Poonam Sharma Anand Ranganathan is not just a name—it’s a force. A scientist, an author, a political commentator, and above all, an unapologetic truth-seeker, Dr. Ranganathan has carved a niche for himself in India’s intellectual landscape by walking fearlessly against the tide.
Born on December 4, 1972, in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Anand inherited scientific brilliance from both parents—his father, Prof. Subramania Ranganathan, was a renowned bioorganic chemist, and his mother, Dr. Darshan Ranganathan, a trailblazer in protein folding research. With such a legacy, science was almost his destiny.
After completing his B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, Anand received the prestigious Nehru Centenary Scholarship to pursue his education at the University of Cambridge, UK. There, he earned his Tripos in Natural Sciences, followed by a Ph.D., which laid the foundation for his scientific journey.
Returning to India, Dr. Ranganathan spent 16 years at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, focusing on diseases like tuberculosis and malaria. Later, he joined the Special Centre for Molecular Medicine at JNU and became a full professor in 2019. His work has appeared in prestigious journals including Nature Communications and Journal of Clinical Investigation.
But science was just one side of the story.
Dr. Anand Ranganathan is also a best-selling author, a fearless public intellectual, and one of the most authentic political analysts in modern India. His writings have been featured in DNA, Swarajya, Newslaundry, and Firstpost, and his bold voice often echoes in TV debates, podcasts, and Twitter threads that challenge India’s status quo.
As an author, he has penned five thought-provoking books:
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The Land of the Wilted Rose (2012, Rupa)
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For Love and Honour (2015, Bloomsbury)
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The Rat Eater (2019, Bloomsbury)
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Soufflé (2023, Penguin)
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Hindus in Hindu Rashtra (2023, BluOne Ink)
His latest work, Hindus in Hindu Rashtra: Eighth-Class Citizens and Victims of State-Sanctioned Apartheid, is a controversial and bold account of systemic discrimination against Hindus in India. What sets it apart? All its royalties go to the Hindu refugee cause. It features a foreword by another bold truth-teller—J. Sai Deepak.
Anand refuses to wear any ideological label—he calls himself a centrist, someone who speaks for truth and logic, not for political correctness. Whether it’s a government or opposition, religious institution or activist, he critiques without fear or favour. And that’s precisely why he’s both admired and targeted.
He’s also faced legal heat. A defamation case in Delhi High Court stands as proof that speaking truth in today’s world can cost you—but Ranganathan stands unfazed, with close friends like J. Sai Deepak by his side.
Among his awards:
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Nehru Centenary Fellowship (1992)
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Pembroke College Cambridge Scholarship (1995)
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INSA Young Scientist Medal (2007)
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Young Scientist, World Economic Forum (2012)
For young Indians, Dr. Anand Ranganathan is a role model who proves that passion and profession can co-exist, and truth is worth fighting for—even when it comes at a price.
