Send us Fan Mail

India spends just 0.7% of its GDP on research and development, compared to 2.5%-5.5% in countries like the US and China.

What will it take for India to move from catching up to leading?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks with Dr. Jogin Desai, CEO & Founder of Eyestem, as they explore the structural challenges in India’s innovation ecosystem, from limited private risk capital to the gap between research and real-world impact.

They also discuss how India is uniquely positioned at a moment in time where global shifts, policy support, and entrepreneurial momentum could unlock a new wave of deep tech innovation.

From reversing vision loss to building scalable and affordable therapies, this conversation looks at what it will take for India to create solutions not just for itself, but for the world.

Tune in to hear insights on biotech, capital, regulation, and the future of innovation in India.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast #podcast #innovation #deeptech #biotech #researchanddevelopment #india #healthcareinnovation #startupindia #futureofhealthcare

--------------

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:12 - Exploring India's R&D spending

00:04:31 - Opportunities in India

00:06:14 - The lack of risk capital

00:08:58 - Challenges in translating academic research to societal impact

00:11:38 - India's $300 billion bioeconomy and moving beyond generics

00:13:30 - The evolution of regulatory standards in India vs. the FDA

00:16:24 - Founding Eyestem and tackling unaffordable therapies

00:24:07 - Future pipeline: Parkinson's, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and more

00:26:09 - The importance of a lean, self-driven innovation team

00:27:24 - Myths about India's originality and lessons from China's biotech sector

00:31:14 - Leapfrogging globally in cell and gene therapy

00:32:46 - AI in biology: Opportunities, hype, and necessary guardrails

00:35:56 - Outro --------------

#innovation #deeptech #biotech #researchanddevelopment #india #healthcareinnovation #startupindia #futureofhealthcare #biotechnology #indiastartups #medtech #scienceandtechnology #globalinnovation

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shutapa_Paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Dr Jogin Desai on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jogin-desai/

Twitter X: https://x.com/jogin_desai

Eyestem: https://eyestem.com/

Send us Fan Mail

India is projected to become a $110 billion semiconductor market by 2030.
But can the country move beyond being the world’s back office and build a true deeptech and hardware innovation economy?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul sits down with tech industry veteran, BV Naidu, Chairman of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), to discuss India’s transition from a software services powerhouse to a deep tech and hardware innovation economy.

Tune in to hear BV Naidu’s insights from decades of experience shaping India’s technology ecosystem from the early days of the internet to the rise of deep tech today.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#Podcast #DeepTech #Semiconductors #InnovationEconomy #TechPolicy #StartupEcosystem #IndiaInnovation

----------------

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:08 - India's deep tech shift

00:06:26 - Government support and funding

00:07:43 - Innovation hubs beyond back-offices

00:09:38 - Sustainability in high-tech industry

00:11:21 - "Beyond Bengaluru" cluster development

00:15:48 - STPI implementation and evolution

00:18:50 - Historical Indian tech milestones

00:26:19 - StartupXseed Ventures, deep tech funding & mentorship

00:36:16 - Personal motivation and vision

00:40:37 - Advice for deep tech founders

00:42:04 - Outro


----------------

#DeepTech #IndiaInnovation #StartupEcosystem #TechLeadership #GlobalCapabilityCenters #InnovationEconomy #FutureOfTechnology #Entrepreneurship #IndiaGrowthStory #SustainableInnovation #FounderMindset #TechEcosystem #India2030 #GlobalTech #startupleadership

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shutapa_Paul
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/
Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow BV Naidu on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bv-naidu-92659529/

Send us Fan Mail

Only 27% of Indians have basic financial literacy, and that gap becomes dangerous as more people enter the stock market and rely on digital financial tools.

In this episode of ‘What India Needs’, Shutapa Paul speaks with Karthik Rangappa, Chief of Education at Zerodha and Curator of Varsity, India’s largest open-source financial education initiative.

Together, they discuss why financial literacy remains low in India, how digital scams are becoming more sophisticated with AI, and what individuals can do to make smarter, long-term financial decisions. From unrealistic expectations in stock markets to the importance of simple, common-sense investing, this conversation cuts through the noise.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #FinancialLiteracy #PersonalFinance #Investing #IndianStockMarket #MoneyManagement #FinancialEducation

—

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:16 - Gaps in financial literacy in India

00:04:07 - Linguistic diversity in financial education

00:07:00 - The rise of demat accounts

00:10:05 - Women's in Trading and Financial Initiatives

00:14:50 - Financial fraud, digital scams, and regulatory efforts

00:21:55 - Finfluencers: Controversy and the Need for Sensible Advice

00:25:47 - Making Money Vs Managing Money

00:28:35 - The purpose and need for Varsity

00:34:00 - Karthik Rangappa’s personal journey

00:39:10 - Advice for First-Time Investors

00:48:18 - Outro

—

#LongTermInvesting #YoungInvestors #DigitalScams #AIFraud #WealthBuilding

#FinancialLiteracy #Zerodha #Varsity

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shutapa_paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Karthik Rangappa on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karthik-rangappa0001/

Twitter X: https://x.com/karthikrangappa?s=20

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karthikrangappa/

Send us Fan Mail

India’s past has many versions. Which version of history do you believe?

In this episode of What India Needs, Shutapa Paul deciphers bygone times with historian and acclaimed author Dr. Vikram Sampath. From Mahatma Gandhi and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar to Jawaharlal Nehru and B R Ambedkar, the conversation touches upon many controversial Indian leaders. They also discuss the realities of being a contemporary historian in India, challenges of writing biographies amid political pressure, cinema’s overarching influence on public memory, and why parts of India’s freedom struggle remain missing from textbooks.

Dr. Sampath also speaks about truth and reconciliation, the dismal state of Indian archives, and how technology and AI can help democratise access to knowledge.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast #IndianHistory #PublicHistory #FreedomStruggle #TruthVsNarrative #Historians

—

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:08 - The Challenges and opportunities of being a contemporary historian

00:05:22 - History, Politics, and the Role of the Historian

00:12:18 - Handling Criticism and Trolling as an Author

00:16:20 - The Politicalisation of Historical Debates

00:17:07 - History in Cinema and the Problem of Whitewashing

00:19:53 - Biographer's Approach

00:22:34 - Debunking Myths: V.D. Savarkar's Petitions

00:28:52 - The Armed Struggle for Independence and its Erasure

00:34:57 - Savarkar vs. Gandhi: The Conflict

00:37:57 - Controversies in History Curriculum

00:40:59 - History, Politics, and Healing

00:44:03 - Truth and Reconciliation process

00:46:34 - The state of Indian Archives

00:52:36 - Overcoming Bureaucracy: FIHCR

00:59:05 - NAAV AI: Using AI Translation and Content Accessibility

01:12:52 - From corporate life to history

01:14:10 - Outro

—

#Podcast #IndianHistory #HistoryAndPolitics #Savarkar #Gandhi #FreedomStruggle #PublicIntellectuals #Archives #HistoricalMemory #IndianIdeas

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shutapa_paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Dr. Vikram Sampath on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vikram-sampath-frhists-056910/

Twitter X: https://x.com/vikramsampath

Ins

Send us Fan Mail

36% of India’s tech workforce is women, but only 8% reach senior leadership. What’s keeping women from leading the future of work?

In this episode of the What India Needs Podcast, Shutapa Paul speaks with Shreya Krishnan, Managing Director - India, of AnitaB.org, a global non-profit working to advance women in technology. Together, they explore how India can build equitable workplaces where inclusion drives innovation.

Join the conversation as we unpack the numbers, the systemic challenges women face, and the roadmap for creating inclusive workspaces.

Catch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WomenInTech #GenderEquity #FutureOfWork #Inclusion #Leadership #WhatIndiaNeeds

____

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:02:43 – Women in India’s tech workforce

00:04:00 – Representation versus inclusion

00:05:28 – Academic Conditioning & STEM Bias

00:12:00 – Post-COVID Crisis & The Loss of Agency

00:19:17 – Pay Gap & Performance Bias

00:24:03 – Choosing Our Bias Over Data

00:31:19 – Why Tech Isn't Built for Women

00:34:44 – About ‘Words Matter’

00:37:30 – AnitaB.org's Vision and Programs

00:41:30 – Outro

____

#WorkplaceCulture #CareerGrowth #WomenEmpowerment #Sustainability #WordsMatter #Mentorship #WorkplaceInclusion #BreakingBias

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shutapa_paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Shreya Krishnan on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shreya-krishnan-3190098/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/shreyakrishnan_?s=20

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drama.rani/

Send us Fan Mail

67 lakh handloom weavers in the 1980s; just 31 lakh today.

In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks with Emily Chakraborty, founder of Kaisori, on the challenges facing India's weaving communities, including supply chain struggles, low wages, and middlemen that threaten artisanal livelihoods. They discuss the importance of treating craft as a serious business and how rediscovery is key to preserving our heritage.

Tune in to hear Emily's insights on empowering artisans, scaling handmade businesses, and supporting women weavers.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #IndianCraft #Handloom #WomenInBusiness #SustainableCraft #RediscoverIndia

______

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:29 - Decline of weavers in India

00:03:59 - Treating craft as a business

00:06:09 - Challenges of input cost

00:08:17 - Health & wellbeing of weavers

00:11:22 - Women at the heart of Indian craft

00:13:30 - Policy gaps & much-needed interventions

00:15:27 - Uniqueness & respect for craft

00:16:58 - GI tags & consumer education

00:18:22 - Competing with fast fashion

00:25:18 - Building Kaisori: origin and purpose

00:27:57 - Kaisori’s business model & cluster work

00:34:58 - Advice to entrepreneurs

00:38:16 - Buyer’s role

00:39:52 - Outro

______

#IndianArtisans #HandmadeHeritage #WomenEntrepreneurs #CraftBusiness #SustainableFashion #Rediscovery

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shutapa_paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Emily Chakraborty on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-chakraborty-b696636/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chakrabortyemily/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail

The Indian startup ecosystem may be thriving but over 28,000 startups have failed in recent years.

In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks with Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, about the challenges facing the Indian startup ecosystem and how innovation and entrepreneurship can bridge the urban-rural divide, empower women, and solve grassroots problems.

From success stories in the Northeast to bold experiments in social entrepreneurship, this discussion unpacks what it will take to create a real Viksit Bharat from the ground up.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #ViksitBharat #Startups #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact #India2047

—

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:36 - Challenges startups face

00:05:50 - India’s $34.7 trillion dream and the gaps

00:07:56 - Bridging the urban–rural innovation divide

00:11:19 - Scaling social entrepreneurship

00:13:27 - Wishlist to the government on policy

00:16:18 - Building entrepreneurship ecosystem in North east

00:19:24 - India’s Startup Future

00:23:35 - Women entrepreneurs driving livelihoods

00:31:04 - Eastern India’s startup potential

00:32:27 - Innovative startups at IIMCIP

00:41:30 - Learnings as the CEO of IIMCIP

00:44:56 - Outro

—

#InclusiveInnovation #GrassrootsEntrepreneurs #RuralInnovation #MSMEs #SocialEntrepreneurship #ImpactInnovation #FutureOfBharat

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shutapa_paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Subhrangshu Sanyal on

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/subhrangshu-sanyal-774a128

Send us a text

India wants tourism and hospitality to fuel a $3 trillion economy by 2047. But here’s the truth: only 1% of the 37 million people employed in the sector are formally trained.

In this episode of What India Needs!, Shutapa Paul speaks with Dr. Suborno Bose, hospitality educator and Founder of IIHM, on the future of hospitality, including skills gaps, sustainability, women in the workforce, policy hurdles, and AI-powered solutions like NamAIste.

Catch the latest episode now on YouTube or Spotify!

#WhatIndiaNeeds #WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast #Hospitality #Tourism #AI #SkillingIndia #IndianEconomy #WomenInWorkforce #SustainableTourism

_______________

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:33 - Acute shortage of talent in the sector

00:07:40 - Long hours, lifestyle & retention

00:12:10 - The $3 trillion goal

00:14:05 - Homestays, agro-tourism & new growth engines

00:16:33 - Women in hospitality

00:20:30 - Policy challenges & regulatory inconsistencies

00:23:32 - Why training cannot stay in classrooms

00:27:45 - Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities: The next hospitality hubs

00:32:15 - Sustainability & Responsible Tourism

00:36:45 - Dr Bose’s journey

00:39:32 - Technology in Hospitality: AI for Today, Not Tomorrow

00:48:22 - Ratan Tata & International Hospitality Day

00:57:12 - Outro

______________

#WomenInHospitality #TravelIndia #SustainableTourism #AgroTourism #Homestays #HotelIndustry #IndianEconomy #IndiaGrowthStory #TourismEconomy #AI #AIinHospitality #NamAIste

Subscribe to our channel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapapaulpodcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shutapa_paul

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-shutapa-paul-podcast

To know more:

Follow Shutapa Paul on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shutapapaul/

Twitter X: https://x.com/ShutapaPaul

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shutapa?igsh=MWZ5cHB3aDg3b21jcQ==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shutapapaulpage/

Follow Dr Suborno Bose on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-suborno-bose/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/subornobose

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsubornobose/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suborno.bose/