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.

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.

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.

On August 12, Det Moderne India hosted Norway–India Collaboration on Energy Security at Arendalsuka, bringing together leaders from both countries — including our special guest Smriti Irani, Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality.In this podcast, you’ll hear the full debate with Henrik Inadomi (Executive Vice President, New Energies, Aker Solutions), Swapan Kataria (Co-Founder & CEO, Crown LNG), Tellef Thorleifsson (CEO, Norfund), Rina Sunder (Co-Founder, Det Moderne India), and Gjert Melsom (Associate Partner, EY).Together they discuss how Norway and India can work towards a secure and sustainable energy future. This is more than an energy conversation — it’s about building bridges, sharing knowledge, and shaping solutions that matter for both nations.

Founder of Maritime SheEO and Director at Sitara Shipping LtdOur newly released book The First and Only celebrates bold trailblazers across industries—those who’ve chosen the harder path of leading without precedent. Sanjam Sahi Gupta is one of them.In this powerful episode, Sanjam opens up about what it means to lead in one of the world’s most traditionally male domains: maritime. As a changemaker and policy advocate, she’s redefining what leadership looks like—not just for women, but for the global industry as a whole.We talk about breaking through old hierarchies, resisting the pressure to conform, and disrupting exclusionary systems without apology. Sanjam shares what kept her going when no one else had done it before, what invisible barriers still need dismantling, and what legacy she hopes to leave behind.This is an episode for anyone who’s ever felt like the only one in the room—and decided to stay anyway.

In this episode, we speak with Mali Holde Skogen, a leading voice on digitalization and sustainability in Norway, to explore the current state of gender diversity in the Nordic IT sector.We delve into the progress and persistent challenges in achieving gender balance, comparing Norway’s efforts to other Nordic countries, and examining what’s working—and what’s not. Mali highlights key success stories and innovative approaches that are reshaping the tech landscape.We also turn our focus to India, where many IT companies are setting ambitious gender targets. What can the Nordics learn from India's strategies? Mali offers a nuanced perspective on cross-cultural insights, mentorship programs, and the importance of policy and business alignment.Topics covered include:The state of gender diversity in Nordic ITLeadership development for women in techLessons from India’s gender balance initiativesThe role of mentorship and networkingCultural and policy differences impacting gender equityPotential for Nordic-Indian collaboration in techTune in for a candid and thoughtful conversation on how inclusive leadership can drive both innovation and equity in the global tech sector.

From New York to rural India, Ajaita Shah’s journey is anything but typical. In this episode, we dive into the founding of Frontier Markets and her bold goal: to empower 100 million women through She-Leads Bharat by 2030.We ask:– What sparked her commitment to rural women’s leadership?– How did she challenge social norms and win trust in male-dominated systems?– What setbacks taught her the most about resilience and scaling impact?– How are rural women quietly driving climate action and digital finance?– And what must change in funding and policy to truly unlock women’s economic power?Ajaita doesn’t just talk systems change—she lives it. Tune in for a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode of the Det Moderne India Podcast, we speak with Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay — a pioneer in climate journalism, environmental advocacy, and polar policy. As the Founder-Editor of Geography and You and the driving force behind the SaGAA think tank, Sulagna has spent over two decades shaping India’s climate discourse.Her journey has not been easy. From facing exclusion in academic circles to building her own research and advocacy platforms, Sulagna shares what it means to be “the first and only” woman in male-dominated fields — and how perseverance, purpose, and quiet resilience helped her create space where none existed.This episode is part of a special podcast series connected to the book The First and Only: India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, launching in Oslo on May 14, 2025.Listen in as Sulagna reflects on her challenges, breakthroughs, and the urgent need for inclusive leadership in environmental policy.

Welcome to a new episode of Det Moderne India, where we explore leadership, diversity, and the evolving role of women in STEM across borders.This episode delves into the intersection of Indian and Nordic leadership through the lens of lived experience. Our guest is Vidya Basarkod, former Director of Ramboll in India. With over four decades of experience in civil and structural engineering, Vidya has broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field—both in India and Scandinavia.Together, we explore:- The cultural contrasts between Indian and Nordic leadership styles  - What it means to be “the first and only” woman in the room  - How engineering and infrastructure sectors can become more inclusive  - Lessons learned from working within a global company like Ramboll  - Advice for the next generation of women in STEM and leadership  Join us as we navigate leadership across borders and break new ground for the future of inclusive workplaces.

India has one of the largest youth populations in the world, yet digital accessibility remains a challenge—only 54% of households have computers, and nearly 40% lack access to one. However, with 88% of the population using smartphones, mobile technology presents an opportunity to bridge this gap.In this episode, The Rise of Gen Z Girls in Tech, we sit down with Mayank, the visionary behind Coding Pro, to explore how AI-driven learning and innovative mobile applications are ensuring equal access to coding education for students, regardless of their background.We discuss the impact of social norms on STEM careers, the challenges of parental hesitation and cultural expectations, and how AI-powered tools are helping families embrace digital education. Mayank shares how Coding Pro’s scholarships and mentorship programs are supporting underprivileged girls, fostering a future where young women take the lead in tech.We also explore Iraaj, India’s first humanoid robot, and its role in equipping students with real-world skills, as well as the emergence of AI-powered universities and Techno Schools that will redefine learning over the next decade.This conversation is about breaking barriers, reshaping education, and preparing India’s youth—especially Gen Z girls—for the digital revolution.