Vikas Tiwari, also known as Ranu Tiwari, runs the YouTube channel Bastar Talkies. He has helped over 200 Naxals surrender and return to mainstream society. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how Naxalism began in Chhattisgarh, the challenges of reporting from Bastar, and the goal set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to make India Naxal-free. He was awarded the Rameshwaram Hindi Journalism National Award in December 2025. This is a simple, first-hand account from a journalist reporting directly from the remote areas of Chhattisgarh.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

03:18 – From Truck Driver to YouTuber

11:58 – Dangers in Naxal-Affected Areas

15:34 – Naxalism and Its Causes

22:07 – How Naxals Return to the Mainstream

28:33 – Challenges of Reporting in Naxal Areas

36:41 – Naxals in Bastar: What Has Changed

41:10 – Thulthuli Encounter Explained

44:41 – The Story of Mukesh Chandrakar

50:58 – Why Maoists Resisted Development

56:03 – The Reality of Salwa Judum

58:28 – Life After Maoists’ Surrender

1:00:53 – Youth and Maoist Ideology

1:02:35 – Reporting from Naxal Areas

1:07:22 – Stories from Families of Martyrs

1:14:08 – When Maoists Started Losing Power

1:16:36 – Attack on Congress Leader V.C. Shukla

1:18:35 – Understanding “Urban Naxals”

1:24:10 – Suggestions to Counter “Urban Naxals”

1:27:15 – Reality of Bastar Villages

India’s financial markets are going through a complex global situation, shaped by changing geopolitics and shifts in domestic growth. To help us understand what lies ahead, the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by one of the most respected voices in the investment world, Nilesh Shah, Managing Director of Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company. He is also a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. With decades of experience across market cycles, he shares valuable insights on the economy, markets, and where investors should consider placing their bets. He also explains what lessons India can learn from the West Asia crisis.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:39 – Role in PM’s Economic Advisory Council

03:49 – India’s GDP Ranking

07:30 – India’s Economic Vulnerability

12:30 – Progress of Banking in India

16:16 – Impact of West Asia Conflict on India

20:41 – How India Can Improve Its GDP

25:22 – US Markets During Iran War

27:44 – India–China Trade Explained

31:07 – Monsoon Impact on Indian Economy

32:30 – Why is Rupee Falling?

37:55 – Role of AI in Indian Economy

41:06 – Investor Trust in Indian Equities

42:37 – IPO Rush in 2025 Explained

44:09 – Buy or Sell in the Stock Market

46:45 – How to Manage Money Better

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we take a deep dive into Women’s Reservation Constitutional Amendment Bill, which was defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17, 2026.

Joining the conversation are Varghese K. George, resident editor at The Hindu, and Swapnil Tripathi, lead at Charkha (Centre for Constitutional Law) at Vidhi.

Together, they explain what the bill aimed to do and why linking it with delimitation and census data led to political disagreement.

The discussion also covers concerns over North-South balance, population-based seat redistribution, and parliamentary accountability.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:47 – Political Timing of Women’s Quota Bill

05:38 – Delimitation Debate

11:02 – PM Modi’s Guarantee

17:03 – Impact on South India

20:24 – Chandrababu Naidu’s Stand

25:49 – Furore Over Delimitation

30:55 – Reserved Constituencies in India

35:11 – Population & Tax Contribution

40:28 – Tharoor’s Proposal

49:23 – Political Consensus on Women’s Reservation

52:44 – DMK’s Private Member’s Bill

56:43 – Executive-Centric Governance in Democracies

1:07:19 – Arvind Kejriwal & Mamata Banerjee in Court