Podcast
ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
Hosted by Asian News International (ANI) · EN
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.
61episodes
Episodes
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EP-424 | U.S.-Iran Deal, Hezbollah, Trump, Pakistan & India-Israel Ties | Israeli Envoy Reuven Azar
6d ago01:09:46Tap to summarizeReuven Azar is Israel's Ambassador to India. A career diplomat, he has held several key positions in Israel's foreign service and has been closely involved in shaping his country's foreign policy and international relations.In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Reuven Azar speaks to Smita Prakash about the Iran–U.S. peace deal, Israel's position on Lebanon, the future of the Middle East, and whether the region is moving towards peace or another phase of conflict. He also discusses India-Israel ties and what has changed under the leadership of PM Modi.00:00 – Introduction00:55 – U.S.–Iran Peace Deal07:45 – What Israel Wants Next09:22 – Defence vs Aggression18:00 – Trump & Netanyahu Relationship19:47 – Iran’s Nuclear Program24:32 – Strait of Hormuz Crisis29:05 – Buffer Zones in Gaza, Lebanon & Syria35:02 – Netanyahu Under Pressure?43:04 – Humanitarian Cost of War46:35 – Two-State Solution51:50 – India–Israel Relations53:10 – Israel’s Wartime Economy55:24 – Modi’s Visit & Iran Strikes59:18 – Six Shared India–Israel Values1:03:21 – Trade & Investment Future1:08:23 – Pakistan as a Mediator
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EP-423 | CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran on India's Economy, AI, Rupee, Freebies & China | ANI Podcast
1w ago01:50:43Tap to summarizeDr. V. Anantha Nageswaran is the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India. He is also a writer, author, and teacher. He has taught at several business schools and management institutes in India and Singapore. He was a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India from 2019 to 2021.In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Dr. Nageswaran speaks to Smita Prakash about the future of the Indian economy, the impact of the West Asia crisis, the outlook for the rupee, and whether AI is a bubble. He also explains why he believes the era of the MBA is over.00:00 - Introduction00:56 - Foreign Investors04:14 - Rupee-Dollar Debate08:24 - Rupee Stability14:20 - Foreign Banks20:07 - Critics of India's Economy28:20 - China's Manufacturing33:09 - Unemployment in India35:09 - Freebies Debate44:24 - India's Aging Population50:41 - Demographic Dividend58:36 - The Skill Gap1:00:21 - Artificial Intelligence1:05:55 - India's Economic Strength1:09:52 - Myths About Indian Economy1:12:00 - India in 20471:18:22 - Per Capita Income1:22:56 - Viksit Bharat Target1:27:59 - Vision for India1:36:42 - Old Economic Beliefs1:38:07 - India's Economic Mindset1:44:52 - Advice vs. Execution in Govt1:48:40 - Fake News
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EP-422 | Pawan Kalyan Unfiltered: Politics, Spirituality, Gen Z, Movies, Modi & More | ANI Podcast
2w ago01:25:53Tap to summarizePawan Kalyan is the Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the founder and chief of the Jana Sena Party, an actor, and a philanthropist. He is the younger brother of Telugu cinema megastar Chiranjeevi. Over the years, he has carved a unique place for himself in Andhra Pradesh politics and has become one of the biggest stars in Telugu cinema, with a devoted fan following that extends far beyond the silver screen. In his first-ever podcast appearance, Pawan Kalyan opens up about his journey from movies to politics, his plans for Telangana, his days in Srinagar, his spiritual beliefs, and several untold stories from his life. He also shares his views on Gen Z, nationalism, language politics, governance, and the future of India.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction00:48: - Story Behind His Name02:37 - Re-Entering Telangana Politics07:03 - Telangana Expansion Plan09:17 - "Outsider" Tag in Telangana12:36 - North-South Debate17:25 - Tax Allocation Debate20:17 - Cockroach Janta Party27:53 - Spiritual Journey45:19 - Freebies Debate48:54 - Hindi Imposition57:54 - Plans for IT Jobs1:00:15 - Brain Drain1:08:47 - Special Status for Andhra1:10:07 - Telangana Roadmap1:14:27 - What's Next in Life?1:16:59 - South vs North Films1:21:54 - Fitness Routine
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EP-421 | Where is India's Economy Heading Amid West Asia Crisis? | Economist Neelkanth Mishra
2w ago01:39:01Tap to summarizeNeelkanth Mishra is an Economist and a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. He has recently been appointed India’s Executive Director at the World Bank.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Mishra breaks down India’s current economic position amid the West Asia crisis. He discusses the impact of the falling rupee, energy problem, capital flows, and concerns around foreign investors leaving India.00:00 – Introduction1:09 – India's Economic Growth Outlook7:37 – Are Foreign Investors Leaving India?12:27 – Innovation Challenge in India22:29 – India's Energy Vulnerability25:41 – Economic Impact of West Asia Crisis32:47 – US Tariffs on India36:32 – Rupee’s Fall48:31 – RBI’s Gold Reserves Position53:02 – Why Gold Overtook US Bonds57:29 – Domestic Demand vs Export-Led Growth1:05:38 – 3 Key Policy Advice for India’s Growth1:19:14 – Lessons from Global Capital Giants1:25:23 – RBI’s Hold on Repo Rate1:28:26 – Tax Exemption on Government Securities1:32:38 – India’s Next Phase of Economic Expansion
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EP-420 | Falling Rupee, Inflation, AI, Foreign Investment & India's Growth Story | Dr Shamika Ravi
3w ago01:21:54Tap to summarizeDr 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 development economics, with a special emphasis on finance, healthcare, urbanisation, gender equality, welfare, and poverty.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr Shamika Ravi discusses how the West Asia crisis impacts India's economy. She responds to critics who argue that India's growth story is over and shares her views on foreign direct investment, India's position in the artificial intelligence race, the falling rupee, rising inflation, and the country's economic outlook in 2026.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:48 – India's Economic Future04:29 – Foreign Direct Investment07:11 – India's Approach to AI11:09 – Indians' Purchasing Power15:13 – Nuclear Reactors17:28 – COVID-Like Crisis Coming?19:56 – Advice for Investors22:09 – India's Economic Growth25:16 – Freebies and Welfare Politics29:24 – Rural vs. Urban Consumption30:52 – Economic Reforms40:43 – PM's Advice Against Buying Gold44:43 – World Abandoning Free Market?48:43 – Market Privatisation in India50:26 – Market Solutions for New-Age Problems56:20 – India's Demographic Dividend1:06:03 – Demographic Change in India1:10:06 – Women's Reservation1:18:24 – PM Modi's Economic Vision for 2047
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EP-419 | Trump, China & Pakistan: India's Foreign Policy Reality Check | Indrani Bagchi & C Raja Mohan
4w ago01:38:16Tap to summarizeIndrani Bagchi is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a platform for dialogue, leadership and public policy. She has spent many years covering India's Ministry of External Affairs and is known for explaining global events from an Indian perspective.Prof. C. Raja Mohan is one of India's leading experts on foreign policy, national security and international relations. He has taught at major universities and has advised the Indian government on strategic and security issues.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash and Ishaan Prakash, the guests discuss where India's foreign policy is headed. They talk about the West Asia crisis, the Trump–Munir relationship, and how India should respond to China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean. They also discuss India's ties with the United States and China, as well as the Great Nicobar Project and India's long-term strategic challenges.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction 01:23 – Marco Rubio’s India Visit 07:02 – India–US Trade Deal 10:41 – Trump–Xi Summit 15:15 – Trump’s Second-Term Doctrine 18:31 – India–US Relations 29:08 – Trump–Munir Lunch 33:33 – India’s Geopolitical Challenge 37:45 – How Energy, Tech & Trade Shape Geopolitics 45:38 – India’s Supply Chain Crisis 55:22 – India’s Economic Challenge 1:00:31 – Why India Needs Private Players in Defence 1:07:58 – West Asia’s New Alliances 1:18:23 – The Great Nicobar Project 1:28:20 – Tata–ASML Deal
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EP-418 | Desi Nostalgia, Truck Shayari, Politics & Friendship | ANI Podcast with Teen Taal
4w ago03:07:03Tap to summarizeIn the latest edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Kuldeep Mishra, better known as Sardar, the Executive Editor of The Lallantop; Asif Khan, fondly known as Khancha, the Executive Editor of India Today Group Digital; and Kamlesh Singh, or Tau, a senior journalist and columnist. Together, the trio host Teen Taal, one of India’s most popular Hindi podcasts.From hostel tales and small-town stories to politics and friendship, the guests explain why sometimes the most meaningful conversations come from what they call “therapeutic bullsh*t.” Don’t miss this “most useless podcast ever.”Timestamps00:00 – Introduction04:06 – Melodi Trend05:48 – How Teen Taal Team Met09:26 – School Life: Then vs Now17:46 – Political Ideologies26:38 – Teen Taal's Show Format28:37 – How Teen Taal Started33:33 – The Lallantop & Teen Taal37:57 – How Kamlesh Tau Entered Journalism43:58 – Truck Wali Shayari47:06 – Kamlesh Tau's Childhood Stories49:08 – Original Idea Behind Teen Taal56:51 – Photography: Then vs Smartphone Era1:03:47 – Teachers & Schooling1:18:22 – Story Behind Teen Taal Characters1:26:08 – Journalism: Then vs Now1:32:17 – Weird Food Combinations1:36:16 – Culture & Tradition of Eating Paan1:43:18 – Urbanisation1:55:02 – India's Stray Dog Issue2:08:38 – India's Urban-Rural Divide2:11:40 – Two-Wheelers in India2:17:35 – NEET Paper Leak2:27:18 – Aditi Rao Hydari's Cannes Look2:34:51 – Incentives for Having More Children2:39:40 – Migration Within India2:58:36 – Criticism of Teen Taal
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EP-417 | UPSC Obsession, Dowry, Corruption, Bureaucracy, AI & Education System | Major SPS Oberoi
4w ago01:34:14Tap to summarizeMajor SPS Oberoi (Retd.) served as an Artillery Officer in the Indian Army for 11 years. He is currently a UPSC mentor and Academic Director at Ekam IAS Academy, Hyderabad.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Major SPS Oberoi (Retd.) shares his journey from serving in the Army to becoming a UPSC mentor. He challenges the popular belief that the UPSC is the toughest exam in India and explains the obsession surrounding it. He also discusses the issue of dowry, often associated with civil servants, and the social prestige attached to government jobs.He speaks candidly about discipline, success, AI, coaching industry, and the mental health challenges faced by UPSC aspirants.00:00 – Introduction01:08 – Childhood And Education04:24 – Army Officer To UPSC Mentor08:16 – UPSC Preparation Journey12:48 – Can AI Guide UPSC Students?16:20 – Ideal Study Time For UPSC Preparation18:23 – UPSC Study Materials21:33 – Digital Detox For Students23:53 – AI In Administration Work31:16 – Male vs Female Intelligence36:46 – Presence of Mind & Quick Reactions38:50 – Obsession With UPSC Preparation40:27 – Parental Pressure In Education45:25 – Scholastic Assessment Test48:01 – Career Options For Youth52:03 – Violence Against Children53:56 – Sikhism And Marriage Rules56:49 – Dowry In India1:00:16 – Why Civil Servants Become Corrupt1:06:50 – Views On Reservation1:09:31 – UPSC Craze In Bihar And U.P1:13:48 – Financial Independence For Graduates1:15:56 – Army Life Vs Civilian Life1:19:20 – Golden Rule For Study1:25:29 – Importance Of Language In UPSC1:30:43 – Learning From Students
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EP-416 | India’s Defence Sector: Tejas, AMCA, Drone Warfare & More | IAS Sanjeev Kumar
May 2001:04:10Tap to summarizeFrom Tejas fighter jets and the AMCA programme to drones and missile systems. India is pushing aggressively towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Can India truly become “Aatmanirbhar” in defence? Or is complete self-reliance impossible in a world dependent on global supply chains? What role will private companies play in India’s growing drone ecosystem?In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Defence Production. A 1993-batch IAS officer with a background in electronics engineering, communication technology, and financial management, he is leading India’s push towards indigenous defence manufacturing and technology modernisation.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:05 – Lessons from West Asia Crisis05:05 – India’s Drone Production Capacity05:52 – India’s Missile Production Capacity08:49 – India’s Ammunition Manufacturing Capacity14:27 – India’s Defence Exports17:20 – India’s Atmanirbhar Defence Capabilities19:45 – Success of ‘Make in India’ in Defence24:52 – India’s Defence Imports27:59 – Chinese Components & Data Security Risks29:02 – Use of AI in Modern Warfare29:52 – India’s Indigenous Fighter Jet Programme35:24 – Tejas Jet Delivery Status38:25 – India’s BrahMos Missile Programme39:35 – India’s Competitors in Defence Exports42:02 – India’s AMCA Project44:09 – Defence Firms Investing in R&D49:09 – Defence Talent and Innovation in India56:56 – India–Russia Defence Partnership1:02:04 – S-400 and Operation Sindoor
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EP-415 | Ramayana & Mahabharata in Urdu, and Art of Storytelling | Fouzia Dastango
May 1800:58:28Tap to summarizeIn this edition of ANI Podcast, Smita Prakash speaks to India’s first female Dastango, Fouzia Dastango, about Urdu, theatre, storytelling, women in traditional art spaces, and her journey of keeping the 16th-century art of Dastangoi alive in modern India.She explains why people should not have any problem with her reciting the Ramayana and Mahabharata in Urdu, and how the art of storytelling must evolve with the current generation.00:00 - Introduction01:04 - What is Dastangoi?03:08 - Kathavachak vs Dastango04:37 - Real Identity of Urdu05:32 - Ramayana & Mahabharata in Urdu09:14 - Fouzia Dastango’s Story15:05 - Feminist Elements in Stories22:53 - Choosing Stories Based on Audience28:47 - Classical vs Folk Art33:14 - Inspiration Behind Performance37:05 - Gen Z Connect with Dastangoi42:03 - Hardest Emotion to Portray46:46 - Cultural Home of Dastangoi51:48 - Advice for Younger Generation
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