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Rekha Gupta is the Chief Minister of Delhi, following the BJP's return to power in the capital after 27 years. Her political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). She is an elected MLA from the Shalimar Bagh constituency and has previously served as General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi. She was also a member of the party’s national executive committee. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Rekha Gupta speaks about Delhi’s pollution and her government’s plans to tackle it. She also discusses key priorities, including better public transport, stronger last-mile connectivity, and her vision for a cleaner, better-governed Delhi. *Timestamps* 00:00 – Coming Up 00:00 – Introduction 01:13 – One Year as Delhi CM 03:42 – Delhi’s Pollution Crisis 08:36 – Dust Mitigation Measures 10:26 – Garbage Mountains 13:44 – Waste Treatment Plants 15:01 – Solutions to Delhi’s Air Pollution 17:51 – Lunch for Slum Dwellers 20:45 – ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy 21:51 – School Admissions & Fee Regulation 27:46 – School Safety & Monitoring 31:14 – Expectations of Delhi Residents 33:31 – Healthcare System 37:10 – Parks for Children 38:49 – Public Washrooms & Civic Sense 43:29 – Hospital Bed Allocation 45:55 – Two Female CMs Among 28 States 47:01 – Being a Woman Leader 53:38 – Priorities as Chief Minister

Neena Gupta is a versatile actress and author, known for playing a wide range of characters. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Woh Chokri' and 'Uunchai'. Sanjay Mishra is loved for his humour and strong comic timing. He is well known for films like Golmaal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Total Dhamaal, and Dilwale. He has also received praise for his serious roles in films like 'Aankhon Dekhi' and 'Vadh'. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Mishra talks about being repeatedly cast in comic roles and how this typecasting has affected his career. He also shares his thoughts on changing audience tastes and why many films today feel overly loud and exaggerated. Neena Gupta speaks about her journey from Delhi to Mumbai, describing those early days as scary and lonely. She talks honestly about her struggles in the film industry and the advice she gave her daughter, Masaba Gupta. Both actors also discuss their upcoming film Vadh 2, which releases in theatres on February 6. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:37 – Neena Gupta’s on-screen appearance 02:35 – Eating habits during film shoots 06:09 – Story behind ‘Vadh’ title 12:29 – Sanjay Mishra’s ‘cool’ avatar 14:57 – Neena Gupta’s viral family post 17:53 – Neena Gupta’s education at NSD 21:10 – Evolution of Hindi cinema 25:30 – Neena Gupta’s career turning point 29:27 – Art cinema vs mainstream cinema 32:03 – Late success in acting career 40:45 – Elderly care in India & abroad 43:31 – Neena Gupta’s early struggles in Mumbai 47:38 – Typecasting in Films 51:12 – Neena Gupta on Acting in ‘Gandhi’ 55:58 – Initial TV Work of Neena Gupta 59:58 – Impactful Roles of Sanjay Mishra 1:05:28 – Characters in ‘Vadh 2’

UGC Regulations 2026 are witnessing protests in North India with General Category students raising concerns that these rules could increase discrimination. They also worry about weak safeguards against false complaints and unclear mechanisms for addressing their grievances. What is the purpose and scope of the UGC Equity Regulations? Are the protests against the new regulations organic? How do the new regulations differ from the 2012 regulations? In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, answers it all. 00:00 – Introduction 02:58 – UGC 2026 Regulations 10:48 – Implicit Discrimination Concerns 13:47 – Equity Committee Structure 21:10 – Bias in Faculty Hiring 28:28 – Social Reform in Education 37:47 – General Category & Marginalised Sections 42:09 – Inequality in Indian Society 47:51 – Merit-Based Selection 55:04 – Caste & Social Bias in Education 59:60 – Explicit & Implicit Discrimination 1:03:55 – Caste Discrimination Complaints 1:09:33 – Discrimination Definition 1:15:28 – Caste Representation in Academia 1:23:12 – Political Debate on New UGC Guidelines 1:26:18 – Gen Z in India 1:41:03 – Caste Representation 1:53:38 – BJP & Upper-Caste Vote Bank 1:58:26 – Reservation Debate 2:02:20 – “Batenge to Katenge” Slogan 2:09:42 – Caste-Sensitive Politics

Rajeev Shukla is often described as one of India’s most well-connected public figures. Jokingly, many call him ‘Omnipresent’ Rajeev Shukla. Over the years, he has built friendships across political party lines and developed close ties with Bollywood stars, leading businessmen, and cricketers alike. In a career spanning nearly four decades, Rajeev Shukla has worn many hats. He began his professional journey as a journalist in Kanpur. Today, he represents the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha. He has also served as a Minister of State in a Congress-led government, is currently the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and has earlier been the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev Shukla reflects on why he is often called “everyone’s friend” and how he has managed to maintain relationships across political divides. He speaks about his early days in journalism, his association with the Gandhi family, and his decision to join the Congress party. He also shares his deep love for cricket and fondly recalls his time as the manager of the Indian cricket team.

Indrani Bagchi is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a platform for dialogue, leadership, and public policy. She has many years of experience covering the Ministry of External Affairs and is known for explaining global events from an Indian point of view. Earlier, she served as the Diplomatic Editor at The Times of India. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Indrani Bagchi talks about how Donald Trump’s policies have changed America. She says the U.S. tariffs on India feel personal and explains how India should respond. She also points out that Europe has been hit the hardest by Trump’s foreign policy. According to her, the forces Trump has unleashed in America will not disappear anytime soon. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction 1:21 – The West vs China 6:21 – How Pakistan Balances USA and China 11:33 – China’s Influence in Asia 16:49 – Trump’s MAGA Worldview 23:01 – China’s Economic Leverage 36:57 – Why India Needs ‘MIGA’ Movement 42:02 – India as Counterbalance to China 55:08 – Indian diaspora vs Chinese diaspora influence 1:04:24 – India’s Flexible Foreign Policy 1:16:22 – India’s Long-Term Vision for US

Gaddam Dharmendra is a former Indian Foreign Service officer who joined the service in 1990. He served in senior diplomatic roles for over three decades and was India’s Ambassador to Iran from 2019 to 2023. He is known for his deep understanding of West Asia, sanctions, and regional politics. Dr Waiel Awwad is a Syrian-born journalist based in South Asia who covers Middle East affairs. He has reported from several war zones. During the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, he was caught in an ambush while reporting from the ground and narrowly escaped execution. Also joining the podcast is ANI Director Ishaan Prakash. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Iran crisis and the future of the Khamenei regime. They talk about possible US intervention, whether Iran’s Khamenei regime could fall, and who might take over if that happens. The conversation also examines what the people of Iran truly want and how today’s protests differ from the 1979 Iranian Revolution. 00:00 — Introduction 01:13 — Inside Iran’s Protests 12:42 — Gulf States Against US Strike Over Iran 16:35 — Trump’s Appeal to Iranian Protesters 22:09 — Iran Regime Change Soon? 25:08 — Iranian Institutions 27:50 — Iran’s Nuclear Program 37:28 — US-Iran Negotiation Talks 48:25 — The Iran–Israel Conflict 51:10 — US Sanctions on Iran 57:20 — US Media Coverage of Iran 1:06:28 — Pro-Government Rallies in Iran 1:13:45 — Iran’s Economic Crisis

Sukanta Majumdar is a Lok Sabha MP from Balurghat and serves as Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region in the NDA government. In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sukanta Majumdar discusses the high-stakes politics of West Bengal ahead of the 2026 polls. He claims that Bengal government documents were found at Pratik Jain’s residence, whose company, I-PAC, handles the political campaign of the TMC. Sukanta also speaks about West Bengal’s changing demographics and their political impact, concerns over democracy under the TMC and the Left’s alleged alignment with the TMC. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:57 – ED vs Mamata over I-PAC Raids 06:42 – President’s Rule in Bengal? 10:02 – Bengali vs Non-Bengali Politics 14:42 – Infiltration in West Bengal 20:45 – Demographic Changes in Bengal 24:33 – Who Will Be BJP’s CM Face? 29:32 – Amartya Sen and SIR Controversy 34:59 – Jobs Crisis in Bengal 38:42 – Rise of New Parties in Bengal Politics 42:16 – Industrial Decline in Bengal 50:28 – Post-Poll Violence in Bengal 56:55 – BJP’s Roadmap for 2026 Bengal Polls

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar served in the Indian Foreign Service for over three decades. During his distinguished career, he served as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia, and held key diplomatic assignments in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Moscow, Geneva, Tehran, Dhaka, and Bangkok. Today, Ambassador Sajjanhar regularly writes and speaks on issues related to international relations and India’s foreign policy. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Sajjanhar discusses the United States’ actions in Venezuela and what this means for global politics. He also talks about Chinese weaponry, which he claims failed to perform during the Venezuelan crisis. The conversation further explores why Indian godmen enjoy a massive following in South American countries, a phenomenon that often surprises many. Ambassador Sajjanhar also shares his views on Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, the way the US is handling trade negotiations with India, and what the future may hold for India’s foreign policy. 00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – US move to capture Maduro legitimate? 04:33 – Narco-terrorism charges against Venezuela 05:54 – When US captured Manuel Noriega (1989) 08:27 – Can the US run Venezuela? 11:41 – Venezuela is not just about oil 15:21 – Venezuela & Sathya Sai Baba connection 17:54 – Can Trump buy Greenland? 20:17 – Europe on Venezuela crisis & Greenland 24:31 – Putin’s war in Ukraine legitimate? 26:20 – China’s weapons failed in Venezuela 29:05 – China vs USA: The No. 1 global rivalry 34:00 – Will China invade Taiwan? 37:10 – India’s response to Maduro's capture 41:54 – India’s crude oil needs 44:19 – India–USA trade tensions 50:14 – India’s pivot towards China 52:28 – China–Pakistan–Bangladesh nexus

J. Sai Deepak is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India and a well-known author. His books include 'India, That Is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution' and 'India, Bharat and Pakistan: The Constitutional Journey of a Sandwiched Civilisation.' In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak talks about the demographic changes taking place in India’s border areas and how these shifts could impact India’s democracy, governance and policy-making. He explains why India needs a special Immigration Task Force to deal with the issue of illegal immigration. He also discusses the SIR controversy, the North-South divide and also describes demography as the last battle to protect Hindu civilisation and warns that India cannot afford to take this issue lightly. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:22 – SIR Exercise Across India 06:47 – Illegal Migrants in West Bengal 14:04 – Mamata’s Stance on Illegal Migrants 20:05 – Politics Around Illegal Migration 24:42 – How India’s Border Areas Have Changed 31:00 – How India Can Address Illegal Migration 32:55 – Pawan Kalyan’s Political Influence 34:18 – North–South Population Debate 40:33 – The North–South Divide 46:11 – Tax Devolution in India 52:09 – How Owaisi Won Seats in Bihar 59:07 – Left vs Right Wing 01:04:02 – Oxford Union Debate Controversy 01:12:43 – Demographics and Cultural Debates

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), and Dinkar Srivastava, former diplomat and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation. They discuss the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, the future of the Awami League, and the role of Sheikh Hasina. The conversation also revolves around at growing concerns about minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh. Is there a rising wave of Islamisation? And how should India move forward in its ties with Dhaka? Pakistan is also in focus. The guests talk about the rise of Asim Munir, the new boss of all things military and nuclear in Pakistan. Can the threat of another terror attack from Pakistan be ruled out? The episode also explores how China and the United States are shaping choices in South Asia, and what India’s response should be in a changing regional scenario. 00:00 – Introduction 01:45 – Why Asim Munir Took CDF Role 05:54 – The Fall of Pervez Musharraf 07:43 – Can Pakistan Attack India Again? 15:03 – Will Bangladesh Hold Elections in February 2026? 25:37 – Imran Khan vs Asim Munir 32:39 – Rising Islamisation in Bangladesh 44:20 – Rohingya Crisis Explained 47:15 – Role of Pakistan Army in Politics 51:03 – When ISI Trained Guns on Dinkar Srivastava 01:11:40 – Anti-India Sentiment in Bangladesh 01:23:50 – India as the Standard in Pakistan 01:30:15 – India’s Neighbourhood Strategy

Gaur Gopal Das is a life coach, author, and motivational speaker. He studied at the College of Engineering, Pune, and briefly worked with Hewlett Packard. Soon after, he chose a very different path and became a monk and has been living in an ashram in Mumbai for the past 26 years. Over the years, he has studied ancient Indian philosophy along with modern psychology. For more than two decades, he has travelled across the world, sharing his thoughts with students, professionals, charities, and institutions. He has also spoken at the United Nations. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gaur Gopal Das talks about whether religion and spirituality can be separated, and whether marriage is becoming an outdated idea. He shares insights into the life of a monk and explains why he chose this path. In this New Year special episode, he also speaks about the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and explains, in simple terms, what dharma truly means. 00:00 – Introduction 00:52 – Life of a Monk 07:56 – Understanding Spirituality 14:30 – Why Monks Wear Orange? 19:29 – Controlling Desires 23:03 – Dealing with Anger 30:49 – Spirituality vs Religion 34:38 – Power of Chanting Mantras 45:25 – Why Modi Gifted Gita to Putin? 57:39 – Who Should One Read Gita 01:03:33 – Spirituality and Politics 01:09:47 – Living with Differences 01:12:36 – Gen X vs Gen Z 01:17:43 – India and Its Adversaries 01:25:09 – Parenting in Digital Times 01:36:26 – Importance of Family Love 01:38:42 – Marriage an Outdated Concept? 01:46:33 – Gaur Gopal Das Married? 01:50:43 – How Relationships Grow 01:54:51 – Fixing Broken Relationships 02:00:04 – Couples Staying Together for Children 02:07:15 – Real vs Fake Gurus 02:09:44 – Handling Others’ Pain 02:14:36 – Does Fame Change Friends? 02:19:02 – Healthy Habits for Life

Sanjeev Sanyal is a historian, economist, author, and currently serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India. In this edition of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, he uncovers colonial ‘lies’ in India’s history. He talks about his project on INSV Kaundinya, showcasing India’s ancient maritime exploration. He speaks on the IndiGo crisis, freebies, pensions, and the future of India’s economy. He also explains urban challenges in Indian cities and GDP measurement tools. *Timestamps* 00:00 – Introduction 01:08 – INSV Kaundinya Sailing Vessel History 04:54 – Sailing Training for INSV Kaundinya 09:12 – The Forgotten Chapters of Indian History 13:53 – Kalinga War & The Myths About Ashoka 16:55 – Indian History and Language 18:58 – India vs Big Tech: The Battle for Narrative 31:13 – Can India Build Its Own Tech Platforms? 33:44 – Indian Democracy 37:12 – The West on India’s Growth 41:42 – India Growing Without Creating Enough Jobs? 46:05 – India’s Skill Development in the 20th Century 51:44 – Universalisation of Education & NEP 53:32 – Bureaucracy & the Changing World 01:00:09 – Delhi Pollution 01:04:40 – Infrastructure Crisis in India 01:07:54 – Millionaires Leaving India 01:10:55 – Indigo Crisis & Monopoly Problem 01:11:53 – India’s Financial System 01:15:58 – Impact of Freebies & Pensions 01:22:03 – India’s Role in the Global Power Order 01:27:25 – Is India’s GDP Data Reliable?

The much-awaited episode of The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus –Edition 7.0 is here, packed with raw, uncensored, and no-holds-barred conversations. Joining the panel are: Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst Anand Ranganathan, author and scientist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies This episode dives into issues like illegal immigration and demographic changes, rising radicalisation in Bangladesh, the Vande Mataram debate, the SIR showdown, internal security threats and India’s foreign policy challenges. The panel also talks about propaganda in cinema, marriage in the modern world, and much more. Don’t miss the sharp arguments and witty banter in this episode! *Timestamps* 00:00 – Introduction 06:00 – Kangana, Mahua & Supriya at Jindal Wedding 11:48 – India’s Road Safety Crisis 18:35 – TV Panelists vs Anchors 28:36 – The ‘Godi Media’ Label 41:06 – Demography vs Democracy 48:28 – Congress Leadership & Rahul Gandhi 01:01:15 – India’s Education System 01:16:20 – Hindu Temples 01:26:48 – Islam in India 01:35:03 – Radicalism in Bangladesh 01:48:17 – Idea of Marriage in India 01:59:31 – Media & Celebrity Culture 02:10:20 – Putin’s Visit to India 02:22:45 – Karnataka Hate Speech Bill 02:30:18 – Hybrid Threats & Internal Radicalisation

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Lt. Col. Pavithran Rajan, a former intelligence officer, academic, and tech entrepreneur, and Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian Foreign Service officer and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation. Together, they discuss India’s narrative war against Pakistan and why winning this battle is crucial. Should India’s armed forces have a dedicated team to counter Pakistani propaganda in real time? Why does India still lack a strong and organised information-warfare system? How can India protect its global image? They also examine how Western think tanks publish anti-India reports that shape global opinion, and how India should respond. 00:00 – Introduction 01:17 – India vs Pak: Information Warfare 07:06 – India vs Pak: Social Media Battle 11:57 – India’s Fact-Checking System 18:34 – Information Warfare: What Should India Do? 23:10 – India vs Pak Narrative During War 27:24 – Red Fort Attack & GPS Spoofing 33:00 – Sanchar Saathi App & Surveillance Concerns 40:54 – Phone Tapping 44:56 – How Terror Networks Avoid Detection 46:23 – Freedom of Speech vs National Security 50:24 – Open-Source Intelligence and Data Leaks 53:13 – National Security Rules for Tech Companies 56:10 – Disinformation During Operation Sindoor 01:00:18 – Western Media Bias Against India 01:03:48 – Rise of Anti-Drone Systems 01:06:28 – India’s Drone Challenge 01:13:06 – Gaps in Internal Security 01:16:01 – Grey-Zone Tactics & Diplomacy 01:17:33 – Role of AI in Information Warfare 01:22:36 – Need for a Unified Tech Framework 01:26:29 – Hybrid Warfare Challenges with Pakistan 01:28:19 – Possibility of Operation Sindoor 2? 01:31:26 – Public Trust & Security Strategy

Bina Ramani is a fashion designer, author, and entrepreneur. She pioneered India’s boutique culture, played a key role in shaping Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village, and was a key witness in the Jessica Lal case. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Bina Ramani recalls memories of the Kapoor family, including Raj Kapoor, and speaks about her romantic association with Shammi Kapoor. She also talks about her friendship with Rekha and her role in introducing her to Mukesh Agarwal. Bina Ramani shares anecdotes from her interactions with Indira Gandhi, including gifting her jewellery. She also reflects on her encounters with global icons such as Jackie Onassis and Yoko Ono. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:29 – Breaking Years of Silence 02:37 – 'Bird in a Banyan Tree' & the Night of 1999 08:02 – The Jessica Lal Murder Case 17:42 – Allegations of Evidence Tampering 21:31 – Tihar Jail and the Reopening of the Case 24:15 – How Fame Turned into Public Backlash 26:25 – Media Trial & ‘No One Killed Jessica’ Movie 28:49 – When Bollywood Sidelined Bina Ramani 31:17 – Life Inside Tihar Jail 36:44 – Ram Jethmalani and the Turning Point 44:43 – The End of ‘Page 3’ Culture 49:52 – Early Life & Raj Kapoor 56:28 – Relationship with Shammi Kapoor 01:06:16 – Why Shammi Kapoor Lived for His Audience 01:08:27 – Binatone: A Product Named After Bina Ramani 01:11:32 – Marriage, Affairs, and Turmoil 01:19:37 – Her Career with the Taj Group 01:22:12 – The Man Bina Ramani Connected with the Most 01:36:11 – Who Was Pamela Bordes? 01:44:06 – What Made Asha Puthli a Global Icon? 01:51:46 – Interviewing Indira Gandhi 01:58:24 – Chandraswami and Spiritual Scams 02:08:06 – Money Laundering and the FBI Probe 02:13:28 – Rekha’s Marriage to Mukesh Agarwal 02:23:06 – What Led to Mukesh Agarwal’s Suicide? 02:26:56 – Battling Cancer and Finding ‘Malabar Secrets’