The Modern India's Podcast

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Nov 2026

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Leading voices within various fields share their thoughts on Norway-India.

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November 1, 202616 min

The Modern India Podcast #85 - Norway's Rise on the World Stage: Football, Talent Development & Soft Power

What can India learn from Norway's football success – and how can football bring nations closer together? In this episode of the Det Moderne India podcast, Rina Sunder speaks with Siri Nordby, Director of National Teams and Elite Football at the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF). From Norway's FIFA World Cup 2026 journey to football as a powerful tool for national branding and soft power, we explore what makes Norwegian football special. We also look ahead to Road to FIFA 2034, discussing talent development, shared values and opportunities for football cooperation between Norway and India. Learn more: www.roadtofifa2034.com

September 20, 202631 min

The Modern India Podcast #84 - India's New Music Market: Opportunities For Norway

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.

March 22, 202619 min

The Modern India Podcast #83-The Shape of Belonging

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.

March 8, 202630 min

The Modern India Podcast #82-Women Who Refused Silence: The Gulabi Gang Story

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 .

February 20, 202629 min

The Modern India Podcast #81-When the Air Tells the Truth.

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.

January 30, 202625 min

The Modern India Podcast #80-Playing Without Apology

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.

December 23, 202514 min

The Modern India Podcast #79-From Barefoot drams to the Norway Cup

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.

November 29, 202520 min

The Modern India Podcast #78-Building Champions from the Villages of India

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.

October 5, 202524 min

The Modern India Podcast #77-Women Leading the Green Transition: The Chempolis Story

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.

September 15, 202523 min

The Modern India Podcast #76-Powering India’s Future: Renewables, Nuclear, and Global Energy Shifts.

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.