The Indianness podcast enables leaders of Indian origin to tell their stories to inspire the next generation. Guests include leaders in business, health care, education, NGO’s, politics and various other fields.
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April 30, 202616 min
From Grammarly to Greatness: The Unscripted Story Pt.1 | With Rahul Roy Chowdhury
In this episode, Sanjay Puri speaks with Rahul Roy Chowdhury, former CEO of Grammarly and one of the key leaders behind Google Chrome. From Calcutta to Silicon Valley, Rahul shares a non-linear journey shaped by curiosity, bold pivots, and building products that impact billions.They explore his early bets on AI, lessons from working with Sundar Pichai, navigating the rise of ChatGPT, and why communication remains the most underrated career advantage.
April 13, 202629 min
From Delhi to Bell Labs: The Game Theorist Who Decoded the World Pt.2 | With Bhaskar Chakravorti
Bhaskar Chakravorti’s journey spans St. Stephen's College, Bell Labs, McKinsey & Company, and The Fletcher School at Tufts University — shaping global thinking on AI and digital transformation.In this episode, Bhaskar Chakravorti shares insights on policy, “Small AI,” and why real change goes beyond logic into human context.A sharp, thoughtful take on the future of technology, economies, and decision-making.
March 10, 202633 min
From Delhi to Bell Labs: The Game Theorist Who Decoded the World | With Bhaskar Chakravorti
On this episode of the Indianness Podcast, host Sanjay Puri speaks with Bhaskar Chakravorti about his remarkable journey from Delhi to global academia and policy.From Bell Labs and McKinsey & Company to building the Digital Evolution Index at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, he reflects on technology, leadership, and global change.Chakravorti also shares why digital inclusion and “Small AI” could shape the future of emerging economies like India.A conversation on mentorship, contextual intelligence, and bridging ideas with real-world impact.
February 2, 202612 min
Inside the Minds of the Indian Diaspora: Success, Identity & Reinvention | The Indianness Podcast
In this special compilation episode of The Indianers Podcast, we bring together the most moving moments from our conversations with remarkable Indians across the diaspora. From career-defining failures to breakthrough reinventions, these stories go beyond success — revealing what it truly takes to build a life abroad while carrying home within you.
January 2, 202633 min
From $2 an Hour to Fashion Tech Pioneer | Ram Sareen’s Inspiring Journey – Indianness Podcast
In this deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Ram Sareen, CEO and Founder of TUKA Group (TUKATECH)—a pioneering force in global fashion technology and the man behind one of the world’s most influential CAD-CAM apparel software companies. Born in India and raised in a family of garment manufacturers, Ram’s journey is anything but conventional. After immigrating to the United States, he washed dishes for $2 an hour, was expelled from seven schools, survived a cardiac arrest at 45, and went on to build the last standing American fashion CAD-CAM technology company. This is not just a business story—it’s a raw, honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, values, leadership, and purpose. Ram opens up about failure, humility, respect, and his belief that true success lies in learning, earning, and returning. In this episode, we explore: ~ How being labelled “too disruptive” became Ram’s greatest strength ~ Surviving a near-death experience and redefining leadership ~ Why respect and equality are non-negotiable values in business ~ The role of education in shaping global Indian success ~ What it truly means to disrupt an industry with purpose This conversation is a masterclass in life, leadership, and legacy—especially for entrepreneurs, immigrants, creatives, and anyone building something meaningful against the odds. 👉 If this episode resonates with you, like, share, and subscribe to the Indianness Podcast. 💬 Tell us your biggest takeaway in the comments. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tukatech/
December 20, 202528 min
From $2 an Hour to Fashion Tech Pioneer | Ram Sareen’s Inspiring Journey – Indianness Podcast
In this deeply inspiring episode, we sit down with Ram Sareen, CEO and Founder of TUKA Group (TUKATECH)—a pioneering force in global fashion technology and the man behind one of the world’s most influential CAD-CAM apparel software companies. Born in India and raised in a family of garment manufacturers, Ram’s journey is anything but conventional. After immigrating to the United States, he washed dishes for $2 an hour, was expelled from seven schools, survived a cardiac arrest at 45, and went on to build the last standing American fashion CAD-CAM technology company. This is not just a business story—it’s a raw, honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, values, leadership, and purpose. Ram opens up about failure, humility, respect, and his belief that true success lies in learning, earning, and returning. In this episode, we explore: How being labeled “too disruptive” became Ram’s greatest strength Surviving a near-death experience and redefining leadership Why respect and equality are non-negotiable values in business The role of education in shaping global Indian success What it truly means to disrupt an industry with purpose This conversation is a masterclass in life, leadership, and legacy—especially for entrepreneurs, immigrants, creatives, and anyone building something meaningful against the odds. 👉 If this episode resonates with you, like, share, and subscribe to the Indianness Podcast. 💬 Tell us your biggest takeaway in the comments. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tukatech/
November 15, 202546 min
Indianness Podcast: Dr. Soumitra Dutta on Innovation, Identity, and Influence
In this episode of The Indianness Podcast, host Sanjay Puri sits down with Dr. Soumitra Dutta, Founding Dean of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and creator of the Global Innovation Index and Network Readiness Index. Dr. Dutta’s journey from academia to global leadership has been defined by innovation, impact, and a vision for digital transformation. Together, they explore how India’s global diaspora is shaping the future of innovation, governance, and AI policy — one transformative idea at a time. 5 Key Takeaways 🌍 How Dr. Dutta’s work on the Global Innovation Index became a global benchmark for over 100 countries. 🧠 Insights into the intersection of AI, policy, and culture — and why “sovereign AI” matters for the Global South. 🎓 Lessons from leading global institutions like Oxford and Cornell, and the mindset behind transformative academic leadership. 🤝 Why collaboration between policymakers, technologists, and educators is key to ensuring responsible AI adoption. 💡 Dr. Dutta’s reflections on Indianness — how values, resilience, and curiosity shape the Indian global identity. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe to The Indianness Podcast for more inspiring conversations with global changemakers. 🌏✨ Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soumitra-dutta/
October 3, 202545 min
Overcoming Self-Doubt & Building Leadership: Parinda Gandhi’s Story | Indianness Podcast
What does it take to rise from an average student to becoming a visionary CFO in healthcare? In this in-depth conversation, Parinda Gandhi opens up about her extraordinary journey on the Indianness Podcast. Early struggles & immigrant family life in Cleveland. The importance of parental influence on spirituality, culture, and education. How she turned setbacks—like being underestimated academically—into opportunities for growth. Why embracing networking and adaptability transformed her career path. Her perspective on imposter syndrome, failures, and trusting instincts as a leader. 💡 This is a must-watch for aspiring professionals, leaders balancing cultural identities, and anyone chasing meaningful growth. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parindagandhi/
August 22, 20251 hr 6 min
Mapping the Invisible Universe with Prof. Priyamvada Natarajan | TIME100 Astrophysicist
Prof. Priyamvada Natarajan joins the Indianness Podcast for a cosmic conversation on science, curiosity, and the invisible universe. In this powerful episode: Learn how Priyamvada mapped the first dark matter models and studied black hole formation Discover her journey from a curious child in Coimbatore to Chair of Astronomy at Yale Understand the deeper meaning behind scientific mastery and personal growth Explore her powerful reflections on humility, cultural context, and mentorship Named to TIME100 in 2024, hear why she believes luck + preparation = magic 🛰️ A must-watch for science lovers, aspiring change-makers, and anyone fascinated by the universe. 👉 Subscribe and hit the bell icon for more stories of global Indian excellence. 📺 Watch Now and get inspired. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-natarajan-66b0215/
July 23, 20251 hr 13 min
Alok Sama on Luck, Legacy & Life Lessons: From President & CFO at SoftBank to Author of ‘The Money Trap’ | Indianness Podcast
Join us on the Indianness Podcast with Alok Sama as he revisits: A life of 17-hour workdays, massive mergers, and global finance Deep personal reflections on mortality, regret, and missed phone calls How a cadaver at age 10 turned him away from medicine forever Lessons in failure—from cricket to startups—and how they shaped his resilience The moment he realized his son thought he was cool again 📘 This is not just a career story—it's an emotional reckoning. Resources Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aloksama? ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Setup 04:30 - Welcome to the Podcast 06:30 - Childhood and Family Background 11:50 - The Influence of His Father 15:00 - The Cadaver Incident 18:30 - Luck, Serendipity & Career 21:00 - Schooling and Rejection 24:50 - Cricket, Sports and Resilience 29:00 - Friendships and Long-term Bonds 31:30 - Decision to Study Abroad 36:50 - Cultural Shock in America 40:00 - Wharton and Academics 42:40 - Career at Morgan Stanley 45:00 - Mentorship and Role Models 48:00 - Joining SoftBank 51:00 - Staying After Nikesh Left 52:30 - Pivot to Writing 56:20 - The Money Trap Book 58:00 - New Writing Focus 1:02:00 - Life After Loss 1:05:40 - Redefining Success 1:10:20 - Most Influential Person
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