In this episode of The Crux, we explore life on the LoC, beyond headlines and policy, through the eyes of a soldier.

Join us as we speak with Lt Col (Retd) Mayur Ambastha, who served in the Indian Army for decades, including counter-insurgency roles in Jammu & Kashmir and a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

Tune in to hear his insights on what it takes to serve at the border, the mental and physical strain, family separations, troop preparedness during escalations like Operation Sindoor. We also explore the transition from combat to civilian life, and what support veterans need to find purpose beyond the uniform.

#IndiaPakistan #LoC #OperationSindoor #IndianArmy #Veterans #MentalHealth #BorderSecurity #DefenceForces #UNPeacekeeping #MilitaryFamilies #Kashmir #Leadership


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00:00:00 – Intro
00:02:59 – Facing the enemy: A soldier’s perspective
00:06:46 – Activation mode: How the army mobilizes
00:08:20 – What military training actually involves
00:11:54 – Practicing for War
00:14:12 – Mental conditioning & the ghatak course
00:19:58 – Technology in training & real combat
00:23:27 – Women in Uniform: Equal training, equal stakes
00:25:38 – Suicide & burnout in the forces
00:31:43 – Family strain: Preparing for the worst
00:37:11 – The UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan
00:42:08 – Transitioning from uniform to civilian life
00:48:41 – Veteran hiring & corporate India’s blind spot
00:51:44 – The Crux (takeaways)

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#IndiaPakistan #OperationSindoor #LoC #IndianArmy #BorderConflict #CounterInsurgency #MilitaryLife #SoldiersStory #VeteranVoices #DefenseAnalysis #NationalSecurity #ArmyFamilies #MentalHealthInUniform

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In this episode of The Crux, we examine the fallout from Operation Sindoor: India’s precision missile strike on terror camps across Pakistan and PoK.

Join us as we speak with Bipindra NC, a veteran defence journalist with three decades of experience covering strategic affairs, defence, and geopolitics.

Tune in as we discuss how India-Pakistan relations have evolved over the past decade, India’s current options, Pakistan’s likely retaliation, and the road ahead — both on the battlefield and at the negotiation table.

#IndiaPakistan #OperationSindoor #IndiaStrikesBack #StrategicAffairs #Geopolitics #Defence #IndianArmy #Terrorism #IndusWaterTreaty #Pakistan #IndiaNews #Diplomacy #NCBipindra #TheCruxPodcast

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00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:31 - A measured response or escalation?
00:03:09 - Evolution of India’s counter-terror strategy from Uri to Sindoor
00:04:39 - Kashmir, intelligence, and internal security
00:10:45 - Modi’s doctrine and strategic messaging
00:17:26 - Are these strikes a message or a deterrent?
00:22:47 - How did India manage the post-strike narrative?
00:26:26 - Indus waters: Strategy, infrastructure, and silent preparation
00:33:24 - Trade and economic pressure
00:35:07 - What China and Turkey’s reactions signal
00:38:26 - Are we heading toward war?
00:44:04 - Elections, political capital, and public response
00:47:32 - Key takeaways

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#NCBipindra #GeopoliticsPodcast #StrategicAffairs #IndiaDefence
#SouthAsiaSecurity #CounterTerrorism #MilitaryStrategy
#ForeignPolicyAnalysis #TheCruxPodcast


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There is an alarming outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune. Over 140 cases reported have put serious questions before everyone about water contamination, public health safety, and preparedness in India.

Join us on this episode of The Crux as we speak to Dr. Shahid Jameel, a leading virologist, in the process of helping break down the science behind GBS, its symptoms, potential causes, and the way forward. How is this outbreak different? What are the lessons for India's healthcare system?

Tune in to hear his insights about the origins of the outbreak, and how to prevent future crises.

Is this a wake-up call for India's public health system?

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00:00:00 – Intro
00:00:58 – What is GBS?
00:03:33 – Insights into the Pune outbreak
00:07:46 – Water purification practices
00:10:49 – GBS in Peru
00:14:15 – Early symptoms
00:18:02 – At-risk populations
00:19:55 – Are we medically prepared?
00:23:03 – Screening and diagnosis
00:24:21 – Preventing future outbreaks
00:25:28 – Key takeaways

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#gbs #guillainbarresyndrome #punehealthcare #publichealth #neurology #virology #medicalawareness #watercontamination #Indiahealth #TheCruxPodcast

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