HOW THE "YATRA” STARTED |
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Before the year 2020, India’s podcast industry existed, but it was comparatively niche. The COVID-19 lockdowns, however, triggered a dramatic surge in media consumption. Amidst this growth, author and entrepreneur Ajay Gupta raised a very crucial question: Are we consuming “healthy” and “inclusive” content? |
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Given his numerous business endeavours, funding for startups, and NGO commitments, Ajay Gupta could finally launch his own Indian podcast in 2024, which is now widely recognised across the country as “Saksham Yatra”. |
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Why the “Saksham Yatra” podcast? As the name itself denotes, this Indian podcast, which stems from the heart of Ajay Gupta, in place of his inspiring business-oriented mind, is about setting out on a journey to empowerment. It is a personal cause, too, given his disability and the disability stigma that is still prevalent in society. |
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“Saksham Yatra”, however, is not just an “empowering journey”. Instead, it is about recognising and building on the capable and empowered version of yourself through meaningful conversations and endeavours. It is about propagating the belief that everyone is “saksham”, i.e., capable, irrespective of societal or individual prejudices. |
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What began as a podcast is now a “changemaker” in itself! Impactful dialogues with famous Indian personalities that everyone looks up to have reached over lakhs of people on social media and impacted over crores of lives. |
Let’s bring about change together. Let’s build on the capable version of ourselves through a meaningful dialogue and be a changemaker in our own unique ways.
Kiran Kanojia takes us through the night an accident changed her life at the age of 25. She speaks about losing her leg, getting her first prosthetic, and slowly finding her way to running. She also opens up about the assumptions she had to learn to live with. And somewhere through all of this is one of the most inspiring disability stories of how she went from wondering that her life was "destroyed" to becoming India's first female blade runner.
In this episode, we talk about:
Watch now:
https://youtu.be/nLrHY7yPodk?si=z3M5_-wenYwV1Vc6Read More
In this episode, Shadab Nizami and Sohrab Nizami, the celebrated Nizami Bandhu, invite us into the world of Indian qawwali. As torchbearers of the Nizami Gharana, they speak with great candour, and their reflections are further punctuated by live performance of popular kalaams, such as Chhap Tilak, Kun Faya Kun, Allah Hoo Allah Hoo, Saanson Ki Mala, Tajdar-e-Haram, Khwaja Mere Khwaja, and Dama Dam Mast Qalandar.
Major highlights of the conversation:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMFGOw35Q_8Read More
Shri Ajay Bhai Ji has dedicated his life to bringing the ideals of Sanatan into everyday life through his work as a Kathavachak and the founding figure of Rashtra Mandir. What makes him stand out is his ability to move beyond symbolism and speak about Sanatan values as something to be lived.
Major highlights of the conversation:
Take your time with this one:
https://youtu.be/aJWHJg-FBQc?si=I7fUdkv37k1g__yVRead More
Shiv Khera ji, author of 'You Can Win' and an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, has delivered over 1,500 keynotes across 20 countries, with clients ranging from DHL and Mercedes to Johnson & Johnson and Lufthansa. He has spent forty years of thought leadership in this space, with over fifteen million copies of his books sold.
Watch the full episode here and subscribe for more:
https://youtu.be/XwCbS99T1z8?si=08HPyDFUtPYRq5QDRead More
Mr. Ajay Gupta invites Manoj Tiwari ji in this particular episode of Saksham Yatra. For the uninitiated, Manoj Tiwari ji is one of the biggest superstars in the Bhojpuri cinema and its most enduring voice. He is also the Member of Parliament from the North East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.
Watch the full episode here and subscribe for more:
https://youtu.be/Tnq_dC9K9vw?si=Cee_l61T7o2CELe7Read More
Dr. Poonam Verma is the Principal of Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies in the University of Delhi. She is also an award-winning researcher, and for the past four decades, she has mentored over 100 globally acclaimed projects. This particular Saksham Yatra education episode will give you a critical understanding of what's happening in our educational landscape.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/BVpkZtJji1w?si=Jc9UzAnzJqP1C2HURead More
This time, Ajay Gupta sits down with Sh. Shyam Sundar Aggarwal, who is the Managing Director of Bikanervala and Bikano. During the conversation, they discuss how he transformed Bikanervala and Bikano into two globally recognised brands and stayed rooted to his cultural values throughout, among other things:
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/-frRswHBIEw?feature=sharedRead More
Air Vice Marshal Rajeev Sharma (Retd.) is one of the most distinguished figures who has served in the Indian Air Force for four decades. He has been at the highest level of decision-making in the Force, particularly in the field of education, and few rise to this rank. We discussed several important questions, some of which are as follows.
Watch the full episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQAxhU-jm6ARead More
In this episode, Ajay Gupta and Dr. Anjlee Agarwal, who is the Co-Founder of Samarthyam and a changemaker advocating for disability inclusion in India, discuss the following key questions and more:
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/I6Pm9bfMIAs?feature=sharedRead More
Dr. Samish Dalal is a globally renowned Family Business Advisor, TEDx Speaker, and Professor at SP Jain School of Global Management. This “Saksham Yatra” episode explores the following topics and more:
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https://youtu.be/ogFDia3-rTA?feature=sharedRead More
This “Saksham Yatra” episode resonated with many, since IAS and CBSE Secretary Himanshu Gupta is not only familiar with the struggles of UPSC aspirants in India firsthand but also familiar with the expectations of modern parents from CBSE. This episode answers many pertinent questions of the day:
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https://youtu.be/qvfDzBm_ou0?feature=sharedRead More
Saina Nehwal is one of the most celebrated sports icons in India. She is an Olympic medallist in badminton and holds numerous records at both national and international levels. In conversation with Saina Nehwal, Ajay Gupta discussed several hidden challenges that sportspersons face.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/ur832wC-s3Q?feature=sharedRead More
Dharmesh Yelande, popularly and affectionately known as “Dharmesh Sir”, is one of the most influential dancers, choreographers, and judges in India. This is one of those “Saksham Yatra” episodes which touch a very deep corner of the heart.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/9475-9gMK5c?feature=sharedRead More
Hasya Kavi Shambhu Shikhar is known for his witty, satirical, and socially relevant poetry across India. He has performed at a number of “kavi sammelans” and achieved national and international fame alike. In this “Saksham Yatra” episode, author and entrepreneur Ajay Gupta discusses the following subjects and more:
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https://youtu.be/csONvKVfqrg?feature=sharedRead More
This “Saksham Yatra” podcast episode features Poonam Dhillon, who is a veteran actress known for her unforgettable and iconic roles. Her cinematic legacy spans over four decades, and she pursued entrepreneurship and philanthropic work at a time when few actors did.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/o4jYJ0WdfmQ?feature=sharedRead More
In this “Saksham Yatra” episode, you will get to see Ajay Gupta in conversation with the “Sikkimese Sniper”! Bhaichung Bhutia is the former Captain of the Indian National Football Team, and he has stayed active in public life through diverse ventures.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/U-B3APSuwLM?feature=sharedRead More
All of us know Sudha Chandran as an iconic, remarkable actress, but not many know that she is a Bharatanatyam dancer, too, who lost one of her legs in a tragic accident at just the age of 16. Her cultural background is also quite enlightening, and this “Saksham Yatra” episode digs deep into exactly that.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/ZQ0VBQhpHsE?feature=sharedRead More
There would hardly be anyone who doesn’t remember the historic 1983 Cricket World Cup win! Madan Lal Udhouram Sharma, as a former Indian cricketer, was an important part of the winning team.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/zNrDHGJ7Jz8?feature=sharedRead More
Excitement is in the air, for this Saksham Yatra episode features four key players from the IPL 2023 SunRisers Hyderabad team: Mayank Agarwal, Harry Brook, Washington Sundar, and Umran Malik! This is one of the most fun and inspiring SRH players’ interviews ever and a must-watch for cricket fans across the country.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/au-5YTQxgyM?feature=sharedRead More
In this candid conversation, Ajay Gupta welcomes Ishita Dutta and gives the audience an opportunity to learn about her fears and her strengths. Ishita Dutta is a popular household name, given her strong presence on TV, and she has also acted in several classic movies of all time, like Drishyam.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/oaRtLaE73Qg?feature=sharedRead More
Anand Kumar is a Mathematics educator in India who was awarded the Padma Shri award by the government in 2023 for his philanthropic contributions to the field of education. In conversation with him, Ajay Gupta discussed the following subjects and more:
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/9iO7KUCXtgU?feature=sharedRead More
P.V. Sindhu is one of India’s most successful badminton players and athletes, alongside Saina Nehwal. She is even a two-time Olympic medallist, serving as an inspiration for numerous sportspersons in India.
Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/ePgV1G64s6g?si=kCVkABACsYBasAzBRead More
Whether it is a thought that you want to share with us or a name you would like to hear on our next “Saksham Yatra” podcast episode, feel free to reach out to us.
Often recognised as the Franchise Man of India, author and entrepreneur Ajay Gupta has positively influenced the lives and livelihoods of over 15 lakh students, 10,000 families, and 1 crore people through his multiple business ventures and funding for startups.
