In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, IRS Ravi Kapoor is joined by Alok Ranjan, retired IAS officer and former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh. With 38 years of administrative experience — including serving as Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister and Chairman of UPSIDC — he brings rare insight into governance, development, and the inner workings of India’s largest state.

Together, they discuss:

• Akhilesh Yadav’s development phase and policy style
• Why Uttar Pradesh functions like “a country, not a state”
• The real reasons industrial growth remained concentrated
• How law-and-order impacts development in UP
• Corruption, the posting mafia, and systemic challenges
• Why the Yamuna and Ganga remain polluted despite massive projects
• Noida vs Gurugram: what smart urban planning looks like

A deep, candid conversation on governance, leadership, and the complexities of transforming a state as vast and diverse as Uttar Pradesh.

In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, IRS Ravi Kapoor sits down with Major General G.D. Bakshi (Retd.) — a decorated Indian Army veteran, author, and one of India’s most recognisable national security voices. A 6 JAK Rifles officer who fought in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and led key counter-insurgency operations in J&K, General Bakshi is known for his forthright commentary and deep interest in consciousness, ancient philosophy, and military strategy.

In this conversation, they explore:

• General Bakshi’s journey from personal loss to the Indian Army
• Hinduism as an experiential science of consciousness
• Soma, DMT, endorphins and the chemistry behind mystical states
• The CIA’s Stargate project and remote-viewing experiments
• How the Vedas, Fibonacci patterns and DNA connect to quantum science
• Insights on astral projection and the holographic universe

A rare blend of military history, philosophy, science and metaphysics — this episode promises a gripping and unconventional deep dive into the mind of one of India’s most provocative thinkers.

In this episode of The Syllabus of Life, IRS Ravi Kapoor sits down with Priyanka Chaturvedi — Rajya Sabha MP and Deputy Leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray). Known for her outspoken views on gender, governance and public policy, Priyanka brings sharp insight and refreshing candour.

Together, they explore:

• Freedom, state surveillance and the future of privacy in India
• Whether India is over-regulating expression
• The debate on regulating social media influencers
• Why crimes against women continue to rise
• The real life of an MP — salary, perks, workload and hidden pressures

The episode ends with a fun rapid-fire round where Priyanka talks about her personal routines, stress management, favourite politicians, whether Bollywood or Parliament is more dramatic, her take on AI, and more.

Tune in for an honest, energetic and eye-opening conversation.