Last week’s letters:

Regarding episode 488: I end up agreeing with most of Abhinandan’s rants, but this one about babus and their jobs was a bit problematic, because you are judging the importance of something in someone else’s life. The equivalent would be someone asking why do you ask for contributions for Sena projects when most of you still have two kidneys, entire liver, and head full of hair to sell. Some don’t find that important enough to keep. Extreme example, but only 150 words, so, sorry. Please don’t comment on the poor example and acknowledge the point.

Babulal 

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Hi team,

This letter mainly concerns Abhinandan’s comment on not speaking up about many of the horrors concerning people and therefore reserving comments on atrocities against animals in episode #488. I used to share this perspective but I have changed my mind about this now. And having listened to Abhinandan for a while now, it feels like he might be open to a different perspective. There are two arguments against this perspective. First, it is very anthropocentric, and I would also argue that it has led to the destruction of biodiversity that are natural habitats of many species globally. Secondly, many animals that are pets and livestock also support humans in many different ways, so caring about them is also caring about humanity.

Quick feedback: I downloaded the Newslaundry app to listen to Hafta after it’s back behind the paywall, but it is very buggy. It crashed 3-4 times in a single episode. Maybe my phone is old but not that old.

Saanaee Naik 

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In the last Hafta, Abhinandan described Ahmedabad as a boring city. How dare he tell me that my city is a boring city, without even living here. If anyone is going to say it, it would be me. No outsiders can say it. It’s like African-American can call each other N-word, but others can’t. Jokes apart, FIX THE PODCAST PLAYER ON ANDROID APP. There was an update which describes improvement in podcast player, but after that update it still lags.

I also have an LTA suggestion. Please make a states series with each states’ political history. For example, I am from Gujarat, so I make a series describing how Gujarat broke away from Mumbai state, what political movement made it happen, what are the reasons and after that which parties came into power. Basically, the political timeline from 1947 till the present, with major events. One might know the politics of their state and their neighbours, but with this podcast series, subscribers can learn about the regional politics of the other states.

Manan 

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Dear NL Hafta team,

Regarding the discussion on the new criminal laws, BNS etc. in this episode, I want to raise a point of order.

I was very happy that you invited a seasoned criminal lawyer like Vrinda Grover to speak on the subject. The discussion was really superb, and as one of your panel pointed out, there were so many new things to learn.

However, after Vrinda left, you continued the discussion during which Anand expressed his disagreement with her observations on the sedition provision, and went on to not only critique what she said, but also make several philosophical and political points to support his argument. I feel that this should have been discussed in Vrinda’s presence, or not at all, because it left the entire issue in a state of chaos and confusion.

Frankly, I listened to the discussion twice over to try and understand the point Anand was making, and am now thoroughly confused.

This is not right.

Although the casual, friends-sitting-around-a-dining-table design of NL Hafta is really nice, and I do enjoy it very much, it is important to remember that your listeners are spending time (and money!) to listen to you, and therefore, some basic protocols, and also basic preparedness is expected from the panellists. It is not, in fact, a casual discussion among friends around a dining table.

I had considered sharing this episode with friends and colleagues at the Bar as well as activists who would be very interested in what Vrinda had to say. But now I have decided not to share it as the discussion following her departure has clouded the issue.

I hope you will take this letter in the right spirit. I really do appreciate the work you do, and avidly listen to not just NL Hafta, but also Charcha, A&A and Reporters Without Orders. It was nice to hear Meghnad again, he has been sorely missed.  

Shomona

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This week’s letters:

I am a new subscriber. Bought annual sub after election coverage. Got introduced to NL through Newsance and Manisha, and now I am a fan of Hafta and Charcha. Missed Abhinandan and his intro to Hafta but Meghnerd filled the space beautifully. Love the explainers of Meghnerd, please have him on shows often. Fan of Raman sir’s flow of thought and story. Shardool, you are an amazing host, and your fillers are like the background voice in hip hop concerts. I have a question for the future Chief Justice of India, Anand. If you haven’t watched the Sansad speech of RG or PM, how do you have such strong opinions of RG’s speech and acceptable vision of the PM’s speech. You have the right to have your bias but if one plays dirty, the other has to play dirty to win. I would love to know your view on Samvidhan Hatya Diwas. Wish we had economy hatya diwas for note bandi, or berozgar diwas for unemployment. I am anguished and speechless at what our focus is on after so many ongoing issues. Love you guys. Keep doing what you do.

Akash 

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Is it possible for NL to make a documentary on the NEET scam? Something on the lines of how NPR/PBS/BBC do a one-hour documentary on a subject for laymen.

Karthik Prasad 

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In Hafta 293, Suhasini Haidar’s analysis of Russia was enlightening. However, I think it should have been placed in the context of the new cold war between the US and China. India is a key nation for the US to counter the dominance of China. But India is still playing both sides. On one hand, India has increasing ties with other BRICS countries, such as Iran and Russia which are considered enemies of the West. On the other hand, it is still considered the West’s ally. Should India be taking a firm stance of alignment now? Should it be aligning itself with the West who I think are extremely opportunistic and unreliable? Is it worth antagonising a powerful neighbour like China? Though I believe our border disputes with China can be solved diplomatically, would this reconciliation be opposed by the West with threat of capital flight or the presence of a large Indian diaspora in the West? Keep up the good work.

Anonymous 

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In a land where priorities bloom like dollar signs and logic takes a backseat ride on a luxury yacht, the Ambani wedding cost graph takes centre stage. With a bill totaling around Rs 5,000 crore, it’s an event to rival the GDP of small nations, an affair so grand it makes fairy tales blush with inadequacy.

Compare this to Kerala’s education budget, a modest Rs 1,000 crore. Apparently, educating millions is less important than a weekend of opulence. Virat Kohli’s entire net worth stands at a mere Rs 900 crore, making him look like a pauper at the gates of Ambani’s palace.

Then there’s the daily cup of Starbucks for 100,000 years, costing a trifling Rs 700 crore. Finally, Tamil Nadu’s breakfast scheme, feeding countless children, runs at Rs 600 crore — less than the price of a solid gold turban, no doubt.

Yet, here come the Indian middle-class liberals, armed with their keyboards and an indomitable spirit of defense, proclaiming the Ambani wedding as a “joyous occasion for India”. How dare anyone spread negativity when the nation is busy grinding itself for basic amenities?

Noaman Khan