Unusual Suspects

Navigating child safety on a digital playground | Unusual Suspects

One in three Internet users globally are children under the age of 18, says UNESCO report. While the internet is now essential for education and social connection, it also exposes children to significant risks. In India, cybercrimes against children are on the rise—NCRB data revealed 1,823 reported cases in 2022, up from 1,376 the previous year. These include 1,171 cases of cyber pornography or dissemination of inappropriate content, 158 cases of cyberstalking and bullying, and 416 other cyber-related offences. Despite legal frameworks, critical gaps remain, especially in the awareness and education of communities. How can caregivers and local stakeholders play a better role in safeguarding children from online threats? What is the impact of excessive digital exposure on children's mental health?  In this episode, Mr. Rajesh Ranjan Singh, Board Member of ChildFund India, delves into the challenges and strategies needed to protect the next generation in an increasingly digital world.

AI, drug discovery, and the future of healthcare innovation | Unusual Suspects

AI is transforming the world, but how significantly has it revolutionized healthcare? Can it expedite drug discovery, personalize treatment, and reduce costs? In this episode of "Unusual Suspects," we speak with Mr. Raj Babu, the founder and CEO of Agilisium, a leader in AI-driven healthcare innovation. Raj discusses how Agilisium empowers researchers and pharmaceutical companies to address complex challenges, from digitizing supply chains for cell and gene therapy to facilitating breakthroughs in neonatal cancer research. He also discusses the ethical implications of AI, the democratization of innovation, and how startups are creating a more level playing field in healthcare. Take a listen!

Transforming cities with women at the helm | Unusual Suspects

On June 15, 2015, the Modi government launched the Smart Cities Mission, aiming to transform India’s urban landscape with a focus on public safety, water supply, waste management, health, education, and mobility. Despite these efforts, 49% of India’s urban population still lived in slums in 2020, according to World Bank data. The Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) has been bridging this gap since 1994. Working closely with local governments, MHT empowers women in low-income communities to improve their living conditions, access essential services, and build climate resilience. Till date, MHT has transformed lives of over 50 lakh individuals across South Asia. In this episode, Ms. Bharti Bhonsale, Programme Manager at MHT, discusses their work in transforming cities, shaping participatory urban planning, and redefining sustainable living. Tune in.

Modern Leadership, The Future of Work and Human Resources | Unusual Suspects

How are leaders today managing talent and unlocking its full potential? With the rise of blended work environments and the integration of artificial intelligence, the way we work is being redefined. But how exactly is technology cutting through the clutter of transactional tasks? Is it truly paving the way for more creative and innovative roles? In this episode, Pushkaraj Bidwai, CEO of People Matters, the largest community for HR and talent leaders in India and APAC, emphasizes the need to balance innovation with business impact, foster inclusive teams, and adapt to constant change. He sheds light on how leadership today goes beyond guiding teams. It's about illuminating the path to a future full of new opportunities. Pushkar also discusses the future of the HR industry. Tune in to discover more.

Empowering intergenerational change in rural Odisha | Unusual Suspects

The Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) was established in 2011 as the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of Indian Metal & Ferro Alloys (IMFA). Its mission is to foster self-led transformational change in grassroots communities and emphasize women's empowerment. In this episode, Shaifalika Panda, the CEO of BIPF, shares insights into the foundation's work. BIPF is active in over 400 villages across Odisha and has various initiatives aimed at improving financial, social, and health outcomes. Tune in to find out more!

ILSS: A force multiplier for women in leadership roles | Unusual Suspects

It’s common knowledge that women have made remarkable strides in leadership, but they still face systemic barriers that limit their ability to lead at the highest levels. India Leaders for Social Sector (ILSS) was set up in September 2017 to fill this critical gender gap. It seeks to create a learning and leadership development organisation that will help build leadership capacity for the social sector. Since its inception, ILSS has put its best foot forward to promote the unique role of women in the social sector, remove barriers to women’s leadership, delve deeper into the narrative of leadership and, most significantly, create inclusive ecosystems for women leaders. In this episode of Unusual Suspects, two of the driving forces behind the ILSS — Anu Prasad, Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Archana Ramachandran, Chief Operating Officer (COO) — explain the germinal idea behind the organisation, whose outreach has become synonymous with nation-building. Tune in.

Unusual Suspects: What does it take to make a splash in tech? | Neha Sampat, Co-founder & CEO, Contentstack

In 2018, Neha Sampat established Contentstack, a pioneering content management system (CMS), which helped create one of the world’s best digital experiences. Contentstack’s brief lifespan belies its stellar feat. The tech start-up has revolutionised the world of composable digital experience platform (DXP) and has forged strong alliances with marquee brands such as Alaska Airlines, Burberry, Mattel, Mitsubishi and Walmart, among others. In this episode of Unusual Suspects, Sampat, a three-time tech founder, elaborates about how she goes against the grain of start-up mythology and still manages to find a unique way to build purpose-driven companies that have emerged as sought-after workplaces. Take a listen.

Origin’s farm-to-form model hits a sweet spot | Unusual Suspects

Origin, a fresh-tech start-up, launched its operations in Bengaluru in September 2024. The start-up caters to the growing consumers’ motivation for organic food consumption. It guarantees delivery of over 250 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and exotic produce within 12 hours of harvest. Origin uses Omnichannel Pay — seamlessly integrating offline, online, and quick commerce delivery modes — to cater to its diverse and discernible customer base. Origin has over 20,000 farmers in its ecosystem in Karnataka. In this episode, Prashanth Vasan, CEO, Origin, holds forth on the start-up’s expansion plans spanning across operations, tech, procurement and marketing. Take a listen.

Skilling boost to the new world of work | Unusual Suspects

The Covid-19 pandemic is a defining moment in the 21st century. The contagion forced many people to reconsider their career paths amid a greater emphasis on skilling. Now, there is a renewed focus on skilling for new-age professions shaped by digitisation, reconfigured supply chain management and evolving product portfolios? So, what does it mean for MSMEs? Wadhwani Foundation’s industry-led training for youth is aligned with contemporary employability skills for MSMEs. The training covers the most important employability skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, adaptability, digital skills, customer orientation etc. In this episode, Sunil Dahiya, Executive Vice-President, Skilling, Wadhwani Foundation, weighs in on how democraticisng access to skilling is more like a business to customer (B2C) product available for everyone. Take a listen.

Education & technology: A brave new world order | Unusual Suspects

Should educators be technological determinist and look at treating ChatGPT as a technological disruption and a  deconstructive moment across our entire education system? Can technology supplant established human processes? Does pedagogy rely too much on historical knowledge and not enough on the intellectual progress of societies? These answers may not be blowing in the wind. But educators are working overtime to find lasting solutions to unfolding uncertainty in classrooms amid the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven disruptions. In this episode, Shashidhar Nanjundaiah, Dean,School of Media, Mahindra University, shares his views on the dire need for the education system to take cognisance of momentous technological changes that are unravelling and how it can be more flexible. He believes collaboration is the need of the hour to fill critical gaps between knowledge and application. Take a listen.

A sneak peek into govt’s digital transformation | Unusual Suspects

On July 1, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Digital India campaign in a bid to ramp up its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Over nine years on, the initiative has ushered in a robust digital transformation on the back of improved financial inclusion, thanks to the game-changing Unified Public Interface (UPI); stringent regulatory measures and a sea-change in behaviourial pattern of the end-users. The global non-profit, Wadhwani Foundation, is a partner-in-arms with the Modi government’s ambitious programme that seeks to upskill the Indian bureaucracy. The Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation (WGDT) and the government’s Capacity Building Commission (CBC) have achieved a significant milestone. They have successfully trained over two lakh government officials on the Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi Learning Management System, which is still a work in progress. In this episode, Prakash Kumar — CEO, Wadhwani Centre for Government Digital Transformation, Wadhwani Foundation — weighs in on how this accomplishment marks a substantial advancement in Wadhwani Foundation’s mission to promote digital transformation within government services. Tune in.

CDRI comes of age at COP-29 | Unusual Suspects

As Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi understood the importance of disaster resilient infrastructure during the rebuilding of Kutch after the horrific earthquake in 2001. He nurtured a dream to form a global coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure. In his second term as the Prime Minister, Modi unveiled CDRI at the United Nations’ Climate Action Summit in New York City on September 23, 2019. Five years on, the coalition has morphed into a global advocacy group, which has 40 member nations and seven international organisations and is growing at a rapid pace. In this episode, Amit Prothi, Director-General, CDRI, outlines the organisation’s ambitious plans at COP-29, which is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan. CDRI, which has its own pavilion at the annual climate summit for the first time, has lined up 36 sessions. The advocacy coalition will make several exciting announcements during the two-week global event.  Tune in.

India leads open-source adoption | Unusual Suspects

Open-source solutions democratize digital access. It’s a collaboration of curious minds working together towards a singular goal such as reducing carbon footprints in a cost and energy-efficient way. In the dynamic technology landscape, open-source collaborations are trying to find solutions to global challenges powered by cloud computing and AI. In this episode, Chris Wright, Senior Vice-President & Technology Officer, Red Hat, dives deep into all of these and much more. Tune in.

Fixing broken public education system | Unusual Suspects

India’s public education system is riddled with several critical gaps. In 2013, Mantra4Change was set up with the mission to holistically transform public school systems through collective collaboration. Four years later, Mantra4Change found a natural ally in ShikshaLokam — under the aegis of Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiative — to address the education leadership challenges. So, what’s the big idea? These two non-profits are driving collective action for systemic transformation across 275,000 schools in India by roping in both public and private stakeholders. In this episode, Khushboo Awasthi, COO, ShikshaLokam; and Co-founder, Mantra4Change; dives deep into how these NGOs are fixing the broken public education system and bringing about all-round student development. Take a listen.

Enabling entrepreneurship, enhancing skills | Unusual Suspects

Entrepreneurs in emerging economies have been tackling key challenges such as capital access, policy support and critical gaps. How can these challenges be addressed?The importance of entrepreneurship in job creation and fueling economic growth, ensuring reduced ‘brain drain’ and retaining the existing talent pool in the country especially in emerging economies like India can never be over-emphasised. How can India address this by  creating job opportunities and upskilling the vast talent pool?  How is AI, machine learning and tech altering the landscape of entrepreneurship?  In this episode, Meetul B Patel, President of Entrepreneurship & Government Digital Transformation, Wadhwani Foundation,  dives deep into all of these and much more. Tune in.

Automating testing in times of data risk | Unusual Suspects

How have recent advancements in technology such AI, blockchain impacted the development of financial and banking software solutions in India? How do solution providers navigate the balance between innovation and maintaining client trust and stability? What are the emerging trends in financial software, particularly those addressing the shift towards digital banking and mobile financial services in India? What security measures are being prioritized in the development of financial software solutions to safeguard against cyber threats and ensure data privacy? In this episode Srirang Srikantha, Founder & CEO, Yethi Consulting dives deep into all of these and much more. Tune in.

Fostering innovation and global collaboration | Unusual Suspects

Does India have an image problem and disconnect, globally? What is India’s geopolitical outlook and startup eco-system? What are the typical challenges faced by startups in accessing funding, both in India and globally? What role does innovation play in ensuring the sustainability of businesses, particularly in the startup ecosystem? What are the key opportunities and challenges for startups looking to leverage emerging technologies in these sectors? What are some effective strategies for fostering a culture of innovation within startups globally? In this episode, Claude Smadja, Chairman, Smadja and Smadja and Yaël Smadja, CEO, Smadja & Smadja USA Inc., dive deep into all of these and much more.

Making Education Funding Accessible | Unusual Suspects

2023 saw a significant 35% jump in the number of Indian students going overseas for education with the total number pegged at a record 2.69 lakh, per data from The Open Doors 2023 report on International Educational Exchange. What does this signify? How do you read these numbers? There are more than a lakh Indian students in each of the following four countries -- US, Canada, Australia and the UAE. Why is there such a high preference among Indian students for these countries? What are the major financing issues that Indian students face in getting funds for overseas education? Why is it easy to fund a student from the IITs, but difficult for those from Tier-2/3 colleges? In this episode, Aman Singh, Co-Founder of GradRight Inc., an AI-powered SaaS ecosystem that brings together prospective students, universities and lenders on a single platform, talks about all of these and much more. Tune in

Prioritizing Philanthropy in Mental Health | Unusual Suspects

In this episode we delve into the imperative for philanthropy, particularly family philanthropy, to broaden its horizon and invest more intentionally in the mental health space in India. Tune in for an insightful conversation, in collaboration with GivingPi, with Raj Mariwala, Director of Mariwala Health Initiative (MHI), an advocacy, capacity building and grant making organisation focusing on accessible mental health for marginalised communities.

Health as an employee priority | Unusual Suspects

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving as a superhero that's changing the wellness game by making it more accessible. Why does AI matter for wellness? How can a corporate wellness programme help in dealing with mental health? CXOs need to change their mindset from driving a pure benefits transaction based approach to a holistic outcome based approach towards wellness. How can one achieve this? In this episode, Rajesh Mundra, Founder & Executive Chairman at Truworth Wellness, dives deep into all of these and much more. Tune in.

Harnessing India’s moment in AI | Unusual Suspects

When it comes to adopting new technologies, businesses often need to strike a balance between innovation and preserving their existing operational models. How are businesses navigating this challenge and what strategies are they employing to ensure a smooth transition? How does the NASSCOM Center of Excellence for IoT & AI in India, empower deep-tech startups and how does it contribute to their success in terms of raising funds, mentorship among other things. Where does India currently stand in terms of effectively incorporating and adapting to new-age technologies, in comparison to global standards? In this episode, Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO at Centre of Excellence for IoT & AI, NASSCOM, dives deep into all of these and much more. Tune in.

No free rides on the telecom highway | Unusual Suspects

India witnessed the launch of 5G services in 2022. The Indian telecom sector has seen a roller coaster ride in the last decade. What are the challenges for the industry today? Why are telecom service providers (TSP) arguing that OTT platforms are taking a free ride on TSP-funded networks without contributing to the setting up, operating and maintenance costs either directly or indirectly? In this episode, Lt Gen S. P. Kochhar, DG, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) takes a deep dive into all of this. Tune in

Electric planes, fighter aircraft and more | Unusual Suspects

What is Rolls Royce doing differently to meet the climate change goals? How significant is the Air India order for Rolls Royce and has it changed the company’s equation in the market? How disruptive will ACCEL, the world’s fastest all-electric plane, be? How is Rolls Royce working with India to co-develop and manufacture engines for the country’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme, called AMCA ? In this episode, Kishore Jayaraman, President of Rolls-Royce India & South Asia, talks about all of these and much more. Tune in

Growth and capital in a click | Unusual Suspects

How can new age NBFCs deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning to bring in efficiencies and expand reach? How has Clix Capital turned around its business strategy in the post COVID world? How does its platform enable plug and play with fintech partners who bring in a set of very specific capabilities? The company acquired $20 million funding for green projects. How does the company plan to mobilise these funds? In this episode, Rakesh Kaul, director and CEO of Clix Capital, a new-age NBFC, dives deep into this and much more. Tune in