Pragyaan

Kushal Mehra is known for hosting the Carvaka Podcast, which focuses on discussions around Indian politics, philosophy, religion, and society. Kushal prompts the guests to converse on unconventional topics, leading to a cult following amongst his followers. Kushal is recognized for his critical approach and emphasis on free thinking and rational debate. In this episode, I pick his brain on various subjects - the upcoming General Election, how Hindutva works, the pros and cons of creating content, and much more. He has recently authored a book titled "Nastik: Why I Am Not an Atheist." This book delves into his journey as a modern Indian skeptic, initially influenced by Western neo-atheism. With Pragyaan (intuition in Sanskrit) - we bring you one step closer to your inner-self — the place with all the answers. Hosted by serial meditator and Public Policy & Communication whiz Pragya Misra, Pragyaan brings you the most concise dialogue on meditation, work-life balance, and happiness from some of the most successful people in the world. Takeaway for the audience: This episode was brought to you by the Pragyaan podcast. We hope you liked it, and that it helped you attain some level of clarity in your inner journey. We'd like to encourage you to start your daily meditation routine. Just 15 minutes a day of meditation can have a profound impact on your mental health, and overall well-being and chart the path to being the best version of yourself. Start meditation today by downloading The Heartfulness App - The heartfulness App - https://heartintune.io00:00:00 Coming up 00:03:04 Anti-Defection Law: How Political Parties Like BJP Have Hijacked Democracy 00:04:16 The Party Over People: Why Politicians, Including BJP Members, Prioritize Party Interests Over Public Welfare 00:04:50 Did Indian Politicians Pretend to Serve the Public? 00:06:02 How Political Parties Deceive Young Voters 00:07:19 Political Hypocrisy: The Charade of Diverse Political Ideologies 00:08:56 Family Values: The Real Reason Indian Society Clings to Outdated Norms 00:09:37 Inheritance Tax: The Immoral Wealth Redistribution Debate 00:12:10 Eastern vs. Western Religion 00:18:22 Public Safety: The Real Reason Infrastructure is Failing 00:18:56 Personal Experiences: How Anecdotes Skew Societal Perception 00:19:49 Housing Society Hell: The Dysfunction of Community Management 00:20:55 Joy in Small Things: A Cop-Out for Bigger Failures 00:21:32 Bottom-Up Approach: The Lie We Tell Ourselves About Grassroots Change 00:22:05 Embracing Technology: How Tech is Ruining Our Lives 00:22:44 Global Influence: The Myth of Indian Cultural Superiority 00:23:29 Culinary Diversity: How Food Becomes a Political Tool 00:26:41 Charity and Responsibility: The Selfish Side of Altruism 00:27:09 Cultural Connections: The Commodification of Indian Traditions 00:29:07 Karma and Destiny: The False Comfort of Spiritual Beliefs 00:30:25 Celebrating Choices: The Illusion of Personal Freedom 00:31:04 Moderation and Balance: The Impossible Ideal 00:31:36 Historical Perspectives: How History is Manipulated for Modern Agendas 00:32:44 Political Decisions: How They Undermine Personal Freedoms 00:34:38 Cultural Critique: Why Traditional Values Are Outdated 00:35:50 Societal Responsibilities: How Individual Actions Are Futile 00:36:25 Philosophical Foundations: The Manipulation of Cultural Narratives 00:37:50 Self-Discovery: The Overrated Journey 00:38:29 Academic Journey: The Real Impact of Institutional Indoctrination 00:39:48 Religious Comparisons: The Fallacy of Equal Respect 00:40:58 Eastern vs. Western Beliefs: The Futility of Comparison 00:41:42 Personal Experiences: How They Distort Reality 00:43:00 Philosophical Journey: The Endless Loop of Meaningless Debates 00:44:36 Embracing Diversity: The Empty Slogan 00:46:47 Non-Monotheistic Faiths: The Forgotten Truths 00:47:30 Dealing with Anger: The Mismanagement of Emotions 00:51:39 Philosophical Foundations: The Forgotten Lessons of History 00:53:58 Philosophical Influences: The Hidden Agendas 00:54:29 Scientific Understanding: The Limits of Human Knowledge 00:55:39 Legal and Ethical Judgments: The Moral Grey Areas 00:56:19 Personal Reflections: The Self-Indulgent Exercise 00:57:14 Societal Evolution: The Resistance to Change 00:58:33 Agricultural Evolution: The Downside of Progress 00:59:51 Religion as a Tool: The Ultimate Manipulation 01:01:35 Education and Philosophy: The Battle for Young Minds 01:02:11 Humanities and Success: The Unseen Benefits 01:03:22 The Impact of Philosophy: The Real Benefits 01:06:38 Hindutva Debate Follow Pragyaan on: Instagram:   / pragyaan_podcast   Twitter:   / pragyaan_pod   LinkedIn:   / pragyaan-podcast