The Modern India's Podcast

India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-evolving music markets – but what does it take to succeed there? In this episode of The Modern India Podcast, we speak with Roochay Shukla, Head of Creative & International Marketing for India and South Asia at Believe and international advisor on India for Music Norway. We explore where the opportunities are for Norwegian artists and music companies, how India’s music business differs from Europe, the importance of local partners, streaming and live music – and what a successful market-entry strategy can look like. If India is on your radar, this episode is a great place to start.

What does it mean to belong when your life spans cultures, countries, and identities in motion? In this episode, we speak with Arvinn Gadgil, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi. With roots in Maharashtra and a childhood in Pune, his return to India raises a deeper question: does a place ever stop being home? We explore identity beyond nationality, the experience of being seen differently across contexts, and what it means to live — and belong — between worlds.

In rural India, Sampat Pal Devi refused to accept violence and injustice against women. She founded the Gulabi Gang, a movement of women dressed in pink who stand together to challenge abuse, corruption, and oppression.In this episode, she shares the story behind one of the most powerful grassroots women’s movements in the world.A conversation about courage, solidarity, and what happens when women refuse to stay silent.Released on International Women’s Day – March 8 .

When the Air Tells the Truth Guest: Tanya Singhal – Founder, SolarArise | ClimateTech & Renewable Energy Expert Air pollution tells the truth about the cost of growth. In this episode of The First and Only , I speak with Tanya Singhal, founder of SolarArise and a leading force in India’s renewable energy transition. We discuss India’s clean energy momentum, climate leadership, and what it takes to scale climate-tech solutions in a rapidly developing economy. We also explore leadership, responsibility, and why the Global South must be central to climate action. A focused and timely conversation on energy, impact, and the future we are building. 🎧 Now streaming on Spotify.

In this episode of The First and Only , I speak with Sara Abdullah Pilot , co-founder of Centre for Equity and Inclusion (CEQUIN) , about what it truly costs for girls to play — especially when they are the first and only in their families. Before the pitch, there is permission. Before ambition, there is justification. Before talent, there is negotiation: Is it safe? Is it respectable? Is it necessary? Sara works with girls who are fighting systems they should never have had to fight — families to convince, institutions to educate, silence to push against. Our conversation makes one thing clear: resistance is systemic, not personal. This episode is not just about football. It’s about power, voice, and what it takes to claim space without apology — so that the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles alone.

In this episode, we travel into the world of elite youth football with Minerva Academy — one of India’s most respected football academies, known for developing young talent through discipline, belief, and world-class training. We meet Chetan Tiwari (14) from Minerva Academy U14, whose journey recently reached an international milestone at the Norway Cup — the world’s largest youth football tournament. Minerva Academy’s U14 team emerged as champions, marking a proud moment not just for the academy, but for Indian grassroots football on a global stage. Beyond the win, this episode is about: What it takes to compete internationally at a young age The unseen discipline behind success Family sacrifice, belief, and resilience How Indian youth football is finding its place globally As Chetan shares, his journey is inseparable from his older brother — who gave up his own dream so Chetan could live his.

In this episode of The First and Only , Ranjit Bajaj — founder of Minerva Academy — shares how he’s transforming Indian football from the grassroots. With 183,000 annual applications and no government or corporate backing, Minerva has produced champions who’ve won the Norway Cup, Dana Cup, and World Youth Cup. Ranjit talks about spotting raw rural talent, building discipline and belief in young players, and what India must change to become a true football nation. A powerful conversation about opportunity, ambition, and the future of Indian football.

In this episode, Women Leading the Green Transition: The Chempolis Story , Heli Antila , Chief Technology Officer at Fortum, shares how bamboo — deeply rooted in Indian tradition — is now driving one of the world’s most innovative biorefineries in Assam. She discusses how Nordic innovation and Indian scale are coming together to create circular economy solutions with real social impact, empowering 30,000 local families, many led by women. Heli also reflects on her personal journey as a woman leader in a traditionally male-dominated green sector and explains why gender diversity is essential for driving innovation and sustainability.

India’s demand for energy is growing faster than almost anywhere else in the world. How will the country balance renewables, nuclear, and natural gas to fuel its future? In this episode of The Modern India Podcast, Erik Solheim, Former Executive Director of UNEP, speaks with Swapan Kataria, CEO of Crown LNG, about India’s bold ambitions for solar and offshore wind, the promise of thorium-based nuclear power, and why energy security is central to job creation and industry growth. They also explore the global geopolitics of energy - from India’s relationships with the US, China, and Russia to how Norway–India collaboration can drive innovation.

On August 12, Det Moderne India hosted Norway–India Collaboration on Energy Security at Arendalsuka, bringing together leaders from both countries — including our special guest Smriti Irani, Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality. In this podcast, you’ll hear the full debate with Henrik Inadomi (Executive Vice President, New Energies, Aker Solutions), Swapan Kataria (Co-Founder & CEO, Crown LNG), Tellef Thorleifsson (CEO, Norfund), Rina Sunder (Co-Founder, Det Moderne India), and Gjert Melsom (Associate Partner, EY). Together they discuss how Norway and India can work towards a secure and sustainable energy future. This is more than an energy conversation — it’s about building bridges, sharing knowledge, and shaping solutions that matter for both nations.

Founder of Maritime SheEO and Director at Sitara Shipping Ltd Our newly released book The First and Only celebrates bold trailblazers across industries—those who’ve chosen the harder path of leading without precedent. Sanjam Sahi Gupta is one of them. In this powerful episode, Sanjam opens up about what it means to lead in one of the world’s most traditionally male domains: maritime. As a changemaker and policy advocate, she’s redefining what leadership looks like—not just for women, but for the global industry as a whole. We talk about breaking through old hierarchies, resisting the pressure to conform, and disrupting exclusionary systems without apology. Sanjam shares what kept her going when no one else had done it before, what invisible barriers still need dismantling, and what legacy she hopes to leave behind. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever felt like the only one in the room—and decided to stay anyway.

In this episode, we speak with Mali Holde Skogen, a leading voice on digitalization and sustainability in Norway, to explore the current state of gender diversity in the Nordic IT sector. We delve into the progress and persistent challenges in achieving gender balance, comparing Norway’s efforts to other Nordic countries, and examining what’s working—and what’s not. Mali highlights key success stories and innovative approaches that are reshaping the tech landscape. We also turn our focus to India, where many IT companies are setting ambitious gender targets. What can the Nordics learn from India's strategies? Mali offers a nuanced perspective on cross-cultural insights, mentorship programs, and the importance of policy and business alignment. Topics covered include: The state of gender diversity in Nordic IT Leadership development for women in tech Lessons from India’s gender balance initiatives The role of mentorship and networking Cultural and policy differences impacting gender equity Potential for Nordic-Indian collaboration in tech Tune in for a candid and thoughtful conversation on how inclusive leadership can drive both innovation and equity in the global tech sector.

From New York to rural India, Ajaita Shah’s journey is anything but typical. In this episode, we dive into the founding of Frontier Markets and her bold goal: to empower 100 million women through She-Leads Bharat by 2030. We ask: – What sparked her commitment to rural women’s leadership? – How did she challenge social norms and win trust in male-dominated systems? – What setbacks taught her the most about resilience and scaling impact? – How are rural women quietly driving climate action and digital finance? – And what must change in funding and policy to truly unlock women’s economic power? Ajaita doesn’t just talk systems change—she lives it. Tune in for a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode of the Det Moderne India Podcast , we speak with Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay — a pioneer in climate journalism, environmental advocacy, and polar policy. As the Founder-Editor of Geography and You and the driving force behind the SaGAA think tank, Sulagna has spent over two decades shaping India’s climate discourse. Her journey has not been easy. From facing exclusion in academic circles to building her own research and advocacy platforms, Sulagna shares what it means to be “the first and only” woman in male-dominated fields — and how perseverance, purpose, and quiet resilience helped her create space where none existed. This episode is part of a special podcast series connected to the book The First and Only: India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures , launching in Oslo on May 14, 2025. Listen in as Sulagna reflects on her challenges, breakthroughs, and the urgent need for inclusive leadership in environmental policy.

Welcome to a new episode of Det Moderne India, where we explore leadership, diversity, and the evolving role of women in STEM across borders. This episode delves into the intersection of Indian and Nordic leadership through the lens of lived experience. Our guest is Vidya Basarkod, former Director of Ramboll in India. With over four decades of experience in civil and structural engineering, Vidya has broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field—both in India and Scandinavia. Together, we explore: - The cultural contrasts between Indian and Nordic leadership styles - What it means to be “the first and only” woman in the room - How engineering and infrastructure sectors can become more inclusive - Lessons learned from working within a global company like Ramboll - Advice for the next generation of women in STEM and leadership Join us as we navigate leadership across borders and break new ground for the future of inclusive workplaces.

India has one of the largest youth populations in the world, yet digital accessibility remains a challenge—only 54% of households have computers, and nearly 40% lack access to one. However, with 88% of the population using smartphones, mobile technology presents an opportunity to bridge this gap. In this episode, The Rise of Gen Z Girls in Tech , we sit down with Mayank , the visionary behind Coding Pro , to explore how AI-driven learning and innovative mobile applications are ensuring equal access to coding education for students, regardless of their background. We discuss the impact of social norms on STEM careers , the challenges of parental hesitation and cultural expectations , and how AI-powered tools are helping families embrace digital education. Mayank shares how Coding Pro’s scholarships and mentorship programs are supporting underprivileged girls, fostering a future where young women take the lead in tech. We also explore Iraaj, India’s first humanoid robot , and its role in equipping students with real-world skills, as well as the emergence of AI-powered universities and Techno Schools that will redefine learning over the next decade. This conversation is about breaking barriers, reshaping education, and preparing India’s youth—especially Gen Z girls—for the digital revolution .

In this episode, we sit down with Sunita R. Cherian, Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources at Wipro Limited, to explore how the company is leading the way in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the tech industry. With over two decades of expertise in Human Capital Strategy, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion, Sunita has played a key role in shaping Wipro’s DEI initiatives, including the Women of Wipro platform. As a former Chair of NASSCOM’s National D&I Council, she has been a driving force behind inclusion efforts at Wipro and beyond. Wipro is recognized as a DEI Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum, setting industry benchmarks through impactful policies, leadership programs, and gender diversity initiatives. In this conversation, we discuss: - What it means to be a DEI Lighthouse and how Wipro has set itself apart in advancing diversity in tech - How Wipro integrates DEI into its core business strategy, ensuring it goes beyond corporate rhetoric - The company’s efforts to accelerate women’s leadership in tech through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership programs - How Wipro designs inclusive hiring and talent development programs to support women and underrepresented groups - The policies and programs that have driven intersectionality, supporting cultural, socio-economic, and neurodiverse inclusion - How Wipro is leveraging AI and technology to advance diversity and inclusion - Key lessons for Nordic companies and how they can adopt best practices from Wipro’s DEI journey - Sunita’s top action for individuals and organizations to create sustainable gender diversity in the workplace Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the leading voices in DEI in tech and learn how companies can build more inclusive and equitable workplaces. Listen now.

India has built one of the world’s strongest pipelines for women in STEM and technology, yet in the Nordics, where gender equality is a global benchmark, female representation in IT and tech leadership remains a challenge. In this episode, Sunita Mohanty, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Invest India, shares insights on what’s driving India’s success and what the Nordics can learn. With experience leading diversity and workforce transformation at Google Singapore, Sunita discusses the key policies, corporate initiatives, and cultural shifts that have shaped India’s growing female tech workforce. We explore: - How India became a global leader in female STEM graduates - The role of government policies like Vigyan Jyoti and WISE-KIRAN in bridging gender gaps in tech - Lessons from India’s structured digital skilling programs and corporate-government partnerships - The future of women in AI, quantum computing, biotech, and emerging tech fields - Sunita’s personal journey and the impact of mentorship and leadership in creating lasting change This conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, policy support, and workplace inclusion in building a more diverse and innovative tech sector. Listen now to understand how gender diversity in technology can be strengthened worldwide. The Nordic Council of Ministers supports this podcast.

Welcome to Challenges in Recruiting Women in India , a podcast series where we explore the barriers, cultural nuances, and innovative solutions shaping women's participation in India's workforce. In each episode, we hear from industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers who are driving efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and advance gender equality. In this episode, we focus on Leadership: Paving the Way as the First. We unpack the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and explore actionable solutions to inspire change. Annette Holte, the Country Manager at Kongsberg Maritime India, will join us. She’ll share her journey, insights on leadership in a male-dominated industry, and strategies for breaking barriers to increase the number of women in leadership.

The podcast with Parul Soni will explore the multifaceted role of women in India’s evolving socio-economic landscape, focusing on their contributions to sustainability, leadership, and innovation. As a renowned advocate for gender equality and empowerment, Parul will share insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in India and globally, offering a compelling vision for inclusive growth. The conversation will also explore strategies for fostering women's participation in the circular economy and aligning gender equity with sustainable development goals.