A Century Of Stories

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Join Kunal in this special episode celebrating Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary on 23 January. Discover the incredible story of his daring submarine transfer during World War II, a testament to his unwavering dedication to India's freedom. We delve into the remarkable adventures of a leader whose courage and v...

As one of India’s most iconic cricket grounds completes 50 years, we take a look back at some of the historic matches and moments that make this ground so special in the story of Indian cricket. And for the first time in the history of A Century of Stories: Cricket, a podcast by IDFC FIRST Bank, we bring to you the conversation between two die-hard cricket fans, Cyrus Broacha and comic Nisha...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In today’s episode, Kunal explores how India's 4G revolution transformed the nation, bridging the digital divide and empowering millions with affordable, high-speed internet. From rural villages to urban centers, discover how this one technological leap reshaped communication, education, and commerce, driving innovatio...

As Rahul Dravid brings in his 52nd birthday on 11th January, we take a look back at the long and successful association he has had with Indian cricket as well as the man behind the accomplished cricketer. Watch Cyrus talk about an all-time great with Joy Bhattacharjya who has fond memories of the man and his career in this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket podcast presented by IDFC FIRST Ba...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, Kunal takes you on the fascinating journey of how British tea transformed into India's beloved masala chai! From colonial plantations to aromatic spices, we’ll explore the history, traditions, and evolution of this iconic beverage as a symbol of Indian identity, blending flavors and cultures in every c...

Before the runs, the records and the trophies, there was a shy yet confident curly-haired teenager who got the entire cricket world excited with his batting feats. But what made the young Sachin Tendulkar so precious? What did he do in his teenage years that ensured that the years that followed made him the greatest batter ever of his generation? Hear Cyrus discuss it all with Ayaz Memon, a man wh...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, Kunal takes you to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai, India’s first luxury hotel. Discover its fascinating history, stunning architecture, and world-class hospitality that has welcomed royalty, celebrities, and travellers for over a century. From its breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea to i...

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy level at 1-1, both the teams move to Melbourne to play the Boxing Day Test. But why is the Boxing Day Test called so? And why does it always take place at the MCG? How often have India won at the MCG? All answers emerge in this candid and informative conversation between Cyrus and our guest Joy Bhattacharjya, noted author and quizmaster on this episode of A Century...

  Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, join Kunal to discover the fascinating world of My Dear Kuttichathan, India's first 3D movie! Released in 1984, this groundbreaking film captivated audiences with stunning visuals and immersive storytelling that revolutionised cinema and paved the way for 3D technology in India. Don’t miss out on the...

After winning only one match across the two World Cups in the 70s, India scripted a turnaround for the ages by winning the 1983 World Cup. But they didn’t stop there and went on to break the British monopoly on cricket’s premier tournament by bringing it to the sub-continent in 1987. In this episode, veteran journalist Ayaz Memon shares some unheard anecdotes from the two editions in t...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Discover how the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments transformed India's local governance! Kunal explores their impact on empowering rural institutions and urban bodies alike, fostering grassroots democracy and promoting women's participation in decision-making. These reforms shaped India's development story and strength...

From being doubted by naysayers when it began to becoming the focus of all eyes by the end of the 1970s, the Cricket World Cup had quite a fascinating journey in its first few years of existence. They also brought us interesting characters and stories. Hear veteran journalist Ayaz Memon recount his memories from the 1973 Women's World Cup and the first two men's World Cups in 1975 and 1979 with Cy...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, dive into the early days of aviation, iconic moments, and the enduring significance of India's first airport. Discover the fascinating history of Juhu Aerodrome, and its role in shaping aviation in the country. Kunal will also explore the legacy of the Bombay Flying Club, the pioneers behind training India’s first...

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the sole governing body for cricket in India, overseeing all domestic and international operations, fixtures, and competitions. As the wealthiest cricket governing body in the world, the BCCI generates a staggering 85% of the revenue, underlining its financial dominance and crucial role in sustaining the sport globally. It attracts the world’s be...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, Kunal takes you through the remarkable journeys of Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, two trailblazing astronauts of Indian heritage who made history in space exploration. Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian origin to go to space, overcame numerous challenges to achieve her dream, leaving a lasting legacy d...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Step back in time with Kunal to 1962, a golden year for Indian football, as we revisit the team's extraordinary triumph at the Asian Games. Led by the visionary coach Syed Abdul Rahim, India showcased unmatched skill, resilience, and teamwork to claim the gold medal, defeating the powerhouse South Korean team in a thrilling...

Let's go back to the 1800s when the English started playing the game on the Indian subcontinent. It was the newly displaced Indian Royals who first took to cricket, as a proxy to their power struggle. This patronage then slowly extended from the Maharajas to skilled Indian commoners, ultimately growing the game in the country and revolutionizing this sport.  Hear about their dedication, influence...

Welcome back to @ACenturyOfStories presented by @IDFCFIRSTBank! This week, Kunal tells you the fun and inspiring story of a group of seven women who started the beloved food brand Lijjat Papad in 1959 - with just a small loan and a big vision! Determined to create a livelihood for themselves, they began making papads at home. Their initiative grew quickly, transforming into a cooperative where wom...

At just 21, he became India’s youngest-ever captain and changed Indian Cricket forever. This trailblazer is none other than, the iconic Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi – The Royal Tiger!  Tune in to this episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket, brought to you by IDFC FIRST Bank, as Cyrus Broacha takes you on a journey through Tiger’s legendary career and the amazing transformation he brought to our coun...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, Kunal dives into the inspiring journey of Sabyasachi Mukherjee, one of India’s most celebrated fashion designers. From his humble beginnings in Kolkata to becoming the first Indian designer to walk the Met carpet, Sabyasachi transformed the Indian fashion industry with his unique blend of traditional craftsmanship...

The Parsi community significantly contributed to Mumbai's status as India's financial and trading capital, but did you know they also played a key role in popularizing cricket in the country? Their involvement in the sport dates back to the 1840s, and by the early 1900s, when they were dominant in the Bombay cricket scene, with many Parsis representing the Indian national team.  Tune in to ‘A Cent...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!   This week, join Kunal as he takes you on a ride across the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link - India's longest sea bridge, and a landmark infrastructure project connecting Mumbai to Navi Mumbai across the Arabian Sea. Stretching over 21.8 kms, this ambitious bridge reduces travel time between the two cities to under 20 minutes, ea...

Injuries are a cricketer's worst nightmare, especially when they jeopardize a career. Yet, history has shown us that some players, fueled by sheer grit and unwavering determination, have bravely taken the field despite the odds. With the support of their teammates, they've risked it all to fight for their team in crucial moments, turning potential despair into heroic comebacks. From Anil Kumble bo...

Welcome back to A Century Of Stories: India presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this video, Kunal explores the groundbreaking influence of Pather Panchali , the debut film by legendary Indian director Satyajit Ray. Released in 1955, this cinematic masterpiece not only introduced the world to Ray's poignant storytelling and neorealist style but also reshaped global perceptions of Indian cinema. We’ll...

Get ready for yet another amazing episode of A Century of Stories: Cricket, presented by IDFC First Bank! Host Cyrus Broacha takes us through the enchanting history of brotherly duos in cricket. From legendary partnerships forged on the pitch to those seemingly guided by fate, these siblings have left an indelible mark on the game. Join us as we relive some of the most iconic moments created by th...