Igniting Joy

Igniting Joy

The human spirit is resilient. It is buoyant. It has always triumphed over adversity and pain. But it has often been the work of so many selfless individuals that have helped scale the relief making it pervasive and available. Neighborhoods and communities impacted by someone’s desire to make a change in their own life and by extension in the world around them - that’s what this podcast is about. Join Puneet, an actor, writer, and accidental technologist, once a week right here in his conversations with those who are making change happen and making a difference. Either they are bringing visibly joyous experiences for people or, just as importantly, mitigating and removing pain or suffering so that joy can burst forth. They are the souls who are igniting joy making this a better world.

Episodes

November 25, 2024 56 mins
That one can impact the world at any age is what my next guest exemplifies. Someone barely old
enough to buy a drink legally, she has already made a significant difference in people’s lives in her
community and around the world. Join me in a conversation with Aarushi Khanna in this episode of
Igniting Joy.

Aarushi is a menstrual equity activist, creating change in communities worldwide through her global
initiatives. She has got the Com...
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She is a creative thinker, a prolific writer, a passionate activist and simply wants us to get along with all
our animal friends, especially cows! Join in me in my conversation with Preethi Srinivas who returns in
this episode of Igniting Joy.

Preethi Srinivas is a techie and an ardent writer who is raising awareness about the profound
connections between humans, animals and nature. She advocates for animal welfare, believing in the
pow...
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November 11, 2024 59 mins
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their
entrances …” My guest in this episode is consumed by his passion for theatre and he is going to tell us how a confirmed technologist became the force behind a vibrant theatre company! Join me in my
conversation with Basab Pradhan in this episode of Igniting Joy.

Basab Pradhan is a playwright, director, actor & has several full-length...
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November 4, 2024 57 mins
Recovering litigator? Is that an expression that makes sense? Join in me in my conversation with Anoop Judge on this episode of Igniting Joy as she explains that and tells us how she’s enjoying writing novels that bridge geography and culture!

Born and raised in New Delhi, Anoop Judge is the author of four novels – THE RUMMY CLUB (won the 2015 Beverly Hills Book Award), THE AWAKENING OF MEENA RAWAT (an excerpt of this was nominated ...
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October 28, 2024 60 mins
He is a man on a mission and he’s onto something as he works to bring technology to bear on some of the most vexatious healthcare issues of our times. Join me in a conversation with Anurag Mairal in this episode of Igniting Joy.Dr. Anurag Mairal is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine and the Director, Global Outreach Programs at Stanford Byers Center for Biodesign, Stanford University.

He is also a Faculty Fellow and Lead for Technolog...
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October 21, 2024 57 mins
Never have I ever had so much joy in chatting with an old friend!! J My next guest is the lovable grandma from the Netflix hit show, “Never Have I Ever” – Ranjita Chakravarty. Ranjita Chakravarty is active in the San Francisco Bay area theater and film community, both as an actor and director. She has directed about 6 plays and acted in many plays, short films and a few feature films.

Most famously she played the role of Nirmala/Pat...
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October 14, 2024 59 mins
My guest in this episode invokes joy with everything he says and does! Join me in my chat with Anuvab Pal as we talk about his unique way of igniting joy even if it means getting hauled to court over an argument about things inane, mundane and patently laughable! Anuvab Pal has been described by The New York Times as India's Most Intelligent Comedian. The Guardian  calls him 'very brilliant, very funny'.

His stand up comedy special ...
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October 7, 2024 57 mins
Finding a way to combat adversity and turning it into a potent force for positive change is what our next guest excels at. Join me in my conversation with Anjali Rimi.
Anjali Rimi is the president of Parivar, Bay Area. Parivar Bay Area is America's only transgender-led, transgender-centering South Asian organization. She is also the star of a biographical film, “Belonging” telling her story! She was invited to the White House in 202...
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September 30, 2024 49 mins
In this episode of IGNITING JOY meet Pallavi Sharma an artist par excellence. Her rather unique
approach to art is truly remarkable.

Pallavi Sharma is an artist who has exhibited her works in many solo and group shows in national and
international exhibitions since 2000. Her interdisciplinary art practice addresses migration and the
notions of memory, marginalization, patriarchy, and misogyny. Her published works include two poetry
coll...
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September 27, 2024 59 mins
In this episode we bring you a conversation with Major D. P. Singh, a man who literally inspires
thousands with his grit and optimism and joyously stares down adversity with a smile!

Major Devender Pal Singh (D.P. Singh) is an Indian Army war veteran. Injured in active ops in 1999, he was brought dead to the hospital. Although his recovery was nothing short of a miracle, he was
impacted by a mountain of disabilities. His ability to co...
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September 26, 2024 57 mins
We commence a whole new season of IGNITING JOY on a high note, speaking to a man whose vision and untiring efforts have literally improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of people around the world. In this conversation with Anshu Gupta we find out his approach to life and Igniting Joy.

Anshu Gupta has pioneered the building of a trash-based economy converting urban waste into a
resource that has led to poverty alleviation, commun...
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