Lieutenant General D’Cunha is the Director General of Army Air Defence (AAD). He assumed command as the Chief of Army Air Defence in 2023. An alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, he was commissioned into the Corps of Army Air Defence in December 1988.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how India’s air defence system foiled a bid by Pakistan to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

He discusses how India’s indigenous 'Aksahteer', intercepted and neutralised projectiles from Pakistan and showcased India’s dominance in real-time, automated air defence warfare.

Air Marshal Kapoor praises the efficiency of guns as an aerial shield against Pakistani drone attacks, highlighting their role as an undisputed form of air defence and their success in destroying Pakistan’s drones.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

00:47 – Pakistan's Attempt to Target Golden Temple

05:37 – India’s Air Defence System

13:02 – India's Akashteer System

20:26 – Drone Strikes by Pakistan on India

28:15 – Role of Guns in Air Defence

32:48 – Evolution of Drone Warfare

37:35 – Rahul-Jaishankar Row

43:53 – Pakistan Using Civil Air Traffic as a Shield

49:15 – Red Team Concept

52:16 – Warning to Pakistan’s Military Leadership

56:27 – Strategy of the Indian Army

Byju Raveendran is a teacher and engineer, and the founder of BYJU’S, once India’s most valuable edtech startup, valued at 22 billion dollars. Divya Gokulnath, his wife and co-founder, played a key role in shaping BYJU’S content and brand.

BYJU’S saw a rapid rise followed by a sharp fall due to financial losses, governance issues, and legal troubles. Its fast expansion and multiple acquisitions put pressure on its operations and finances. Regulatory investigations and investor backlash made things worse, leading to layoffs, insolvency concerns, and a damaged reputation.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Byju and Divya break their silence on the controversies surrounding them, from the $1.2 billion term loan case in the U.S. to legal battles and company acquisitions. Byju also opens up about the mistakes that led to the downfall of India’s edtech giant.

Will there be a BYJU’S 3.0? What is the couple up to now? Why are they in Dubai? The founders reveal it all in this tell-all podcast.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Coming Up

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – 'Fugitive' Tag

03:32 – Lookout Notice by ED

06:45 – $1.2 Billion Term Loan Case in the U.S.

10:53 – Fight with U.S. Lenders

17:46 – BYJU’S Legal Crisis

19:44 – BYJU’S: Rise and Fall

24:04 – Aakash Institute Acquisition

26:09 – WhiteHat Jr. Acquisition

29:35 – Work Culture at BYJU’S

31:13 – Sales Model of BYJU’S

34:19 – USP of BYJU’S

37:22 – Media Narratives on BYJU’S

42:24 – BYJU’S–BCCI Dispute

45:12 – BYJU’S Ad Deal with Messi & SRK

50:11 – India’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

54:20 – Parents’ Refund Complaints

59:28 – BYJU’S: Highs and Lows

1:02:41 – BYJU’S 3.0

1:08:06 – Impact of AI on Entrepreneurship

1:13:05 – Introduction to Co-Founder Divya Gokulnath

1:15:00 – Divya Gokulnath’s Family Background

1:21:37 – Divya & Byju’s Marriage

1:25:12 – BYJU’S ‘Education for All’ Initiative

1:30:00 – Byju's Family Under 'Threat'

1:37:56 – BYJU’S Insolvency

1:42:51 – ‘International Fugitive’ Tag

1:52:08 – BYJU’S 3.0

1:59:57 – The India Story

Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor (Retd) has served as the Director General (Inspection and Safety) of the Indian Air Force. He has also held the position of Commandant at both the Air Force Academy and the National Defence Academy. With over 7,800 hours of incident-free flying on various trainer, transport, and strategic aircraft, he is considered one of the stalwarts of Aerial Refuelling Operations in the Indian Air Force. He has also flown the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about India’s air defence system that stunned Pakistan. He discusses advanced systems like the S-400 and Akash missile systems, and explains how the Indian Air Force successfully intercepted Pakistani drones and missiles.

Air Marshal Kapoor praises India’s engineers, scientists, and the Air Force for developing indigenous technology capable of countering threats from Pakistan. He also comments on the continued support the United States gives to Pakistan, despite Islamabad’s well-known record of harbouring terrorists and supporting state-sponsored terrorism.

00:00 - Introduction

00:39 - Operation Sindoor

05:08 - PM's Address to the Nation

09:53 - Air defence deal with Russia

19:19 - First day of Operation Sindoor

20:55 - Integrated Air Command and Control System

25:34 - Pakistan's drone & missiles attack

29:37 - Pak attacks on religious sites in India

34:05 - Pak's Nuclear threat

37:28 - 'Goli Ka Jawab Gola'

42:53 - Global aviation view on India-Pak crisis

45:56 - India's plan amid current conflict

50:42 - Talks only if PoK is returned

52:27 - Sargodha Airfield

54:34 - Is Karachi Port destroyed?

57:45 - Russia-Ukraine Conflict

1:02:16 - Indian vs Pak Air Force

1:07:15 - Will Pakistan strike again?

1:11:09 - US F-series fighter jets

1:12:48 - India's most potent weapon

1:15:18 - Ceasefire status

Lieutenant General Satish Dua (Retd) served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and was also the Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps. He played a key role in planning and executing the Uri surgical strikes in Kashmir.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he shares insights on the evolving nature of drone warfare between India and Pakistan, and how India's air defence systems have responded. He also speaks about the deep sense of patriotism among Indian youth and their unwavering commitment to the country.

General Dua further explains why Pakistan has targeted temples, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure and contrasts it with India’s focused strikes on terror sites within Pakistan.

Note: This episode was recorded on May 10 at 11 AM, before the India-Pakistan ceasefire announcement.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

00:45 – India vs Pakistan: Drone Warfare

09:53 – Pakistan Targeting Civilians

15:03 – India’s Patriotic Youth

29:00 – Pakistan’s Nuclear Threat

35:02 – Disinformation in the Media

44:38 – CCS Meeting Chaired by PM Modi

52:59 – India-Pakistan Territorial Issues

1:01:59 – U.S. Role in India-Pakistan Tensions

1:12:33 – The Idea of India

Vice Admiral Satishkumar Namdeo Ghormade served in the Indian Navy for 39 years and retired in 2022. He held several key positions, including serving as the 36th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations and Training), Controller of Personnel Services at Naval Headquarters, and Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command.

Under his supervision, India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, was commissioned on September 2, 2022, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Vice Admiral Ghormade discusses the capabilities of the Indian Navy, compares them with the Pakistani Navy, and shares insights on who holds the edge in maritime operations. He also touches upon the external support Pakistan receives in building submarines.

He highlights that Karachi Port is a critical hub for Pakistan’s military logistics and trade, and says that if it were to be neutralised, Pakistan’s war machinery would be severely impacted. He also speaks about how the ‘Make in India’ initiative is significantly strengthening India's naval capabilities.

*Timestamps:*

00:00 – Introduction

00:43 – Indian Navy’s Role

03:07 – Pakistan Navy’s Vulnerability

06:45 – Indian Navy vs Pakistan Navy

10:52 – Karachi Port Importance for Pakistan

14:29 – Indian Submarines on High Alert

19:11 – Rules of Engagement in Armed Conflict

22:59 – Operation Trident During the 1971 War

28:25 – PM Modi Meeting with 3 Armed Forces Chiefs

30:53 – Biggest Strength of the Indian Navy

35:06 – Turkey’s Support to Pakistan

39:09 – De-escalation in India-Pakistan Clash

46:11 – Citizens’ Role in War

51:06 – Advice to Media

Tilak Devasher is an author, an expert on everything Pakistan and a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Yash Sinha is the former High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, Sri Lanka and also served as India’s Chief Information Commissioner.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the possible consequences Pakistan could face after India suspended the Indus Water Treaty. Yash Sinha talks about the mindset of the Pakistani people and how many of them see India as their eternal enemy. Tilak Devasher speaks about reports that the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were using Chinese phones and how long Pakistan can last in the case of a long war.

Note: This episode was recorded on May 6, 2025, a day before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.

00:00 – Introduction

01:28 – Mock Drills in India

03:50 – UNSC Meeting on Kashmir

06:29 – Foreign Relations of Pakistan

09:15 – Internal Security Threats to Pakistan

12:19 – USA’s Stand on India-Pak Tensions

15:47 – How Pakistani Diplomats Behave

24:38 – Chinese Phones Linked to Pahalgam Attack

32:44 – Indus Water Treaty

37:12 – Irrigation System of Pakistan

39:44 – Dams and Hydro Projects

43:50 – How India Creates Deterrence

46:17 – China & the Flow of the Brahmaputra River

49:04 – Blockade in the Indian Ocean

50:31 – Recalling the 1971 & 1965 Wars

54:48 – Is India Ready for War?

57:55 – Smuggling of Iranian Oil into Pakistan

59:16 – China Backing Pakistan

01:01:01 – Pakistan’s War Capabilities

01:03:56 – Denuclearisation of Pakistan

01:05:26 – Why Mock Drills Are Happening Now

01:09:21 – Pakistan’s Psyche About India

01:12:42 – Pakistanis Marrying Kashmiris

01:16:42 – Social Media Accounts of Pakistani Celebs Banned

01:19:57 – Role of the Streets in Policy Making

Lt. Gen. K.J.S. Dhillon (Retd), popularly known as ‘Tiny Dhillon’, is a highly decorated officer with a distinguished career spanning over 39 years. He has served as the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Intelligence). He earned widespread recognition for leading unconventional, people-centric operations during his tenure as the head of the XV Corps in Kashmir.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt. Gen. Dhillon (Retd) discusses Pakistan’s hollow nuclear threats against India and explains why Islamabad remains uneasy about developments in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.

He also shares practical advice for civilians on what to do in the event of war or an emergency-like situation, and emphasises why Indians should not fear mock drills. Towards the end, he delivers a clear message to all citizens: stay alert and report any suspicious activity around you.

Note: This episode was recorded on May 6, 2025, a day before India carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.

00:00 – Introduction

00:51 – Mock Drills in India

09:56 – Radicalisation in India

15:38 – Pakistani Nationals Living in India

19:55 – Coverage of Troop Movements

25:21 – Public Outrage After Pahalgam Attack

31:42 – Indus Water Treaty

42:52 – Punjabi Influence in Pakistan

47:50 – Pakistan's Nuclear Option

54:58 – Pahalgam Terror Attack

1:07:56 – Local Support to Pahalgam Terrorists

1:15:04 – Online Hate for Himanshi Narwal

1:26:28 – Pakistan’s Barbaric Act

1:29:43 – Launch of Second Book

Ajay Bisaria, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan. Sushant Sareen, also a Senior Fellow at ORF, an expert on Pakistan and security issues in the region.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the two discuss how India should respond to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. They talk about the importance of being precise and strategic if India decides to take military action against Pakistan.

The conversation also explores how the world might react if tensions between the two countries increase. Will India and Pakistan get support from their allies? What role will global powers like the US, Russia, and China play?

*Timestamps:*

00:00 – Introduction

00:40 – India’s Strategy Against Pakistan

08:50 – Pakistani Citizens' Views on India

19:50 – Casualties in War

33:11 – 'Dirty Work' of Terrorism

45:55 – Pak Army Chief's Role in Pahalgam Attack

54:40 – Pakistan’s ‘False Flag Operation’ Claim

1:03:15 – Pakistanis living in Kashmir

1:22:02 – Indus Water Treaty

1:32:28 – India-Pakistan Airspace Standoff

1:38:48 – Pakistani YT Channels Blocked