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 - Introduction

01:23 - Choosing a Cooking Career

13:43 - Starting the Restaurant Journey

26:10 - Western Cooking vs. Indian Cooking

34:13 - Curating Restaurant Menus

38:38 - Indian Food Plating

42:33 - Curating Airline Menus

56:11 - Cooking in Modern Times

1:01:22 – Restaurant Culture

1:04:26 - Snap Reactions

1:08:16 - Hygiene In Cloud Kitchens

1:22:37 - Indian Food Culture

1:44:02 - Underrated Indian Spices

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