EP - 441 I The Parsi Story, Food & Culture | The 'Real' Samosa Caucus 9.0 Edition – Part 2

EP - 441 I The Parsi Story, Food & Culture | The 'Real' Samosa Caucus 9.0 Edition – Part 2

Author: Asian News International (ANI) August 16, 2026 Duration: 2:35:44

Stepping out of the ANI Podcast Studio, The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus is back with Edition 9.0, Part 2, this time from Dorabjee & Sons in Pune.


The 150-year-old Parsi restaurant has been serving generations of Punekars and is now run by the fifth generation of the Dorabjee family.


Joining the podcast are:


Sushant Sareen – Senior Fellow at ORF

Tehseen Poonawalla – TV personality and political analyst

Anand Ranganathan – Author and scientist

Abhijit Iyer-Mitra – Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies

Darius Dorabjee

Dallas Dorabjee


In this episode, the panel talks about how the Parsis made India their home, the evolution of Parsi food and culture, and what it takes to carry forward a 150-year-old restaurant legacy.


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0:00 – Introduction

0:34 – History of Dorabjee & Sons

1:50 – Parsi Quirkiness

3:49 – Parsi Food

6:29 – Parsi Families and Marriage

15:06 – What Independence Day Means

24:21 – Exploring Parsi Food

28:27 – Parsi Traditions and Attire

32:50 – Iconic Parsi Dishes

33:17 – Why Dorabjee & Sons Never Expanded

35:48 – How Much Money Is Enough?

47:27 – India’s Obesity Crisis

49:10 – Protein vs Carbohydrates

54:37 – Stray Dog Debate

59:07 – Tukaram Mundhe’s Restaurant Crackdown

1:11:14 – Fitness and Healthy Living

1:25:50 – Wealth Creators

1:27:29 – Workweek Debate

1:28:08 – China’s Education Model

1:31:11 – AI-Driven World

1:39:11 – Is India Falling Behind in AI?

1:42:10 – Pakistan’s ‘Islamic NATO’ Proposal

1:46:51 – India–US Relations

1:57:45 – Trump and US Midterm Elections

2:03:05 – China’s Lead Over the US

2:11:11 – Manufacturing in India

2:18:40 – India’s Broken Systems

2:20:16 – Delhi’s Governance Problems

2:28:54 – Government Schools

2:32:09 – Visas and India’s Foreign Policy

2:34:30 – Conclusion


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.
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