M. Farook Sait is an attorney at law who moved to America from India in 1963, at the age of 23. He served as Special Counsel to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1972 to 2012. Over the past six decades, he has witnessed some of the most defining moments in American history.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Farook Sait discusses his early years in America, his experiences with racism, and the realities of the American Dream. He also talks about the H-1B visa debate and how life in America has changed for the Indian diaspora.

For more information on PILOT's initiatives to support girls' education, visit https://impilot.org/

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – Moving to the U.S. in 1963

04:04 – Discrimination in America

08:42 – Studying in Alabama

15:04 – Life in Segregated American South

18:54 – Love Story with Yvette

33:24 – Elvis Presley Fan

39:14 – John F. Kennedy’s Assassination

48:11 – The Watergate Scandal

50:22 – The 9/11 Attacks

54:05 – H-1B Visas

58:29 – Indian American Community

1:01:51 – ANI Documentary on ‘Indian Muslims Abroad’

1:06:32 – Indian Diaspora’s Challenges Abroad

1:14:18 – Memories of Bangalore

1:17:18 – India’s Progress Over the Decades

1:23:07 – A Childhood Story from 1947

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists Neerja Chowdhury, Rasheed Kidwai and Nistula Hebbar discuss the BJP’s strategy, the CJP protest, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach, the SIR controversy and the challenges facing the NDA government.
They also examine whether the opposition can turn public anger into votes and what the road ahead looks like for the BJP.*Timestamps*
00:00 – Introduction
01:40 – BJP on Protests
06:36 – NEET vs SIR Protests
12:26 – BJP Losing the Plot?
16:56 – SIR Controversy
19:49 – Indira Gandhi and Protests
22:32 – BJP’s Political Response
23:06 – SIR vs Mandal
25:59 – BJP’s Protest Strategy
29:24 – What Should CEC Do?
30:58 – INDIA Bloc’s Strategy
35:10 – Rahul Gandhi’s Spies Claim
40:34 – Social Media’s Power
42:51 – Rahul Gandhi’s Impact
44:47 – Is BJP Scared?
46:00 – Vote Bank Politics
48:01 – SIR in UP
50:49 – Akhilesh vs Congress
54:30 – Social Media and Voting
55:48 – New Blood in Congress
1:03:34 – Mamata’s National Ambitions
1:09:15 – Owaisi’s Vote Strategy
1:12:21 – Goa Politics
1:14:34 – Punjab Polls 2027
1:17:20 – BJP’s Punjab Strategy
1:24:13 – Rahul Ignoring State Polls?
1:26:29 – BJP Nervous About UP?
1:31:08 – BJP’s Biggest Challenge
1:33:50 – Reshuffle and Modi’s Successor
1:37:16 – Amit Shah as Deputy PM?

Pramod Sawant has been the Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. An Ayurvedic doctor by training, he succeeded Manohar Parrikar and led the BJP to victory in the 2022 Goa Assembly election.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Goa SIR controversy, allegations of voter roll manipulation and the BJP’s chances in the 2027 polls. He also responds to questions about expensive holidays, the taxi ‘mafia’, drugs, jobs and rising land prices in Goa. The conversation covers Rahul Gandhi, his RSS background and how Goa can grow while protecting its local culture and identity.

*Timestamps*

00:00 - Introduction

01:20 - BJP’s Goa CM Face in 2027

03:30 - Manohar Parrikar’s Influence

06:30 - Goa SIR Controversy

11:10 - Rahul Gandhi’s Protest

13:00 - Opposition Alliance in Goa

17:10 - Free Electricity for Goans

18:10 - Corruption Allegations Against the CM

19:30 - Jobs and Unemployment

21:40 - Ease of Doing Business in Goa

22:30 - Industries, Shipbuilding and Education

24:00 - Mining and Environmental Protection

24:50 - Foreign Tourists

26:10 - Negative Stories About Goa

27:20 - Goa vs Thailand and Vietnam

29:40 - Public Transport and Expensive Taxis

30:30 - Why No Ola or Uber in Goa?

32:00 - Power Cuts in Tourist Areas

33:00 - Beach Cleanliness and Lifeguards

33:40 - Stray Dogs and Cattle

34:30 - Land Mafia Allegations

36:00 - Rising House Prices

37:00 - Protecting Goan Culture

38:00 - Migrant Workers and Local Jobs

39:30 - Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Action

41:40 - Foreigners Running Businesses

44:30 - Ayurveda and Politics

46:00 - Sawant’s RSS Background

47:00 - Rahul Gandhi, RSS and Minorities

50:40 - Sawant’s Vision for Goa

52:30 - Pothole-Free Goa and Tourist Safety

53:40 - Message to Tourists

54:20 - Closing Remarks