Vaad

Ruchi Ghanashyam joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1982. During her career of thirty-eight years, she worked in various capacities at the Ministry of External Affairs, the Government of India, including as director (Pakistan) and secretary (West). Outside India, she served in the Indian embassies in Damascus, Kathmandu, Brussels and Islamabad, as well as the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, New York. She was India’s high commissioner to Ghana, South Africa and the UK, where she retired in 2020.

Rajiv Sikri was a career diplomat for more than 36 years with the Indian Foreign Service. He retired in 2006 as Secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs. He has served as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and headed the Departments dealing with West Europe as well as the Soviet Union and East Europe in India’s Ministry of External Affairs. His other diplomatic assignments abroad include Deputy Chief of Mission in Paris, Political Counsellor in Moscow, Deputy Consul General and Commercial Consul in New York, and Political First Secretary in Kathmandu.

Shiv Kunal Verma is a journalist, a filmmaker, and a writer. He worked briefly with India Today, the Associated Press, and Sanctuary Films before he teamed up with his associate Dipti Bhalla and formed KaleidoIndia, under whose banner some classic films like Salt of the Earth and Standard Bearers were shot and produced.

Both volumes of his latest book 'Yodha: Illustrated Military History of India' are a step in this direction.

Pavneet Singh is an author and teacher at Tmentors UPSC platform. He teaches aspirants for Indian Civil Services Examination. His YouTube channel is called SpyGamesPavneet.

Iqbal Chand Malhotra has produced over five hundred hours of programming telecasts worldwide. He has directed four internationally acclaimed, award-winning feature documentaries. He is a member of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has served for several years on the panel of jurors for the International Emmy Awards.

Dr. L. H. Manjunath was the Executive Director of Shri Kshethra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (R.) (SKDRDP). He joined SKDRDP as the Executive Director in 2001, to take forward the SHG promotion and community organization works of SKDRDP. He developed SKDRDP into a unique institution for microfinance and micro insurance for the poor. He retired in 2024.

Bharat Karnad is Emeritus Professor for National Security Studies, Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi and Distinguished Fellow at the United Service Institution of India. His most recent book, Staggering Forward: Narendra Modi and India’s Global Ambition was published by Penguin in September 2018. Previous books include Why India is Not a Great Power (Yet) (Oxford University Press, October 2015), Strategic Sellout: India-US Nuclear Deal (2009), India’s Nuclear Policy (Praeger, 2008), Nuclear Weapons and Indian Security: The Realist Foundations of Strategy, now in its second edition (Macmillan, 2005, 2002), and Future Imperilled: India’s Security in the 1990s and Beyond (Viking-Penguin, 1994).

Dr Aruna Kalra is an eminent and renowned obstetrician, gynaecologist and robotic as well as laparoscopic surgeon with a vast experience of more than 23 years. She strongly believes in patient-centric care and therefore a strong advocate for minimally invasive and scarless surgeries. She is an expert in Scarless laparoscopic surgeries and is becoming a formidable name in the latest robot-assisted surgical techniques.

Swami Shailendra Saraswati was born in 1955, in Gadarwara (M.P.) as Osho's fifth brother. In 1971, he joined the Neo-Sannyas Movement. He was the university topper at Sagar University in 1973. In 1979, he completed his M.B.B.S. from Jabalpur Medical College and married Ma Amrit Priya Ji in the same year. Until 1981, he served at the hospital in Shri Rajneesh Ashram, Pune.

Welcome to India's first 'policy vlog' where we explore how small changes can lead to big transformations in our Indian cities. Join us on a journey to Singapore, a city-state that evolved from a humble village to a first-world metropolis within a single generation. This special episode features Shashank Dixit, a successful entrepreneur and the CEO of Deskera, a multi-million dollar software company. As an IIT Kanpur graduate, Shashank brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to our discussion.We chose Singapore because it epitomizes the potential for urban transformation. From its immaculate roads and efficient traffic management to its world-class housing, cleanliness, and innovative urban planning, Singapore sets a benchmark for what can be achieved with solid will, good planning, and flawless execution.In this vlog, you'll discover how Singapore's well-maintained roads and smart traffic systems make daily commutes smooth and stress-free. Explore the city's public housing model that provides affordable, high-quality living spaces for its residents. Learn about the rigorous cleanliness standards and efficient waste management practices that keep Singapore spotless, and see firsthand the thoughtful urban planning that integrates green spaces, commercial areas, and residential neighborhoods seamlessly. Experience the vibrant and hygienic hawker centers that offer a diverse range of affordable and delicious food options.Our vision with this vlog is to seed aspiration among the people of India. By showcasing the tangible benefits of meticulous planning and execution, we want to inspire viewers to believe that Indian cities can also achieve world-class standards. It's not about grandiose projects but about implementing small, consistent changes that collectively lead to a significant impact.Watch, learn, and get inspired to envision and demand better-managed cities in India. This journey begins with understanding and appreciating what is possible, and with initiatives like these, change is just around the corner.Stay tuned for more insightful and thought-provoking content. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to our channel for regular updates on urban transformation, policy insights, and much more. Let’s aspire for better cities, one vlog at a time!