Decisions The Podcast

Should your child pursue sport seriously even if the chances of becoming a professional athlete are small?

In this episode of Decisions, former competitive tennis player and sports professional Vedika Anand joins journalist Amitoj Singh to examine what choosing sport really demands from children and their families.

They discuss when a young athlete should specialise, how parents can distinguish talent from ambition, the sacrifices behind elite sport and whether privilege makes the gamble safer. The conversation also explores college scholarships, careers beyond playing, athlete management, strength and mental conditioning, Indian tennis governance and India’s ambition to become a major sporting nation.

At its heart, the episode asks a larger question: should families bet only on creating a professional athlete, or can sport become the foundation for an entire life and career?

Would you encourage your child to pursue sport seriously? Share your view in the comments.

If this conversation helped you think differently, like the episode, share it and subscribe to Decisions, The Podcast.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Preview
01:03 Meet Vedika Anand
03:12 Bet or Wait? The First Sporting Decision
04:10 Early Specialisation and Burnout
05:47 Pursuing Sport Without Turning Professional
09:12 Careers in Sport Beyond Playing
11:05 What Indian Tennis Gets Wrong
14:55 How Much Should a Family Risk?
17:57 College Tennis as an Alternative Route
21:17 From Athlete to Sports Professional
24:22 Can a Career in Sport Really Pay?
28:18 Sports Careers: Opportunity or Oversold?
29:39 The Sacrifices Behind Elite Sport
31:50 Parents, Pressure and Choosing a Sport
34:48 Does Money Make the Bet Safer?
36:33 Why India Struggles to Produce Champions
38:54 Who Should Build a Career in Sport?
42:23 India’s Missing Strength and Conditioning Culture
46:03 The Reality of Sports Management in India
47:29 Should India Bet on the 2036 Olympics?
49:25 Talent, Reflexes and Mental Conditioning
53:54 Bet on the Athlete or a Life in Sport?
55:38 Is Badminton a Better Bet Than Tennis?
56:51 Lessons from Somdev Devvarman
59:22 Reforming Indian Tennis
62:11 The State of Sports Broadcasting
64:36 Final Thoughts

DECISIONS, THE PODCAST

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decisionsthepodcast/
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VEDIKA ANAND

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit.with.ved/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fitwithved
X: https://x.com/vedikanand
Website: https://vedika-anand.vercel.app/

AMITOJ SINGH
Host of Decisions, The Podcast

X: https://x.com/amitoj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyamitoj/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitojsinghcolumbia/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnnyAmitoj

#DecisionsThePodcast #YouthSports #SportsCareers #IndianSports #ParentingDecisions

India is growing. But growth alone does not tell you what to do with your money, career or future.

In this episode of Decisions, journalist Amitoj Singh speaks with Jayant Mundhra about the economic choices facing Indians today.

Together, they unpack what India’s growth numbers reveal, what they may conceal and how larger economic shifts eventually reach your salary, savings and everyday expenses.

The conversation explores the cost of free UPI, the possibility of a weaker rupee, India’s competition with China, the impact of AI on jobs and the difficult relationship between taxation and public trust.

It also turns to the financial decisions many of us are already making:

Should you buy a home or rent?
Is property still a better investment than equity?
Does gold protect wealth or simply feel safe?
How should you prepare for inflation and retirement?
And how much of your future should depend on India’s growth story?

This conversation offers no easy predictions. It brings together evidence, competing perspectives and practical questions to help you make your own decisions with greater clarity.

After listening, tell us in the comments: what are you most optimistic about, and what still makes you cautious?

If you like what we’re doing, please follow the show and share this episode.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Highlights
01:50 — Introduction
02:16 — Does India’s growth story add up?
05:14 — What shaped Jayant Mundhra’s worldview?
09:12 — Who really pays for free UPI?
21:45 — Can India sustain its growth?
25:44 — India vs China
39:00 — Why Indians leave and return
45:54 — Could the rupee reach ₹150?
54:18 — Stress-testing India’s economy
56:09 — AI and the future of Indian jobs
01:06:59 — Should you buy or rent a home?
01:12:15 — Taxes, black money and public trust
01:22:13 — Property vs equity
01:24:27 — Does gold belong in your portfolio?
01:25:57 — Planning for retirement
01:27:13 — Are Indians paying too much tax?
01:28:45 — The real impact of inflation
01:36:16 — GDP vs GVA
01:44:26 — Does India need more deregulation?
01:46:25 — Investing in India’s growth
01:48:31 — Education and India’s priorities
01:51:36 — Closing thoughts

DISCLAIMER

This episode is intended for information, education and discussion only. It does not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Please consult an appropriately qualified professional before making financial decisions.

DECISIONS, THE PODCAST

Instagram: @decisionsthepodcast
YouTube: @DecisionsThePodcast

JAYANT MUNDHRA

Instagram: @marketswithjayant
LinkedIn: Jayant Mundhra

AMITOJ SINGH

X: @amitoj
Instagram: @johnnyamitoj
LinkedIn: Amitoj Singh
YouTube: @JohnnyAmitoj

Music from #InAudio: inaudio.org

#DecisionsThePodcast #IndianEconomy #IndiaGrowth #Investing #PersonalFinance

Often called the Father of Indian Startups, Sanjeev Bikhchandani helped shape India’s internet and startup ecosystem long before entrepreneurship became a mainstream career choice.

He left a secure job to build Naukri.com at a time when India had limited internet access, no established startup culture and very little support for first-generation entrepreneurs. What followed was the creation of Info Edge and early investments in companies such as Zomato and Policybazaar.

In this episode of Decisions, journalist Amitoj Singh speaks with Sanjeev Bikhchandani about building Naukri.com, recognising promising founders, taking calculated risks and creating businesses that can survive beyond the initial excitement.

The conversation also explores whether an MBA is still valuable, why work experience matters before business school, how AI could reshape employment and what young professionals must do to remain relevant.

This is a conversation about entrepreneurship without the glamour. It examines uncertainty, patience, failure, conviction and the difficult decisions behind companies that eventually become institutions.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Highlights
01:11 — Introducing Sanjeev Bikhchandani
02:30 — Life and career after graduation
04:25 — Is an MBA still relevant?
10:30 — What an MBA can actually offer
19:02 — Leaving security behind
20:18 — Building Naukri.com
24:42 — Recognising Zomato’s potential
34:10 — Should you work before pursuing an MBA?
42:42 — Will AI replace jobs?
46:10 — Staying relevant in a changing world
51:50 — Startup mistakes and lessons
57:42 — Making decisions in the age of AI
58:18 — Closing thoughts

DISCLAIMER

This episode is intended for information, education and discussion only. It does not constitute business, investment, education or career advice. Listeners should consider their individual circumstances and seek appropriately qualified professional guidance before making significant decisions.

DECISIONS, THE PODCAST

Instagram: @decisionsthepodcast
YouTube: @DecisionsThePodcast

SANJEEV BIKHCHANDANI

X: @sbikh

AMITOJ SINGH
Host of Decisions, The Podcast

X: @amitoj
Instagram: @johnnyamitoj
LinkedIn: Amitoj Singh
YouTube: @JohnnyAmitoj

#IndianStartups #Entrepreneurship #Naukri #MBA #DecisionsPodcast #FutureOfWork

How do you turn a love for music into a career that lasts nearly two decades?

Hari and Sukhmani take journalist Amitoj Singh inside their journey from performing at Chandigarh lounges to building a distinctive sound that blends Punjabi folk with electronic music.

They share how weddings became an unexpected turning point in their career, what it is like performing at celebrations for Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal, and the Ambani family, and why success still depends on reading the room and connecting with the audience.

The conversation also explores the business of music, creative disagreements, the challenges musicians face in being taken seriously as professionals, and the many careers available in the industry beyond singing.

Along the way, Hari and Sukhmani demonstrate how one melody can express completely different emotions, preview music from their evolving live set, and reveal the unexpected story behind “Baaghi.”

Hosted by journalist Amitoj Singh.

Chapters:

00:00 Opening preview
01:31 Meet Hari and Sukhmani
02:45 Why music deserves to be taken seriously
05:24 Mantras, frequencies and the science of sound
08:30 Finding music in nature
09:00 Is pursuing music a waste of time?
11:23 The story behind “Put the Fan On”
14:49 Turning passion into a profession
16:30 How weddings transformed their career
18:42 Eighteen years of Hari and Sukhmani
19:00 Performing at celebrity weddings
24:24 The moment they felt they had arrived
26:40 Career highlights and the energy of live performance
32:35 Rapid fire: where music belongs in life
35:49 Music, health and emotional wellbeing
39:27 Can music help us process difficult emotions?
41:17 Music, memory and emotional connection
44:48 How music became Hari’s career
47:51 Bringing Punjabi folk into a modern sound
49:15 How Hari and Sukhmani became a duo
51:00 Why musicians were not treated as professionals
53:00 Sukhmani’s earliest musical influences
54:38 One melody, three emotions
57:20 Inside their new music
60:00 Designing a live set for different audiences
63:20 The unexpected story behind “Baaghi”
69:48 Live Punjabi folk performance
71:29 Personal rapid fire
75:00 Building a career in music without being a singer
75:59 The teacher who shaped Hari’s musical journey
77:18 Closing jam
78:15 Final message

This episode is intended for information, education and discussion only. The views and personal experiences shared belong to the speakers.

DECISIONS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decisionsthepodcast/
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YouTube: @DecisionsThePodcast

HARI & SUKHMANI

Musicians, performers and producers known for blending Punjabi folk with contemporary electronic music.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harisukhmani/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HariSukhmani
Website: https://harisukhmani.com/

AMITOJ SINGH

Host of Decisions, The Podcast

Twitter: https://x.com/amitoj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyamitoj/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitojsinghcolumbia/
YouTube: @JohnnyAmitoj

#HariAndSukhmani #PunjabiFolk #IndianMusic #MusicIndustry #DecisionsPodcast

At 50, Gurcharan Das was at the top of corporate life. He had risen through Procter & Gamble, was earning well and was on exactly the trajectory ambitious people spend their lives chasing. Then, in a meeting about selling more Pampers, he looked out of the window and thought: “There must be more to life than selling an extra case of Pampers.”

So he walked away — and became a writer.

In this episode of Decisions, Gurcharan Das — former CEO of Procter & Gamble India, former Managing Director at P&G’s global headquarters, bestselling author of India Unbound, The Difficulty of Being Good and Another Sort of Freedom — reflects on the biggest decisions of his life and what they taught him. The conversation moves through career, money, marriage, parenting, morality, freedom and India — told through the stories that shaped him.

He explains why he abandoned engineering at Harvard for philosophy, why he spent decades writing on weekends while building a corporate career, and why he believes telling young people to simply “follow your passion” can be misleading. He also takes us inside one of the hardest ethical decisions of his business career: refusing to pay a ₹50,000 bribe even when a new factory, hundreds of jobs and significant investment were at risk.

And we ask the broader questions:

How much should money influence your biggest life decisions?

Are Indian parents over-planning their children’s lives?

Should young Indians leave the country — or bet on India?

Gurcharan’s final message is simple: don’t sleepwalk through life. Question the defaults. There is far more you can influence than you think. And perhaps his clearest philosophy of all:

Take your work seriously. But don’t take yourself too seriously.

Chapters:

00:00 - 02:45 - Introduction

02:46 - 08:45 - Quitting as CEO & global MD at 50

08:46 - 15:38 - Meeting Dr. Manmohan Singh & Narasimha Rao

15:39 - 18:35 - Meeting Prime Minister Modi

18:36 - 23:37 - Liberal vs. Classical Liberal vs. Libertarian

23:38 - 30:05 - Where does India stand today

30:06 - 35:55 - India's manufacturing vs. AI

35:56 - 39:49 - Why Gurcharan came back from the US

39:50 - 54:02 - Marrying against convention, Philosophy, Harvard

54:03 - 1:02:45 - Mouse merchant story

1:02:46 - 1:08:02 - Purpose, Vicks, Writing

1:08:03 - 1:10:04 - First Indian to win the Lifetime Libertarian Award

1:10:05 - 1:18:42 - Krishna's Guile, Does the end justify the means

1:18:43 - 1:23:05 - Profit's a dirty word?

1:23:14 - 1:28:34 - Corporate culture and leaving his job

1:28:35 - 1:38:04 - Moral philosophy, dharma, not paying a bribe

1:38:05 - 1:44:06 - Leaving India for a life abroad

1:44:07 - 1:47:04 - Modi and Rahul Gandhi

1:47:05 - 1:50:09 - Don't sleepwalk through life

#DecisionsThePodcast

Instagram - / decisionsthepodcast

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YouTube: @DecisionsThePodcast

#GurcharanDas

Author, Former MD P&G

Twitter/X: @gurcharandas

Instagram: @gurcharanDas

LinkedIn:   / gurcharan-das-a7b7375  

Website: www.gurcharandas.org

#AmitojSingh Host of Decisions, The Podcast

Twitter: https://x.com/amitoj

Instagram: / johnnyamitoj

LinkedIn: / amitojsinghcolumbia

YouTube: @JohnnyAmitoj

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and host in the context of a wide-ranging conversation. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, legal or other advice.

#DecisionsThePodcast #GeneralVPMalik #AmitojSingh

How do you stay disciplined when one bad decision can cost lives? And what can the rest of us learn from someone who had to do exactly that?General V.P. Malik, the Army Chief who oversaw India’s victory in the Kargil War, joins Decisions to explore the importance of discipline — not just in the military, but in everyday life.Through Kargil, he explains what discipline really means when facing uncertainty, fear, casualties and enormous responsibility: when to obey, when to question, when to intervene and when to trust others. He reflects on intelligence failures, courage versus recklessness, punishment, leadership, media responsibility during war and the decisions he still thinks about today.At its heart, this is a conversation about something all of us struggle with: how to build the discipline to do what needs to be done, especially when nobody is forcing us to do it.Chapters:00:00 - 02:25 - Introduction 02:26 - 05:45 - One lesson on discipline from Kargil05:46 - 09:25 - Fog of war, jihadis, unknowns09:26 - 17:08 - Intelligence failure17:09 - 23:01 - Discipline in armed forces & life23:02 - 26:45 - Court martial, right or wrong26:46 - 29:38 - Courage vs. discipline in army 29:39 - 32:21 - Rapid fire32:22 - 35:50 - Regret of not crossing LOC35:51 - 37:51 - Discipline in India37:52 - 39:15 - An unsung soldier 39:16 - 41:05 - Discipline to not intervene41:06 - 42:25 - To shout or not to shout42:26 - 43:40 - "I felt very bad"43:41 - 54:40 - Barkha Dutt & media responsibility54:41 - 58:25 - Enforcing discipline now vs. then in army58:26 - 1:05:53 - General VP Malik's legacy#DecisionsThePodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/decisionsth...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033WEh8...YouTube: @DecisionsThePodcast#GeneralVPMalikFormer Army Chief, Author Twitter/X: @VedMalik1#AmitojSingh Host of Decisions, The PodcastTwitter: https://x.com/amitojInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnyamito...LinkedIn:   / amitojsinghcolumbia  YouTube: @JohnnyAmitojThe views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guest and host in the context of a wide-ranging conversation. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, financial, legal or other advice

#DecisionsThePodcast #BaniSinghChadha #AmitojSingh

Should a rational thinker take Jyotish Astrology seriously?This trailer offers a glimpse into a rigorous conversation—not a defence or dismissal—exploring evidence, skepticism, free will, karma, prediction, AI, wealth, and why millions, including highly educated people, continue to rely on an ancient system outside modern scientific consensus.Watch the full episode now:    • Can Rational Thinkers Believe Jyotish Astr...  #DecisionsThePodcast

Instagram - /   / decisionsthepodcast  

#BaniSinghChadhaBani Singh Chadha - Jyotish Astrology Acharya and TeacherInstagram - /   / banisinghchadha  

#AmitojSingh Host of Decisions, The PodcastTwitter: https://x.com/amitojInstagram:   / johnnyamitoj  LinkedIn:   / amitojsinghcolumbia 

Should you take a weight-loss drug? Should you be eating more protein? Or have we become trapped in one of the biggest wellness crazes of our time?

Weight-loss drugs are transforming medicine, protein has become a billion-dollar industry, and social media is overflowing with conflicting advice. Yet the biggest questions remain: If GLP-1 drugs work so well, why are many coaches and nutritionists still sceptical? If protein is essential, who genuinely needs more of it? And if the weight returns after stopping medication, what have you really achieved?

In this episode of Decisions, journalist Amitoj Singh speaks with wellness coach, sports nutritionist and dietitian Mitushi Ajmera to separate evidence from hype.

Mitushi argues that these medications can be valuable for people with obesity, metabolic risk or a genuine inability to lose weight despite sustained effort—but they are not an aesthetic shortcut, and suitability must be determined by an endocrinologist. Her perspective is deeply personal: at 34, she lost approximately 22 kg through severe calorie restriction and excessive exercise, but the resulting back and knee injuries led her to rebuild her body around strength, rehabilitation and sustainable fat loss—allowing her, at 48, to squat, sprint and run.

Mitushi Ajmera is India’s first certified Pilardio instructor, an ISSA-certified fitness coach, FTI Australia–certified fitness trainer, EREPS-registered Pilates instructor, TEDx speaker and author of The Fearless Diet. With 14 years of coaching experience, she specialises in sustainable weight loss, strength and rehabilitation.

Chapters:

00:00 - 02:30 - Introduction

02:31 - 05:45 - How to think about taking a weight-loss drug

05:46 - 08:14 - Benefits vs. side effects of weight-loss drugs

08:15 - 10:00 - Why losing 5–10 kg is different from needing to lose 30–50 kg

10:01 - 11:29 - Muscle loss, meeting protein needs, and balanced exercise

12:30 - 19:35 - Why muscle loss cannot be eliminated, but can be minimised

19:36 - 23:36 - Doctors & pharma companies vs. nutritionists on weight loss drugs

23:37 - 26:15 - Social reality of people trying hard to lose weight

26:16 - 30:05 - How Mitushi's weight-loss journey is personal

30:06 - 31:45 - Why is my body eating my muscle and not my fat?

31:46 - 34:30 - Can a weight-loss drug guarantee a switch to sustainable habits?

34:31 - 37:32 - Why being perfect from Monday to Friday can lead to overeating on weekends

37:33 - 39:10 - The market trends of weight-loss drugs

39:11 - 46:02 - The challenge of eating enough protein and selecting the right one

46:03 - 51:39 - Local seasonal foods vs new forms of protein intake

51:40 - 53:29 - The underestimated benefits of protein vs. muscle

55:01 - 55:59 - Why women should not be afraid of becoming stronger

56:00 - 59:49 - The future of India's protein market

59:50 - 1:02:15 - Whether intermittent fasting works alongside GLP-1 medication

1:02:16 - 1:07:22 - Mitushi's personal injury story and protein as a vegetarian

This episode is intended for information, education and discussion only. It does not constitute medical or nutritional advice. Weight-loss medication should only be considered and used under the supervision of an appropriately qualified medical professional.

#DecisionsThePodcast

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/decisionsthepodc...

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033WEh868Oyh...

YouTube: @DecisionsThePodcast

#MitushiAjmera

Wellness Coach, Sports Nutritionist & Dietitian

Twitter: @CoachMitushi

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

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/mitushi-ajmera-...

YouTube: @MitushiAjmera

#AmitojSingh

Host of Decisions, The Podcast

Twitter: https://x.com/amitoj

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

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

YouTube: @JohnnyAmitoj

#weightloss #GLP1 #Protein #StrengthTraining #Nutrition #DecisionsPodcast #AmitojSingh #SamarCapital

One of the world's oldest decision-support systems is also one of its most controversial. In the first episode of Decisions, former journalist and Jyotish Acharya Bani Singh Chadha joins Amitoj Singh to ask a simple but difficult question: Should a rational thinker take Jyotish Astrology seriously?This is neither a defence nor a dismissal of Jyotish. It's a rigorous conversation about evidence, skepticism, free will, karma, prediction, AI, wealth, and why millions — including highly educated people — continue to rely on an ancient system that sits outside modern scientific consensus. If better decisions begin with better questions, this is where the conversation starts.

Chapters:

00:00 - 01:35 - Introduction

01:36 - 06:14 - Believing in Jyotish Astrology

06:15 - 08:14 - Using Jyotish as a Decision Support System

08:15 - 11:44 - Difference between Western Astrology & Jyotish Astrology

11:45 - 14:29 - Can Jyotish help us make decisions?

14:30 - 17:59 - Bani's transition from NDTV anchor to Jyotish Astrology

18:00 - 19:59 - How Jyotish was used for India's Independence Day

20:00 - 22:44 - Should Jyotish be used as a tool to make decisions around wealth

22:45 - 30:59 - The intersection of Jyotish, Karma, and Wisdom

31:00 - 35:59 - The 'RabbitHole' fear of Jyotish or its remedial measures

36:00 - 39:44 - Studying birth charts and positive communication

39:45 - 42:59 - Good character and its impact on Jyotish

43:00 - 47:59 - The Vedas and Jyotish

48:00 - 50:49 - Why people use Jyotish but don't openly admit it

50:50 - 54:29 - Is Jyotish foolproof?

54:30 - 55:59 - Bespoke guidance based on personal restraints

56:00 - 59:49 - The importance of finding the right Guru

#DecisionsThePodcast

Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/decisionsthepodcast/

#BaniSinghChadha

Bani Singh Chadha - Jyotish Astrology Acharya and TeacherInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/banisinghchadha/

#AmitojSingh

Host of Decisions, The Podcast

Twitter: https://x.com/amitoj

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

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/in/amitojsinghcolumbia