ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Geetam Tiwari is an Emeritus Professor at the Transportation Research & Injury Prevention Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. She has over 25 years of experience in transportation planning, road safety, and urban mobility. Her work focuses on safer roads, better footpaths, bicycle infrastructure, and protecting pedestrians.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she talks about why Indian cities face traffic chaos, unsafe roads, and poor pedestrian facilities. She also discusses what India needs to do to build safer, smarter, and more efficient transport systems.00:00 – Introduction02:21 – Rising Road Deaths08:13 – International Driving Tests10:03 – Road Safety Rules11:49 – School Bus Safety13:38 – Highways & Expressways Design Flaws17:03 – Audible Road Markers21:12 – Why Indians Ignore Road Signs22:05 – Facilities on Expressways & Highways23:53 – Expressways & Highways for Two-Wheelers25:41 – Importance of Service Roads29:07 – Wrong-Side Driving31:26 – Pedestrians & Cyclists37:45 – Public Spaces Accessibility39:13 – Reality of Vendors on Indian Roads41:38 – Why Foot Overbridges & Underpasses Fail46:31 – The Pothole Problem49:58 – Corruption in Road Construction53:11 – Municipal Corporations and Dug-Up Roads55:02 – Labourers at Road Construction Sites58:18 – Road Reality Check Segment1:04:49 – Building Proper Bicycle Paths

Dr Arvind Gupta is Director of the Vivekananda International Foundation and a former Deputy National Security Advisor of India.Ambassador Veena Sikri is a former Indian diplomat who served as High Commissioner to Bangladesh and Malaysia, with decades of experience in foreign policy.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the discussion focuses on how the global power structure is changing and whether institutions like NATO, the Quad, the United Nations, BRICS, and the G20 still remain relevant in today’s world.The episode also explores India’s foreign policy approach, including strategic autonomy, multi-alignment and the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, as well as Pakistan’s growing diplomatic role and its impact on South Asia.00:00 – Introduction02:04 – NATO Crisis07:15 – Decline of Post-Cold War Order13:34 – Gulf Countries’ Security Alliances18:25 – Germany and Japan’s Defence Reset21:48 – Future of US-China G227:09 – Global Sea Route Security30:47 – India’s Balancing Act in West Asia35:25 – Pakistan as Mediator Between the US and Iran39:34 – Can SAARC Be Revived?43:36 – India, Pakistan & Narrative War52:47 – India-Bangladesh Ties55:44 – India’s Strategic Role in BRICS1:02:13 – ‘Vishwamitra’ Doctrine Under PM Modi1:05:08 – India’s Geopolitical Challenges1:09:08 – Regionalisation & Global Power Shifts

The much-awaited episode of The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus – Edition 8.0 is here, packed with raw, uncensored, and no-holds-barred conversations.Joining the panel are:Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORFTehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analystAnand Ranganathan, author and scientistAbhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict StudiesThis episode discusses the recently conducted Assembly polls in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam; the Iran war; the Trump phenomenon; Pakistan’s stature after the war.

In this live session of the ANI Podcast, the guests discuss the lessons India has drawn from the Iran war and the learnings from Operation Sindoor as it completes one year. The conversation explores military readiness, evolving threats, and the role of technology and strategy in shaping India’s defence posture.ParticipantsSushant Sareen, Senior Fellow, ORFTilak Devasher, Author; Former Member, National Security Advisory BoardModeratorsSmita Prakash, Chief Editor & Deputy CEO, ANINaveen Kapoor, National Bureau Chief, ANI*Timestamps*00:00 - Introduction00:34 - Lessons from Operation Sindoor13:46 - Pakistan’s Close Ties with the USA25:48 - How Pakistan Handles the Media31:26 - What Changed in Pak After Op Sindoor?35:56 - Dhurandar Operations in Pakistan42:35 - India’s Strategic Autonomy48:45 - How Pakistanis View Indians1:00:28 - India’s Reaction to Global Conflicts1:09:09 - India’s Defence Strategy1:20:10 - India’s Border Security

Sanjeev Kapoor is one of India’s most well-known chefs, authors and entrepreneurs. From ‘Khana Khazana’ to global restaurants, and from cookbooks to food innovation, he has influenced how India looks at cooking and flavour over the last few decades.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Chef talks about how eating habits in India are changing, with busy lifestyles and ready-to-eat meals replacing home-cooked meals.He also explores India’s food culture, from street food and restaurant experiences to hygiene standards and cloud kitchens. Kapoor shares honest views on overhyped food trends, along with what makes a dish special.00:00 - Introduction01:23 - Choosing a Cooking Career13:43 - Starting the Restaurant Journey26:10 - Western Cooking vs. Indian Cooking34:13 - Curating Restaurant Menus38:38 - Indian Food Plating42:33 - Curating Airline Menus56:11 - Cooking in Modern Times1:01:22 – Restaurant Culture1:04:26 - Snap Reactions1:08:16 - Hygiene In Cloud Kitchens1:22:37 - Indian Food Culture1:44:02 - Underrated Indian Spices