ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

In 2009, after her father's death, Anupriya Patel stepped into politics to lead his party and overcame challenges, including a party split, to surpass expectations.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary of India and Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 presidency in 2023, has also served as India’s Ambassador to the United States and High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Thailand. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Shringla discusses the recent quota protests in Bangladesh.

Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin is a distinguished gastroenterologist and hepatologist, widely recognized for his contributions to clinical research and transformative work in medical education and healthcare. He currently serves as the Director of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), dedicated to delivering affordable and effective liver care.

Arjun Singh Kadian is an academic and author with deep expertise in Haryana’s political and cultural landscape. He has written two acclaimed books: Land of the Gods: The Story of Haryana and Neeraj Chopra: From Panipat to Podium. In 2018–19, he also served in the policy communication department under the Chief Minister of Haryana.

Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra's deputy chief minister and a key figure in the Mahayuti Alliance—comprising the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction)—is also the nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, a four-time chief minister of Maharashtra. In July 2023, Ajit Pawar made headlines by splitting the NCP, a party founded by his uncle. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he suffered a political setback when his wife lost the Baramati seat to Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar’s daughter.

Eknath Shinde, Maharashtra’s Chief Minister and a key figure in the Mahayuti Alliance—which includes the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction), NCP (Ajit Pawar), and BJP—rose to prominence after leading a major split in the Shiv Sena .In this episode of Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Shinde discusses the ongoing Maratha reservation issue, highlights the Ladli Behna Yojana for women's empowerment, and reflects on Shiv Sena split, revealing that moving to Guwahati was a strategic decision in political shift.

After playing the role of kingmaker in the 2019 Haryana Assembly elections, Dushyant Chautala and his party, the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), formed a post-poll alliance with the BJP, leading to his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister of Haryana. For over four years, the alliance held, but just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP abruptly severed ties with the JJP, forcing Chautala out of the government.

Sonia Narang, one of Delhi’s top dietitians, is known for promoting sustainable health through balanced eating, realistic lifestyle changes, and personalized diet plans. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she busts common myths about the Indian diet, including the belief that vegetarian food lacks sufficient protein. Sonia breaks down what a truly balanced diet looks like—covering the right proportions of carbs, protein, and fat.

Taapsee Pannu, once an engineering student, has transformed herself into a widely respected and bold voice in the Hindi film industry. Over the past decade, she has steadily built a unique space in Bollywood through a mix of talent, strong role choices, and an unwavering sense of self. Her journey began in South Indian cinema, where she first gained recognition, and from there, she transitioned into Hindi films, eventually earning roles alongside the biggest names in the industry.