Lieutenant General PC Nair is a retired officer of the Indian Army with a career spanning over four decades. He served as the Director General of the Assam Rifles, India’s oldest paramilitary force, where he played a crucial role in counter-insurgency operations in the North-East region. Lt. Gen. Nair (Retd) has extensive expertise in dealing with insurgency, tribal dynamics, and border security.

He is also recognised for his in-depth understanding of India’s internal security challenges, particularly in volatile regions such as Manipur, Nagaland, and the North East. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt Gen PC Nair (Retd.) discusses the proposed Rakhine Corridor in Myanmar, which has sparked political and military tensions in Bangladesh.

He explains how China is expanding its influence through the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor and why the US seeks to increase its foothold via humanitarian aid in Myanmar. He also explores why Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, is delaying elections and the growing rift with Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.

He also discusses the impact of militancy along the Myanmar border and how growing Chinese influence in Bangladesh affects India.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:50 – Power Game in Myanmar’s Rakhine

06:30 – China’s Ties with Myanmar’s Arakan Army

11:57 – ‘Humanitarian Corridor’ in Rakhine

14:00 – Yunus’s Interest in Rakhine Corridor

19:27 – American Presence in Bangladesh

23:17 – Muhammad Yunus vs Army

27:16 – Kaladan Multimodal Project

32:28 – Challenges on the Indo-Myanmar Border

35:38 – Bangladesh's ‘Two Chicken Necks’

41:43 – Revival of Lalmonirhat Airbase

46:36 – Jamaat-e-Islami Comeback in B'desh

48:54 – Myanmar’s Rare-Earth Mining

51:43 – Militant Groups in Myanmar

57:33 – India-Bangladesh Relations

Rajpal Yadav began his acting journey with television before making a mark in films like Shool (1999) and Jungle (2000).

Rajpal has delivered iconic performances in films such as Hungama, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Chup Chup Ke and Bhool Bhulaiyaa series, among others, where he impressed audiences with his blend of humor and comic timing.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajpal Yadav opens up about his iconic comic roles and his views on nepotism in Bollywood. He highlights how actors from non-film backgrounds carve their path in the industry.

He also discusses his time at the National School of Drama (NSD), and the lifelong friendships he formed with fellow actors who went on to achieve success in Bollywood.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – Love for Theatre

02:42 – Typecast in Comic Roles

06:05 – Boundaries of an Artist

08:53 – Playing Multiple Characters

16:08 – Insecurity Among Actors

23:11 – Turning Point of Career

31:50 – Bollywood and its Audience

36:54 – PR Companies in Bollywood

42:07 – Family Background

44:14 – Nepotism Debate

47:39 – Iconic Comic Roles

52:00 – Roles in Sequel Movies

54:23 – Rapport with Actors

57:04 – Bonding with Directors

1:01:40 – Life After NSD Days

1:05:26 – Upcoming Projects

1:06:55 – Quitting Politics

1:13:07 – Directorial Venture

Shashi Shekhar is the founder of AI for India, an initiative focused on building a strong ecosystem for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in the country. He is also the former CEO of Prasar Bharati, India’s public broadcaster.

In this episode of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, Shashi Shekhar talks about the battle of narratives surrounding Operation Sindoor and how false narratives against India are often amplified in the West through misinformation and fake news.

He highlights the role of AI platforms in this ongoing narrative warfare. He also discusses the outreach efforts by the all-party delegation on Operation Sindoor and stresses the importance of strong engagement and clear communication of India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

Shashi Shekhar further explains why the global Indian diaspora, along with film celebrities, sports personalities, and spiritual leaders, must take a moral stand and speak up in support of India’s narrative.

Audio Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

02:08 - Narrative wars of Operation Sindoor

08:37 - Fighting Fake Narrative

17:23 - Balakot: Facts vs Bias

24:56 - J-10 Hype & Narrative Building

31:08 - Religious Spin by Western Media

34:53 - The Karachi Bombing Confusion

39:18 - Social Media’s Impact on Conflict

46:44 - Indian-Origin Billionaires

01:02:41 - US-Pakistan Relations and Propaganda

01:06:21 - Does Public Opinion Affect Govt?

01:10:23 - Why Film Industry Quiet on India-Pak War?

Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey is a former Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). He led a crucial operation in 2003 to capture terrorist Ghazi Baba, who was responsible for the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. During the operation, Dubey was shot multiple times, and one of the bullets still remains lodged in his body. He was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery.

Sanjiv Krishan Sood is a retired Additional Director General of the BSF. In his 38 years of service, he served along all of India’s borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, including 8 years on the Line of Control and in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, both officers talk about what it takes to guard India’s borders and how difficult it is to stop infiltration along the Line of Control. They also speak about Operation Sindoor and what goes on in the mind of a soldier posted at the border.

The conversation also covers the operation against Ghazi Baba, the Attari–Wagah border ceremony, and the growing threat from drones.

*Audio Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:25 – BSF Foils Drone Entry Near Amritsar

08:25 – Challenges of Drone Warfare

09:56 – Challenges of Terrorist Hunt in Pahalgam

13:26 – BSF’s PK Shaw Case

21:40 – Will Pakistan Strike Back?

25:31 – India’s Anti-Drone Strategy

28:02 – Gazi Baba Encounter

38:32 – Cost of Killing Gazi Baba

40:16 – Operation Sindoor & Bahawalpur Attack

44:36 – Troop Morale After Attacks

47:01 – Troops Emotions vs Public Rage

52:53 – Role of Human Informants

01:00:40 – India-Pakistan Peace Talks Recalled

01:03:28 – Firing Decision on Border

01:10:37 – Recalling Funny Incidents on the Border

01:15:22 – Wagah Ceremony Debate

01:19:36 – Dealing with PTSD

01:23:40 – Operation Blue Star

01:27:07 – Do Soldiers Get PTSD Counselling?

The Central government took everyone by surprise by announcing a caste census, a move that has long been the poll plank of the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi. What prompted this sudden decision? Will it truly pave the way for social justice? And how will it impact the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal?

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we delve into these critical questions with three journalists.

Joining us are Pallavi Ghosh, Senior Editor at CNN-News18, known for her in-depth reporting and years of ground-level political coverage; Gautam Lahiri, senior journalist and President of the Press Club of India; and Shekhar Iyer, senior journalist, former Senior Associate Editor at Hindustan Times, and a familiar face on prime-time television debates.

Watch this conversation on the politics, implications, and future of the caste census.

Note: This episode was recorded on May 2, 2025, five days before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor.

00:00 – Introduction

01:03 – Caste Census

06:58 – Timeline of National Census

12:09 – Caste Census in West Bengal

15:53 – Impact of Waqf Amendment Act in Bengal

22:14 – Factions in TMC

24:37 – Mamata vs INDIA Bloc

27:09 – Minority Votes in Bengal

33:41 – Rahul's Bihar Fight

39:44 – NDA’s Game in Bihar

43:21 – Caste Survey in Karnataka

48:55 – DKS vs Siddaramaiah

51:23 – What’s BJP’s Plan for Tamil Nadu?

Lieutenant General D’Cunha is the Director General of Army Air Defence (AAD). He assumed command as the Chief of Army Air Defence in 2023. An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the Corps of Army Air Defence in December 1988.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how India’s air defence system foiled a bid by Pakistan to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

He discusses how India’s indigenous 'Aksahteer', intercepted and neutralised projectiles from Pakistan and showcased India’s dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare.

Air Marshal Kapoor praises the efficiency of guns as an aerial shield against Pakistani drone attacks, highlighting their role as an undisputed form of air defence and their success in destroying Pakistan’s drones.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

00:47 – Pakistan's Attempt to Target Golden Temple

05:37 – India’s Air Defence System

13:02 – India's Akashteer System

20:26 – Drone Strikes by Pakistan on India

28:15 – Role of Guns in Air Defence

32:48 – Evolution of Drone Warfare

37:35 – Rahul-Jaishankar Row

43:53 – Pakistan Using Civil Air Traffic as a Shield

49:15 – Red Team Concept

52:16 – Warning to Pakistan’s Military Leadership

56:27 – Strategy of the Indian Army

Byju Raveendran is a teacher and engineer, and the founder of BYJU’S, once India’s most valuable edtech startup, valued at 22 billion dollars. Divya Gokulnath, his wife and co-founder, played a key role in shaping BYJU’S content and brand.

BYJU’S saw a rapid rise followed by a sharp fall due to financial losses, governance issues, and legal troubles. Its fast expansion and multiple acquisitions put pressure on its operations and finances. Regulatory investigations and investor backlash made things worse, leading to layoffs, insolvency concerns, and a damaged reputation.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Byju and Divya break their silence on the controversies surrounding them, from the $1.2 billion term loan case in the U.S. to legal battles and company acquisitions. Byju also opens up about the mistakes that led to the downfall of India’s edtech giant.

Will there be a BYJU’S 3.0? What is the couple up to now? Why are they in Dubai? The founders reveal it all in this tell-all podcast.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Coming Up

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – 'Fugitive' Tag

03:32 – Lookout Notice by ED

06:45 – $1.2 Billion Term Loan Case in the U.S.

10:53 – Fight with U.S. Lenders

17:46 – BYJU’S Legal Crisis

19:44 – BYJU’S: Rise and Fall

24:04 – Aakash Institute Acquisition

26:09 – WhiteHat Jr. Acquisition

29:35 – Work Culture at BYJU’S

31:13 – Sales Model of BYJU’S

34:19 – USP of BYJU’S

37:22 – Media Narratives on BYJU’S

42:24 – BYJU’S–BCCI Dispute

45:12 – BYJU’S Ad Deal with Messi & SRK

50:11 – India’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

54:20 – Parents’ Refund Complaints

59:28 – BYJU’S: Highs and Lows

1:02:41 – BYJU’S 3.0

1:08:06 – Impact of AI on Entrepreneurship

1:13:05 – Introduction to Co-Founder Divya Gokulnath

1:15:00 – Divya Gokulnath’s Family Background

1:21:37 – Divya & Byju’s Marriage

1:25:12 – BYJU’S ‘Education for All’ Initiative

1:30:00 – Byju's Family Under 'Threat'

1:37:56 – BYJU’S Insolvency

1:42:51 – ‘International Fugitive’ Tag

1:52:08 – BYJU’S 3.0

1:59:57 – The India Story

Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd) has served as the Director General (Inspection and Safety) of the Indian Air Force. He has also held the position of Commandant at both the Air Force Academy and the National Defence Academy. With over 7,800 hours of incident-free flying on various trainer, transport, and strategic aircraft, he is considered one of the stalwarts of Aerial Refuelling Operations in the Indian Air Force. He has also flown the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about India’s air defence system that stunned Pakistan. He discusses advanced systems like the S-400 and Akash missile systems, and explains how the Indian Air Force successfully intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles.

Air Marshal Kapoor praises India’s engineers, scientists, and the Air Force for developing indigenous technology capable of countering threats from Pakistan. He also comments on the continued support the United States gives to Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s well-known record of harbouring terrorists and supporting state-sponsored terrorism.

00:00 - Introduction

00:39 - Operation Sindoor

05:08 - PM's Address to the Nation

09:53 - Air defence deal with Russia

19:19 - First day of Operation Sindoor

20:55 - Integrated Air Command and Control System

25:34 - Pakistan's drone & missiles attack

29:37 - Pak attacks on religious sites in India

34:05 - Pak's Nuclear threat

37:28 - 'Goli Ka Jawab Gola'

42:53 - Global aviation view on India-Pak crisis

45:56 - India's plan amid current conflict

50:42 - Talks only if PoK is returned

52:27 - Sargodha Airfield

54:34 - Is Karachi Port destroyed?

57:45 - Russia-Ukraine Conflict

1:02:16 - Indian vs Pak Air Force

1:07:15 - Will Pakistan strike again?

1:11:09 - US F-series fighter jets

1:12:48 - India's most potent weapon

1:15:18 - Ceasefire status