Ranveer Allahbadia - Smriti Irani

1) Smriti Irani discusses her political career and her decision not to use her attire or television persona to ask for votes. She also mentions that she agreed to do the podcast because she sees it as an opportunity to have meaningful conversations and learn from others. She praises the host for being a good listener and emphasizes the importance of respectful conversations, even when people have different political ideologies. The conversation then shifts to Smriti Irani's time as the Minister of Education, where she mentions the need for national curriculum frameworks and the importance of teaching history that instills pride in Indians.

2) Smriti explains how she brought about changes in the education curriculum by involving students, parents, colleges, and universities through outreach efforts. She emphasizes the importance of customizing education to the local needs and mother tongue of the students for effective learning. Irani also shares her experience of working closely with Prime Minister Modi and highlights his deep character and loyalty towards his team.

3) Smriti discusses the challenges of being a mother and a politician, recounting a time when her child fell ill and she had to balance her responsibilities. She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining a centrist approach in political conversations and being unbiased as a media professional. Switching gears, she addresses her role as the head of the Ministry for Minority Affairs and the criticism she receives for being a practicing Hindu in that position. Irani believes that as a secular state, it shouldn't matter who holds the position as long as they can serve all citizens.

4) Smriti discusses the perception of minorities towards the current government and attributes it partly to algorithms, social media campaigns, and marketing. She argues that the government has ensured development for all citizens and highlights some key achievements, such as the representation of marginalized communities in powerful positions and India's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council. Irani also mentions Prime Minister Modi's focus on diverse priorities and gives an example of the Atal Tinkering Lab program, which supports innovation and science education.

5) Smriti talks about the importance of fighting for and protecting her children. She emphasizes that as a mother, she wants her kids to know that she will go to great lengths to ensure their safety and well-being. Irani also discusses her journey into politics and how she realized the need for systemic change to bring about real transformation. She highlights the significance of policy-making and states that not every politician possesses the skillset to develop effective policies. Irani mentions the example of toilets as a neglected issue in the past and how it has now become a focus for administrative attention.

6) Smriti discusses the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene in schools and the need for a comprehensive administrative system to provide access to sanitary pads. She emphasizes the need for a disposal strategy and considers the environmental impact of single-use plastic. Irani highlights the role of policy-making in considering the micro-level effects and having empathy towards the community. She also mentions the importance of being a good politician by being passionate about policy-making, anticipating the needs of the people, and taking proactive measures.

7) Smriti discusses the standards of development and how different countries should not be compared based on those standards. She reflects on the impact of COVID-19 and challenges a statement made by a representative of UN Women about women in India facing domestic violence. Irani emphasizes the need for empirical evidence and criticizes assumptions made about her country without proper information. She also talks about the importance of being passionate about one's country and people as a politician, rather than just pleasing others. Irani praises Prime Minister Modi for making tough decisions and encourages honesty and integrity in serving the people.

8) Smriti discusses her perspective on opportunities, her involvement in sports, and her approach to favors. She expresses gratitude for the opportunities she has been given and emphasizes the importance of staying within the realms of the law. She also reflects on the misconception that having a family eliminates loneliness and shares her thoughts on solitude and the need for personal space. Irani discusses her meditation practices and how she knows when she needs moments of silence and reflection. Finally, she talks about her connection with her faith and the comfort it brings her before bed.

9) Smriti reflects on her life's journey and the challenges she has faced. She acknowledges that she has had a life full of opportunities but also considerable challenges and controversies, especially when it comes to her role as a mother. Irani emphasizes the importance of adjusting to loss and detachment, drawing inspiration from the writings of Chanakya, an ancient Indian philosopher. She shares her experience of walking away from her media career when she was at the peak of her success and how it taught her valuable lessons about humility and resilience.

10) Smriti reflects on her experience of managing motherhood and her career, emphasizing the challenges she faced as a young mother. She discusses the importance of learning to forgive, forget, and move on, as well as the idea of detachment. Irani also shares an interesting psychological test, where she names three animals: tiger, monkey, and puppy. According to the test, the first animal represents how she projects herself, the second is how others might perceive her, and the third is her true nature on the inside, which she amusingly describes as "don't mess with me." She further highlights the shared experiences and intrinsic alignment among women, particularly when it comes to motherhood, and the recognition that women inherently know what they want and how to get it done.

11) Smriti talks about how she doesn't project herself as a tiger, but people perceive her as one because of her no-nonsense approach to life. She also discusses the negative connotations of being seen as someone not to be messed with in Indian society. Irani shares her belief in living life on her own terms and not being walked all over, mentioning that she's willing to pay the cost for it. She emphasizes the importance of taking control of one's life and making mistakes, as well as the need to appreciate the kindness of strangers and the hard work required to achieve success.