In this episode, we speak with Arvinn Gadgil, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi. With roots in Maharashtra and a childhood in Pune, his return to India raises a deeper question: does a place ever stop being home?

We explore identity beyond nationality, the experience of being seen differently across contexts, and what it means to live — and belong — between worlds.

Guest: Tanya Singhal – Founder, SolarArise | ClimateTech & Renewable Energy Expert

Air pollution tells the truth about the cost of growth.

In this episode of The First and Only, I speak with Tanya Singhal, founder of SolarArise and a leading force in India’s renewable energy transition. We discuss India’s clean energy momentum, climate leadership, and what it takes to scale climate-tech solutions in a rapidly developing economy.

We also explore leadership, responsibility, and why the Global South must be central to climate action.

A focused and timely conversation on energy, impact, and the future we are building.

🎧 Now streaming on Spotify.

Before the pitch, there is permission.
Before ambition, there is justification.
Before talent, there is negotiation:

Is it safe? Is it respectable? Is it necessary?

Sara works with girls who are fighting systems they should never have had to fight — families to convince, institutions to educate, silence to push against. Our conversation makes one thing clear: resistance is systemic, not personal.

This episode is not just about football.

It’s about power, voice, and what it takes to claim space without apology — so that the next generation doesn’t have to fight the same battles alone.

We meet Chetan Tiwari (14) from Minerva Academy U14, whose journey recently reached an international milestone at the Norway Cup — the world’s largest youth football tournament.

Minerva Academy’s U14 team emerged as champions, marking a proud moment not just for the academy, but for Indian grassroots football on a global stage.

Beyond the win, this episode is about:

• What it takes to compete internationally at a young age
• The unseen discipline behind success
• Family sacrifice, belief, and resilience
• How Indian youth football is finding its place globally

As Chetan shares, his journey is inseparable from his older brother — who gave up his own dream so Chetan could live his.

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.

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.

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.

Our 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.

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 IT
• Leadership development for women in tech
• Lessons from India’s gender balance initiatives
• The role of mentorship and networking
• Cultural and policy differences impacting gender equity
• Potential for Nordic-Indian collaboration in tech

Tune in for a candid and thoughtful conversation on how inclusive leadership can drive both innovation and equity in the global tech sector.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With over two decades of expertise in Human Capital Strategy, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion, Sunita has played a key role in shaping Wipro’s DEI initiatives, including the Women of Wipro platform. As a former Chair of NASSCOM’s National D&I Council, she has been a driving force behind inclusion efforts at Wipro and beyond.  

Wipro is recognized as a DEI Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum, setting industry benchmarks through impactful policies, leadership programs, and gender diversity initiatives. In this conversation, we discuss:  

- What it means to be a DEI Lighthouse and how Wipro has set itself apart in advancing diversity in tech  

- How Wipro integrates DEI into its core business strategy, ensuring it goes beyond corporate rhetoric  

- The company’s efforts to accelerate women’s leadership in tech through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership programs  

- How Wipro designs inclusive hiring and talent development programs to support women and underrepresented groups  

- The policies and programs that have driven intersectionality, supporting cultural, socio-economic, and neurodiverse inclusion  

- How Wipro is leveraging AI and technology to advance diversity and inclusion  

- Key lessons for Nordic companies and how they can adopt best practices from Wipro’s DEI journey  

- Sunita’s top action for individuals and organizations to create sustainable gender diversity in the workplace  

Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the leading voices in DEI in tech and learn how companies can build more inclusive and equitable workplaces.  

Listen now.

In this episode, Sunita Mohanty, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Invest India, shares insights on what’s driving India’s success and what the Nordics can learn. With experience leading diversity and workforce transformation at Google Singapore, Sunita discusses the key policies, corporate initiatives, and cultural shifts that have shaped India’s growing female tech workforce.  

We explore:  

- How India became a global leader in female STEM graduates  

- The role of government policies like Vigyan Jyoti and WISE-KIRAN in bridging gender gaps in tech  

- Lessons from India’s structured digital skilling programs and corporate-government partnerships  

- The future of women in AI, quantum computing, biotech, and emerging tech fields  

- Sunita’s personal journey and the impact of mentorship and leadership in creating lasting change  

This conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, policy support, and workplace inclusion in building a more diverse and innovative tech sector.  

Listen now to understand how gender diversity in technology can be strengthened worldwide.  

The Nordic Council of Ministers supports this podcast.

In each episode, we hear from industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers who are driving efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and advance gender equality.

In this episode, we focus on Leadership: Paving the Way as the First. We unpack the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and explore actionable solutions to inspire change.

Annette Holte, the Country Manager at Kongsberg Maritime India, will join us. She’ll share her journey, insights on leadership in a male-dominated industry, and strategies for breaking barriers to increase the number of women in leadership.

Mishra has Strong organizational and analytical skills & attention to detail.

Sohini has over 15 years of wide experience in Brand Building & Management and direct experience in Automobile, retail, luxury industry and exposure of building start-ups.

• Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development
• CII Development Initiatives
• Indian Women Network, which empowers women to unlock their economic potential.  

Seema designs innovative frameworks to make sustainability and corporate social responsibility integral to business strategies. Her work not only promotes equal opportunities but also fosters collaboration and develops solutions to societal challenges.  

Through her vision and persistence, she has become a key voice in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for India's industries.

In this podcast, Seema Arora shares her invaluable insights on driving sustainable development and promoting gender diversity in the workforce. Don’t miss her perspective on building a future that is both inclusive and sustainable.  

• Breaking cultural barriers in recruitment
• Crafting supportive company policies
• Building environments that empower women in STEM
• Skill development and retention strategies for sustainable growth

The podcast was made possible with the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers, ensuring we bring you impactful discussions that drive change.

Lidten to this inspiring conversation that’s sure to leave you motivated! 

1. What are the common challenges when it comes to implementation of smart cities in cities in Norway and cities in India?
2. How do cities build capacity building competence in India? What is required to build competence?
3. How are cities in India adapting to slow change to rapid change society?
4. What is the impact of Complex multi-level governance structures  to knowledge-based urban development
5. By 2050, more than 2,400 hospitals and healthcare facilities in C40 cities could be overwhelmed by flooding. 45% of those healthcare facilities at risk are located in India. How can Handling Compounded Uncertainty in Spatial Planning and Humanitarian Action in Unexpected Floods?

Happy International Women’s Day, 2023 !!

Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria is responsible for DNV’s maritime operations in South East Asia Pacific & India since October 2017 in her capacity as Vice President, Regional Manager.

 She has worked in newbuilding and operations phases as a ships surveyor and project manager in Spain, Portugal, South Korea and Norway. 

 In 2015 she became responsible for DNV GL’s maritime and oil & gas operations in Africa in her capacity as Area Manager and Country chair for Africa until September 2017.

A significant channel to start reducing carbon emissions is by using coastal shipping. Coastal shipping is widely acknowledged as a viable and effective substitute for road transportation. 

India can look to the unique Norwegian shipping ecosystem for inspiration. Norway is at the forefront of developing and using technology and concepts that help to reduce emissions and improve the environment. Norway becoming one of the most advanced maritime nations in the world today. 

Do listen to this insightful episode of The Modern India Podcast!

Nikolai is a MP, a Norwegian politician representing the Conservative Party.

Astrup - the first person to hold the post as the minister of international development for in years.

India is rapidly undergoing sustainable green transformation. Norway is the leader in the whole of Europe in terms of renewable energy. Ties between Norway and India have deep historical roots.

We all know that developments in India will have a significant impact on how successful the world is in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and global climate targets.

Do listen to Nikolai’s experiences in India!

The ‘Clean Construction’ approach promotes the reduction of air pollutants from construction activities. The Government of India launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), in 2019, that aims to reduce air pollution levels by 20-30% by 2024.

In this episode we have invited a guest who represents the private sector: Kristin Sæterøy. She has hands on knowledge on clean construction.

Kristin Sæterøy is the Managing Director of Aneo Build.

This is how we attempt to drive the transition towards clean construction.

• Cochin Shipyard Ltd has built two autonomous electric vessels for ASKO Maritime AS, Norway.
• The two vessels are central to ASKO’s passion for sustainability and for driving business efficiency. It currently has a fleet of some 700 trucks and trailers and aims to become carbon neutral in 2026.
• The construction project is partially funded by the Norwegian Government with the aim of setting up an emission-free transport of goods across the Oslo fjord.
• Plate cutting ceremony for both the vessels was held at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi in the end of June.

Do want to know more?
Listen to this episode!

Our guest for this episode of Norway India Sustainabilty Dialogues is Jannicke Gerner Bjerkås.

So much is happening in the Carbon capture landscape!

(ONGC) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Equinor ASA, the Norwegian state-owned multinational energy company, for energy exploration and climate change mitigation options in March this year.

And just a week back, Celsio - Oslo’s district heating company - who is also heading the Klemetsrud project secured its funding.

Jannicke is Director CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) in Celsio,

Jannicke is heading the full-scale carbon capture project at Norway’s largest waste-to-energy plant since 2018.

Please find the following addressed in this episode:

• Norway’s largest waste-to-energy plant has secured the funding. How did this happen?
• Let us take a step back. What is Carbon Capture and why is CCS important to Norway?
• What does it mean to be full scale CCS. How will you enable capture and storage of 400 000 tonnes of CO2 in practice?
• The City of Oslo plans to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 95 per cent by 2030. The Klemetsrud waste-to-energy CCS project provides a blueprint for cities across Europe on how to best deal with non-recyclable waste, while producing heat and electricity for city inhabitants.  What is it like to be a pioneer? Why waste-to-energy with CCS?
• Across the world, waste is an increasing problem, causing both local pollution to soil and groundwater and a climate issue as landfills are emitting large amounts of methane, contributing to climate change.  The carbon capture project in Oslo provides a range of innovative solutions that can be exported to other countries. Please elaborate.
• How do you collaborate with other countries and cities for knowledge sharing in regard to CO2 capture and storage?
• What does the carbon capture project means for Oslo’s climate targets - and what can cities like Mumbai learn from this project?

Stay tuned!!

• About C40 and its work.
• How does C40 use city diplomacy to help cities meet their climate ambitions? 
• Cities earn their membership through their actions and both of you work with two very different cities - Mumbai and Oslo 
•  The kind of work being done by Mumbai to address the issue?
•  What are the key lessons that Mumbai can share with the world?
• What does Oslo do to align with C40's requirements? 
• What climate budgeting means? How does C40 facilitate this peer-to-peer knowledge sharing on climate budgeting, based experiences from Oslo
• What do you see as a priority for C40 in the coming years? 
• Where do you see C40 in the year 2050?

Did you know that 3% of the total surface of the #planet is occupied by cities, and that they are home to more than half of the world's #population? 

• In her youth, Sørensen was an active environmentalist and was leader of both Natur og Ungdom and Friends of the Earth Norway. She was elected to the Parliament of Norway from Oslo in 2001.
• She became State Secretary to the Minister of the Environment between 2007-2012 and left national politics in 2013.
• Sørensen was a member of the Norwegian Consumer Council from 1997 to 2001, the Norwegian Board of Technology from 1999, the board of the Research Council of Norway from 2000, and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences from 2013.
• She has also been a member of committees producing Norwegian Official Reports on energy and waste management.

Did you know that The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) climate action cell will share its assessment results with the City of Oslo for a year-long program to develop the climate budget? 

India has a long and mostly honorable tradition of using soft power in its diplomacy. Religion plays a very central and definitive role in Indian society and culture. It can often be seen to influence businesses and the economy.

We have with us Sadhguru interviewed by Erik Solheim.
Sadhguru is a yogi and a mystic.

• A man whose passion spills into everything he encounters. 
• Named one of India’s 50 most influential people.
• Sadhguru’s work has touched the lives of millions worldwide through his transformational programs.
• He has initiated large-scale global initiatives, including the UNCCD accredited Isha Foundation, with 11 million volunteers in 300 centers worldwide.
• In 2017, Sadhguru also launched Rally for Rivers, a campaign to raise awareness about the dire state of India’s rivers, which was supported by 162 million people, making it the largest ever ecological initiative of its kind. 

Erik Solheim was Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme between May 2016 and November 2018. Prime minister Narendra Modi recoqnizes Erik as a friend of India and wrote a letter to him last week on the Republic Day of India.

Listen to this insightful conversation and stay tuned for our upcoming episodes.

According to latest data released by the Indian government from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), there are now 1,020 women for every 1,000 men. Women’s economic empowerment is highly connected to poverty reduction because women tend to invest their earnings into their communities and family’s development. According to World Bank estimates, India’s women in workforce contribute 17% to GDP, which is less than half the global average. 

Norway was the first country in the world to put a 40% gender quota on boards of listed companies and public enterprises. Plan International is a development and humanitarian organisation that works to advance children’s rights and equality for girls. The Association of Business Women in Commerce & Industry (ABWCI), on the other hand, is an integrated platform dedicated to the economic empowerment of women in business. 

DMI would like to present to you the panelists for our podcast:

Isabelle Ringnes - Isabelle is the co-founder of Equalitycheck.com

Parul Soni - founder of Association of Business Women in Commerce & Industry (ABWCI)

Kari Helene Partapuoli - General Secretary, Plan Norway 

Rina Sunder - Founder, DMI

The conversation will be moderated by Ritika Dhall and Rina Sunder. Ritika is the Head of Gender Equality at Norad. 

A few of the questions we will touch upon are: 

• What does it mean for India now that it has more females than males? 
• What lessons are there for India to learn from Norway? 
• What roles do health care, education, protection from violence, as well as empowerment and participation play for women in order to leverage their potential in a countrys growth?
• How can employers walk the walk regarding supporting women?

Simply put — women are the key to unlocking the full potential of Indias economy and society. It’s critical that we pave pathways that allow women to soar. 

DMI is happy to collaborate with Norad on this seminar. 

 Paul Kvalheim
CEO and co-founder, MA Political Science and MBA, successful entrepreneur and former executive in SaaS technology and telecom industry, shares the passion to enable students to get access to higher education around the world.

Both company founders Paul Kvalheim and Harinder Aulakh benefited from studying abroad and they firmly believe the opportunity for mobility improves career and life prospects. Improving access to higher education is their ultimate goal and having generated enrolments across a wide variety of different countries they are already seeing success. In addition to the main English-speaking study destinations such as Canada, USA, and UK, Dfavo are already supporting applications to alternative study destinations such as Ukraine and Japan.

DMI invited the following for a seminar on Clubhouse to discuss the successful model of EV adoption in Norway.

- Ola Elvestuen is a Norwegian politician for the Liberal Party. He served as Minister of Climate and Environment from 2018 to 2020. 

- Jasmeet Khurana manages the mobility decarbonization project at the World Business Council for sustainable development.

-  Dhivik Ashok is a pioneer in the EV space of India, with a strong understanding of battery space and what works in India. He is founder of the company Go GreenBOV.

- Jan Tore Gjøvik is an eMobility educator and advisor in Norway. His wide experiences in the fast growing Norwegian EV market gives him unique insight in the electric cars domain.

• How Det moderne India is using podcasting as the medium for leading voices within various fields to share their thoughts on Norway 
• What are the challenges of being an Indian leader in Norway or a Norwegian leader in India, and overcoming them
• Why India-Norway is an innovative partnership
• What are the biggest joys of doing podcasting and moderating rooms and talks for DMIs guests on Clubhouse 

How can Europe play a role, and can smaller countries like Norway make a difference? Is there a role for both larger and smaller companies? 

Finally, the importance of international collaboration. Will the exploration efforts be done in a cooperative manner? Is it possible to ensure rule-based based on laws that everyone will follow, for both countries and companies.

We elaborated on the Indian regulatory regime and the opening of the commercial space community in India. Concretely, we mentioned maritime surveillance and micro-launchers as possible Indian-Norwegian cooperation opportunities. 

Finally, we talked about the new sense of entrepreneurship, integration of IT and space domain involving players in the cloud and data processing value chain and the need for a wide variety of competences in the new race for space data.