The VM Podcast

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The VM Podcast is a Vichaar Manthan project exploring modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, and our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠

Join the conversation at ⁠⁠https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast⁠⁠ and on all streaming platforms:

⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ /⁠⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠ / ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠/ ⁠⁠Audible⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠RSS Feed⁠⁠

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

Being Different, Live in Conversation with Rajiv Malhotra, eminent author and founder of The Infinity Foundation.

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The VM Podcast is a Vichaar Manthan project exploring modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, and our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on ⁠[email protected]⁠

Join the conversation at ⁠https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast⁠ and on all streaming platforms:

⁠Spotify⁠ /⁠ Apple Podcasts⁠ /⁠ ⁠YouTube ⁠/ ⁠Audible⁠ / ⁠RSS Feed⁠

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

Our social persona and acceptance throughout our lives are often defined by how well we ‘fit in’ to society. Yet every society has those who reject social conventions - or in the eyes of some, social restrictions -  in favour of absolute ‘freedom’. There are even those who defy all stereotypes, using their freedom to undertake spiritual sadhana (journeys) and engage in dedicated service to society. This episode of The Vichaar Manthan Podcast features Kiran Ji Chukkapalli, a living example of this apparent paradox.

From a young age, Kiran Ji chose and chased the path of discipline, and is today a yogi, a practitioner of traditional Bharatiya martial arts, and an athlete. In choosing to remain ‘detached’ from the  ‘traditional’ path of education, work, and starting a household, he has expanded his ‘attachment’ to a larger cause, serving society through his work with underprivileged communities and refugees. He shares with us not only his personal journey but also his experiences from his solo ride across 18 states to raise awareness about the problems faced by these groups. In this conversation, we explore the motivation that drives his vision and work, his understanding of Dharma and how it applies to his goals, and ultimately ask: How does Dharma expand one’s sense of being and purpose?

Kiran Ji Chukkapalli is an avid social activist, a former entrepreneur, a brilliant athlete, an international speaker, and an accomplished Himalayan yoga practitioner and instructor. He founded Think Peace in 2010, a not-for-profit organisation that works for upholding the human rights of marginalised communities and improving the living conditions in refugee camps. 

Think Peace: https://www.thinkpeace.in
Walden by Henry David Thoreau: Walden on Amazon

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The VM Podcast is a Vichaar Manthan project exploring modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, and our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

A lot of our childhood memories and curiosities are forgotten as we grow older. We get comfortable in our surroundings, are influenced by friends and family, and our identity generally freezes to resemble that of our closest circle. But for some, early experiences are filled with uncommon questions that turn into a journey of seeking, leading to roads not commonly trodden. It takes courage to explore and embrace change, even when it means deviating from expectations. Such stories inspire us to find the courage to undertake our own journeys, whether it is to identify life’s purpose or to inquire about life itself.

In this episode of The Vichaar Manthan Podcast, we explore with Fred Stella his journey of finding himself in the realm of Hinduism. Fred ji was raised in a Roman Catholic family, he shares with us his earliest childhood experiences that led him to a process of earnest inquiry into the nature of being and how he eventually found some of the answers in Hindu Philosophy. With him, we explore what the Hindu culture offers to those who want to question and expand their beliefs and identities and seek a visceral spiritual understanding of life.

Fred Stella is based in Grand Rapids, USA. He is a Pracharak for the West Michigan Hindu Temple and serves as the President of the Interfaith Dialogue Association based in Michigan. He also hosts a podcast himself, called ‘Common Threads’.

https://common-threads-an-interfaith-dialogue.simplecast.com/

http://www.interfaithdialogueassociation.org/

https://www.hinduspeakers.org/fred-stella/

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The VM Podcast is a Vichaar Manthan project exploring modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, and our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

The internet is full of advice, ‘life hacks’, self-help blogs, vlogs, ‘How I live my life’ videos from 20,000 different people and whatnot. We have access to all sorts of ‘quick fixes’, and with technology expanding all around us every day. Machines are now handling mundane tasks, and online tools writing automatically for us, all available widely, as our social interactions become increasingly digital. Despite a whole lot of comfort that the modern lifestyle is embedded with, we struggle to focus and find meaning in our lives. What ingredients are we missing? 

In this episode of The Vichaar Manthan Podcast, we re-explore the fundamentals of a sustainable and meaningful life with Lieutenant Commander Devdutt Sharma. A Guinness record holder, Devdutt Ji shells out some serious bits of advice-most notably, the reminder that the best person to seek advice from is yourself, and knowing your true self can come only through focus, discipline and determination. Through his own story, Devdutt Ji offers an insight into the paradoxical nature of discipline - that it is through discipline one can access the freedom to achieve whatever one visualises- and helps address the question: what makes a sustainably successful life?

Lt. Cmdr. Devdutt Ji Sharma is a Triathlete, Ultramarathon Runner, Combat Diver, Yoga Practitioner and poet. He recently completed 82 consecutive full marathons in 82 days - a feat that has earned him a place in the Guinness and Limca Book of world records. He is also serving in the Indian Navy for the last seven years.

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The VM Podcast is a Vichaar Manthan project exploring modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, and our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

The idea of ‘One World’ or ‘One Family’ - ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ - is one of the central themes in the Hindu philosophy. And no other issue has highlighted this truth in recent times as has the effects of climate change that the world has been experiencing lately. Changing weather patterns, natural disasters, melting glaciers and the rising water levels have heaped large-scale destruction of lives and resources in various parts of the world. Not to mention the effect on food chains, agriculture and the pervading effect on our lives coming from the financial stress of inflation. Thus, we, the collective, are interlinked with the environment. After years of consumerism with hardly a thought of the consequences, there is a rising recognition of the urgent need for corrective actions. However, such changes require massive, concerted and sustained efforts, and at such times, the society can do with a few torch-bearers leading the way. 

In this episode of The Vichaar Manthan Podcast, we explore the subject of climate change with Gopal Ji Patel. Gopal Ji, who derives his inspiration from the very central Hindu concept of ‘the living earth’, walks us through the need for addressing what he calls the ‘triple planetary crisis’. To leverage the power of community engagement, he highlights the need to come together to work towards addressing various aspects leading to a sustainable solution to the current set of climate issues. He also paints a vivid picture of how organisations, especially religious institutions, can play a leading role in creating a conscious community that can be inspired to contribute actively towards such causes. He reflects and reminds us that the earth is a gift that sustains us, and that we all have a moral, ethical duty to care for it. Hence, in this episode, we ask and explore: What are the key ideas that inspire and drive large-scale efforts for addressing the universal problem of climate change?

Gopal Ji Patel studied computer science at Oxford, but with an inherent interest in the Hindu philosophy and a passion to address the issues of climate change prompted the Bhumi Global, an organisation that works to participate and promote conversations and activities on climate change, biodiversity and sustainability. He is an environmentalist, consultant, and  co-chairs the United Nations Multi-faith Advisory Council. He is also a member of the Advisory Board to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Follow Bhumi Global & Gopal Patel:

https://www.bhumiglobal.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gopal-d-patel-82a1a728/

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The VM Podcast, a Vichaar Manthan project looking to explore modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

Historically, Bharat was a thriving centre of trade and commerce, contributing to a major percentage of the world GDP. Exploring some of the architects of this vibrant economy, the name of Kautilya or Chanakya is very often invoked. While many of Kautilya’s political policies are popular, few authors have studied Kautilya’s economic policies. 

Indeed, what were some of his key economic ideas? Was the ancient system capitalist or socialist? Was it sustainable? And what learnings from Kautilya are applicable today? How would Kautilya deal with the modern day economic vocabulary? In this episode of The Vichaar Manthaan podcast, we are joined by author Sriram Balasubramanian whose book ‘Kautilyanomics’ specifically focuses on Kautilya’s views on the role and workings of the economic policies of the state. With him, we ask and explore: Who was Kautilya and why is he relevant today?

Sriram Balasubramanian is an economist and an author. He has worked extensively, through his book Kautilyanomics, to unravel ancient wisdom to make it available and relevant in today’s times.

https://www.srirambala.in/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/9354350445?ref_=cm_sw_r_mwn_dp_S94MCVT2XM40MZ7361S8

#kautilya #kautilyanomics #chanakya #politicaleconomics #sustainability #dharma #sustainablewealth #hindubooks #hindulibrary #vishnugupta #arthashastra 

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The VM Podcast, a Vichaar Manthan project looking to explore modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

Global financial institutions have again been making the news in recent times. And given the interconnected complex structures of global financial and trade networks, the effects of disturbance to any part of these networks is felt by the common man in almost every part of the world. Whether through government spending tax collections on bailouts or by battling the aftermath. The common people feel the effects in the form of inflation, global market slowdown and layoffs - making it harder and harder to remain insulated. What drives global institutions and financial policies? How do these policies get shaped, and what role does financial education play?

In this episode of Vichaar Manthan, we talk to Professor Atul K. Shah, author of "Inclusive and Sustainable Finance, Leadership, Ethics and Culture." Professor Shah discusses the challenges facing the financial sector in the context of socio-economic and environmental crises and offers a new vision for inclusive and sustainable finance. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, ethics, and culture in driving positive change in the financial sector.

Professor Shah also shares insights on the role of education and the need for a more holistic and multidisciplinary approach to finance and accounting education. Join us for an insightful conversation on the future of finance and the path towards a more sustainable and equitable world.Atul ji us through some of his ideas on the missing vocabulary in financial education. By integrating ancient and cultural wisdom, he explains his vision of financial policies and education that shifts the focus from anonymous corporations to purposeful individuals. Atul ji is an academic, and has authored several books and articles in academic journals. He is keen on bringing a change in financial policies and education through these ideas and we explore what kind of financial wisdom is likely to take us to a more sustainable future.

https://atulkshah.co.uk/

https://arihanta-academy.com/self-paced-data/sustainable-finance/

#research #science #education #ethics #leadership #society #finance #community #jobinterviews #sustainability #accounting #sustainabledevelopment #courses #ethics #culture #accounting #education #business #environment #socialresponsibility #sustainablefinance #inclusivefinance #responsiblefinance #interview #thoughtleadership #innovation #changemakers #futureofbusiness

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The VM Podcast, a Vichaar Manthan project looking to explore modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

Register Now for this live event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reading-riting-and-rithmetic-registration-558272527157

In early January 2023, the UK Government announced plans to make post-16 mathematics education compulsory to equip everyone with the skills needed in a world increasingly shaped by data and statistics. But does this add up in practice?

Given the struggle to recruit maths teachers, as identified by the National Foundation for Educational Research, and a general anxiety about mathematics amongst young people, this panel discussion will explore whether the real solution to better education outcomes is to be found amongst cultural factors.

Does the culture of school education in England need to change, and who is responsible for this? Are we reliant upon the state, or do local communities, home culture and other members of society have a role to play, as we strive for a more sustainable education that involves the flourishing of all? Join us to discuss these questions with a panel of expert speakers.

#education #sustainableeducation #liveevent #educationreform #educationsystem #nationalcurriculum #ukschools #ukeducation #UKeducationsystem #changeeducation #EducationAndCulture #LearningAndTradition #CriticalThinking #CulturalDiversity #CulturalExchange #InnovationInEducation #GlobalCitizenship #EducationMatters #CulturalHeritage #CulturalRevival #PreservingTraditions

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The VM Podcast, a Vichaar Manthan project looking to explore modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy

Entire generations of Hindus have grown up with the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. These stories have seeped into our lives and our psyche through popular narrations and TV. And many incidents, characters and stories taken from the epics are blamed for current societal issues. In fact, ‘weaponisation of narratives’ is being used for political ends. But are these incidents really in the epics? Are the characters truly grey? Who are the real heroes? Are we turning heroes into villains and villains into heroes?

In this episode of The Vichaar Manthaan podcast, we explore these themes with Ami Ji Ganatra. She explains her motivations, her journey and her experiences with re-discovering our epics. She contextualises the characters, encourages the audience to explore their own cultural histories, and goes on to address the key question: Why should we critically and thoroughly study our own original epics?

Ami Ji Ganatra earned an engineering degree in computer science, an MBA and is a former consultant. She has authored two best-selling books, Mahabharata Unraveled and Ramayana Unraveled.

Favourite Book: Rajiv Malhotra - Being Different

https://www.instagram.com/amig_insta/

https://twitter.com/6amiji

https://dharmorakshtirakshitah.wordpress.com/

#mahabaharat #ramayan #ramayana #mahabharata #ithisa #amiganatra #ramayanunreallved #mahabharatunralled #krishna #rambhagwan #draupadi #pandavs #hindubooks #hinduepics #bhagwadgita #gita #hindulibrary #iimahmedabad #iim

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The VM Podcast, a Vichaar Manthan project looking to explore modern-day issues through a Dharmic lens. Through in-depth interviews with some of the best thinkers of our time, the podcast explores how we can better understand dharma, our lives, and recapture the ancient and classical ideals of sustainability, liberty and flourishing.

Tune in, for an earnest conversation! - Hosted by VM fellow Sumit Sharma, who you can email on [email protected]

Join the conversation at https://www.vichaarmanthan.org/podcast and on all streaming platforms:

Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube / Audible / RSS Feed

#thevmpodcast #vichaarmanthan #podcast #dharmicpodcast #dharma #dharmic #dharmicideas #sustainableideas #sustainablenarratives #sustainability #listennow #hindudharma #hindupodcast #india #Indian #philosophy #hinduphilosophy #philosophicalideas  #indianphilosophy