A Century Of Stories

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! This week, Kunal Vijayakar takes us on a ride through the illustrious history and remarkable evolution of the Indian Railways. From its inception in the early 1800s to the modernization efforts and technological advancements of today, we delve into significant milestones such as the inaugural passenger journey in 1853, innovations such...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, join me, Kunal Vijayakar, as we journey back to a pivotal moment in India's democratic history. On the 25th of October 1951, in the serene village of Kalpa, formerly known as Chini gaon, the first elections of independent India unfolded amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Kinnaur district in Himachal Pradesh. Join us...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, join me, Kunal Vijayakar, as we explore a monumental moment in Indian cinema history. On 26th March 1958, independent India made its debut submission to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Mehboob Khan's magnum opus, "Mother India," a gripping tale of class warfare and the oppression of the poor, earned t...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Join me, Kunal Vijayakar, as we unfold a pivotal chapter in India's fight against British oppression. The late 1920s bore witness to the aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the ruthless exploitation under the East India Company. The Indigo Act, Rowlatt Act, and the Salt Tax left India in ruins. Learn more about the historic 3...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! Join host Kunal Vijayakar in this riveting episode as we delve into the remarkable journey of Milkha Singh, Independent India's first athlete to reach an Olympics final. From a refugee in post-Partition India to a national hero, Milkha's story is one of resilience, discipline, and determination. Tune in for this and much more! Open IDFC...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, join Kunal Vijayakar as he uncovers the captivating history of India's Republic Day parades. As the nation gears up to celebrate its 75th Republic Day on January 26, Kunal takes you on a journey from the early years of the parade at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to the grand spectacle along Kartavya Path in New Del...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, join your host, Kunal Vijayakar, as he delves into the challenges faced by a covert team battling freezing temperatures, icy waters, and the relentless Antarctic forces. Learn about India's audacious entry into the Antarctic Treaty System and the monumental Operation Dakshin Gangotri, where a team of soldiers and scient...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, Kunal Vijayakar unveils the fascinating tale of Project Tiger and the Tiger Man of India - Kailash Sankhala! The 1970s marked a dire revelation for India's Bengal tigers, with their population plummeting to alarming levels. Kailash Sankhala, then Director of the Delhi Zoo, brought this crisis to light through a groundbr...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, Kunal Vijayakar recounts the extraordinary tale of Mohammad Salim, the barefooted Indian footballer who left an indelible mark on the global football stage. Salim's story took an unprecedented twist when he embarked on a journey to Glasgow, catching the attention of Celtic FC's manager, Willie Malay. Playing barefoot, S...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, join Kunal Vijayakar as he narrates the captivating tale of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India's grand statesman. Journey through history as we explore Atal's early days in the freedom struggle, his impactful speech at the UN, and his historic role in fostering peace between India and Pakistan. Witness Atal's shini...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, join Kunal Vijayakar as he unfolds the incredible journey of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the visionary behind India's Green Revolution. Explore the pivotal role of HYV seeds in transforming fields and reshaping the nation's destiny. From skepticism to surplus, witness how Dr. Swaminathan's dedication ushered in an era...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, join Kunal Vijayakar as he narrates the inspiring origin story of India's space pride - ISRO! Explore the 1960s, a decade marked by the Cold War, the global space race, and the birth of ISRO. Witness the formation of INCOSPAR in 1962 and its transformation into ISRO in 1972. Observe the launch of India's first in...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, join Kunal Vijayakar as he unveils India's technological rise in the 1970s and 80s, marked by significant achievements like Aryabhatta and Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's space mission. However, faced with resource challenges, the nation sought to obtain supercomputers, leading to the inspiring tale of India's Fir...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, embark on an inspiring journey with Kunal Vijayakar as he unfolds the remarkable tale of E Sreedharan, also known as the Metro Man of India. From the swift reconstruction of the Pamban Bridge to the ambitious Konkan Railway project, witness Sreedharan's unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to overc...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, join Kunal Vijayakar as he takes you back to the historic evening of Saturday, June 25th, 1983, at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London for the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Experience the tension and excitement as Mohinder Amarnath prepares to deliver the ball that would change the course of cricket history in India. Disco...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this episode, Kunal unfolds a poignant chapter in history - Tokyo's beloved elephants during World War II and India's heartwarming response. Explore the distressing order to euthanize these gentle giants, the years-long campaign by Japanese children through heartfelt letters, and the compassionate gesture from India. Discover the jou...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, embark on a remarkable journey with Kunal as he unveils the extraordinary life of Dr. Homi Bhabha, the pioneering physicist who redefined the world of science. Discover the story of Bhabha Scattering and its profound impact on nuclear physics, medical advancements, and space exploration. Kunal delves into the vis...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, Join Kunal as he revisits the historic moment of March 14, 1931, when 'Alam Ara' became India's pioneering sound film at Mumbai's Majestic Cinema. Experience the remarkable tale of Ardeshir Irani's journey, the visionary behind this cinematic milestone, and the impact of 'Alam Ara' on Indian cinema. Explore the c...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!  In this week's episode, Kunal takes you on a captivating journey through the magical year of 1971 in Indian cricket. Join him as he explores the remarkable transformation of the Indian cricket team from underdogs to champions. From Sunil Gavaskar's legendary debut to a historic victory in the West Indies, this episode unveils the secre...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!  In this week’s episode, join Kunal as he dives into the intriguing tale of the Rasgulla patent wars between West Bengal and Odisha. Discover the fierce battle over the origin of this beloved sweet dish and how it played out in courts, offices, and even on social media. Learn which state claimed victory and how the story continued. Expl...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!  As the Cricket World Cup begins, join Kunal as he revisits the pivotal year of 1985 in Indian cricket history. Discover how Ravi Shastri's outstanding performances in the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket played a crucial role in India's resurgence. India's victory in the finals against Pakistan not only secured the Wor...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!  This Gandhi Jayanti, join Kunal as he delves into the extraordinary life of Muralidhar Devidas Amte, lovingly known as Baba Amte. Born into privilege, Amte's journey took a transformative turn when he encountered the impoverished Madia-Gond tribe and was deeply moved by their plight. Despite being forced into a life of luxury, his enco...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank!  In this week's episode, join Kunal as he delves into LIC's history, tracing its inception in 1956 as a vehicle for financial security for every Indian, leading to its present-day stature as the largest insurer in India. Learn about how agents like Bharat Parekh have sold millions of policies, fostered financial inclusion, and played a...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, join Kunal as he unravels the captivating tale of India's White Revolution. Step back in time to 1945, when British-run milk monopolies squeezed farmers dry. Discover how these resilient farmers, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's cooperative ideals, fought back and birthed the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producer...

Welcome to A Century of Stories presented by IDFC FIRST Bank! In this week's episode, Kunal shares the story of the time when India launched its first-ever rocket. This is the story that led to today, when India is able to achieve feats like successfully landing probes such as Chandrayaan on the moon. He also talks about the man who made India’s first rocket launch happen - Dr. Vikram Sarabhai. Tu...