Vaad

Group Captain Ajay Kumar Ahlawat (Retd.) is a distinguished former fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force (IAF), with a service career spanning over two decades.During his tenure, Group Captain Ahlawat held several key positions, including serving as the Commanding Officer of the Operational Conversion Unit at Air Force Station Kalaikunda from July 2014 to March 2016. He also completed a staff course at the Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 2011.Following his retirement, he transitioned into the technology sector and is currently the Chief Operating Officer at NuChain, a blockchain infrastructure company. In this role, he focuses on integrating Web3 technologies into enterprise and government applications.

Pralav Dhyani is a maritime professional, entrepreneur, and survivor of one of the longest modern-day pirate hostage crises. At just 21, while serving as a deck cadet aboard the MV RAK Afrikana, he was taken hostage by Somali pirates off the coast of Africa. He and his multinational crew endured 331 harrowing days in captivity — facing mock executions, psychological trauma, and constant fear. His firsthand account of survival and resilience is captured in his gripping book Hijacked: A True Story of Survival in Somalia.After his release, Pralav rebuilt his life and went on to establish ARC Continental FZE, a ship brokerage and consulting firm based in the UAE.

Jay Vardhan Singh is currently doing his PhD in Ancient Indian History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. His area of interest includes the Ancient and early medieval history of the Indian subcontinent.

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).He was Member of the (First) National Security Advisory Board, Member of the Nuclear Doctrine-drafting Group, National Security Council, Government of India, and, formerly, Advisor on Defence Expenditure to the Finance Commission, India.Educated at the University of California (B.A., Santa Barbara; M.A., Los Angeles), he has been a Visiting Scholar at Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne, and Foreign Fellow at the Shanghai Institutes of International Studies and the Henry L. Stimson Centre, Washington, DC. He lectures at the top military training and discussion forums, including CORE (Combined Operational Review and Evaluation), DRDO Annual Directors' Conference, National Defence College, Higher Command Courses at the Army War College, College of Air Warfare, College of Naval Warfare, College of Defence Management, College of Military Engineering, and at Army Command and Corps level fora and equivalent in the other two Armed Services, and Defence Services Staff College, and also at the Indian Administrative Service Academy, Foreign Service Institute, and the National Police Academy.He was commissioned by the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence, to conceptualize, conduct for several years, and lecture at the annual Strategic Nuclear Orientation Course for Brigadier-rank officers and equivalent from the three Armed Services, and conceived and conducted the first ever high-level inter-agency war game on the nuclear tripwire in the subcontinent (at the Army War College, 2003).

Dr Abhinav Pandya, a Cornell University graduate in public affairs and a bachelor's from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, is a founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, an India-based foreign policy and security think tank. He has authored books named 'Radicalization in India: An Exploration (2019)' and 'Terror Financing in Kashmir (2023)'.He had previously advised the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir on security issues during the critical times when Kashmir's special status, Article 370, was revoked.He has written extensively for several national and international newspapers, and worked with the International Labour Organization, the United Nations.His latest book is "Inside the terrifying world of Jaish-e-Mohammad'.

Vikram Jit Singh is a distinguished journalist and columnist. With a career spanning several decades, he has gained recognition for his in-depth reporting and analysis on defense and security issues.Singh served as a war correspondent, notably covering the Kargil War and counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir from 1997 to 1999 and again in 2004. His frontline experiences during these conflicts have provided him with unique insights into military operations and the challenges faced by the Indian armed forces.In addition to his written work, Singh is a TV analyst specializing in defense, where he offers expert commentary and analysis on current military and security affairs.

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.Malhotra is the co-author of Kashmir's Untold Story: Declassified and the author of Red Fear: The China Threat and Dark Secrets: Politics, Intrigue and Proxy Wars in Kashmir all published by Bloomsbury India. He is Chairman and Producer, AIM Television, New Delhi.His latest book 'The Nukes, the Jihad, the Hawalas, and Crystal Meth: A Tale of Treachery' is now out.

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.

Nitendra Singh is a nuclear engineer with expertise in nuclear safety and design working at ITER organization as a Project Associate responsible for the safety assessment of Tritium Breeding Blanket Systems (TBBS). He holds a Doctorate in Nuclear Engineering from Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), India; a Master in Nuclear Engineering from Université Paris Sud-XI (now, Paris-Saclay), France and a Master of Technology in Nuclear Science and Technology from the University of Delhi, India. He has management diplomas in Nuclear Energy Management from IAEA, Austria, and in Nuclear Knowledge Management from the Moscow Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI), Russia.His technical expertise includes Nuclear Severe Accident Management, Nuclear Safety Design and Passive Systems, Tritium Breeding Blanket Systems, and Advanced Nuclear Reactor Core Design. He has authored several publications in severe accident safety design, and fast breeder reactor core designHis book “Basic Concepts Behind Fast Breeder Reactor Core Design” sets an example for advanced second stage of the India's three stage Nuclear Program. He is the only scientist in the country who has performed the hands-on experimental program on melt-water interaction towards the design of indigenous core catcher. The innovative severe accident safety system is key to address Fukushima kind of scenarios.His design study on long-life core fuel pin design for the Indian fast breeder reactor using internal breeding gain concept, set up a basis for long-term utilisation of reactor core. This concept will be backbone of “Sookshma”.In addition, he is an avid speaker on advanced nuclear systems, fusion technology, nuclear and fusion policy, and climate change actions. He is the founder of the Indian Youth Nuclear Society (IYNS) and the Women in Nuclear in India association (WiN-India) and co-founded the Women in Fusion (WiF) international organization, Nuclear4Climate initiative, and InFusEd (International Fusion Energy Education) initiatives at ITER. Furthermore, he is the founder and CEO of “IYNS: Tech-Solutions” and working towards design of India's First Micro Reactor “SUK-M (Sookshma)”.

Sumit Parta is a prominent Haryanvi singer, lyricist, and composer known for his contributions to the Haryanvi pop music scenes. Sumit gained widespread recognition with hits like "Mote Peg," "Chawal," "Angreji Bole," and "Maa Babu." Sumit's dynamic stage presence and heartfelt performances have earned him a dedicated fan base in Haryana and beyond.

Dr. Bjorn Lomborg is a Danish political scientist, internationally recognized author, and the president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center—a think tank that researches the smartest solutions to global challenges by applying cost-benefit analysis. He is best known for his work on environmental and development issues, where he encourages evidence-based, economically sound approaches to solving pressing global problems.Dr. Lomborg first rose to global prominence with his book 'The Skeptical Environmentalist', in which he challenged prevailing narratives about the state of the environment using rigorous data analysis. He has continued that mission through subsequent bestsellers such as Cool It, False Alarm and Best Things First, where he critiques climate alarmism while advocating for effective, scalable policies that actually help the planet and people—especially the world's poorest.Lomborg has been featured as one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people. His work bridges the gap between environmental concern and practical policymaking, pushing for investments in areas like clean energy innovation, global health, and education, where the returns are highest.Lomborg's arguments are grounded in data and aimed at fostering constructive debate about how to create the most good with limited resources.

For those who want to help Sukhwinder Singh financially, below are his bank details:Sukhwinder SinghPNB Kapurthala branchAccount no: 3492000110276098IFSC code: PUNB 0349200Sukhwinder Singh, also known as Dayal Singh or Kaka, was wrongly branded an “A” category terrorist but later became a key figure in the fight against Khalistani militancy in Punjab. He founded the secret group Indian Lions to counter extremism and aided Punjab Police in dismantling terror networks. Targeted by militants with bounties on his head, Sukhwinder survived multiple assassination attempts. His story reflects the personal cost of standing up to terrorism and defending national unity.

Dr Kedar Phalke is a historian of medieval India who has written several books on the Maratha Empire.

In a distinguished diplomatic career spanning 35 years, Ajay Bisaria dealt with some of India's key economic and security relationships, including as envoy in Canada (2020 to 2022), Pakistan (2017-2020), Poland and Lithuania (2015-2017).He represented the country at the World Bank in Washington DC and in embassies in Berlin and Moscow.He served in various capacities in the Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Commerce and the Prime Minister's Office, where he was a key aide to Prime Minister Vajpayee from 1999 to 2004.As a specialist on the region, he dealt extensively with India's Eurasia policy including with Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia.He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from St Stephen's College, Delhi University; an MBA (Finance and Marketing) from IIM Calcutta; and a Master's Degree in Public Policy from Princeton University. He speaks Russian, German and Urdu, apart from Hindi and English.

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.

Dr. Manish Pandit is a physician who lives in the United Kingdom. He arrived in England in the mid 1990's and trained as a surgeon (FRCS General Surgery and FRCS ENT) before switching career streams to Nuclear Medicine and obtaining a Masters with a Merit from Kings College in the process. He is an alumnus of BJ Medical College in Pune. He has published on many research topics within the fields of medicine and is a senior tutor for medical students in England as well as regional director for training in his medical speciality.Dr Manish has had an active interest in Indian history and spirituality since he was 21 years old, which is also when he met his Guru, Nakhate Maharaj. However he considers that spirituality (and alignment with so called dharma) is mostly useless unless closely moving with humanity and compassion on the ground in real life. It is easy for those who have not been miserable in life and not been engaged in the service of others for decades to be dismissive of any other sentient being's troubles as mere “thought” or “nonsense”. Medicine provides him that impetus as nothing moves humans more than the sight of others suffering.He maintains an extensive personal library of books on Indology. He has studied the dating of the Mahabharata sufficiently enough to be considered as an expert on dating the Mahabharata using ancient Indian astronomy and is considered as a student of Dr Narahari Achar (a physics professor from Memphis who dated the Mahabharata to 3067 BCE).He is also a director, scriptwriter and cinematographer, who is known for making films on topics which very few within the broadcast and non-broadcast media like to touch. He has made several films including the acclaimed Krishna: History or Myth, Mumbai: Pani Mafia, SaiBaba: An Indian Jesus, Bharat ek Chetna and perhaps his best known film “The Ishrat Jahan Conspiracy (2014)”.His films can be divided into two principal categories, those which pertain to religion and those which pertain to politics. Apart from his feature length documentaries, he also makes short films which can be seen on saraswatifilms.org.

Disha Ahluwalia is an Indian archaeologist and researcher specializing in field archaeology and ancient ceramics. Disha has worked on significant excavation sites such as Rakhigarhi, Sinauli, Binjor, and Barnawa. She is the founder of Confessions of an Archaeologist, a platform aimed at making archaeology accessible to the public.

Dr. Niraj Rai is one of the world's foremost archaeogeneticists and molecular biologists. He is the group Head of the Ancient DNA Lab at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, Lucknow. He did his PhD from Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.Dr Niraj was one of authors of consequential paper published in 2019 in one of the world's most prestigious publication (CELL). It was based on the DNA successfully extracted by Niraj and his team from a 2500 year old woman's skeletal found in Rakhigarhi, Haryana which was the largest site of Indus-Sarasvati Valley or Harappa Civilisation.

Kuljinder Dhillon is a common man from Majha region in Punjab. Like tens of thousands of youth, he also got swept away by the Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale-led Khalistan movement in late 1970s and early 1980s. He was inside the Golden Temple when the Indian Army launched a military operation codenamed 'Blue Star' to take control of the holy complex back from Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was using the Sikhism's holiest site as a launchpad for his terrorism and anti-India activities.Kuljinder Dhillon actively participated in the battle with Indian army on 4th & 5th June 1984. He was arrested later from the Golden Temple but managed to flee from a hospital where he was referred to for treating injuries inflicted by a grenade attack. He later fled to Pakistan in search of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, believing like lakhs of other Sikhs that 'Sant' was hiding in Pakistan.Kuljinder Dhillon later got involved in smuggling activities across the border but was caught few years later. Ultimately, he got disillusioned with the Khalistan movement and is a strong opponent of the same now. His journey from extremism to mainstream is an important one that needed to be documented. Though, Kuljinder Dhillon lives like a family man in Punjab, he is constantly under the threat from Khalistanis who have made attempts on his life for speaking truth.

Dr Prasanna Tantri is an Associate Professor in the Finance area and Executive Director of the Centre for Analytical Finance at ISB. His research areas include- banking, financial inclusion, financial contagion, regulation, and the relationship between politics and finance. He teaches a course on Indian financial systems.

Sunil Kumar Gupta served as a jailer at Tihar Jail, one of India's most notorious prisons, from 1981 until his retirement in 2016. Born into a modest background, Gupta left a stable job at the Indian Railways to pursue his dream of becoming a prison officer, joining Tihar Jail as an assistant superintendent. During his tenure, Gupta was involved in numerous high-profile cases, witnessing the execution of several inmates including the notorious Ranga and Billa, and Afzal Guru, involved in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. His experiences and observations led him to significant contributions in prison reform; he played a key role in drafting the Delhi Prison Act and Manual in 1988, established Tihar's first legal aid cell, and initiated special court sessions within the prison to expedite minor cases. Post-retirement, Gupta transitioned into law, practicing at the Supreme Court of India and the Delhi High Court. His memoir, "Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer," co-authored with journalist Sunetra Choudhury, became the basis for a Netflix series, shedding light on the inner workings of India's prison system. Gupta's career not only highlighted the systemic issues within Indian prisons but also his commitment to reform and humane treatment of inmates.

Dr Prasanna Tantri is an Associate Professor in the Finance area and Executive Director of the Centre for Analytical Finance at ISB. His research areas include- banking, financial inclusion, financial contagion, regulation, and the relationship between politics and finance. He teaches a course on Indian financial systems.

Dr Abhinav Pandya, a Cornell University graduate in public affairs and a bachelor's from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, is a founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, an India-based foreign policy and security think tank. He has authored two books, Radicalization in India: An Exploration (2019) and Terror Financing in Kashmir (2023).He had previously advised the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir on security issues during the critical times when Kashmir's special status, Article 370, was revoked.He has written extensively for several national and international newspapers, and worked with the International Labour Organization, the United Nations.

Sana Durrani, originally from Bhopal, is an educationist. She has overcome challenges to broaden her horizons, motivated in part by her 15-year-old son. Over the past few years, she has gained diverse life experiences, enhancing her perspective. She successfully organized the annual Military History Seminar at Welham Boys' School, Dehradun, for four consecutive years, deepening her understanding of the subcontinent's history, geography, demography, and cultures. Currently serving as Knowledge Officer at an educational institute, she is focused on developing Military History as an academic vertical. Her goal is to contribute to nation-building by fostering a broader worldview among future generations.

Major Bharat Singh Adhwariya is a decorated officer of the Indian Army. He was awarded the Gallantry Award in 2022 and has received numerous accolades, including a commendation from the Director General of Assam Rifles and recognition by the International Human Rights Organisation. A skilled civil engineer, Major Bharat helped plan and execute infrastructure projects worth ₹250 crores in the challenging terrain of Ladakh, enhancing the operational capabilities of the armed forces. He has led successful military operations, apprehending over 25 insurgents and seizing narcotics and weapons worth over ₹1,000 crores. Beyond the battlefield, he has made significant contributions to social development, training over 800 youth under the National Skill Development Programme and fostering civil-military harmony in border areas.

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.

Major Kavish Aggarwala is a retired Judge Advocate General officer from the Indian Army, with a distinguished 11-year career in the legal department. After his service, he transitioned into a legal practice, operating from his law chambers in Delhi. He has represented clients in various high-profile legal matters, including those in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Armed Forces Tribunals His areas of expertise include military law, intellectual property rights, and family law. Major Aggarwala has been actively involved in advocating for the rights of short service commissioned officers, particularly regarding pensionary and provident fund benefits.

Nityānanda Miśra is a Mumbai-based finance professional in the investment banking industry. He specialises in quantitative finance, equity market microstructure, algorithmic trading, and execution consulting. He is an alumnus of IIM Bangalore (2007) and a gold medalist from Gujarat University (2004). Nityānanda is a multifaceted personality—a Sanskrit scholar, a polyglot, a grammarian, a littérateur, an instrumentalist, a musicologist, a researcher, an editor, an author, and a book designer. He has authored thirteen books, including several bestsellers. He is also a professional onomastician, specialising in Sanskrit names. Nityānanda is passionate about Indic culture, literature, music, and arts. He runs a popular YouTube channel, which produces content on these topics.

Manu S. Pillai is a historian and the author of the critically acclaimed The Ivory Throne (2015), Rebel Sultans (2018), The Courtesan, the Mahatma and the Italian Brahmin (2019) and False Allies (2021). His latest book 'Gods Guns & Missionaries: The Making of the Modern Hindu Identity' is now out. Order your copy here: https://amzn.in/d/clf4b4c

Amit Sangwan is a Gurugram based marital consultant who is an expert at resolving family conflicts. He has 5 YouTube channels, the most popular ones being ‪@SangoLifeSutras‬ and ‪@ClarityForYouth‬ If you are interested in the 'Iconic Relationship Course' led by Amit Sangwan, please visit this link (https://yqthl.on-app.in/app/oc/591451.... This course consists of 10 classes, each lasting 2 hours. Special Offer for VAAD Subscribers: Use the discount code VAAD25 to receive a 25% discount on your purchase. For personal one to one relationship consultations or any other inquiries, feel free to connect with Amit Sangwan via WhatsApp at 9289886158.

Nikhil Mehra is an advocate practicing in New Delhi before various forums, particularly the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Delhi. Nikhil graduated from the NLSIU, Bangalore and started his career with Mr. Harish Salve. He went on to complete his Masters in Law at the prestigious Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, USA. He worked as a Corporate Attorney in New York for many years with two of the top financial law firms before returning to India to set up his own Litigation practice. Nikhil was part of the talented team that assisted in drafting the JS Verma Report of 2013 on Reform of Criminal Laws. His X handle is: @TweetinderKaul.

Jay Vardhan Singh is currently doing his PhD in Ancient Indian History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. His area of interest includes the Ancient and early medieval history of the Indian subcontinent

Baldev Puri is the Chairman of AMXDetectives (P) Ltd., a renowned private detective agency based in Delhi, India. His journey into the detective profession began in 1986, and he officially established AMX Detectives in 1998. With over three decades of experience, Puri has built a reputation for providing discreet and comprehensive investigative services across India and abroad. He has been instrumental in handling various types of investigations including personal, matrimonial, and corporate cases. His approach combines traditional investigative techniques with modern technology, ensuring high accuracy in results. Under his leadership, AMX Detectives has grown to offer services like pre and post-matrimonial investigations, loyalty tests, surveillance, background checks, and more, catering to both individual and business clients. Puri's background includes connections with former members of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Intelligence Bureau, R&AW, and the Police Department, which adds to the professional credibility and network of the agency. His commitment to customer satisfaction and ethical investigation practices has made AMX Detectives a trusted name in the security and investigation industry.

Dr Abhinav Pandya, a Cornell University graduate in public affairs and a bachelor's from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, is a founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, an India-based foreign policy and security think tank. He has authored two books, Radicalization in India: An Exploration (2019) and Terror Financing in Kashmir (2023).He had previously advised the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir on security issues during the critical times when Kashmir's special status, Article 370, was revoked.He has written extensively for several national and international newspapers, and worked with the International Labour Organization, the United Nations.

Adarsh Pandit is a graduate from IIT Delhi. He is a political strategist.

IPS officer Rajesh Pandey retired as IG of Bareilly Range in Uttar Pradesh in May 2022. Currently, he is the nodal officer of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), a government agency responsible for development of expressways in the state. He was among the founding members of the elite UP STF (Special Task Force) when it was set up to deal with organised crime in 1998 and the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in 2009 for anti-terror operations. He headed the electronic surveillance during Shriprakash Shukla operation and is credited with putting together the first surveillance unit for police. He has been part of 70 police encounters so far. He has investigated major terrorist attacks in the state of U.P. He has been awarded the Indian Police Medals for Gallantry four times –in 1999, 2000, 2007 and 2016 – for Operation Bazooka, and for successfully interrogating the Faizabad and Varanasi terror attacks. Pandey went to the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Kosovo in 2008 and won the United Nations Medal for Peace Keeping. He has written bestselling book 'वर्चस्व' (Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/bnFanPi) based on crimes and encounter of dreaded gangster Shriprakash Shukla. His latest book 'Badge and the Bullet' is now out (Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/0K5oQkL)

Anuj Dhar is an Indian author, researcher, and activist known for his work in uncovering the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, one of India's most iconic freedom fighters. Dhar, a former journalist, has devoted much of his career to investigating the enduring questions surrounding Bose's life and legacy, challenging official accounts with thorough research and evidence-based arguments. His best-selling book, India's Biggest Cover-Up, brought significant public attention to the theory that Bose did not die in the alleged 1945 plane crash but lived on under a different identity. A co-founder of the Mission Netaji organization, Dhar has been instrumental in advocating for declassification of government files related to Bose and in pushing for transparency around India's historical records. His work has led to a surge of public interest in Netaji's story, and his insights have been discussed in mainstream media and debated at the highest levels of government. Dhar's commitment to unearthing forgotten chapters of Indian history has made him a notable figure among Indian historians, researchers, and patriots alike. His influence extends beyond his books, as he often delivers lectures, participates in discussions, and actively engages with a global audience through social media and public forums. His latest book 'The Bose Deception: Declassified' is out. Order your copy here: https://amzn.in/d/b0zuk0U

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. Malhotra is the co-author of Kashmir's Untold Story: Declassified and the author of Red Fear: The China Threat and Dark Secrets: Politics, Intrigue and Proxy Wars in Kashmir all published by Bloomsbury India. He is Chairman and Producer, AIM Television, New Delhi. His latest book 'The Nukes, the Jihad, the Hawalas, and Crystal Meth: A Tale of Treachery' is now out. Order your copy here: https://amzn.in/d/0vx5Qne

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.

Dr Abhinav Pandya, a Cornell University graduate in public affairs and a bachelor's from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, is a founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, an India-based foreign policy and security think tank. He has authored two books, Radicalization in India: An Exploration (2019) and Terror Financing in Kashmir (2023).He had previously advised the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir on security issues during the critical times when Kashmir's special status, Article 370, was revoked.He has written extensively for several national and international newspapers, and worked with the International Labour Organization, the United Nations. In this episode, we discussed his book 'Terror Financing in Kashmir'.

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. Malhotra is the co-author of Kashmir's Untold Story: Declassified and the author of Red Fear: The China Threat and Dark Secrets: Politics, Intrigue and Proxy Wars in Kashmir all published by Bloomsbury India. He is Chairman and Producer, AIM Television, New Delhi.

Dr Abhinav Pandya, a Cornell University graduate in public affairs and a bachelor's from St. Stephen's College, Delhi, is a founder and CEO of Usanas Foundation, an India-based foreign policy and security think tank. He has authored two books, Radicalization in India: An Exploration (2019) and Terror Financing in Kashmir (2023). He had previously advised the former governor of Jammu and Kashmir on security issues during the critical times when Kashmir's special status, Article 370, was revoked. He has written extensively for several national and international newspapers, and worked with the International Labour Organization, the United Nations. His latest book on "Jaish-e-Mohammad' is now out.

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.

Kumari Selja is an Indian politician and a Member of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Indian parliament. She is a member of the Indian National Congress and has served as the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Social Justice and Empowerment and Tourism during Manmohan Singh's premiership. Selja was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991 from Sirsa, a constituency that she retained in the 1996 elections. Following her election in 2009 to the Lok Sabha from Ambala, she was appointed the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. Selja unsuccessfully contested the general elections in 2019 from Ambala, and following that made a return to state politics, being elected the president of the Haryana unit of the Congress party later that year. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 2014 to 2020. In the 2024 Indian general election, she was elected to the Lok Sabha again from the Sirsa parliamentary constituency.

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. Post retirement, she has written newspaper columns and articles as well as chapters for books. She has also participated in seminars and panel discussions, speaking on India's foreign policy to students in India and the UK as well as at think tanks. She is a member of the board of patrons at the India Centre for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, University of Southampton, and adjunct faculty at the Manipal Centre for European Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. She is also involved in social work. She is married to A.R. Ghanashyam, who joined the IFS in 1982 and retired as India's high commissioner to Nigeria.

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. Mr. Sikri is the author of “Challenge and Strategy: Rethinking India's Foreign Policy” (SAGE: 2009). His latest book 'Strategic Conundrums: Reshaping India's Foreign Policy' is now out.

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. In 1999, he filmed the Kargil War and, in the last decade and a half, has authored some exceptional books that include the Northeast Trilogy, 1962: The War That Wasn't, and 1965: A Western Sunrise. He is now working on the seminal Value Education Program for schools that aims at bringing India to Indians especially at the school and college levels. 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. Malhotra is the co-author of Kashmir's Untold Story: Declassified and the author of Red Fear: The China Threat and Dark Secrets: Politics, Intrigue and Proxy Wars in Kashmir all published by Bloomsbury India. He is Chairman and Producer, AIM Television, New Delhi

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. At the time of his joining SKDRDP was restricted to one taluk. Realising SKDRDP's potential, Dr. Manjunath prepared a growth plan which has not only made the institution sustainable but has encompassed 5.5 million families through 6,43,000 Self Help Groups (SHGs) spread across the entire Karnataka. He has developed many modules for last mile delivery of products related to poor. The financial innovations have helped the farmers, the women and the unbanked to access the best financial facilities at their doorsteps. Since 2009 SKDRDP has run one of the biggest Business Correspondent/Banking Facilitator to six scheduled commercial banks in the country. The efforts of Dr.Manjunath have made poor families more specially, women, credit worthy and bankable. Currently he is engaged in mentoring MFI startups. Before joining SKDRDP, Dr. Manjunath worked in various capacities at the Syndicate Bank, served as the Director at the T. A. Pai Institute for Rural Development and worked with the Rural Development Self Employment Training Institutes (RUDSETI). Prior to this engagement, he served in the Department of Animal Husbandry as a Veterinary doctor for 3 years. Dr Manjunath holds a postgraduate in veterinary sciences (MVSc.).

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). He was Member of the (First) National Security Advisory Board, Member of the Nuclear Doctrine-drafting Group, National Security Council, Government of India, and, formerly, Advisor on Defence Expenditure to the Finance Commission, India. Educated at the University of California (B.A., Santa Barbara; M.A., Los Angeles), he has been a Visiting Scholar at Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne, and Foreign Fellow at the Shanghai Institutes of International Studies and the Henry L. Stimson Centre, Washington, DC. He lectures at the top military training and discussion forums, including CORE (Combined Operational Review and Evaluation), DRDO Annual Directors' Conference, National Defence College, Higher Command Courses at the Army War College, College of Air Warfare, College of Naval Warfare, College of Defence Management, College of Military Engineering, and at Army Command and Corps level fora and equivalent in the other two Armed Services, and Defence Services Staff College, and also at the Indian Administrative Service Academy, Foreign Service Institute, and the National Police Academy. He was commissioned by the Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence, to conceptualize, conduct for several years, and lecture at the annual Strategic Nuclear Orientation Course for Brigadier-rank officers and equivalent from the three Armed Services, and conceived and conducted the first ever high-level inter-agency war game on the nuclear tripwire in the subcontinent (at the Army War College, 2003).