EP-409 | Inside Bastar: The Journalist Who Made 200 Naxals Surrender | Vikas Tiwari

EP-409 | Inside Bastar: The Journalist Who Made 200 Naxals Surrender | Vikas Tiwari

Author: Asian News International (ANI) April 27, 2026 Duration: 1:30:52

Vikas Tiwari, also known as Ranu Tiwari, runs the YouTube channel Bastar Talkies. He has helped over 200 Naxals surrender and return to mainstream society. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how Naxalism began in Chhattisgarh, the challenges of reporting from Bastar, and the goal set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to make India Naxal-free. He was awarded the Rameshwaram Hindi Journalism National Award in December 2025. This is a simple, first-hand account from a journalist reporting directly from the remote areas of Chhattisgarh.


Timestamps


00:00 – Introduction

03:18 – From Truck Driver to YouTuber

11:58 – Dangers in Naxal-Affected Areas

15:34 – Naxalism and Its Causes

22:07 – How Naxals Return to the Mainstream

28:33 – Challenges of Reporting in Naxal Areas

36:41 – Naxals in Bastar: What Has Changed

41:10 – Thulthuli Encounter Explained

44:41 – The Story of Mukesh Chandrakar

50:58 – Why Maoists Resisted Development

56:03 – The Reality of Salwa Judum

58:28 – Life After Maoists’ Surrender

1:00:53 – Youth and Maoist Ideology

1:02:35 – Reporting from Naxal Areas

1:07:22 – Stories from Families of Martyrs

1:14:08 – When Maoists Started Losing Power

1:16:36 – Attack on Congress Leader V.C. Shukla

1:18:35 – Understanding “Urban Naxals”

1:24:10 – Suggestions to Counter “Urban Naxals”

1:27:15 – Reality of Bastar Villages


Conversations that shape our world often happen behind closed doors or in the quiet moments after the headlines fade. ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash pulls up a chair to those discussions, offering a direct line to the minds of influential figures. Hosted by veteran journalist Smita Prakash, this series moves beyond the soundbite, creating a space where politicians, athletes, artists, and thinkers can explore the nuances of the issues that define contemporary India and global affairs. The dialogue here is driven by curiosity and a commitment to depth, allowing guests to elaborate on their perspectives, their decisions, and the personal experiences that inform their public lives. You will hear candid reflections on current events, policy debates, and cultural shifts, all through the lens of those at the center of the story. Produced by Asian News International, the podcast leverages a legacy of journalistic access and integrity, ensuring every conversation is both insightful and substantive. It’s more than an interview; it’s an opportunity to understand the motivations and narratives driving today’s news. For anyone looking to move past the surface and engage with the substance of politics, society, and human endeavor, this podcast provides a consistently thoughtful and compelling listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
Podcast Episodes