:13:27 - Retirement decision 01:16:33 - Advice to young players 01:17:56 - Importance of physical fitness 01:24:49 - Legends 90 League 01:27:01 - Rapid Fire Segment

    1h 43m
  2. EP-259 | Local to Global: How India's Desi Startups Are Powering Its Defence Rise | Dr. R Shivaraman

    6 DAYS AGO

    EP-259 | Local to Global: How India's Desi Startups Are Powering Its Defence Rise | Dr. R Shivaraman

    Big Bang Boom Solutions (BBBS) is one of the youngest startups in India's defence sector, focusing on developing homegrown technology and intellectual property. The company is working on cutting-edge defence solutions, including the Next-Generation Hybrid Personal Combat Armour, a non-lethal system to stop vessels at sea, the 360 Advanced Battle Interface (ABI), and an Anti-Drone Defense System. These innovations have already been adopted by the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Ramaswamy Shivaraman, co-founder of BBBS and head of research and product development, discusses how the Indian government is supporting homegrown startups in defence and why the private sector needs more government backing in the industry. He also speaks about the role of AI in modern warfare and its integration into defence systems. He also highlights the challenges Indian startups face in exporting defence products and underscores the importance of promoting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the sector. *Audio Timestamps:* 00:00 - Introduction 01:14 - India’s Defence Budget Allocation 02:38 - Anti-Drone System Deal 05:50 - How Big Bang Boom Solutions Started 09:14 - Products by Big Bang Boom Solutions 10:28 - Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War 12:24 - Govt’s Approach to Defence Startups 15:45 - Private Investment in Defence 18:07 - Deals with Indian & Foreign Govts 22:59 - Challenges in Foreign Markets 25:09 - Startups vs Big Defence Companies 30:14 - AI in Defence Systems 36:14 - AI and Drone Warfare 40:22 - Non-Lethal Naval Deterrence Tech 45:01 - Advantages of Doing Business in India 54:44 - Can Foreign governments invest in BBBS? 56:11 - Meeting with PM Modi 01:00:24 - Anti-Drone System: Vajra Shield 01:03:14 - PM Promoting Desi Defence Startups Abroad

    1h 9m
  3. S02E04 | MSP, Urea, and Debt – The Harsh Truth About Indian Agriculture | Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi

    7 FEB

    S02E04 | MSP, Urea, and Debt – The Harsh Truth About Indian Agriculture | Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi

    Dr. Udai Shanker Awasthi, CEO and MD of IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd), is a pioneer in the fertiliser industry and has been honoured with the title “Fertiliser Man of India.” In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Awasthi talks about the major challenges Indian farmers face and what can be done to address them. He discusses whether India can become self-sufficient in fertilisers and how farmers’ incomes can be increased. He also sheds light on IFFCO’s Nano Urea, a breakthrough in green technology that not only boosts crop yield but also protects the soil—unlike conventional urea, which harms it over time. Dr. Awasthi believes that technology is the key to transforming Indian agriculture and ensuring a sustainable future for farmers. Additionally, he talks about why many young people are moving away from farming and what can be done to make agriculture a more attractive and viable profession. More on the future of Indian farming and the innovations that can shape it. 00:00 - Introduction 01:21 - What Does IFFCO Do? 08:01 - Harmful Chemical Fertilisers 12:46 - 'Stop Using Urea Fertilisers' 14:32 - What Are Nano Urea Fertilisers? 21:01 - Imports of Fertilisers 26:16 - 'Fertiliser Man of India' Title 27:42 - Adoption of New Technologies in Agriculture 31:59 - Key Challenges Faced by Farmers 35:24 - Why Do Farmers Resist New Technologies? 37:56 - Why Are Most Farmers Poor? 41:31 - Farming in Hilly Areas 46:03 - Uses of Worm Compost in Farming 47:51 - Will Nano Urea Replace Traditional Urea? 49:16 - Revolutionary Initiatives in Indian Agriculture

    52 min
  4. EP-258 | "Arvind Kejriwal is a Threat to Democracy..." Congress' Pawan Khera Makes a Bold Claim

    4 FEB

    EP-258 | "Arvind Kejriwal is a Threat to Democracy..." Congress' Pawan Khera Makes a Bold Claim

    Pawan Khera is currently serving as the Chairman of Media and Publicity for the Congress. He previously worked as the political secretary to former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit from 1998 to 2013. Since 2015, Khera has been representing the party in debates and discussions on television channels. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pawan Khera discusses Congress' prospects in the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. He calls Arvind Kejriwal a 'megalomaniac' and claims that his party is a threat to democracy. He also talks about what went wrong with the INDIA alliance, why AAP and Congress are no longer fighting together, and why Congress' top leadership has recently started criticizing Arvind Kejriwal and his party. Khera further claims that mid-term elections will take place and that Prime Minister Modi will be ousted from power before 2029. He also shares insights on Sheila Dikshit’s legacy and Delhi’s development. 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – Why is Congress targeting Kejriwal? 08:08 – Congress’ prospects in the Delhi polls 12:17 – What factors are working in Congress’ favour? 16:25 – Hung assembly possible in Delhi? 19:01 – Who will Muslims vote for in Delhi? 25:37 – Voter controversy in the New Delhi seat 30:41 – JNU report on illegal migration in Delhi 32:42 – Bonding with Sheila Dikshit 38:33 – Will India see mid-term polls? 43:35 – AAP vs BJP vs Congress

    49 min
  5. S02E03 | Will Bihar trust Nitish Kumar, again? | Purvanchali voters in Delhi | Sanjay Kumar Jha

    2 FEB

    S02E03 | Will Bihar trust Nitish Kumar, again? | Purvanchali voters in Delhi | Sanjay Kumar Jha

    Sanjay Kumar Jha is a member of the Rajya Sabha and serves as the National Working President of Janata Dal-United. He is also the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Jha discusses the challenges Bihar is facing, such as unemployment, poverty, literacy rates, migration, and GDP growth. He also reflects on what Nitish Kumar has accomplished for the state over the last 20 years. Jha speaks about Nitish Kumar's health and whether he will be fit for the upcoming state elections. He also clarifies whether Nitish Kumar will be the CM candidate for the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar. Jha explains the relationship between Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar and criticizes Tejashwi Yadav for his ‘ineffective’ 17-month term as Deputy CM. He also addresses the recent BPSC protests and the possible influence of Prashant Kishor on Bihar politics. More on the Caste Census, India Bloc, Delhi Assembly elections, and the liquor ban in Bihar. 00:00 – Introduction 00:45 – Bihar: Poverty, Growth & Inequality 06:48 – Literacy in Bihar 11:44 – Liquor Ban in Bihar 16:25 – Crime Rate in Bihar 20:49 – Nitish's Chemistry with Lalu Yadav 23:33 – Why Nitish Left the INDIA Bloc 30:27 – Who Convinced Nitish to Rejoin the NDA 35:18 – Seat-sharing for the Upcoming Bihar Polls 38:23 – Prashant Kishor and BPSC Protests 40:24 – Nitish Kumar’s Health 43:04 – Caste Census 47:35 – Will Nitish Switch Sides Again? 52:54 – 2024 Lok Sabha Poll Mandate 57:35 – Purvanchali Factor in Delhi Polls 1:03:19 – Tejashwi vs. Chirag

    1h 7m
  6. EP-257 | Jaideep Ahlawat Unfiltered: Paatal Lok, Nepotism, Haryanvi Roots, South Indian Films & More

    30 JAN

    EP-257 | Jaideep Ahlawat Unfiltered: Paatal Lok, Nepotism, Haryanvi Roots, South Indian Films & More

    Jaideep Ahlawat is a talented Indian actor known for his powerful performances. Born and raised in Rohtak, Haryana, he studied acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). He gained early recognition with films like Aakrosh (2010) and Khatta Meetha (2010), but it was Gangs of Wasseypur (2012) that helped him establish a foothold in the Hindi film industry. His big breakthrough came with Paatal Lok (2020), where he played Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary. The role won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and earned him widespread praise. In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jaideep Ahlawat talks about the success of Paatal Lok 2, how his character has evolved, and the transformation he went through for the role. He also opens up about his relationship with his father and how it shaped his life and career. He shares his experiences working with top directors like Anurag Kashyap and actors such as Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor. He also discusses Bollywood’s reality, including nepotism and the media’s obsession with celebrities’ personal lives. Jaideep reflects on his career, his favorite directors, and what it was like working with Shah Rukh Khan. He also talks about his interest in South Indian films and the much-awaited The Family Man 3 with Manoj Bajpayee. 00:00 - Introduction 01:41 - Paatal Lok 2 Success 08:13 - Hathi Ram Chaudhary’s Character Explained 11:34 - Jaideep Ahlawat vs. Hathi Ram Chaudhary 12:11 - Relationship with His Father 18:40 - Transformation for Paatal Lok 2 24:07 - Hathi Ram’s Famous Dialogues 28:35 - Real vs. Reel Life 32:40 - Hathi Ram’s Journey Over the Years 34:28 - Viral Photo from FTII Days 38:20 - Anurag Kashyap as a Director 40:44 - Sharing Screen with Kareena, Alia & Ranbir 42:07 - Reality of Bollywood 45:20 - Nepotism 46:57 - Media Focus on Celebrities' Personal Lives 51:42 - Career Path 54:03 - Favorite Directors 55:04 - Working with Shah Rukh Khan 57:43 - Handling Fans 01:04:05 - Unforgettable Experience in Life 01:05:05 - South Indian Movies 01:13:10 - Need for Family Support 01:17:20 - Favorite Actors 01:21:20 - The Family Man 3 with Manoj Bajpayee 01:24:50 - Upcoming Projects

    1h 28m
  7. S02E02 | BPSC Exam Row, Bihar Politics, Prashant Kishor, Caste Politics & More | Shambhavi Choudhary

    28 JAN

    S02E02 | BPSC Exam Row, Bihar Politics, Prashant Kishor, Caste Politics & More | Shambhavi Choudhary

    Shambhavi Choudhary is the youngest Member of Parliament in the 18th Lok Sabha. At 26 years old, she represents the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) from Samastipur. Her father, Ashok Choudhary, is a JDU leader and a key minister in Nitish Kumar's cabinet. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College. She is pursuing a PhD on the participation of women in active electoral politics in Bihar from Magadh University. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shambhavi talks about the challenges Bihar faces, including unemployment, migration, and the lack of business opportunities. She also discusses the recent BPSC protests, addressing whether there was a paper leak or not and why students in Bihar are obsessed with government jobs. Shambhavi shares her views on caste politics in Bihar and weighs in on whether Prashant Kishor could make a difference in the state’s politics. She strongly criticizes Lalu Prasad Yadav’s tenure as Chief Minister, calling it a period of stagnation. More on the problem of floods in Bihar and whether Nitish Kumar switches sides again or not. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:01 – BPSC Exam Controversy 07:36 – Prashant Kishor & Bihar Politics 14:03 – Bihar Students' Obsession with Govt Jobs 20:18 – Lack of Employment Opportunities and Migration in Bihar 30:00 – Caste Politics in Bihar 35:40 – Tejashwi Yadav vs Chirag Paswan 43:13 – Political Representation of Women in India 49:05 – Portrayal of Bihar in Movies 53:12 – Will Nitish Kumar Quit the NDA Again? 1:02:11 – Women's Reservation in Indian Politics 1:10:37 – Liquor Ban in Bihar 1:21:44 – Low Literacy Rate in Bihar

    1h 28m
  8. EP-256 | Budget 2025, Indian Economy, Taxes on Middle Class & Demographic Changes | Dr. Shamika Ravi

    24 JAN

    EP-256 | Budget 2025, Indian Economy, Taxes on Middle Class & Demographic Changes | Dr. Shamika Ravi

    Dr. Shamika Ravi is a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and a Secretary to the Government of India. Her research focuses on the economics of development, including Finance, Healthcare, Urbanization, Gender Equality, Welfare and Poverty. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Shamika Ravi talks about India’s economic outlook for 2025 and whether the world’s fastest-growing economy is slowing down. She also discusses women’s participation in the workforce in India and how it has changed over the past decade. Dr. Ravi highlights the challenges posed by an ageing population in southern states and explains why leaders like CM Stalin and Naidu are encouraging families to have more children. She shares insights on the fertility rates of Hindus and Muslims in India and how population changes can impact national security and policymaking. She also speaks on NRC whether India is or not and if there is a need for anti-conversion laws. Dr. Ravi raises concerns about election freebies and discusses whether MSP (Minimum Support Price) can be provided to farmers for all crops. 00:00 – Introduction 02:11 – Food Consumption Patterns in India 08:56 – India's Economic Outlook 12:05 – Gender Discrimination at Work 22:53 – Female Participation at work in India 33:42 – Naidu, Stalin's Call for 'More Children' 36:29 – Fertility Rates of Hindus, Muslims in India 46:16 – Impact of Demographic Changes on Policy-Making 56:34 – Is India Ready for the NRC? 1:02:46 – Anti-Conversion Law 1:08:34 – Are Freebies Sustainable? 1:14:19 – RSS Chief Bhagwat’s Call for ‘3 Kids’ 1:19:31 – Can MSP Be Given on All Crops? 1:22:50 – Conducting the Census in India

    1h 30m
4.3
out of 5
227 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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