Episodes

Send us a text 67 lakh handloom weavers in the 1980s; just 31 lakh today. In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks with Emily Chakraborty, founder of Kaisori, on the challenges facing India's weaving communities, including supply chain struggles, low wages, and middlemen that threaten artisanal livelihoods. They discuss the importance of treating craft as a serious business and how rediscovery is key to preserving our heritage. Tune in to hear Emily's insights on empowering artisans, scaling hand...

Send us a text The Indian startup ecosystem may be thriving but over 28,000 startups have failed in recent years. In this episode, Shutapa Paul speaks with Dr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, about the challenges facing the Indian startup ecosystem and how innovation and entrepreneurship can bridge the urban-rural divide, empower women, and solve grassroots problems. From success stories in the Northeast to bold experiments in social entrepreneurship, this...

Send us a text India wants tourism and hospitality to fuel a $3 trillion economy by 2047. But here’s the truth: only 1% of the 37 million people employed in the sector are formally trained. In this episode of What India Needs!, Shutapa Paul speaks with Dr. Suborno Bose, hospitality educator and Founder of IIHM, on the future of hospitality, including skills gaps, sustainability, women in the workforce, policy hurdles, and AI-powered solutions like NamAIste. Catch the latest episode now on...

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...

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 th...

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 fu...