Bharatvaarta

⚔️ Sachin Nandha — Inside the RSS, Rashtra vs Raja & How Power Really Works in India 🇮🇳🧠 The RSS has never contested an election — yet it remains one of the most influential forces shaping modern India. So what exactly is the RSS? An ideology? An organisation? A movement? Or something far more complex? In this deep, nuanced, and often uncomfortable conversation, Sachin Nandha breaks down how the RSS actually functions — not as a conventional institution, but as a bottom-up social movement built around the daily shakha, psychological rootedness, and the long project of rebuilding the Rashtra. We explore how the RSS creates citizens rather than cadres, why it avoids direct control over the state, how it relates to the BJP and political power, and why tension between the Rashtra (people) and the Raja (state) is not a bug — but the point. From caste, religion, and civilisational identity — to seva, social capital, discipline, and decentralised power — this episode goes beyond slogans to examine the RSS as it understands itself. Not defence. Not propaganda. A serious attempt to understand one of the most misunderstood movements in India. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 00:55 • Introduction 00:55 – 04:20 • What the RSS Really Is — Organisation or Movement? 04:20 – 07:05 • The Shakha as an Engine That Creates Citizens 07:05 – 11:20 • Rootedness vs Ideology: The Psychological Core 11:20 – 18:05 • Rashtra, Raja & Why the State Exists to Be Disciplined 18:05 – 26:50 • Caste, Class & Equality Inside the Shakha 26:50 – 36:15 • Seva, Duty & Why the RSS Is Action-First 36:15 – 44:20 • How a Bottom-Up Movement Sustains Itself 44:20 – 53:30 • The RSS and Religion: Civilisation vs Belief 53:30 – 01:02:40 • RSS, BJP & the Limits of Political Power 01:02:40 – 01:13:20 • Power, Unease & Holding the Raja to Account 01:13:20 – 01:53:06 • India’s Formative Phase & What Comes Next ⸻ 🎧 Listen & Subscribe X → https://x.com/bharatvaarta Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/bharatvaarta/ ⸻ 👤 Guest — Sachin Nandha Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thesachinnandha/ X → https://x.com/sachinnandha Author of Hedgewar | Researcher on the RSS, Civilisational Movements & Power Structures Get the book 'Hedgewar' https://www.amazon.in/Hedgewar-Founder-Rashtriya-Swayamsevak-Sangh/dp/0143467662 ⸻ 👤 Host — Roshan Cariappa Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/ X → https://x.com/RoshanCariappa

⚔️ Col. Pavithran Rajan — Are We Already at War? Algorithms, Sovereignty & The Future of India’s National Security 🇮🇳🛰️ War today isn’t declared — it’s engineered. In this explosive conversation, Col. Pavithran Rajan breaks down why the world has entered a permanent state of “Persistent Unpeace.” Battles now unfold through algorithms, digital platforms, currency shifts, and information warfare long before a single shot is fired. From Kautilya’s systems thinking to Clausewitz’s kinetic doctrine, from NATO’s eastward push to Ukraine’s hybrid war, Col. Rajan explains how modern conflict is shaped by: • Big Tech’s supranational power • Algorithmic manipulation • Platform-driven regime shifts • Oil, currency & economic warfare • Civil–military technology ecosystems • India’s need for digital sovereignty Practical. Urgent. Uncomfortable. A masterclass in understanding the invisible war that surrounds us every day. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 01:00 • Introduction 01:00 – 04:10 • Are We Already at War? The New Definition of Conflict 04:10 – 09:40 • Global Order, Currency Wars & Ray Dalio’s Framework 09:40 – 14:20 • Clausewitz vs Modern Warfare: Why Old Models Don’t Work 14:20 – 18:30 • Multi-Domain Warfare & Why Exercises Signal Escalation 18:30 – 23:50 • Ukraine, NATO Expansion & The Long War Before the War 23:50 – 28:40 • How Digital Platforms Shape Narratives & Destabilize Nations 28:40 – 33:20 • Elections, Algorithms & Foreign Influence Operations 33:20 – 37:40 • “Persistent Unpeace” — Living in a Constant Conflict Continuum 37:40 – 42:10 • Kautilya, Systems Thinking & India’s Lost Strategic Wisdom 42:10 – 47:15 • Shared vs Contested Sovereignty: Why India Must Reclaim Control 47:15 – 52:30 • Big Tech as a Supranational Force — The Real Threat 52:30 – 57:40 • Why Nations Must Own Their Platforms: China’s Model vs India 57:40 – 01:02:50 • The Danger of Algorithmic Manipulation & OODA Loops 01:02:50 – 01:08:35 • How Nations Lose Wealth & Power in the Digital Age 01:08:35 – 01:12:40 • The Path Forward — Narrative Builders, Policy Reform, Sovereignty 01:12:40 – 01:15:00 • Final Thoughts — The Future of India’s Security ⸻ 🎧 Listen & Subscribe X → https://x.com/bharatvaarta Instagram → https://instagram.com/bharatvaarta ⸻ 👤 Guest — Col. Pavithran Rajan Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavithran-rajan/?originalSubdomain=in ⸻ 👤 Host — Roshan Cariappa X → https://x.com/RoshanCariappa Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

⚔️ Vivek Krishnan & Dinesh Shivanna — India’s Defense Tech Reality, Broken Incentives & What Must Change 🇮🇳🚀 Instagram → /carygotthebluesg ambition is rising — but the gap between what we need and what we can currently produce is still dangerously wide. In this deep and brutally honest conversation, Vivek Krishnan and Dinesh Shivanna break down the hard truths behind India’s military industrial base: our dependence on imports, the missing engine ecosystem, bureaucratic bottlenecks, the myth of “cheap India”, and why wars of the future will be won by countries that control core technologies, not just assembly lines. From sensors, drones, radars, engines and counter-drone warfare — to the mindset shift required across startups, government, and the armed forces — this episode explains exactly what India must do to build real capability, speed, and self-reliance. Not theory. Not rhetoric. Straight talk from founders who live this every day — building weapons, exports, and deep-tech platforms from India. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 03:18 • Why India Still Imports Most of Its Weapons 03:18 – 05:45 • Hardware vs Services: India’s Missing R&D Culture 05:45 – 09:55 • Engines, Talent & The Brutal Math of Catching Up 09:55 – 14:50 • Sensors, Supply Chains & The Fragility of Import Dependence 14:50 – 18:05 • Why Startups Can’t Fix Defense Alone 18:05 – 22:24 • War Readiness, Mindset Shifts & The Post–Ops Ladakh Reality 22:24 – 26:50 • The Colonial Hangover: Why We Trust Foreign OEMs More 26:50 – 31:02 • Deep-Tech, Drones & India’s Counter-Drone Future 31:02 – 36:12 • Venture Capital vs National Security: Who Should Fund R&D? 36:12 – 41:48 • Engines, Aero-Systems & Why India Has No Domestic Powerplants 41:48 – 47:50 • War Logistics: What Breaks When Imports Stop 47:50 – 53:47 • L1 Procurement, Unrealistic Trials & Why Good Tech Fails 53:47 – 57:50 • The Case for Non-RFP, Outcome-Based Procurement 57:50 – 01:04:26 • Export Markets, Opportunity & India’s Untapped Strengths 01:04:26 – 01:08:07 • The Road Ahead — Hard Truths, Real Solutions ⸻ 👤 Guests — Vivek Krishnan & Dinesh Shivanna Founders, SS Defence | Building India’s Deep-Tech & Weapons Manufacturing Ecosystem ⸻ 👤 Host — Roshan Cariappa X → https://x.com/RoshanCariappa Instagram → /carygottheblues

⚔️ Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla — Civil–Military Fusion, China’s Rise & The Future of India’s National Security 🇮🇳🚀⏱️ Chapters🎧 Listen & Subscribe👤 Guest — Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.)👤 Host — Roshan Cariappa Wars are no longer won only on the battlefield — they are won in labs, factories, and innovation hubs. In this eye-opening conversation, Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.) breaks down how India must rethink its national security strategy in an era shaped by AI, drones, defense-tech startups, and civil–military coordination. From China’s rapid military–industrial expansion to Ukraine’s tech-driven warfare — we explore what India must do to stay secure, competitive, and future-ready. This episode also uncovers the civilizational philosophy behind Saraswati → Lakshmi → Durga, and why our ability to convert knowledge into economic and military power will decide India’s destiny in the 21st century. Not rhetoric. Not theory. Practical, urgent, and grounded in experience. Chapters- 00:00 – 03:18 • Why Wars Are Now Won in Labs, Not Just Battlefields 03:18 – 05:45 • Saraswati → Lakshmi → Durga: India’s Civilizational Framework 05:45 – 09:55 • Nehru Era, Bureaucracy & Fear of the Military 09:55 – 14:50 • How China Leads Civil–Military Fusion 14:50 – 18:05 • Drones, AI & Startup Driven Warfare in Ukraine 18:05 – 22:24 • Israel’s Tech-Enabled Strike Model 22:24 – 26:50 • Why India Must Break Silos — Army, DRDO, Industry 26:50 – 31:02 • What the West is Redesigning — Faster R&D, Startup Access 31:02 – 36:12 • India’s Reform Momentum — But Still Not Enough 36:12 – 41:48 • Defense Procurement, Risk-Taking & Accountability 41:48 – 47:50 • A Need For Capacity, Orders, Velocity — Not Committees 47:50 – 53:47 • China’s Industrial Scale Advantage vs India 53:47 – 57:50 • National Security as Everyone’s Responsibility 57:50 – 01:04:26 • Startups, Deep Tech, AI Talent & Military Needs 01:04:26 – 01:08:07 • The Road Ahead — Innovation or Irrelevance Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6tqY8tbgQ6nGb4ZQwjX6NH Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/bharatvaarta/id1636240449 X → https://x.com/bharatvaarta Instagram → https://instagram.com/bharatvaarta Former Army Commander | Author – Civil Military Fusion 📘 Book Link- https://www.amazon.in/Civil-Military-Fusion-National-Comprehensive-Security/dp/B0FW4ZFL77 X → https://x.com/RoshanCariappa Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

⚡ Men Can’t Be Feminists? | Manu Joseph on Privilege, PM Modi’s Decline & The India We Ignore 🔥 India is growing fast — economically, culturally, globally. Yet on the ground, millions remain unseen. In this probing conversation, Manu Joseph joins Roshan Cariappa to break down the ideas we rarely confront directly — why the poor stay invisible, why caste still determines destiny, why male feminism is contradictory, and why even towering political figures eventually lose emotional pull. This episode is a mirror — uncomfortable at times, but necessary. No outrage. No worship. Just clarity. ⸻ ⏱ Chapters 00:00 – 01:15 • Introduction 01:15 – 07:30 • Why India’s poor remain invisible 07:30 – 13:30 • Aspiration, class & the new middle Indian 13:30 – 20:00 • Has PM Modi’s emotional pull declined? 20:00 – 27:10 • Caste: The ladder still standing 27:10 – 33:40 • Men & feminism: The contradiction 33:40 – 41:20 • Morality, guilt & the Indian elite 41:20 – 49:00 • Cinema, storytelling & uncomfortable truth 49:00 – 56:00 • Why India fears honesty more than hardship 56:00 – 01:03:20 • Closing reflections — The India we ignore ⸻ 👉 If you enjoy conversations that don’t perform, but reveal — subscribe to Bharatvaarta. Honest. Intellectual. Unfiltered. ⸻ 📘 Manu Joseph’s Book Why The Poor Don’t Kill Us 🔗 https://www.amazon.in/Why-Poor-Dont-Kill-Psychology/dp/9365234573 ⸻ 📢 X (Twitter): https://x.com/bharatvaarta 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bharatvaarta/ ⸻ 👤 Guest – Manu Joseph 📢 X: https://x.com/manujosephsan 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/manujosephsan/ 👤 Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 IG: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

⚔️Did the Mahabharata actually happen – Nilesh Oak on Evidence, Astronomy & India’s Ancient Timeline 🌌📜 For over a century, scholars have debated when the Mahabharata actually happened — with hundreds of conflicting dates and theories. In this episode, researcher Nilesh Nilkanth Oak joins Roshan Cariappa to break down his evidence-based method for dating India’s greatest epic using astronomy, geology, logic, and textual analysis. Oak explains why most previous attempts fall apart, how ancient sky observations narrow the timeline, and why understanding “time, place, and context” is essential to interpreting our epics correctly. This conversation explores ancient Indian knowledge systems, the limits of Western Indology, the Ramayana–Mahabharata chronology, and why a scientific approach can reshape our civilizational memory. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 01:00 • Introduction 01:00 – 05:00 • Why His Mahabharata Research Resonated With Youth 05:00 – 10:30 • Why Most Previous Dates Are Wrong 10:30 – 15:30 • The Arundhati–Vasishtha Breakthrough 15:30 – 20:00 • Bhishma’s Arrow Bed & Mars Observations 20:00 – 26:00 • Criticism, Logic & Scientific Method 26:00 – 32:00 • STEM vs Indology: Why Approaches Differ 32:00 – 38:00 • Ancient Indian Astronomy & Precision 38:00 – 43:00 • Evidence for Ramayana & Mahabharata 43:00 – 48:00 • What Counts as “Historical Proof”? 48:00 – 52:30 • Why Dating the Epics Matters 52:30 – 57:00 • Aryan Invasion Theory & Genetics 57:00 – 01:03:00 • Scientific Tests for Chronology 01:03:00 – 01:09:00 • Life Lessons from India’s Epics 01:09:00 – 01:15:00 • Faith, Logic & Evidence 01:15:00 – 01:19:00 • Closing Thoughts ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 📢 X (Twitter): https://x.com/bharatvaarta 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bharatvaarta/ ⸻ 👤 Guest – Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 📘 Books: https://www.amazon.in/When-Did-Mahabharata-War-  Happen-ebook/dp/B005CDXTTO https://amzn.in/d/cDhMexJ 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/NileshOak 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nileshoak5561?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw= 👤 Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

For over a century, the West has viewed Hindus through its own lens — first as mystics, now as misunderstood outsiders. In this conversation, Vishal Ganesan, founder of Frontier Dharma and Hindoo History, joins Roshan Cariappa to unpack how old prejudices have evolved into modern bias — and why Hindus still struggle to define their story in global discourse. The discussion covers the roots of anti-Indian stereotypes, diaspora identity, Western political framing, and the civilizational confidence needed to reclaim the narrative. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – 01:00 |Introduction & Context 01:00 – 06:00 | Racism Against Indians in America 06:00 – 13:00 | Historical Roots of Hindu Bias 13:00 – 20:00 | Indian Immigration & Assimilation 20:00 – 26:00 | Diaspora Identity Crisis 26:00 – 32:00 | Left & Right Converge on Anti-Hindu Bias 32:00 – 38:00 | Academia & Media Narratives 38:00 – 45:00 | The Role of Social Media 45:00 – 55:00 | American Exceptionalism & Hindu Values 55:00 – 1:05:00 | Representation & Power in the West 1:05:00 – 1:15:00 | Reclaiming the Narrative 1:15:00 – 1:25:00 | Faith, Philosophy & Pluralism 1:25:00 – 1:35:00 | Media Distortion & Selective Activism 1:35:00 – 1:45:00 | The Future of Hindu Identity Abroad 1:45:00 – 1:56:15 | Closing Reflections & Takeaways ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week.  📢 Follow us on X: https://x.com/bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bharatvaarta/?hl=en 👤 Guest – Vishal Ganesan 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/vjgtweets https://x.com/HindooHistory 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vjgtweets/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/hindoohistory/?hl=en 👤 Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/?hl=en

⚔️ The King Who Defeated the Dutch – Raghu & Pushpa Palat on Raja Marthanda Varma and Travancore’s Forgotten Legacy 👑 Raja Marthanda Varma was the only Indian ruler to defeat a European power — ending the Dutch ambitions to colonize India. Yet, his story rarely finds space in Indian textbooks. In this insightful conversation, authors Raghu and Pushpa Palat join Roshan Cariappa to rediscover the Travancore king who reshaped Kerala’s destiny — a man who built one of India’s most prosperous states, and then surrendered it all to God. This episode unpacks the life of a ruler who combined courage, strategy, and devotion — and left behind a civilizational example of leadership grounded in humility. ⸻ ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – Why Marthanda Varma Still Matters (And Why We Forgot Him) 05:00 – From Hunted Prince to Reformer King of Travancore 09:00 – Faith and Statecraft – Building a Kingdom with Devotion 14:00 – The Battle of Colachel – India’s Victory Over the Dutch ⚔️ 19:00 – Prosperity and Reform – Trade, Pepper & Modern Governance 25:00 – The Surrender to Padmanabhaswamy – A King Who Became a Servant 32:00 – Legacy & Memory – Why Kerala’s Greatest Story Must Be Retold ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you thoughtful conversations on India’s politics, policy, and culture every week. 📚 About the Guests Raghu & Pushpa Palat are authors and historians who bring India’s forgotten stories to light. Their acclaimed book, God’s Own Empire: The Story of Travancore and the Kings Who Built It, tells the extraordinary life of Raja Marthanda Varma — the king who defeated the Dutch and offered his kingdom to Lord Padmanabhaswamy. 📖 Buy their book: https://www.amazon.in/Gods-Own-Empire-Extraordinary-Travancore/dp/0143471589 📸 Follow Raghu & Pushpa Palat: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/raghupalat/ https://www.instagram.com/palatpushpa/ https://www.instagram.com/palatbooks/ Twitter/X – https://x.com/raghupalat https://x.com/pushpapalat ⸻ 📢 Follow Bharatvaarta: Twitter/X – https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta Instagram – https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta 👤 Follow the Host – Roshan Cariappa: Twitter/X – https://x.com/RoshanCariappa Instagram – https://instagram.com/carygottheblues

Aurangzeb, History & the Politics of Memory – Saurabh Lohogaonkar on India’s Distorted Past ⚔️📖 Aurangzeb remains one of the most polarizing figures in Indian history — remembered as both an emperor and a tyrant, a ruler and a destroyer. But what happens when centuries later, his legacy is rewritten to fit modern political comfort? In this thought-provoking conversation, Saurabh Lohogaonkar joins host Roshan Cariappa to unpack how India’s history has been selectively sanitized — how tyrants became “administrators,” persecution was reframed as “policy,” and why the truth about Aurangzeb still makes us uneasy today. Lohogaonkar argues that whitewashing history doesn’t heal wounds — it deepens them. He explores how religious orthodoxy replaced pluralism, how the Deccan wars drained the empire, and how post-independence academia rebranded a dark chapter of history as a misunderstood reign. This episode is not about hate — it’s about honesty, memory, and reclaiming clarity from centuries of distortion. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – The Distorted Narrative: How History Whitewashed Aurangzeb 07:20 – Aurangzeb vs Akbar: Two Visions of Empire 14:15 – Faith, Power & Persecution: Religion as State Policy 23:00 – The Deccan Wars: Shivaji, Resistance & Civilizational Shift 33:45 – The Fall of an Empire: Greed, Exhaustion & Regret 47:10 – Modern Whitewashing: Academia, Textbooks & Denial 58:30 – The Lessons: Truth, Memory & India’s Civilizational Clarity ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 📢 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta 👤 Follow the Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

India’s democracy continues to puzzle the West — thriving amid diversity, faith, and chaos, yet repeatedly misjudged by global indices and foreign intellectuals. In this wide-ranging conversation, Prof. Salvatore Babones joins host Roshan Cariappa to unpack the bias behind Western democracy rankings, the cultural roots of India’s political resilience, and why dharma, not rights, is at the heart of the Indian way. Babones explains why India’s model of democracy isn’t an imitation of the West but an expression of its 5,000-year-old civilizational ethos — a system built on duty, pluralism, and self-restraint. From press freedom myths to the Muslim question and Hindu civil society, this episode explores how India can redefine democracy for the world on its own terms. 00:00 – Intro & Hook: Why India Ranks Below Gaza 01:15 – What is Dharma Democracy? Duty over Rights 03:20 – India’s Liberal Democracy & Western Misreadings 10:40 – Press Freedom & Media Bias Explained 19:00 – How Western Rankings Distort India’s Image 21:15 – Dharma, Duty & the Indian Idea of Citizenship 23:00 – Yogi Adityanath: The Untranslatable Indian Leader 26:30 – Hindu Civil Society: Temples, Pluralism & Democracy 31:45 – Faith & Inclusion: The Muslim Question 36:40 – Partition’s Hangover & Identity Politics 41:30 – Intellectuals, Migration & the Elite Disconnect 47:00 – Race, Discrimination & Lessons from America 52:10 – Can Dharma Include Islam? Paths to Belonging 57:00 – The Future of Dharma Democracy 01:03:25 – Party Modernization: BJP vs Congress 01:09:15 – If You Could Meet One Leader… (Rajendra Prasad) 01:11:10 – Closing Remarks & Sign-Off 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6tqY8tbgQ6nGb4ZQwjX6NH 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/bharatvaarta/id1636240449 📢 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta 👤 Follow the Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/ Chapters

India’s technology story is at a crossroads — from America’s visa games and rising protectionism, to India’s own challenges with innovation, policy, and capital. In this hard-hitting conversation, veteran investor and public intellectual Mohandas Pai joins us to decode what it all means for India’s future. Pai explains why America’s tech dominance rests on Indian talent, why shutting doors will only hurt the US, and how India must shift from being the world’s “IT back office” to building deep-tech companies at scale. We discuss the brain drain myth, the real capital bottlenecks, and why India’s policies often stifle rather than support entrepreneurs. Along the way, he pulls no punches — calling out “cyber coolie” stereotypes, broken tax and justice systems, and the culture of harassment that keeps India from unleashing its true potential. Yet, he remains optimistic: confident that with the right reforms, India can dream big and reach a $10 trillion economy by 2035. This episode is a no-holds-barred dive into India’s place in the global tech order, and the choices that will decide whether we remain a service hub or become an innovation powerhouse. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Hook: America’s Tech Runs on India 01:01 – The H-1B Visa Debate: Myth vs Reality 04:20 – Indian Talent Powering US Companies 07:45 – Why “Make America Great Again” Could Backfire 10:15 – Will Indians Really Return? The Brain Drain Myth 14:00 – From “Cyber Coolies” to Global Tech Leaders 18:10 – The Tech Waves: IBM, Microsoft, Google… Now AI 24:00 – India’s Capital Problem: Subsidies vs Innovation 28:30 – Public vs Private Sector: Who Holds India Back? 32:00 – Policy Bottlenecks: RBI, Taxes & Broken Justice 37:45 – Fixing Procurement, Payments & MSME Growth 45:00 – Politics, Corruption & Civic Failures 50:40 – Closing Thoughts: Optimism & India’s $10T Dream ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 📢 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta 👤 Follow the Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

India’s neighborhood and the wider world are in flux — from youth-led protests in Nepal and regime change in Bangladesh, to Pakistan’s endless games and China’s march to 2049. In this no-holds-barred conversation, former R&AW chief Vikram Sood joins us to decode what it all means for India’s security, sovereignty, and future. Sood explains why Pakistan’s army is driven by an Islamist mindset, why “democracy” for the West really means obedience, and how India must think beyond neighbors to play the great game of geopolitics. We dive into the turmoil in South Asia, America’s hidden hand, China’s civilizational patience, and the real lessons from the Ukraine war. Along the way, he drops razor-sharp one-liners — including “We can’t choose our neighbors, but we can ignore them.” — that capture the essence of India’s choices in a dangerous world. This episode is a deep dive into power, perception, and survival in the 21st century. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Why Geopolitics Never Sleeps 01:15 – Nepal in Chaos: Gen-Z Protests and Internet Revolt 02:40 – Bangladesh Uprising & America’s Hidden Hand 08:00 – Pakistan’s Deep State & Islamist Army Mindset 15:00 – “We Can’t Choose Our Neighbors, But We Can Ignore Them” 19:00 – Balakot, Nuclear Myths & India’s Deterrence Strategy 22:30 – Democracy vs Obedience: What the West Really Wants 25:50 – Why a Good Opposition is Critical for India’s Future 37:00 – Middle East Balancing Act: Iran, Israel & India 42:00 – China’s Long Game: Power and Patience Until 2049 48:00 – Ukraine War & Why America is Losing 54:00 – India’s Path Forward & Closing Thoughts ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 📢 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta 👤 Follow the Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

India’s tax system is once again at a crossroads with GST 2.0. What began as the biggest reform in independent India was riddled with compromises, complexities, and billion-rupee disputes — but what do the new changes really mean for ordinary citizens? Tax lawyer and founder of Tax Compaas, Ajay Rotti, joins us to break it all down. In this insightful conversation, Ajay explains why GST was born more political than economic, how disputes over popcorn, KitKat, and cosmetic creams exposed deep flaws in the system, and why rate rationalisation today is less a revolution than a course correction. We also dive into what GST 2.0 means for the real middle class — from grocery bills and dairy products to insurance and savings — and why simpler compliance could finally give relief to businesses and MSMEs. Ajay sheds light on how tax tribunals might speed up litigation, why expanding the tax base is essential, and how trust, not just revenue, is the true foundation of a fair tax system. Finally, we turn to the larger picture: how taxation shapes India’s growth story, the balance between states and the Centre, and why reforms must go beyond collections to building confidence in governance. Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – From Popcorn to Shampoo: Making GST Rates Simple 10:00 – Why GST Had So Many Slabs in the First Place 20:00 – Inside the GST Council: How India Decides Taxes 30:00 – One Nation, One Tax: Logistics & Compliance Gains 45:00 – Insurance, Housing & Middle Class Impact 55:00 – The Future of GST: Can We Get to One Simple Rate? ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 📢 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta 👤 Follow the Host – Roshan Cariappa 📢 Twitter/X: https://x.com/RoshanCariappa 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carygottheblues/

India’s foreign policy faces new challenges as the US shifts from calling us a “partner” to branding us “problematic.” What does this mean for India’s place in the world? Abhijit Chavda breaks it all down. In this explosive conversation, Abhijit Chavda breaks down how Washington’s view of India has shifted from “most important partner” to “problematic.” We examine Peter Navarro’s outburst, why tariffs are no longer trade tools but geopolitical weapons, and how the deep state often pulls strings behind elected governments. The discussion also covers Trump’s possible return and what it means for India, China’s long game of boxing us in, and the uncomfortable truth that superpowers have no friends—only interests. Abhijit explains how globalisation and the dollar are used as levers of control, why Europe is losing relevance in the emerging order, and how technology has become the new battlefield. Finally, we turn the focus back to India: why we lack long-term strategic will, why short-term politics keeps us on the defensive, and what it would take for India to start thinking in centuries, not election cycles. ⸻ Chapters 00:00 – Intro 07:48 – Why India Is Suddenly “Problematic” for the US 15:51 – From Partner to Pawn: Washington’s Mask Slips 24:02 – Tariffs as Geopolitical Weapons 32:09 – The Deep State and Its Global Games 40:08 – Trump’s Return: What It Means for India 48:06 – China’s Strategy: Boxing India In 56:06 – Superpowers Have No Friends, Only Interests 01:04:11 – Globalisation and the Dollar Trap 01:12:17 – Europe’s Decline in the New World Order 01:20:24 – Technology and India’s Crossroads 01:26:40 – Final Thoughts: Can India Think in Centuries? ⸻ 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2slDFL5jAFh8k0XK3yR2sQ 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/bharatvaarta/id1510599852 📢 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/Bharatvaarta

In this hard-hitting follow-up, author Medha ji dismantles pop-culture myths around the Mughals and revisits why Ch. Shivaji Maharaj’s revolution mattered. She challenges romanticized screen portrayals (Salim the “hero,” Akbar the “liberal”) with court chronicles and references, then contrasts them with Ch. Shivaji’s governance—protecting civilians, punishing molestation, and easing agrarian burdens. We also examine the human cost of imperial monuments—extraction from farmers, enslavement, famine—and ecological shifts like poppy displacing native crops, alongside Jahangir’s own tally of mass hunts. Finally, we address textbook narratives that blur the Maratha handover to the British—and why remembering accurately matters now. Chapters- 00:00 – Intro 01:07 – Why History, Not Religion, Matters in This Discussion 03:12 – Bollywood Myths: Salim the Drunkard, Akbar’s Scouts & Harems 10:18 – Babur’s Atrocities & Guru Nanak’s Testimony 17:26 – The Massacre at Chittorgarh: 40,000 Killed 22:12 – Jahangir’s Hunts, Addictions & Obsessions 28:25 – Slavery, Eunuchs & Exploitation under the Mughals 34:47 – Ch. Shivaji Maharaj's Moral Code: Protecting Women & Civilians 35:14 – The Tax Burden: 50% vs 10% Under Shivaji 39:50 – What Did the Mughals Really Give India? 41:05 – Monuments, Temples & the Cost of Glory 43:15 – Distorted History: Who Really Ruled Before the British? 48:20 – Broken Temples, Opium Cultivation & Ecological Collapse 50:18 – Skull Mounds, Famines & Forgotten Horrors 52:30 – Final Message: Reclaiming India’s Story 👉 If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t forget to subscribe to Bharatvaarta! We bring you deep, thoughtful discussions on politics, policy, and culture every week. 📢 Follow us on Twitter for updates: twitter.com/Bharatvaarta 📸 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/Bharatvaarta

In this honest and deeply inspiring episode, IPS officer and bestselling author Amit Lodha — the real-life hero behind Netflix’s Khakee: The Bihar Chapter — shares raw insights from his journey of justice, storytelling, and service. From chasing hardened criminals across Bihar to writing bestsellers in stolen moments of silence, Amit Lodha reflects on what it means to stay principled in a world that rarely rewards it. He talks about crime, leadership, failure, and finding purpose — not just in uniform, but in everyday life. A must-watch for anyone seeking courage, clarity, and conviction in their own journey. 👮‍♂️📚

In this stirring episode, author Medha Bhaskaran uncovers the brutal history of the Hindu holocaust, forgotten battles, and the rise of Shivaji — not just as a warrior, but as a revolutionary leader who transformed barren land and broken people into a thriving Swarajya. From centuries of invasion to the emotional rebirth of nationhood, she shares vivid, unflinching stories of enslavement, resistance, and the magical connection between Shivaji and his people. A must-watch for anyone interested in Indian history, forgotten narratives, and what it really took to build an empire from scratch. 🏹🔥

In this incredible conversation, Intel technologist and grassroots leader Ananthan Ayyasamy shares his astonishing rise—from farm labor and caste barriers in rural Tamil Nadu to becoming a top 1% realtor in the U.S. and writing patents at Intel. But the story doesn’t stop there. Ananthan gave it all up to return to India—fighting for clean politics, rural upliftment, and systemic change through his foundation and public service. This episode is a masterclass in perseverance, service, and impact. A must-watch for anyone who believes in the Indian dream—and wants to build it. 💪🇮🇳

In this bold and wide-ranging conversation, investor and author Saurabh Mukherjea explains how artificial intelligence is triggering the biggest shift in India’s white-collar workforce in decades. With powerful data, historical insight, and personal anecdotes, he unpacks how job roles, education models, and middle-class ambition itself must be reimagined. From creative destruction to entrepreneurial reinvention, from social conditioning to skill-based survival, this episode offers a roadmap for anyone navigating careers, identity, and opportunity in the AI era. A must-watch for professionals, students, parents, and policymakers who care about India’s future. 🎙️🚀

In this insightful conversation, economist Neelkanth Mishra (Chief Economist, Axis Bank) breaks down how India can unlock its true growth potential—and the invisible challenges holding us back. From workforce participation to capital cycles, from China’s competitive lessons to India’s fiscal discipline—this is a masterclass in decoding the Indian economy. Neelkanth also pulls back the curtain on India’s bureaucracy, governance bottlenecks, and the difficult balance between good economics and winning politics. A must-watch for anyone who cares about India’s future and wants to understand how we can rise faster, smarter, stronger. 🇮🇳📈 A must-watch for every founder, policymaker, student, or citizen with a stake in India’s economic journey. 🚀 ⸻ 00:00 – Intro 01:00 – India’s Potential Growth: Workforce, Capital & Productivity 07:07 – The Invisible Roadblocks to Reform 13:52 – How China Forced India’s Bureaucracy to Wake Up 20:35 – Good Economics vs. Bad Politics: Can Fiscal Prudence Win? 25:20 – How India Can Become Export Competitive 30:32 – City-Led vs Distributed Growth: What’s Better for India? 34:31 – Why Managing Urban Growth is Critical 34:42 – Rapid Fire: Past Economic Myths & Books That Changed His Thinking 35:50 – Closing: Markets vs Institutions & Final Thoughts