MAM
NDTV launches defence podcast ‘CTRL + ALT DEFENCE’ with Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor
MUMBAI: India’s military machinery is finally getting a voice in the podcast space—and it comes with the firepower of two veteran journalists. On 22 May 2025, NDTV unveiled CTRL + ALT DEFENCE, its first-ever dedicated defence podcast hosted by Vishnu Som and Shiv Aroor. New episodes drop every Saturday at 6 pm across Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Youtube, and NDTV.com.
The inaugural episode, aired on 17 May and titled Drones, Airstrikes, Media Narratives: Weapons of Operation Sindoor, dissected India’s calculated response to the Pahalgam terror attack. From drones and airstrikes to border defence systems and battlefront PR strategy, the episode laid the groundwork for a series promising deep insight with zero jargon.
Between them, Som and Aroor boast over 50 years of field reporting. Som has covered conflict zones from Siachen to Iraq and Ukraine, specialising in military tech and satellite defence intel. Aroor brings 21 years of on-ground reporting from war fronts in Sri Lanka, Libya, and beyond. Together, they combine real-world combat insight with storytelling precision, offering listeners more than just the news cycle.
“War is never just about headlines and breaking news; it’s a multidimensional subject that demands context, technical understanding, and lived experience to truly interpret”, the hosts emphasised.
The podcast appeals to a broad base—from defence analysts to curious citizens. It covers missile systems, drone warfare, strategy, and the moral calculus behind conflict. Its tone is crisp, conversational, and informed by first-hand exposure to battlefields like Kargil, Pahalgam, Congo, and Kyiv.
As India’s defence conversation gets more mainstream, CTRL + ALT DEFENCE fills a glaring void with both rigour and relatability.
Watch the podcast here: ndtv.com/podcast/ctrl-alt-defence-1018
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
