Abhijit Chavda Podcast

Hassina Banoo is an Indian journalist based in Bogdang and Nubra in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Shantanu Gupta is an Indian author and political analyst. He has authored numerous books, including "101 Reasons, Why I Will Vote for Modi" and the Yogi Adityanath trilogy.

Dr. Brian Keating is an American cosmologist. He is the Chancellor's Distinguished Professor of Physics at UC San Diego where he and his team study the origin & evolution of space, time, & matter. He wrote Losing The Nobel Prize (2018), which was selected as a 'Best Science Book' at Science Friday and one of the best non-fiction books of all time according to Amazon. His second book, Into the Impossible, was published in 2021. Brian is a leading science communicator and hosts Brian Keating's Into The Impossible Podcast. He is on a mission to magnify curiosity, stoke imagination, & inspire minds of all ages.

Pankaj Saran is an Indian diplomat who served as the Ambassador of India to Russia from January 2016 to November 2018. Before his tenure in Russia, he was the High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh. A career diplomat from the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) since 1982, Saran has held various significant posts both in India and abroad, showcasing his expertise in international relations and diplomacy. He has also worked in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in India, dealing with foreign affairs and national security issues. His diplomatic career reflects a profound commitment to advancing India's foreign policy and maintaining robust bilateral relationships.

Dr. Kanwal Sibal is a distinguished Indian diplomat who served as the Foreign Secretary of India from 2002 to 2003. Born on October 4, 1941, he joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1966, embarking on a notable career that spanned over three decades. Throughout his tenure, Sibal held various key positions, including Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, and Russia, reflecting his expertise in international relations and policy-making. He is known for his articulate views on foreign policy issues, often contributing to major publications and forums. Post-retirement, Sibal continues to influence the discourse on global affairs as a respected analyst and commentator. His career highlights India’s diplomatic engagements and strategic priorities on the world stage.

Abhijit Iyer-Mitra is a prominent Indian geopolitical expert known for his outspoken and often controversial views on defense, security, and foreign policy. With a background in defense studies, he frequently contributes to discussions on strategic affairs, emphasizing India's military and technological capabilities. Abhijit is a senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies in New Delhi and has testified before the Indian Parliament on matters of critical national interest. His expertise is regularly sought in media and academic circles, where he provides analysis on complex international relations and defense issues, bringing a sharp and candid perspective to the geopolitical dialogue.

Dr. Meenakshi Jain is a distinguished Indian historian known for her extensive research on Indian cultural and religious history. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Delhi and has been a former fellow at the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. Dr. Jain gained prominence for her work on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir case, particularly through her book which analyzes historical evidence regarding the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Her scholarly work often challenges conventional narratives in Indian history, focusing on Hindu temple architecture and the history of religious and cultural sites in India. Dr. Jain's contributions are pivotal in the discourse on India's historical heritage.

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri is an Indian Politician, Former Diplomat and Author. He was inducted into the Council of Ministers as Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs in Sep 2017. He was given additional charge of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Civil Aviation and the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in May 2019. He was sworn in as Union Minister in July 2021 and currently, he is the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs & Petroleum and Natural Gas. A 1974-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, he served as the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva and New York and served additionally in Tokyo and Colombo.

Manjeet Kripalani is co-founder and Executive Director, Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. Prior to the founding of Gateway House, she was India Bureau chief of Businessweek magazine from 1996 to 2009. During her extensive career in journalism (Businessweek, Worth and Forbes magazines, New York), she has won several awards, including the Gerald Loeb Award, the George Polk Award, Overseas Press Club and Daniel Pearl Awards.

Sahana Singh is an Indian author and commentator known for her insightful contributions to discussions on water management, Indian history, and education. She holds an engineering degree and has a keen interest in the historical evolution of water supply systems across ancient civilizations. Sahana is celebrated for her thought-provoking articles and public speaking engagements. Her notable books include "The Educational Heritage of Ancient India: How an Ecosystem of Learning Was Laid to Waste" and "Revisiting the Educational Heritage of India," where she explores the rich legacy of India's educational systems before they were influenced by other cultures. Her work brings a fresh perspective to historical narratives.

Dr. Bhagat Oinam is professor and Chairperson, Centre for Philosophy, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is also the Chairperson, Special Centre for the Study of North East India at JNU. He specializes in existentialism and phenomenology, philosophical anthropology, social & cultural philosophy, ethics, aesthetics, contemporary Indian philosophy, indigenous knowledge traditions, religion, ethnicity, identity politics, conflict, and gender.

Professor Gautam R. Desiraju is a renowned Indian chemist and educationist who has contributed substantially to the themes of crystal engineering and weak hydrogen bonding. He is one of the most highly cited Indian scientists with over 450 research papers, 60000+ citations and an h-index of 100. He is also a trained Carnatic singer. In this podcast we discuss denigration of Carnatic music, vilification of Hindu spirituality and Hinduphobia - in the context of the ongoing TM Krishna controversy.

Surya Roy is a Heritage Conservationist, explorer & an independent Indic History researcher whose research spans across the History & Culture of Vraj Mandal, Kurukshetra, Odisha, Bengal, Mewar & the Maratha history. He is a keen student of archaeology & focuses on the enlistment of Heritage properties & preservation of ancient manuscripts. A Life Member & Researcher with INTACH New Delhi HQ, he is also an Associate Member of ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments & Sites) which is an UNESCO body formed under the Geneva Council of 1974 for the preservation & conservation of Archaeological sites. Most recently he has also been appointed as Director of North India Operations with IHAR (Indian History & Research) a Houston US, based NGO which engages in research, preservation & practising of Indian Heritage & also provides scholarship to bright Indian students engaged in the field of Indian Heritage & History Research. By profession he is a Supply Chain & Logistics professional who has been into SC/Logistics Operations for the past 22 years now & is based out of New Delhi.

Sumeer Bhasin is a noted Indian geopolitical expert specializing in international relations and strategic affairs. He has a significant background in analyzing the geopolitical dynamics of the Indian Subcontinent and the broader Indo-Pacific region. Bhasin’s expertise is often sought by think tanks and policy institutes where he contributes through incisive research and policy recommendations. He frequently appears as a commentator on national and international media platforms, providing insights on security, diplomacy, and economic implications of regional conflicts and alliances. His work also includes advising governmental and non-governmental organizations on foreign policy and defense strategies, enhancing understanding of complex international issues.

Rakeshh Gupta is the founder, chairman and CEO of SayeNvest Group, a British conglomerate headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The group provides consulting and advisory services across sectors, i.e. Automotive, Asset & Wealth Management, Energy including Renewables, Healthcare, Information Technology and Enabled Services, Infrastructure, Private Equity and Wealth Management, Oil and Gas including speciality Chemicals, Real Estate, Telecom, Media and Entertainment with its global team operating out of 12 locations across the globe. The group owns SayeNvest Caps Advisory, SayeNvest Asset Management, SayeNvest Real Estate Advisory, SayeOne Media Corporation and SayeTech Technologies.

Rashmi Samant is an Indian student who came into the spotlight during her time at Oxford University. In 2021, she made history as the first Indian woman elected as President of the Oxford Student Union. However, her tenure was short-lived due to controversy surrounding past social media posts, which led to her resignation. Samant holds an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, India, and was pursuing a Master’s in Energy Systems at Oxford. Despite the challenges, she continues to be an advocate for inclusivity and diversity in education. Rashmi’s story highlights the complexities of cultural context and public scrutiny in leadership roles.

Pradeep Bhandari is a well-known Indian psephologist, political analyst, and the founder of Jan Ki Baat, a people’s platform that conducts opinion polls and surveys in India. His expertise lies in electoral analysis, leveraging grassroots data to predict election outcomes. Bhandari gained prominence with his accurate predictions in several key Indian elections, which have often challenged mainstream media forecasts. His method involves a blend of on-ground surveys, demographic research, and data analytics. Besides his work in psephology, Pradeep is a regular contributor to various media outlets where he discusses politics and election strategies, influencing public discourse in India.

Dr. Surya Prakash Upadhyay is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) who specializes in sociology of religion, urban sociology, and post-reform India. He received his PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2011 and is from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Ashwini Upadhyay is an Indian lawyer and activist, widely recognized for his extensive involvement in public interest litigation (PIL). Often referred to as the "PIL Man of India," Upadhyay has filed numerous cases addressing a wide range of issues including electoral reforms, environmental protection, and anticorruption measures. A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he has also served as its spokesperson. Upadhyay's legal initiatives often focus on enforcing existing laws more effectively and advocating for legal reforms to enhance transparency and accountability in Indian governance. His work has significantly impacted legal and public policy discourse in India.

Anshul Jubli is an emerging mixed martial artist from India, making his mark in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born in Uttarakhand, India, Anshul began his professional MMA career in 2019 and quickly distinguished himself with an undefeated record in the regional circuits. Known for his striking skills and grappling ability, he earned a spot in the UFC through the "Road to UFC" tournament, a platform designed to discover and nurture talents from Asia. Anshul's fighting style, marked by aggression and technical finesse, has garnered him a growing fanbase and positioned him as a promising talent in the lightweight division of UFC.