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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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

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Since April 1, 1935, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been protecting India’s economy. Printing currency, managing banks, controlling inflation, and handling the Rupee — the nation’s central bank has been doing it all. But the inner workings of this carefully guarded institution has remained an enigma.

In this episode of What India Needs, Shutapa Paul is joined by Alpana Killawala, former Principal Advisor at the Reserve Bank of India, and an insider who gives us a ‘fly on the wall’ view of the RBI.

From UPI scams and fintech regulation to inflation control and autonomy debates, this conversation sheds light on what the RBI can and cannot do. Alpana shares her personal experiences from landmark events, including demonetisation, the Harshad Mehta scam, and the shift to digital banking, offering unmatched insight into an institution that shapes every Indian’s economic reality.

Watch it now on YouTube or listen to it on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast #RBI #UPI #cyberfraud #fintech #inflation #demonetisation #centralbank #indianeconomy #publicpolicy #financialregulation

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:18 - India’s economic challenges

00:04:15 - The skipped manufacturing phase

00:06:56 - Responsible innovation & regulating fintech

00:10:18 - UPI’s rise and the scam problem

00:14:20 - Idle youth and job creation

00:15:40 - View on Rupee value and exchange Rate

00:20:12 - The Tussle within RBI

00:24:56 - AI in RBI’s supervisory process

00:26:09 - The Harshad Mehta Scam

00:31:22 - Learnings from six RBI Governors

00:44:20 - What made her write the book

00:48:08 - Recalling the demonetisation days

00:56:32 - What it’s like to work at the RBI

00:59:33 - The compartmentalised RBI

01:06:17 - Stress and pressure in banking career

01:10:28 - Is RBI’s autonomy at risk?

01:12:11 - Advice for future RBI aspirants

01:13:23 - Outro

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#CyberThreats #FinancialFraud #RBIInsights #FinancialInnovation #FintechRegulation #DigitalIndia #Demonetisation

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India’s green cover is increasing… or is it a facade?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul engages with Vaibhav Raje, India’s first ISA-certified arborist, and together they explore the truth behind India’s forest cover statistics. From saplings replacing centuries-old canopies to tree protection policies that rarely work in practice, we examine the growing gap between perception and reality.

Tune in to hear Vaibhav’s sharp insights, on-ground experience, and candid perspectives on the future of sustainability in India.

Watch it now on YouTube or listen to it on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #podcast #urbanforests #treepolicy #greencover #vaibhavraje #arboriculture #sustainabilityIndia #cityplanning #forestcover #environmentIndia #indiancities #climatecrisisIndia #WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:11 - Green Cover: Myth vs reality

00:04:00 - The 33 percent goal and policy disconnect

00:10:01 - Suggestions for policymakers

00:12:47 - Development and sustainability

00:14:29 - What is Arboriculture?

00:16:40 - Case study

00:20:05 - Role of technology in saving trees

00:23:06 - Policy gaps, governance challenges, and public awareness

00:26:02 - Concerns about pruning

00:30:37 - What to do when trees outgrow their space

00:35:55 - Urban forest and Miyawaki plantation

00:40:44 - How citizens can take responsible steps

00:44:26 - Outro

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#urbanforests #treepolicy #greencover #indiancities #environmentIndia #sustainabilityIndia #arboriculture #climatecrisisIndia #cityplanning #forestcover

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Treecotech: ⁠http://www.treecotech.com/⁠

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Traditional media is being challenged, but can creators be trusted with the truth?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks with Rishi Mukherjee, founder of Jist Media and co-founder of ScoopWhoop, to discuss the rise of India’s creator economy, the role of AI in spreading misinformation, and what it takes to build credibility in today’s digital age.

From virality without massive following to the threat of fake news, we explore the biggest shifts in Indian media and what the future holds. What does it mean to be a responsible content creator today? How do you balance growth, relevance, and ethics?

Tune in to hear Rishi’s sharp insights, startup journey, and honest reflections on the digital media boom.

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #creatorsofindia #digitalmedia #AImisinformation #mediadisruption #newmedia #trustonline #contentcreators #genZcontent #ScoopWhoop #JistMedia

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00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:49 - Is traditional media dying?

00:06:51 - Understanding micro-trends and timing

00:11:57 - The rise of fake news in the AI age

00:16:54 - Checks and balances in New Media

00:25:56 - Can creators really build public trust?

00:29:50 - The ScoopWhoop to Jist journey

00:52:52 - Advice to younger creators

00:58:19 - Outro

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#AIandMedia #creatorresponsibility #JistMedia #digitalIndia #mediadisruption #contentethics #ScoopWhoop #trustmedia #mediarevolution #Indianstartups #WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast

—

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Jist News: https://jist.news/

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93% of Indians get their news from YouTube. Are influencers the new face of journalism? Is this the beginning of the end of traditional media?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul sits down with Saba Naqvi, author, columnist, and veteran journalist, to dissect the dramatic shift from traditional media to social platforms. Who controls the news we consume? And what does this mean for truth, trust, and democracy?

Join us as we dive into the crumbling world of legacy news, the rise of digital storytellers, and the search for truth in the age of algorithms with veteran journalist and author, Saba Naqvi.

Catch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #mediarevolution #digitalnews #influencers #journalism #truthmatters #newslandscape #mediatransformation

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00:00 - Introduction

01:47 - The broken state of traditional media

04:38 - Impact of new media and social media

07:47 - Newspapers vs. Digital Media

12:09 - The rise of influencers and YouTubers in news

14:43 - Challenges and realities of the journalism profession

18:00 - The "I, Me, Myself" syndrome

22:37 - Press freedom and safety

28:42 - Women in journalism, MeToo, and work-life balance

32:41 - Career highlights and minority identity

35:58 - Media trends and fact-checking

41:23 - Parting thoughts and advice for young journalists

44:33 - Outro

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#mediarevolution #digitalnews #influencers #journalism #newslandscape #truthmatters #pressfreedom #indianmedia #mediatransformation #whatindianeeds

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India’s OTT boom has transformed the entertainment industry. But with so much content available, are we facing oversaturation and a new battle for audience attention?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks to Sidharth Jain, Founder of House of Talkies & The Story Inc., to discuss the changing face of India’s entertainment industry, and what really works in today’s streaming landscape. This conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities shaping digital entertainment.

Tune in to hear Sidharth Jain’s expert insights on India’s entertainment revolution. Don’t miss out!

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on Spotify.

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #OTTIndia #StreamingWars #EntertainmentIndustry #IndianCinema #ContentCreation #Filmmaking #Bollywood #SiddharthJain #DigitalStorytelling #MediaTrends

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00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:14 – What’s working on OTT?

00:03:51 – The illusion of democratisation

00:06:41 – New talent vs big budgets

00:11:20 – Why some creators give up

00:13:36 – The business side: Economic realities

00:15:28 – The truth about scriptwriting

00:18:28 – Rural market potential

00:23:19 – Corporates and billionaires in the industry

00:29:24 – The fading of fandom in the industry

00:35:34 – Controversies, regulation, and censorship

00:46:54 – Global standards in storytelling: Is India catching up?

00:49:40 – Siddharth’s personal journey and the genesis of The Story Ink

01:15:15 – About book-to-screen adaptations

01:06:04 – Fun segment

01:09:43 – Advice to aspiring creators

01:11:58 – Outro

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#ContentCreation #FilmIndustry #FilmmakerTalk #Screenwriting #BookToScreen #IndianCinema #SelfCensorship #FreedomOfExpression #IndianStories #RegionalContent #DemocratizationOfContent

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Story Ink: https://www.thestoryink.com/

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Only 8% of key roles in the Indian film industry are held by women. Composing, sound engineering, and music production remain spaces where women struggle to be heard.

In this Women’s Day special, Shutapa Paul speaks to Alokananda Dasgupta, the music composer behind Sacred Games, Jubilee, and Trapped, about challenges, biases, change that has happened, and that which is still to come.

Catch the latest episode of the 'What India Needs' podcast on YouTube or Spotify!

#WhatIndiaNeeds #genderequality #womeninleadership #workplaceinclusion #Indianmusicindustry #Womeninfilm #Gendergap

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Segmentation:

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:01 - Women in film music

00:06:07 - Challenges & barriers for women in film music

00:19:22 - Equality vs actual implementation

00:22:56 - Experience working across industries

00:28:32 - Background scores vs songs

00:34:47 - Royalties & legal issues in music

00:39:39 - Alokananda’s journey & inspirations

00:52:43 - Upcoming projects & future work

00:55:43 - Outro

—

#genderequality #workplaceequality #equalopportunities #gendergap #genderequity #womenatwork #careerequality

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Credits(Music) Dramatic Epic Orchestra BFCMusic (Andrei Marchanka)