93-Year-Old Journalist on the Untold Truths of PMs, Afghan Wars, and India | Prem Prakash Dostcast

Mr. Prem Prakash, the founder of Asian News International (ANI), is a veteran journalist who has had a significant impact on journalism in India. ANI, established by Prem Prakash in 1971, became the first agency in India to syndicate video news. It grew to be the largest television news agency in India, with a wide network of reporters and bureaus across the country, providing a syndicated multimedia news feed to various news bureaus in India and abroad.
In this conversation Vinamre and Mr. Prem Prakash talked about:
- The tough times reporting on the 1962 Indo-China War and the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, sharing vivid tales from the battlefields that showcase the risky, yet vital, work of war correspondents.
- Their experiences with major politicians like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, shedding light on how these interactions shaped their reporting, while keeping their journalistic ethics intact.
- Near the conversation's close, Prakash shared some wisdom for new journalists, pondering the shifts in the journalism field over time.
The insights are valuable for anyone looking to understand the challenges and responsibilities of a career in journalism. You must watch this episode.
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
3:53 - Starting Journey as a Journalist
7:48 - Working with Jawaharlal Nehru
14:15 - Reasons for Lack of Police Respect Today
16:26 - Challenges with New Journalists
17:56 - Challenges in 1962 Indo-China War
20:54 - Bangladesh Liberation War 1971
25:09 - Experience in Afghanistan
35:29 - Journalists as Friends with Heads of States
37:15 - Transition after China War
41:45 - Working with Indira Gandhi
50:29 - Near Arrest Incident
56:37 - Setting up a Network Today
1:00:13 - Experience with Rajiv Gandhi
1:06:01 - Assassination Attempt on Rajiv Gandhi
1:13:24 - Life after Retirement
1:14:37 - VP Singh's Inefficiency as PM
1:15:44 - Reasons for Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Election Loss
1:17:47 - Advice for Upcoming Journalists
1:22:53 - Contribution of Bhagat Singh and INA in India’s Independence
1:30:27 - Conclusion
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#Dostcast

[@Mittholi]

Please invite more such aged people before they are gone, may God give them good health and happiness

[@PawanSingh-bh3nr]

😊😮😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😮😅😅😮😮😅😅😮😮😅😅😅😮😅😅😅😮😅

[@ms-oi4gc]

he is 93?! wow greatness

[@utkarshsingh6478]

Bro just called someone from the age we just hear stories about. A Legend.

[@yoabout]

Excellent. Unbelievable memory at the age of 93.

[@reecosmicatomsb8576]

People like him have enjoyed life, good food, water, air, environment, massive agricultural land, Bungalow etc. The majority of Indians were suffering, hungry , poor. No wonder they are fit & healthy.

[@Sreedevi03]

Are you jalous? He was not sitting in his farm house and writting news.

[@reecosmicatomsb8576]

@@Sreedevi03 first spell "jealous" properly. What I said is a fact irrespective of his being in the field. That was the norm in those days for all journalists except the owner of media houses. He didn't report the poverty, pillage, lack of education, healthcare, porus borders, detrimental foreign policy, tyranny of nehru. He sold himself for a cup of tea from nehru. No wonder we are suffering.

[@chikloopikloo]

Do you know what's the advantage of calling veterans on the podcast? We learn from history, how we can shape our future! Brilliant podcast, I must say. You must call more of such people who have seen India since its birth.

[@rabisahoopuri]

Living history of modern India 😊. Best Wishes Prem Prakash ji. God bless you to share more.

[@lezymemer874]

He very rightly said 'history padho' Every body should read history weather you are engineer, doctor or journalist.

[@Akshayraizada18]

By far this is one of the best podcasts of yours Vinamra! Kudos

[@pramodmahapatra7066]

Mind blowing discussion. Salute to prem sir🙏🙏

[@Teja26051995]

The interviewer has not done his research. A conventional journalist would have been so much better. Merely reading the book of the interviewee is inadequate. You need to have serious probing questions. Is an opportunity of a lifetime to interview a man of this Eminence and wide-ranging experience; Vinamre had blown it

[@rohan291995]

Agreed, he kept interrupting, and asked questions with a "go with the flow" attitude. He clearly lacked enough research to ask pointed questions, and I just feel so much got left out. He's a walking time machine and we need to know all his wisdom from his years of experience.

[@rxtxnn]

Dude, He's a podcaster...if he releases all info in one video how he'll make another podcast with the same person?

[@UMESHPILANIA]

What a great man! Amazing!

[@PrasadCalifornia]

First time listener. But I think I saw one of the best. And an amazing eye opener was the stern comment about contributions of others for India’s Independence

[@thepathakarpit]

Itna purana aadmi bhai sahab! Was looking for someone like him to talk about geopolitics and indian politics. Didn't watch podcast yet but super excited

[@102679nc]

Nehru might build iit or education as you say but he forgot the basics needs of people like toilet and house and water and electricity, pretty much everything.

[@sambarve74]

So essentially, he was creating cheap labour for foreign multinationals.

[@user-do2pq8gc6k]

आपकी सोच पर तरस आता है।

[@vilassawant6551]

Building Nation is continuous process no one can claim because of him and him only country become super power, its efforts of all poor to rich , each and every people of the country

[@surinderkamboj8764]

So many blunders nehru made…. Taking Kashmir to the UN Gifting India’s righteous position of Permanent Member of Security Council to China Keeping English officers in Indian forces Not patrolling the indo china borders Not developing the infrastructure in the north east, citing the reason that it’ll delay china’s advance in the country And so many more

[@johnrooseveltlobo8402]

Surinder, Generalsimo Chiang Kaishek 's National Republic of China was founder member as well as ONE of the Five member Security Council with VETO power. Read history then comments. Dont spread lies.

[@atulsabharwal7213]

Very interesting interview. God bless you prem uncle. Your knowledge is vast. You are a living encyclopedia.

[@shwetachhajed7617]

Beautiful podcast 👏 He has wonderful memory and so healthy for his age😊

[@yogeshmorbale3536]

this is one of the best. Wow!!

[@vaidyanathanvivek4659]

Very good interview-- beautiful answers -- crystal clear voice and understanding of historical affairs

[@TajNawabKhattak-hs4dp]

What a towering personality.. Namaste..Stay blessed and live long Parkash ji.***Parkash ji and Tilak Devashar ji... Having same feature dame style of speaking and above all same accent both Hindi and English both remained in beautiful Kabul***How it is.

[@alex_2020]

Thanks for this podcast❤

[@keerthanrao6352]

This is the best podcast I have seen in your channel...thank you so much ❤❤

[@HappyHomeCooking]

What a podcast ❤ an interview well done.

[@geeta8843]

No corruption in bofors. One more gem

[@RahulPandey-xj6ho]

Very good introduction of guest vinamre bhai .loved your selection of words.

[@ayushagarwal5854]

Bro! 23 minites into the podcast, my mind is already blown.

[@sudiptodas1313]

Sir so nice to hear you and your experience ❤.. only respect for you.. hope we see a web series on your experience because a movie would not be sufficient 🎉

[@lifeiseasy4181]

Just wow 🔥🔥🔥

[@extreme646]

amazing ❤❤

[@zaara33]

An excellent podcast, Vinamre questions are so right and when he listens in, he truly does irrespective of what his views are. I liked when Vinamre says respectfully, ‘ You are saying every prime minister is great 😂’. In his own way he questions the validity of the statement made by the gentleman. He is a veteran journalist who looked at our country differently. And let me remind gently that ‘whoever was not arrested or had the chance to “escape”abroad during emergency’ silently gave in or supported it. Read Coomi Kapoor’s ‘ Emergency days’ well documented with names/ publications/ agencies that gave in. Not questioning the veteran journalists views or his idealistic way , everyone has a right to their opinions. 🙏🏾

[@sunnyl.joseph6102]

Awesome Podcast sir!

[@ashimashmirk8236]

Amazing loved the podcast. 👍👍👍

[@AgrawalJiGroup]

Bro you made it!!!!!!!!

[@aniketchauhan7655]

wow just wow, got so much to learn.

[@inayatkiduniya]

great man

[@prashantrathod6418]

Netaji and his INA was the main reason for the British to give India its independence ..... Netaji said "Tum Hume khoon do main tumhe Aazadi dunga".....

[@SakethAlva]

Really excited!!!!!

[@sunil_ver]

Great person.Great achiever

[@soumyaranjandash5442]

Yes his achievement says... What he would have done to be here.... 😂😂

[@shelleytakyar8945]

Amazing gentleman. And I think the host can learn a few things from him like addressing our ex Prime Ministers , he could have address Nehru ji , Indra ji . The gentleman is showing full respect to the elders which our culture so plz keep that culture alive as I can imagine there are loads of youngsters watching this podcast . 🙏🏽

[@Vaishnavi-go8wy]

I wanted to learn about him, thanks for bringing him.

[@vclasso1]

Sanction was only by Canada that too on nuclear materials and equipments on Rajeev Gandhi era. I'm sorry to say but I disagree with few things what Mr.Prem said. But Yeah what a great podcast and Kudos Dosrcast. Respect to Prem Sir for his service towards journalism❤

[@mechanicalguruji913]

Really sir the last part you said I totally agree we forgot our real heroes which is very unfortunate😢

[@tuhin2839]

Wow 😳

[@gajananranade9429]

Kudos to your guest... Namaskar to your guest... I am happy to see DADDY of Mrs SMITA PRAKASH... 🙏🙏🙏

[@vanguy08]

I think he is her Father-in-law not Father, her father was late Mr Inna RamaMohan Rao . The podcaster made a faux pas there.

[@priyankvarma]

Looking forward to hear from a Veteran Scribe and Founder

[@sks8198]

He is a living history book that speaks nothing but the actual events.

[@spotoncam3640]

With all due respect to the guest, I wonder how new generation can succeed just based on just hardwork?

[@spotoncam3640]

@@victor256in non sense

[@Ar.Kushagra_Gautam]

Finally a podcast so engaging that I listened it on normal, Man you serious need to control you humor in front of serious people, thank God he was Punjabi 😂😂 please bring more podcast like this.

[@PiyushKumar-ru6io]

I wonder why I haven't seen him on ANI podcast!?

[@gugguchauhan9908]

Great podcast vinamra bhai, just a feedback, audio from your side has little echo so Insulating your side would help.

[@gautamramchandani1406]

1:30:09 I think someone needs to write a book or a podcast on upto what extent and case by case how Indian National Army played a key role in both ww1 and ww2

[@sambarve74]

Indian army liberated Israel that’s for sure. Read: Battle of Haifa

[@rajgor5860]

अप्रतिम वार्तालाप

[@mukeshjhamb9059]

I had opportunity to meet her in her office twice, as I used to go to meet my cousin in her office. She would co.e down to reception room and say hello to staff. She asked me for what I am here was. I replied to see my cousin and we have to go home together. She said with humour, so he is working late because of me here. So casual and smiling. She had her own aura.

[@sumitsh003]

Bro keep going i really like your podcast

[@JuniNarendra-km1jr]

When you are having such an important guest, you should not interrupt, it disturbs,

[@kudos713]

Churchill “INFAMOUSLY “ said and not “FAMOUSLY “ said -“Let them die”.

[@user-mr5ec1wl7j]

Panditji Deserves Such Chinese GIFT ...........on His Birthday..............But unfortunate people are our own Indian Police dies due to Panditji's KABUTABAJI

[@AjitJoshi686]

Very interesting podcast. No questions about current ANI mgmt including his grandson 😅. That would have been interesting

[@saradaramsatyavada4943]

Very interesting as.we keep hearing the hidden history of Bharat! can you all younger population push for rewriting historical facts Please! Thank you 👍🏽

[@billtensus]

55:58 Death STARE

[@kuldeepkumarbhat9648]

Instead of calling Rajiv Gandhi a failure, he blames J Jayavardane as a cunning fellow.

[@Sohambando]

BHAI BRING ANUJ DHAR, CHANDRACHUR GHOSE, PROF. KAPIL KUMAR, SANJEEV SANYAL AND EXPLORE MORE IN THE NETAJI AND I N A DOMAIN.

[@rajendrababu2448]

Atleast after the gift of dead bodies on Nehru's birthday, our subsequent governments should have been suspicious of China's intensions. We shouldn't have opened up the trade so much.

[@ihaveaboyfriendmeh1026]

Dekhiye aisa hai. Ki podcast jo hai wo bohot badhiya hai

[@harminderkaur4994]

Ultimate authority lies with political authority, they cannot blame bureaucracy, army , it is fine way to shield nehru, whose follies India is still paying whether China or Kashmir

[@varmaamay]

love vinamr and what he's doing, only felt that this could have been much more in depth, and perhaps he shouldn't have fallen in the trap of immaturity where his lack was very apparent

[@Sohambando]

Indian National Army and its Supreme Commander Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose 🔥❤️

[@kuldeepkumarbhat9648]

He is a grand old man. Si do not want to comment much. Except that he seems to have been a Chamcha of Neru.

[@anarchicdrifter]

nice effort :) however, the interviewer has to read, research & prepare a lot more for such interviews... the lack of it really showed.

[@vivek27789]

First female Prime Minister of a country in the world was Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka in 1960 not Indira Gandhi.

[@nyusings]

How did you convince this man for interview bhai ?

[@prakharmalav6431]

Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first female prime minister in the world.

[@aravind3077]

24:27 🎉 👏 👏 👏

[@dakshchoudhary6206]

it was a good prodcast but could have been great if you could have given a bit of insights on the emergency time period delhi riots what happened in punjab. would have loved that but overall man you are doing great in my view best in the country bro keep growing keep it real and be yourself this is what something i think other podcasters are lacking i have seen your many podcasts but unlike others i see you have your own views and love to see you taking stand on yours views and criticising if they are wrong or atleast cross questioning them while other just change accourding to their guests and recieves tropies by pm as they have done something great or daring i hope you dont give a fuck to such awards and play it real with courage no matter whoever is there as prem prakash sir had said they have same flesh bone as him so why to affraid ya kyu kisi ki chato so man be yourself keep it real. Best wishes to you from Rajasthan

[@rabisahoopuri]

My wish interview of Prem Prakash with Daughter in law Smita Prakash 😂

[@rohan291995]

You should have let him contunue his 1962 story, you interrep a lot man.

[@rickytanwar9685]

Vinamre awkward laughing 😂

[@pradipshyamsukha2588]

Sir, Indira Gandhi was second woman Prime Minister of world first woman Prime Minister of world was Sirima Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike PM of Sri Lanka.

[@Desi.Superman]

He is very fit considering 93 his age

[@udaynigam9764]

@dostcast - kindly don't refer 1857 first war for independence as a rebellion. It's been fed to us like that in textbooks and by mistake we say it a lot. A conscious effort must be made to refer it as it was.

[@keekaldoobriji]

He has lied about the coverage when Rajiv Gandhi was attacked during the Guard of honour at Colombo. It was shot by DD cameraman, Chaman Arora and appreciated by Rajiv Gandhi himself. Whatever he says is wrong and absolute lie. The said cameraman was awarded by DG Doordarshan. He infact asked V George then PS to PM to get him the coverage. George forced Amitabh Bhattacharya the director / Correspondent accompanying the entourage to provide copy of the coverage. This fact has been written extensively in Radio Cavalcade with the picture. Sad to hear him say that. Even his cameraman Surinder Kapoor apologised later privately.

[@naidudhananjay-wl3hy]

Smita prakash is lucky 😊

[@afriend2177]

It was when Pranab Mukherjee was FM under the Indira Gandhi gov't, Dhirubhai Ambani bent the gov't policy in his favour to make huge profits.

[@smrutiwandhare3078]

Commenting on sumone age is really bad.....specially with such a legend.....

[@nowwhat6716]

I probably wouldn't survived for that long

[@kewalshah9910]

Aaj information itna available hai, as well as itne sare narratives hai toh of course kafi badi team chahiye PM ko wo sab regulate, manage aur correspond karne ke liye. Apke time pe bas 5 news channels aur 10 akhbar the sare languages milake. Arre bhai iske ghar me koi young baccha bacchi nahi hai kya? Abhi bhi wohi duniya mein reh ra hai lagata?!

[@surinderkamboj8764]

Why didn’t you ask him about indira’s decision to storm Golden Temple

[@Vinaykumar-ix1cj]

17:55 sorry sir every police person is public servant

[@vivek27789]

I think what he meant to say was that police in theory preserve and protect the law and constitution of the nation... Hence by respecting the authority of police I sincerely believe he meant respecting the authority of the constitution of the nation. But in reality how Indian police has turned out to be is totally a different matter altogether.

[@RichaLovesLife]

Looks like he is 60 or 65 😂❤

[@andymcterton5995]

Dirang dzong valley

[@lntiku2677]

Strange that China blunder was not the failure of Nehru ,but, his officers in the Govt !!! Can it be said that Nehru was not good politician to understand pros and cons of any decision made by him.

[@paramjitsinghgill4034]

Most heavy industries were set up by him. His worst folly was neglect of defence and he paid for it with his life and reputation. He misconstrued the trust in panchsheel and Gen Kaul.

[@lezymemer874]

Vinamra you should know Atlee😂

[@SPEARHEADGLOBAL]

Glad that modi government stopped carrying press in goverment aircrafts to various places.

[@bhaveshvispute4283]

Police has lost authority it's bad, Meanwhile police= "Ek kaam kar 200 side ke dukan mein google pe karde aur chala ja."

[@Priya-cm3tr]

Thats ethical bankrupcy that has creeped into system and people. And society and current education system is partly to be blamed for it. Education is about building character, good dharmic foundation so person understand duty to society, nature, nation along with rights and then innovation & financial success. If you just focus on financial success devoid of other things and teach "ethics" in four walls you basically developing people who are selfish in nature and are focused on acquiring wealth and status. Wealth should not be the end goal but means to achieve other things which serve a higher purpose. It should be result of innovation, service and talent. We can change all this with reformed education and good attentive parenting.

[@aadithyasangani717]

Non sense, with out improving basic education infrastructure what the use of IIT those arw for pnly elites inthose days. He was furst selected pm not elected

[@harekrishnak1437]

What was his age when he met Nehru

[@PrasadCalifornia]

Watch Veer Savarkar to hear the other side of the story

[@azwraith9973]

He led an Extraordinary life, but he is mediocre(borderline crass) in his assessment of the events he mentioned. He had access to power and he has enough information with himself to cherry pick and justify any personal bias he has. eg: Claimed Indira was the First Prime Minister, then implied Golda Meir "the Israeli" was the first. But it is neither of the two. Sirimavo Bandaranaike was first female Prime Minister, and that too of Sri Lanka, a country he must have visited very often. Anyways great talk. We take the best such a extraordinary life has to offer. Thank you for this.

[@paramjitsinghgill4034]

Nehru was perhaps the best prime minister we have had.

[@a.dh11]

😂😂😂

[@aastha6823]

Didn't Nehruji promote demilitarization? How could have any force intervened when they were not encouraged but were looked at suspiciously...