Send us a text

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

______

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

______

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

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 Alpana Killawala on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alpana-killawala-8991074a/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alpana.killawala/ 

Send us a text

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

________

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

________

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

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 Vaibav Raje on

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaibhav-raje-a383b117⁠ 

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

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/vaibhavraje?igsh=ZWJvZ211cGpnMWts⁠ 

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

Send us a text

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

_____

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

______

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

—

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 Rishi Mukherjee

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

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

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

Jist News: https://jist.news/ 

Send us a text

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

_____

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

_____

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

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 Saba Naqvi on

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/saba-naqvi-11019445

Twitter/X: https://x.com/_sabanaqvi 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sabanaqvi?igsh=YnNhN3FwNWJuMXoz 

Send us a text

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

—

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

—

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

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

Follow Sidharth Jain on

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/sidmjain 

Twitter/X: https://x.com/irocksid 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_sidharth_jain_?igsh=YTEwcjd6bjdocXlj 

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

Send us a text

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

—

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 

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 Alokananda Dasgupta on:

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

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

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

Send us a text

15.8% of tested food samples in India were found to be substandard.

How safe is the food we consume every day? Can we really trust food 
labels? What about street food?

In this episode, Shutapa Paul engages with Rinka Banerjee, Founder of 
Thinking Forks, to explore India’s food safety challenges, the 
innovations driven by startups, and the future of food.

Catch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify. 

#WhatIndiaNeeds #Podcast #FoodSafety #ConsumerRights #HealthyLiving 
#FoodRegulations #WhatIndiaNeedsPodcast


—


00:00:00 - Intro
00:02:20 - How safe is our food?
00:05:41 - Gaps in food safety enforcement
00:12:08 - Challenges for MSME
00:16:16 - Street food safety concerns
00:22:20 - Quality mismatch in global and Indian products
00:25:06 - Front of pack labelling in India
00:27:42 - Misleading labels & food fraud
00:37:23 - The need for consumer awareness
00:38:20 - Genesis of Thinking Forks and learnings
00:48:35 - The future of food safety in India
00:56:00 - Myths 
00:57:56 - Advice for young people
01:01:53 - Outro


—

#foodlabeling #frontofpacklabeling #streeetfood #startup #foodsafety #foodregulations #india #foodstartup #indiansnacks #packagedfood #foodpackaging #foodtech #healthierchoices #sustainability

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 Rinka Banerjee on

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rinka-banerjee-68552117

Follow Thinking Forks on

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinking-forks/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thinkingforksigsh=MXI2c25mZ3JkdmRpYQ==
Thinking Forks: https://www.thinkingforks.com/

Send us a text

Menstruation is a biological process, not a taboo. So why are women still shamed for it? 

In this episode of What India Needs, host Shutapa Paul talks with Vikas Bagaria, founder of Pee Safe. From his personal journey to sustainable solutions, Vikas shares facts about menstruation taboos, and sustainable solutions like menstrual cups and reusable pads. 

Catch the full conversation on YouTube or listen to it on Spotify. 

#whatindianeeds #peesafe #menstrualhealth #periodcare #sustainability 

— 

00:00 - Intro 

01:58 - Social taboo and stigma 

06:26 - Awareness and education 

09:15 - Efforts and initiatives for improvement 

11:03 - Sustainability and affordability 

15:00 - Female personal hygiene market 

16:40 - Men’s personal hygiene 

19:28 - Personal journey and Pee Safe 

22:47 - UTI and public loos 

24:54 - Other business ventures 

28:48 - Pee Safe Investors 

30:04 - Future goals and challenges 

37:33 - Advice for young entrepreneurs 

40:30 - Failures and lessons learnt 

46:10 - Perspectives on parenthood 

48:50 - Balancing life as an entrepreneur 

52:08 - Outro 

—

#hygienematters #healthforall #sanitation #personalhygiene #endperiodstigma #breakthetaboo #femininecare #menstrualcups #sanitarypads

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 Vikas Bagaria on 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vikkivik  

Twitter/X: https://x.com/vikkivik?t=s9XeGEuZsK6yl97tCO4gXw&s=09 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vikas_bagaria?igsh=Mmh6eHAyaW1vcHN2

Pee Safe: https://www.peesafe.com/ 

Send us a text

$1.4 trillion to build India’s future: Are we on the right track?  

In this episode, Shutapa Paul engages with Ashish Kukreja, CEO and Founder of Homesfy, to explore the opportunities and challenges of robust infrastructure development in India. Can decentralising development to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities lead India’s future?  

Tune in to hear Ashish Kukreja's professional and personal insights on balancing growth with sustainability. Don’t miss out!

#whatIndianeeds #urbanplanning #sustainabledevelopment #smartcities #affordablehousing

Segmentation:

00:00 Intro

1:50  - Balancing Growth and Sustainability

5:54  - The Green Space Crisis in Indian Metros

12:36 - Decentralising Development: The Role of Tier-2 and Tier-3 India

15:31 -Challenges of Connectivity and Smart Cities

19:48 - Public-Private Partnerships for Smarter Cities

23:02 - Tackling Affordable Housing in Urban India

27:28 - Smaller Cities More Interested in Sustainability

29:34 - Homesfy’s Vision 

32:18 -  Ashish Kukreja's Journey

36:26 - About Mymagnet 

37:54 - Future Plans for Homesfy and Mymagnet

41:53 - Achievements and Lessons

47:09- Tips for Entrepreneurs

—

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 Ashish Kukreja on

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-kukreja-78389a5/

Homsfy: https://www.homesfy.in/ 

Send us a text

Meet a crusader for environmental sustainability who has worked tirelessly to protect natural resources and promote sustainable development. He has confronted challenges head-on, inspiring hope for a climate-resilient future, and a healthier planet, sometimes even at personal peril.

Tune in to the latest episode of the 'What India Needs' podcast, where we delve into the environmental challenges and opportunities faced by India with Dr T.V. Ramachandra, scientist at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

Segments:
0:00- Introduction
1:53- Bangalore: then vs now
11:22- Lack of urban planning
13:26- Cluster-based development
16:45- Path to sustainable development
18:13- Role of a citizen
21:00- Benefits of forest area
26:28- Climate-resilient governance
29:04- Understanding consumption pattern
34:13- Professional journey and initiatives 
36:50- Benefits of scientific and technological data
38:00- Health implications of pollutants
43:51- Balancing sustainable growth with urban planning
47:16- India’s initiatives 
49:00- Bangalore’s sustainable model and its potential 
54:30- The cost of speaking the truth
59:30- Personal projects
1:03:08- Holding decision-makers accountable
1:07:33- It’s not west vs east 
1:12:00- Green GDP
1:13:00- Regions vulnerable to climate change
1:16:30- Participation from citizens 
1:18:00- Importance of literacy
1:20:18- If there’s a will, there’s a way

#IndustrialRevolution #SustainableGrowth #GreenEconomy #WhatIndiaNeeds

Subscribe to our channel:

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

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

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4NoQVp9pHGVtIt57LZv51j?si=971f6dba3f9c41c1

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