Varun Das
Hi NL team,
A few observations from a regular listener:
First, subscriber letters increasingly reflect despair about India and the world. It is surprising, given that by almost every measure we (humans) are better off than ever in health, poverty, science, and literacy. Please consider adding a "Good News" section to showcase positive developments across science, health, and other sectors, broadening perspectives.
Second, the policy discussions on NL Hafta and Charcha feel lopsided. Old policies get judged by their best days. New ones get judged by worst-case scenarios. Every policy has trade-offs, and both deserve equal scrutiny. Guests often arrive with predictable positions (or can't articulate both sides), creating bias rather than nuance.
These patterns reinforce each other. NL can set a higher bar for better discourse (see PuliyaBaazi podcast).
I also read the piece on Nikhil Kamath. I have never read a more pointless article masquerading as journalism. It has no place among the excellent work that NL has done over the years.
Keep up the good work!
Best, Varun
Simar
Hi Hafta Team,
I was trying to find the last subscriber letter episode and realised it was done long ago. How often do you record those episodes? My only concern is that if you do it after 3-4 months, the letters might lose their context. Keep up the great work team!
Madan Sharma
With reference to MNREGA, the poor of this country have once again lost to corporations.
With reference to governance, the BJP perhaps wants to destroy things so much that any other future government can make things right, and even if the BJP loses power, they can come back quickly.
Nishtha
I woke up this morning to a marginally improved AQI, largely due to stronger winds dispersing pollution overnight. But the biting cold outside underscored what this temporary relief likely came at the cost of many people enduring a harsh winter night, so the rest of the city could wake up to slightly cleaner air. Relying on favourable weather to manage air quality is not only ineffective, but it's also ethically troubling.
At COP, I spoke with colleagues working on China, and we discussed how Beijing once faced challenges similar to Delhi’s: winter pollution, landlocked geography, high vehicular emissions, and stubble burning in surrounding regions.
Delhi needs a similarly deliberate approach. MLAs should conduct ward-level surveys to understand private vehicle dependence and address it by lowering metro fares and improving reliable last-mile connectivity. Schools must mandate bus use and discourage single-occupancy cars. Housing societies must provide heating for security staff to prevent waste burning.
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Letters for South Central
Sreyashi Chaterjee
Dear Dhanya,
Congratulations on South Central's 50th episode!
I remember being super excited about South Central's launch (back when you discussed it with Abhinandan and the team at NL Hafta). My weekends are incomplete without it, and I am glad to see that you're experimenting with different formats and ideas (such as having Yogendra Yadav last week as an expert). Bravo to you and all your co hosts! I look forward to much more from the team!
On that note, I'd also like to congratulate you on your nomination at Reporters sans Frontières – and if you do travel to Paris for the ceremony, I'd be happy to catch up or be of assistance if needed!
(I don't mind if you read this out - or not, that's okay too!)
Warm regards,
Sreyashi Chatterjee
Prakyath
Hello Team South Central,
South Central is a podcast I've looked forward to and listened to since its inception without missing a beat. It is everything that a traditional news podcast/program isn't - i.e., run by a compromised media magnate, North India-centric, male chauvinist, insensitive, etc.
I can honestly go on about how flawed others are in comparison. The podcast is invaluable for being abreast with the events that transpire back home and making sense of them with a nuanced perspective.
I admire that you have a very diverse panel, even if it sometimes involves the likes of Mohandas Pai. This ensures you're not pigeonholing yourselves and the audience.
Kudos to you, Pooja, Sudipto (for the occasional appearance, he should be a frequent panellist), and all those who make the podcast possible. Wishing you more success for the future episodes.
Best Regards,
Prakyath
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